BOSTON!
On Monday 4/20/2009 I did something I never thought I would do - I ran in (and finished) the Boston Marathon. I remember telling Elizabeth there would be NO WAY I would EVER run a marathon. And then, slowly, sneakily, she managed to get me to consider at least doing a trail marathon. In my mind that really didn’t count, since it was on single track trails in the lush woods of Michigan. So in my mind trail running doesn’t ‘count’ since you typically go slower and the wear and tear on your body isn’t as traumatic as running on the pavement. Plus - you’re out in the wilderness with nature. It’s natural. To me running with thousands of people on streets that are meant for automobiles isn’t my idea of fun. I’m not excited by crowds and pollution. There *might* be one exception. Just one. I would consider doing the Boston Marathon if I ever qualified, but I knew that would never happen, so I didn’t have to worry.
Well, you see, I have this really insane group of friends who just happen to all be a part of this crazy running club - SERC that I’m a member of. The girls in SERC are some of the best runners in N.E. Ohio, and they got it in my head that I would be able to qualify for Boston, despite the fact that I thought there would be no way. Elizabeth and Janet informed me that the TowPath marathon was a Boston Qualifier - and it wasn’t a road race. So I started training for it and incredibly I was able to train at a pace that would just get me qualified - 8:18. Janet and I ran at TowPath together and both qualified for Boston, so that was it - I was in.
So began a rough training plan, which was interrupted by massive amts. of school work, getting laid off and going on interview after interview in search of a job that I wanted (and finally got!!!), getting stuck for an extra week snowed in in Oregon, starting a new job and immediately traveling, etc, etc. Needless to say, I was not properly trained going into Boston. But that was fine, my goal was only to finish. Enjoy the experience and have memories of doing something that a lot of runners never get to do.
I was lucky that I was going with 2 seasoned veterans - Barb and Elizabeth - who coordinated everything from the hotel and flight to when we would go to the expo and what time we would wake up on race day. All I had to do was follow their lead. It was a perfect way to do Boston as a first-timer. I didn’t have to worry about anything. Basically the only thing I had to take care of on my own was the actual running and even that was low stress because my intent was just to finish. I honestly didn’t care what my time was as long as I finished. 
The weekend was so fun. We went to the expo first thing Sat. am and we didn’t have any crowds to deal with. Unfortunately I had a terrible headache so I made Elizabeth leave the expo before she was ready so that I could find some excedrin. We headed back to the hotel so I could rest a bit and then I was feeling MUCH better. Let me just interject to say how altruistic Elizabeth is - seriously. I’m sure everyone that is reading this who knows Elizabeth already realizes this, but she is such a great person. I am so fortunate to have her as a good friend. Ok - so after the expo and my shopping spree buying $300 worth of Boston Marathon stuff we went to lunch at Legal Seafood. I guess it’s a tradition to go there Boston weekend and I know why! The food was so good and the service was excellent. We ended up having a big group because some of the guys joined us so it was a fun time listening to them talk about their expectations for the race.
Lunch at Legal Seafood
Fast forward to race morning. We were up early and I stumbled out of the hotel room to the Starbuck’s which opened at 5 am. Got my coffee and got dressed and the 3 of us (Barb, Elizabeth, and me) headed down to the lobby to meet the rest of the group. We walked to the area where there were tons of busses lined up waiting to take the racers to the start line. For those who don’t know, Boston is a point to point race, not out and back, so you get bussed to the start. Our hotel was at the finish, so we had to take a bus to get to where the race starts.
Once we got to the race start location we went to the *secret* church location. Not sure how SERC found out about the church initially, but it was very convenient because it was warm and there were bathrooms without a line (and no one was there except SERC people!). So we hung out there before it was time for everyone who was in the first wave to leave. I left with them even though I was in the second wave - I wanted to see the elite men start! After I left my friends I found a good spot to watch the start and I was able to see the elite men start - Ryan Hall was right out front.
Then it was time for me to line up. They have corrals based on your qualifying time. Because I qualified with a 3:38 I was in the 2nd wave. (Fast people get to go in the first wave). It was insane how many of us there were…there was some talk over the loud speaker and then we were off! The first 10k was tough because I was trying SO HARD not to run fast. I was getting passed left and right. I knew not to run fast, though, because then I wouldn’t be able to enjoy it as much. The entire time I just was in awe at the vast no. of people there were! It was insane - as far as I could see in front of me - hundreds and hundreds of runners! But the runners weren’t the only people - the crowds lined the course. The cheering got so loud at one point that my ears were ringing. When we passed Boston College (I think that’s where we were) there were students holding signs that said ‘kiss me…’ - it was so crazy! I passed a blind runner who was tethered to a guide. I passed a man pulling an oxygen tank, I passed the inspirational Hoyts… It was just one incredible event after another. At one point there was a group of old people in wheel chairs waiting to get their hands slapped by the runners. They were all lined up along the road watching the runners go by. I hit all of their hands. It was so motivating. I think I drank too much water because I had to stop 3 different times to use the bathroom, but it didn’t matter. I was just trying to enjoy every minute of the race. I took my gels at mile 12 and mile 17. When I got to heartbreak hill I didn’t realize I was even there. I think that hill is a bit over-rated. (Though - I was running / walking super slow, I’m sure if I was racing it would have seemed challenging). Towards the end I was getting cold. I took my gloves off and left them and I should have kept them because the weather got colder as the day went on. I was freezing as I neared the finish and would have been more comfortable if I would have kept them. The last turn before the finish was great - I knew I was almost done and the crowds were out of control. I can’t believe how many people there still were all around me running - you would think with such a slow time I would have been alone, but I was surrounded by other runners. I finished smiling and was pushed through the crowd of other runners waiting to turn in their chips and get their medals. We all got space blankets and it was a sea of silver crinkled masses. I was so so so so cold by this point that I was starting to loose it. I needed to find my bus so I could get my drop bag and then head to the warm hotel. I had to ask 3 different times which way the Marriot was because I was so lost in the massive crowd of people. On the way to the hotel I stopped and sat down because my feet were killing me and I was incredibly cold. This girl came up to me with a wheel chair and asked me if I needed help. It was so pathetic. I told her I was fine, I was just really cold and I got up and headed back in the direction of the hotel.
Back at the hotel I was welcomed by Barb and Elizabeth - who had both gotten PR’s. And wouldn’t you know it, Barb got FIRST PLACE in her age group! We were going to get to go to the award ceremony with the likes of Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher! That in itself was worth the trip - seeing so many elite athletes was amazing. And my friend Barb was one of them! After the awards we went and ate some wonderful Italian food and then off to the post race party! The post race party was a lot of fun - including free massages and a free oxygen bar. I had never tried an oxygen bar and it was SWEET! They had different ‘flavors’ - including peppermint and floral scents. It was awesome! It kind of made you feel a little light headed, but good. We all tried it out and Elizabeth got some really silly pictures (check them out on her facebook).
It was a great weekend with a great group of people. I just wish I wouldn’t have had school commitments - but next year I’ll be done with school so look out!!!!!!
Here’s a link to the photo’s that I took:
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| Boston 2009 |
29* year old Akron native. Recently completed my MBA with a concentration in Sustainability. Passionate about innovative renewable energy technology and endurance sports.