So that's what they call it, and it's still on both sides of the street. I remember it narrowed down the flow of runners into a most welcome energy boost. At 86, though, someone would have to remind me of what's supposed to "await" me.

It was cold in 1974, but as long as you kept moving it was all right. I made the mistake of stopping just before Heartbreak Hill to drink from a cup of water. I had been running ahead of Erich Segal, of "Love Story" fame, but my legs stiffened from the stop, and he passed me on the hill.

Any chance to beat my eight-minute-mile pace lay back behind me in that half-empty cup of water I should have sipped as I kept running.

But had I not stopped, Segal might've had to step over my body on Heartbreak Hill.

I finished in exactly 3:28, with nearly as many behind me as there was in front of me.