Thoughts on the Boston Marathon Bag Policy and Flourless PB Cookies

Howdy Folks!!

For those of you running Boston you have received an email about the bag policy for the Boston Marathon, and I am sure for those of you not running you have heard some rants about it on social media.

I wanted to share my thoughts on the whole thing. I am not sure what to think about it.

Here’s the low down:

“The B.A.A. asks official participants to comply with a new policy for 2014. No bags will be allowed on buses from Boston to Hopkinton, and bags will not be transported from Hopkinton back to Boston. Bags will not be allowed in certain areas at or near the start in Hopkinton, at or near the finish in Boston, or along the course. At the conclusion of the race and new for 2014, the B.A.A. will provide you with a Heatsheet® Warmth Retention Cape for warmth.

A gear check opportunity on Boston Common will be available on the morning of the Boston Marathon, allowing official participants to have a change of clothing (shoes, pants, shirt, jacket) at the conclusion of the race. The bag to be used for this purpose will be provided at Number Pick-up by the B.A.A. Only this B.A.A.-provided, clear, plastic bag can be used for this purpose. No other bags will be accepted. Any items that you would like to have with you at the conclusion of the race must be placed inside the clear, plastic bag that the B.A.A. will provide for you. You must leave this clear, plastic bag at the gear check area on Boston Common prior to boarding the B.A.A. shuttle bus to the start in Hopkinton…..

Allowable items for official participants: You may carry the following items with you on race day. Any such items are subject to inspection at any time.

• Fanny pack (no larger than 5 inches x 15 inches x 5 inches) to carry food, nutritional products, medicine, identification, cell phone, home/hotel key or other similar and necessary small items
• Standard manufactured “fuel belt” (bottles must be one liter or smaller)
• The use of headphones is discouraged, but permitted

Please note: Additional layers of clothing may be worn on B.A.A. shuttle buses and in Hopkinton for warmth before the race. Clothing that will not be worn during the race must be discarded in Hopkinton and will be donated to a local charitable organization”  (Source)

I understand where the B.A.A. is coming from. I understand they are looking out for us. I understand the fear they have, but it wasn’t a runner that bombed the marathon last year it was a spectator, not even a spectator, I would say more a cold-hearted tormented soul. But that’s another story.

I have to admit I am a little scared to race Boston again, because of what happened last year. Call it a PTSD of running. I have nightmares of something horrific happening again and question if I should go. My own personal issues. However, I have never even once thought having bags at the Runners Village in Hopkinton while we wait would be an issue. Never crossed my mind.

I don’t fear the other runners. I don’t fear the spectators. I fear the prospect of a copy cat. So I get it. I get that they are taking precautions and looking out for us. They are doing it for the safety of the runners and spectators.

They already had a strict policy. You could only use the bag given to you and no large hydration packs (i.e camelbaks) were allowed. It’s one of the few races I ever use a gear bag for. Why? Because our buses leave at 6-7 a.m. and the race doesn’t start until 10 a.m., for others even later.

We sit in the cold (yes it’s cold in April in the morning in Boston) for hours waiting for our start. The ground is wet and cold, and there’s not a lot of coverage with all the swarms of people. Everyone is competing for coverage and warmth.

Now I worry: How I am supposed to stay warm? And dry (if it is wet)? So I dress in layers and then just ditch those layers….which means I have to find layers I don’t mind never seeing again. And carrying all my race day nutrition and water in a small little pouch….I mean come on.

I know I am picky about what I eat and drink before race day, and they are providing food and drink there, but I don’t eat half of what they provide.

So I do but I don’t get it. I support, but I don’t support it. I am torn. It’s going to cause inconveniences, but at the expense of my safety are those inconveniences worth it?

I have to say I am annoyed, but when I think of my safety and other’s safety it’s worth it. One would think the B.A.A could find a better solution though.

I’ll end my rant with a great recipe for Flourless Peanut Butter Cookies.

Man these hit the spot!! I spent 10 minutes preparing the dough, if that, which was great since Marc and I love peanut butter and couldn’t wait. Simple ingredients, with no sugar, dairy, eggs, or soy.

Marc describes them as airy and light. They made for a great after dinner treat.

Prep time: 5-10 minutes           Bake time: 10-12 minutes

Ingredients: 

• 1 1/2 c peanut butter (I like crunchy)
• 1/3 – 1/2 c maple syrup (or 1/2 c coconut sugar)
• 1 tsp vanilla
• 3 Tbs ground flaxseed + 6 Tbs water
• 1 Tbs milled chia seed or chia seed (optional)
• 2 tsp baking soda
• 1/2 tsp salt

Directions: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 1. In medium bowl combine peanut butter, maple syrup, vanilla and ground flaxseed + water and beat well. 2. Add in milled chia seed, baking soda and salt, and stir until mixed well. 3. Roll dough into balls and spread on lightly greased baking sheet or parchment lined baking sheet. 4. Bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow to cool before removing from baking sheet. Cool on cooling rack. Enjoy with a cold glass of almond milk 😉

The cookies are fluffy and taste amazing!!

Yields: 2 dozen

 

Enjoy your weekend friends and stay warm!!

Until next time Be Whole and Be Fit…..