By Tim and JoAnn Hodges

The RRR husband and wife team of Tim and JoAnn Hodges weathered the oppressive heat, which reached the upper 80s, to complete the 2012 Boston Marathon. Some 2,100 runners were treated for dehydration, heat exhaustion and other ailments, making it one of the most challenging editions in Boston’s 116-year history. Prior to the race, entrants were issued a heat advisory by race officials and offered an opportunity to defer their entry till next year.

But JoAnn and Tim opted to stay the course and participate. JoAnn finished the grueling trek in 4 hours 1 minute, while Tim, more severely affected by the stifling heat, came home in 5 hours 46 minutes. Here is an account of the race, as related by JoAnn:

“Tim and I started the marathon together. We figured we would run together with the heat advisory. We missed our start of Wave 2. We planned to run slow and smart. Tim is a cold weather runner (he went to college in Buffalo) and was feeling the heat before the start. By mile 5 Tim was struggling with the heat. Shortly thereafter he insisted I run on by myself. I was enjoying the crowds and trying to stay focused.

“The sun was unbearable but I seem to do OK in the heat. The power of prayer really helped because I said a bazillion Hail Marys and Our Fathers! Tim had dehydration issues during the entire marathon. He met up with a real nice man from Vancouver who stayed with him for most of the marathon. The generous residents of Boston gave out ice, water, oranges and sprayed their hoses and sprinklers for the runners.

“I finished strong and felt pretty good considering the heat. As I was walking after the finish line I ran into [fellow RRR members] Bernard and Josephine Patten! We got our medals and I waited for Tim. He finished his 38th marathon vowing never to do another one, [but] I think I can get him to do one this fall, when it is cooler.”

Congratulations to the Hodges, Pattens and all RRR members who took on the Boston challenge this year!

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