Beauty of Boston: This Group Puts in the Miles to Tame Heartbreak Hill
Every Wednesday night, runners gather at Heartbreak Hill Running Company in Newton for Hill Club. At this free workout, runners practice hill running on Heartbreak Hill, getting to tackle the legendary section of the Boston Marathon course before having to meet it on race day.
The Heartbreakers, the running club of the Heartbreak Hill Running Company, host the weekly workout all year, in all weather, and for runners of all ability levels.
“We take high-powered training and give it to the public and make it fun,” says Conor Cashin, who coaches the workout and is the general manager for Heartbreak Hill Running Company. “The Heartbreakers and the runs that we have are a combination of people that inspire you and also people that you inspire.”
Many runners in the group are running the Boston Marathon this year, and Hill Club offers an opportunity to get familiar with the course with a supportive group to push each person further. With less than two weeks until Marathon Monday, runners in the group shared their thoughts on Heartbreak Hill, what this tight group means to them, and what it’s been like preparing for Boston.
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“When we were running up to the top of that hill, and everybody was cheering, it’s like, ‘I am NOT giving up on this hill, I am not. I am going to run it all the way through.’ I think that really pushes you to do better than you would otherwise”—Kelly Heft
“The marathon is so quintessential Boston, it brings the entire city together—the runners, the volunteers, the spectators. People come out and support one another and cheer for strangers, it’s so incredible. I’m moved to tears every year, as a spectator and as a runner because it’s just so powerful.” —Marissa Shackleton
“You can run hills anywhere in the world… It’s more about having the confidence that you’ve been there before, it’s familiar to you, knowing that you’ve conquered it week in and week out in practice” —Coach Conor Cashin
“When I first started doing the hill workouts with this group, they were painful. But they pay off after a while...I’ve probably run Heartbreak Hill a thousand times now, so I know every pothole and every crack in the pavement” —Howard Weinstein
“I love Heartbreak Hill. The first time I raced Boston, it made my day. I made my race on Heartbreak Hill. The second time, I lost my race on it. Of all the marathons I’ve run, it’s the best few miles anywhere. There’s so many people out there cheering, the runners push so hard, and it is my favorite part of the course.” —Steven Hubbard
“There’s no pressure to be something you’re not, so wherever you’re at with your level, you don’t have to feel intimidated that you’re not fast enough or you’re not good enough to show up. There’s people here who have crazy skill sets, and I like that you can come together with that same person and do the same workout” —Lin Varnum
“This group, they are everywhere. They have workouts everywhere, you can’t go anywhere around here without seeing the Heartbreaker symbol, and whatever race you go to now. But the thing I love is that they’re supportive, even like tonight. Everyone waited for the last person to get up there. No one’s judging anyone for being the last one up there. If you’re out there and you’re running, this team will get you faster.” —Tom Pacheco
“I’m a social worker. If I can encourage other people to believe in themselves and overcome whatever it is that they want to overcome, I can surely run a marathon, so I started running. I never thought in a million years that one plan, a pair of sneakers, and massive action could change my life forever, and that’s what Boston did.” —Stefanie Acierno
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