Parkway Running Club's Shields Running 15th Consecutive Boston Marathon

Parkway Running Club's Keith Shields, of Roslindale, is running the Boston Marathon for his 15th consecutive year! He talked about his DNA, the Scream Tunnel in Wellesley, and his love for running with Patch.

Patch: Why are you running the 2013 Boston Marathon?  

Shields: I'm running the Boston Marathon because the Marathon has become a part of who I am, it's become a part of my DNA. I love training for it, I love the camaraderie with Parkway Running Club friends, who also run every year. I love the prestige of the race. The Boston Marathon weekend is one of, if not my favorite weekends of the year.

Patch: How many times have you run the Boston Marathon, and what was your fastest time? Do you have a set time you'd like to make this year?  

Shields: I've run Boston officially 14 consecutive times. I've run the last 12 as a qualifier. When you reach 25 consecutives you become part of a small and presigious club, That's a goal I hope to reach. My fastest time was two years ago, I ran a 3:05. Doubt I'll run that this year, hoping for something in the 3:10 to 3:12 range.    

Patch: Where else have you done marathons? What was the most memorable one and why?

Shields: This marathon will be my 29th overall - unless you count the two marathons I've done as part of the two Ironman triathlons I've completed, then it will be my 31st, but I generally don't.  I've run NYC; Philly four times; Richmond; Boise, Idaho; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Manchester, New Hampshire; Huntsville, Alabama; Huntington, West Virginia; Las Vegas, Nevada and a few others.

I have two most memberable. One - I ran as the 3:30 pacer for the Manchester City Marathon a few years back (see one of my photos). A pacer is a person who is brought in whose job it is to run very close to the time assigned at a pretty steady pace. Others with that time goal can stick to me and I'll bring them in (so I was tasked to run a 3:30). It was the marathon where I woke up with the most butterflies because I felt a responsibility for more than just myself. But to run those people in the last few miles and see them attain a goal gave me more joy than any race I ran for myself. The running community has given a lot to me, it was great to give back.

Two - more for fun. I ran the Marshall University Marathon in Huntington, West Virginia.  If you remember, they made a movie about Marshall - "We Are Marshall" starring Matthew McConaughey, about the tragic plane crash in the 70s that killed most of the football team. Because of this, Marshall takes its college football very, very seriously. The marathon went around the city and in the final miles, back onto campus. It ended by sending runners into the football stadium where they ran up one side of the field given an, optional, football - and for the last 100 yards you run down the field with the football in hand and finish in the endzone. Touchdown!. That was awesome... it also helped that I came in seventh overall.  

Patch: What do you think of the Scream Tunnel in Wellesley? 

Shields: It's incredible. I take it in every year, high-fiving the girls, givign the 'I can't hear you' sign to have them cheer more, screaming and cheering back at them. It comes right before the halfway point of the race and it's great to have a little diversion if only for one-third of a mile. It really gives your mind and body a rest and gives you a shot of adrenaline before you start to think about the second half of the race. 

I love running with a first timer - about one-third of a mile away they'll say 'What's that noise?' - 'You'll find out' is generally my answer.

Patch: What else would you like to say about running the Boston Marathon?

Shields: I can talk for hours about this race. I am honored to have run this race, that many call 'one of the greatest and most respected races in the world'. I love its long and impressive history. I love training with my Parway Running Club buddies every year. I love the whole weekend of pasta parties, cruising the huge expo, and the jitters driving out to Hopkinton. I love the morning vibe, the energy of the cheering crowds mile after mile.  I like to say 'If you ever want to know what it feels like to be a rockstar, run the Boston Marathon and pin something to your shirt'. My goal is to continue to do so every year that I can propel my body forward.