Race Recap: The Boston Marathon

Yesterday I was one of the lucky people who ran the 115th Boston Marathon.  In less than 6 months I have run two of the most prestigious marathons- New York and Boston and I couldn't be more thankful.  It wasn't easy and it wasn't always fun, but with the support of my close friends and family, I was able to finish the grueling race in 4:26:25 only two minutes off my PR. As most of you know I got the number late and I wasn't training for a spring marathon.  Truthfully, I was only training for a National Half Marathon PR (which I did).  I ran several 10-13 milers in training but only two legit Boston marathon training runs- one 16 miler and one 20 miler.  Two weeks ago I was supposed to run another long run, but was so sick. So in hindsight, I should be pretty proud at what I was able to accomplish but I wish it felt easier.

The day didn't start that early unlike NY.  Corey informed me that we could take buses from Hopkinton State Park.  The park is only about 12 minutes from my house so I didn't even leave the house until 8am. It was genius to take that bus.  Thanks Corey!! I had a wonderful time hanging out with Corey before the start.  She is one of the most calming people I know so it was fun to spend time together before the race. (I'd show you the pics of us hanging out and athete's village but those pics are on my camera that are lost in my race bag- more on that later...) However once they called Wave 3 to leave Athlete's Village, I started to get a bit frantic. I couldn't find my bus before the start and I actually never did find it.  I ended up handing off my bag to a volunteer who said he would get it to my bus.  After that fiasco, I didn't get to my corral until 10:40 which was my start time.

The beginning of the race was fine but I felt hot RIGHT away. Right away I thought I was overdressed.  I also started drinking gatorade almost immediately.  I knew the areas we were running the first part of the race REALLY well. Which should have helped me, but I felt almost bored.  Hopkinton was quick.  Framingham is kinda ugly and dirty. (I hope no one takes offense to that- parts of Framingham are gorg, just not what we ran through).  Luckily even though I wasn't feeling the best, my friend Kristen jumped in with me at 6.5.  I told her right away I felt off.  We took some walking breaks, I told her I wanted to drop out, wanted to quit. Kristen ran MCM a few years ago and went out too hard and ended up being in a negative place early in the race so she felt my pain.  But she reminded me that I would regret dropping out and that 15 minutes after stopping I would want to jump back in.  So I powered through.  I was definitely worried how awful I was feeling so early in the race.

I ran into my mom around Mile 8 and handed off my gloves.  In Natick Center at mile 10, I saw Dave.  He snapped some great pics and I gave him a kiss and went on my merry way.  I was still SO hot.  The sun was beaming over my head. I was wondering where the wind was because I didn't feel it. 

Through Natick Center I saw more of my high school friends including Stef and Nancy and seeing them made me so happy.  Kristen was supposed to drop off around there but she didn't want to leave me until I had someone else- she was seriously worried I would drop out.  Yes, that is how bad I was feeling! When you know the course as well as I do it can be a curse because I COULD easily get home. (Luckily I didn't drop out!) I ran through Wellesley and hit the halfway point.  I came through the half at 2:05.  My goal was to come through at 2 hours but at my mental state I was proud I was still running.  All goal times went out the window and I was just trying to concentrate on finishing.  Once I came through the half, I was finally able to start counting down miles.  Just before Mile 15 at Marathon Sports in Wellesley, I saw my best friend Courtney and said goodbye to Kristen.  

Awesome sign made by Court!

Courtney chatted my face off and made me forget I had just run so many miles.  I started to feel better and more positive and I LOVED the enormous downhill on route 16.  Then we had some rolling hills getting to Comm Ave.  At Mile 17 I saw my brother in the crowd and he jumped in and joined us.  Having two of the most important people in my life running next to me made me so happy.  Together we tackled the first Newton hill and had fun together.  Around Mile 18, Courtney turned around as Mike and I carried on.  I was definitely struggling on the hills but I was looking forward to the downhills.  Right before Heartbreak at Mile 20 I saw my favorite On-the-Run-Girls and they quickly threw down their posters and jumped in with us. 

 Lauren and Becky told me they wanted to run me home on Saturday and I was SO excited.  I absolutely had an entourage running with me and it was a blast.  Those last six miles were some of the most fun miles I've ever run.

LOVE THIS PIC of you Becky!

My brother, who ran with me even though he was sick, jumped out of the race around mile 23 near his apartment and Lauren, Becky and I carried on.  I cannot thank the girls enough for being there for me.  I remember I kept asking them if they were going to be dissappointed in me if I didn't  PR.  Ridiculous I know.  Once we turned onto Hereford, the girls jumped off course and I tried my best to sprint to the finish.

I was just so happy to cross that line. 4:26.  I ran my first marathon in 4:28. Second in 4:24 and third in 4:26.  Hey, at least I'm consistent.  I saw my friend Stef at the finish and I remember telling her that was it.  No more marathons for me.  Like Sammi Sweatheart, "I'm done." (Mike that's for you!)  I'm not sure I believe that today, but I need a break from the marathon.  I'm not sure we're good for each other. But I'm so unbelievably happy I got to experience this race.  Although I never felt great, I was so proud of myself.

After the race I met back up with Becky and Lauren.  My bag had gone missing so I was lucky they had extra clothes to share with me!  We then headed out of Copley Square towards the Park and met up with Mom-on-the-run who snapped this pic.

 It was smart thinking to leave the area because we were able to get right into Fajitas and Ritas - one of my fav Mexican places near my office.  First piece of business- Mango Magheritas!  Cheers to my 3rd marathon in less than a year!

 And a bit later, Dave came and met us in the city to drive us home. Being just a mile away from the finish worked out perfectly- Dave was able to drive AND park on the street and we hit no traffic getting out of Boston : )

 Dave snapped this picture when we got home.  Can you tell how burnt I am?  My face is so RED and I'm also rocking a sweet Farmer's Tan but only on my right side.

 Words cannot explain how privileged I feel to have run this race.  I know many people dream about it and it was an incredible experience.  Thank you all for your support.  Special shout out thank you to: Corey, my mom, Kristen, Dave, Stephanie & Mike, Nancy, Courtney, my brother, and the on-the-run family.  I could not have done it without you guys! xo

Now I'm not going to answer this publicly- but I do have a question for those runners who have ran both the NY and Boston marathon.  Which one do you like better?