2013 Boston Marathon & B.A.A. 5k/Invitational Road Mile

Hartman Remains Confident in What May Be His Final Elite Race

Apr 12, 2013 by David Monti

BOSTON (12-Apr) -- One month ago, when Race Results Weekly spoke with Jason Hartmann prior to the NYC Half, the 6'-3" (191cm) American was primed and focused on April 15th, the date of the 117th Boston Marathon. On that morning, the 32-year-old said he would determine whether his professional running career would see another starting line.

Now, less than 72 hours from the start of the race --or test, as Hartmann once referred to it-- the Michigan native who lives and trains in Boulder remains cool, and confident in his philosophy.

"The one thing I have focused on is training," said Hartmann, who appeared poised and ready to race. "I don't have any complaints about anything."

Hartmann proved that he is indeed in great racing shape by finishing in 61:51 at the NYC Half on March 17, shaving more than a minute off of his previous personal best.

"It was an evaluation," Hartmann said. "I was really confident with the result. It showed me I didn't have to do anything crazy the last few weeks [to get ready for Boston]. I got back to training for two heavy weeks then tapered."

Asked whether following that performance he ever second-guessed putting all of his career chips on Boston, Hartmann said no.

"I want to put everything into this race, and the result will be what it will be," he said. "I get a certain amount of confidence knowing that this could be my last race and that I'll have no regrets when I get to the line. There is a certain level of comfort with that, and I take great satisfaction with that."

Hartmann continued: "It is no added pressure or anything, it's 'you know what, I did everything I could, gotta race the race, see what it will be at the end of the day, and I'll have to live with it.'"

One thing Hartmann wanted to make clear to fans was that he has reached the decision to prolong or end his career at Boston not because of a lack of a conventional sponsorship or financial means.

"I think of it kind of like Forrest Gump," he described. "Every runner can relate to the Forrest Gump movie -- when you're running and you're like 'you know what, I don't want to do this anymore.' That's how I look at my ending."

On Patriots' Day, Hartmann will toe the line knowing he's done everything possible in preparation for the 26.2-mile journey ahead.

As he said, there will be no regrets.