In the world of running marathons there is only one word people care about, Boston. When I qualified, on October 21, 2012, for this years race I was SHOCKED and so happy. It took me weeks to come down off that high.
I had no idea, as did anyone else, what running this year would mean to me, runners, the fans, and the city of Boston.
It was my first experience training for a marathon in the winter., and this winter was no joke. It was VERY cold, snowy, icy, and all around terrible. My water bottles froze on every long run and my Gu was cold and chewy.
Marathon day was quite a day....up at 5, leave the house at 6, check gear in Boston Common at 7, one hour bus ride to Athletes Village, 2.5 hours waiting (mostly in a port-a potty line) and then the start at 11am (which is lunchtime.)
It was one heck of a race. sunny, hot, hilly, hard. I have to say, I pretty much hated it. I walked a lot in the second half, something I have never done in a marathon before, not even for a second. And once my legs got a taste of walking, that is all they wanted to do :)
My goal was always just to finish. I did finish, in 4:29. as did Rick in 6:02. He has some great stories from his day.....maybe for another post.
I have already qualified for 2015 and I can't say I will do it again....maybe....but the thought makes me a little sick inside......maybe I need a little distance between me and race day......stay tuned
the finish
my awesome sign from Emma
the church at the finish line was giving out hand knit scarves on Friday. People all over the country made them and sent them in for the racers...mine was from Colorado
Rick ran with Emily's Flat Stanley on his shirt and last years number (which didn't cross the finish line) on his back. He met a woman with the same things!
taken by my friend Sue, who I was with last year on Boylston when the bombs went off. This is mile 3, I was still happy
Rick at mile 13, taken by Sue
happy it was over and proud I finished
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