12 Miler: First Group Run

This is the level and timing of workouts where it seems to count for marathons. 12 miles in the relative cold (although 30-35 is above normal for this time of year), running in Boston, and running in a group. Running in a group has some challenges and some benefits. You get "inspired" to push yourself, but you have to be true to your own abilities and not accidentally over do it.
This run started/finished at the Boston Running Company apparel store in downtown Lexington, a few steps from the historic Battle Green site of 1775. There were at least 50 -75 runners crmmed into this little shop.
There is a great "rail trail" bikeway a few paces from the shop. I've been on this 11 mile railroad-turned-into-bikepath several times when I used to live in Cambridge, but only on bike and never in Winter. Certain sections are plowed in winter and some diehards pedal to work all year long. For running, a good portion is unfortunately covered in packed snow and even worse, black ice.
I wonder how many footfalls I wasted "spinning my wheels" over ice. Regardless, it is refreshing to be able to run a long distance without having to think about cars all the time.
The path is mostly downhill from Lexington 6 miles almost to the end at the Alewife T stop. Dana-Farber had water and gatorade stops at 3,6,9 miles. I chose the red gatorade, and I intend on drinking it during the marathon (they have stops every mile during the race, and they serve orange, red and green gatorade). I don't even bother trying to name the actual flavors, because its just chemicals, but for some reason I get sick to my stomach when drinking the green Gatorade...but not the others. I need the sugar calories when running and it is essential to train with the same sustenance you'll use in the race.
For the run, kept pace with some folks that were running a bit faster than my normal pace, and felt fine. I was thinking to myself, this running path was great, ice aside, except it had no hills, which the marathon course has about 5 notorious hills...then when it was time to turn around, I realized that the path had been gradually decending this whole time and that it was going to be a gradual climb the whole way back. A very good course because normally I'd have more gas in the tank to pick up the pace the last mile, this way I was pushed to the very end and used most reserves trying to keep a steady pace.
Back at the store, I took the time to stretch and cool and warm up. A woman introduced herself, and told me that for her, running for Dana-Farber provided a support network that she didn't have when her father had cancer a few years earlier.
I hope to meet more people and hear stories of how having a cause, fundraising, running, and marathoning help transform people's lives.