My 26.2 Mile Adventure (Boston)

4:47am My alarm goes off after a very short and restless night of sleep. A hot shower wakes me up. I’m feeling ready, but a bit nervous about the weather.

5:25am I head out to the hotel van for a shuttle to the T station, where I’ll catch a subway, and eventually a bus to the start. It’s pouring rain, freezing cold, and very windy. A bunch of us BS about the race, the terrible weather, and what to wear out on the course.

7am I’m lucky enough to be among the first to Athletes Village, where they’ve opened up the field house on a first come, first served basis. It was miserable for those stuck outside, left to huddle under the trucks or cram under the tents. This is the worst weather leading up to the race in Boston marathon history.

10:15am We’re herded out to our starting corrals, based on our qualifying times. On the way, a newly-made friend and I make one last stop to the Port-o-John.

10:30am The gun goes off and the herd of runners walks its way to the start. Eventually we get to start running. The 111th Boston marathon begins!

Mile 1 The rain has let up and I’m feeling great, and even starting to feel a little warm in my three layers plus a poncho (which, btw, I’ve carried around in my camera bag for the last five years. It was meant for a time such as this!). The river of runners stretches in front and behind me.

Mile 4 Still having fun?? Yep, still having fun. I’m on pace well ahead of my time goal. The energy on the course is amazing– all the runners, spectators, and noise! The encouragement of the spectators really does help!! “You’re amazing!” “This is YOUR day!” “You’re kicking ass, and I’m taking names…” “We’re proud of you!” “You’re running Boston marathon today!” YES, I am! Afterall, I did qualify and earn the right to be here today. …And I finally shed that stupid poncho…

Mile 8 My knee starts to hurt. DANG it!! It rains for about 15 minutes, then stops for the rest of the day, but the wind and cold persist.

Mile 10 I start singing Gnarls Barkley’s song “Crazy” in my head to entertain myself. Still having fun? Yup, still having fun! This chick in front of me bites it hard on the concrete– even her face hits the asphalt. “Tie your shoelace,” everyone yells at her.

Mile 12 The famous Wellesley College spot on the course– hundreds of screaming girls line the right side of the course. The noise is deafening and I can’t help but smile. I run along right next to the side of the road, grabbing all the high fives I can get and taking in the energy, saving it for the hills on miles 16-21.

Mile 15 The searing, hot pain in my knee forces me to stop at a medical tent and get it wrapped, if I want to have any chance of finishing. As I sit in that chair, I seriously feel like I’ve been smoking something– the level of endorphins and adrenaline are that high in my bloodstream. :) My pace per mile slows much more than I’d like it to. It hurts so much sometimes, I feel like crying.

Mile 21 The infamous Heartbreak Hill. I start chanting random things to myself… like a line from an old camp skit– “Come on Bessy, give! The baby’s gotta live!” (Yup, REALLY random, I know, but hey- you do what ya gotta do at this point). And now I OWN Heartbreak Hill!!!

Mile 24 I’m determined to stay focused and finish strong, in spite of the pain. I’m on the left side of the road and see a group of spectators on the side with a Chinese gong, and they’re yelling, “come ring the gong!” I’m SO going over there. I charge across the road, take the stick, and whack it as hard as I can. BOOONNNG! That felt so good!

Mile 25.2 I pass the famous Citgo sign– exactly one mile to go. COME ON! 25 down, one to go. That finish line and that medal around my neck are all I can think about, besides my knee.

Mile 26 A throng of people, screaming and cheering, line the homestretch of Boylston Street in downtown Boston. I take a moment to take it all in and start to choke up– uh oh, can’t… breathe. Calm down. Ok, that’s better. Soooo amazing!

Mile 26.2 Arms raised above my head in victory, I triumphantly cross the finish line. I did it!!! I’m officially part of the 0.1% of the world’s population that understands the euphoria of finishing Boston marathon. What a day! It’s been a privilege to hang out with this group of runners. Marathoners are such fun and inspiring people.

Today, as we did some more sight-seeing around the city, I’d be hobbling down some steps, and I’d notice someone next to me with the same funny rhythm, and we’d smile knowingly to each other, feeling the comraderie of a shared experience.

Tonight my family and I, sore muscles and all, celebrated at the Black Rose, an Irish pub in downtown Boston. For those of you that know him, I swear I saw Art Collins with an Irish accent playing traditional Irish craic music in the live band. :) Honestly.