Boston Marathon Roll Call: Ryan Thoreson

Ryan doped to the gills at Boston 2017

What was your first year running Boston? 2017.

What was your first experience like? PR? PW? Did you BQ at Boston or did it humble you and inspire you to seek out revenge? I had a nasty head cold, so I broke the nothing-new-on-race-day rule and started it drugged to the gills on DayQuil, Mucinex, and VapoRub. It worked, though – thanks mom – and I managed to BQ again with a 3:02:16.

Why do you keep coming back? Is there something special about the race that keeps you coming for more, or are you just a serial marathoner? My husband and I used to live by the Chestnut Hill Reservoir and I used to run around there all the time, so I have a weird affection for the Newton Hills and love that part of the race. It feels a lot like a hometown marathon, and the energy is unbelievable.

Is your preparation for the 2018 race different than previous Boston Marathons? Overall how would you rate your training? Was there a single workout or tuneup race where you thought, “Bring on Boston!” or conversely, “Oh my god I’m not ready for this!” My work schedule has been a little unforgiving, so my training plan involved a lot of late-night treadmilling and DIY long runs in weird places. It was either brilliant or terrible. We’ll find out shortly.

What are you looking forward to the most about the race? Seeing old friends along the route.

What are you dreading the most about the race? Taking the Green Line afterwards, which is trying under the best of circumstances.

Is this going to be a PR attempt? Hard nope.

What’s your strategy for April 16? Starting slow and keeping enough in the tank to power through the Newton Hills in decent shape.

I double dare you: predict your time! Probably 3:00:01.

What words of advice do you have for first-time Boston runners? Don’t get stressed about the congestion at the start – it clears up after the first two miles, and it’s a blessing in disguise.

In two weeks time you will cross the finish line and think, “NEVER AGAIN!” Be honest — will you run this race again? If they let me!

Which course is harder and why: New York or Boston? New York – the bridges are the worst.

What’s the first beer you’ll have after the race? I feel obligated to say Sam Adams.

I apologize for ripping this off from the NBR blog, but in your head what celebrity do you think you resemble most when you’re running? I look like a dying Catholic martyr in every race photo ever taken, so let’s pick from a hat and say St. Sebastian.