The 118th Boston Race Recap

I am finally getting around to writing my thoughts on this year’s Boston. It was a special race for a variety of reasons. I am not even sure where to begin and how to even put in words the race day experience.

I guess the best way to start is with the days leading up to the race, followed by the race itself.

Marc and I left on Friday morning and arrived in Boston late that night. It was a long day of traveling, mixed with eating lots of crackers and ginger so I wouldn’t get nauseous on the plane (pregnancy does that too ya).

Our plan was to get to the Expo before it got to incredibly crazy on Saturday. It opened at 9 a.m. and we arrived around 9:30 and it was complete chaos. Not in a bad way, but in a OMG I can’t move way. It was SOO crowded. I thought by getting their early it would for sure be a little more mellow than it typically was, but this year was a much bigger race.

We didn’t spend as much time at the expo 1. because of the slew of people and 2. because we had the Red Sox game to get to. I felt like we were herded cattle leaving the place. I did run into Meghan and caught a glimpse of Kara Goucher when she arrived. There was a long line of people waiting to meet her. I did stop at the Nuun both too to say hi too.

We had some time to spare before the game, but spent most of it making our way to Fenway with the rest of the crowds. There were a lot of orange marathon jackets at the game. I got little Bean a Red Sox t-shirt and Marc and I picked up our Red Sox caps.

The game was great!! It was a little chilly in the shade though. The Red Sox won and we saw some awesome hits. After the game I was already exhausted and hungry so we headed back to our friend’s house.

Sunday Marc did his long run, while I enjoyed a great shake out run around our friend’s community. I fell in love with all the great houses!!

Marc wanted to visit the Harbor area and get his Fish’n’chips. We got some great pictures of the area and ate a later lunch with some great Boston Creme Pie (I know sweets before the race not the best idea, but when in Rome).

We stopped at the Only Curious George Store in the World, in Harvard Square, to get little Bean his/her first book before heading back to the house.

Our friends made us a great dinner and I retired to bed early. I didn’t sleep much because I was thinking about the race and trying to make my race strategy since I am pregnant. My goals were a little different for this race.

I tossed and turned and waited for the alarm to go off. Once it did I jumped out of bed and began getting ready at 4:40 a.m. Marc came with me to the runners pick up in Back Bay. I thought it would be nuts with all the security, but it was well organized. There weren’t many runners when I arrived shortly after 6 a.m. I said my good byes to Marc and we snapped some photos, and then I got on a bus (with no wait line) and was on my way.

Walking to the Buses

The drive out to the start always takes forever, and reminds me of the long distance back to the finish. I chatted with a gentleman from Maine about the race. It was different having nothing to carry with me. I found a spot at the village and raced to get a heat blanket to stay warm. Before I knew it they were calling wave 1.

It was already starting to heat up. The sun was shining and it felt great out, maybe a little too warm for running. My goal was around a 3:30 marathon, which seemed so much slower for me. I thought that was a reasonable goal, and wouldn’t be too much for the baby. I was just worried about the heat. Before I knew it, it was go time.

Waiting for the start in Wave 1

As always, I started out a little to fast, and slowly tried to rein myself in to a 8 minute pace, slowly. I felt heavy the first couple of miles, and by mile 6 I already had to pee. I stopped but the potties were all full, and I didn’t want to wait any more, so I continued on.

• Mile 1: 7:00, Mile 2: 7:00,  Mile 3: 6:58, Mile 4: 6:55, Mile 5: 7:07, Mile 6: 6:58

I took in the crowds. The spectators were amazing. Cheering so loud the entire way. I couldn’t believe it. They were thanking us and calling us heroes. Most of us were thanking them in return. To me they were the heroes. I was running for them.

I hit Wellsley and the unavoidable pain began. I know what happens after the halfway point. The hills and the heavy quads. I felt heavy trudging up the hills, and wanted so bad to be done with the race. Then I remembered why I was running. It wasn’t for me, it was for them, it was for Boston.

(I stole some screenshots)

The halfway point never felt so good though. It’s best if you forget about the second half and all the hills that come with it.

• Mile 7: 7:06, Mile 8: 7:11, Mile 9: 7:10, Mile 10: 7:00, Mile 11: 7:13, Mile 12: 7:08, Mile 13: 7:08 (as you can see it was a slow progression to a slow pace, it was hard for me to remind myself I was prego and couldn’t be as intense)

The crowds grew louder and louder and someone yelled “An American won the race.” We were asking “Who?” It was a mile or so later when we found out it was Meb. So exciting!! The first American in 31 years.

I had to stop 4 times to pee, and another time to take my compression socks off. They were killing me and causing major pain on the feet. I got to the bottom of Heartbreak and tore them off. I had a huge blister on the side of my foot, which has never happened before when I wear my Pro compression socks.

• Mile 14: 7:17, Mile 15: 7:25, Mile 16: 7:10, Mile 17: 8:03, Mile 18: 8:31,  Mile 19: 7:19 (the hills helped to slow me down ha)

Heartbreak broke me, and my stupid blister. I kept thinking there’s no way I am going to finish another 6 miles, and I was getting tired of peeing and scared about the rising temps. But just as soon as the thought crossed my mind, the crowd was screaming my name and rooting me on. They were simply amazing. There were times I couldn’t even hear myself think, which was maybe a good thing.

• Mile 20: 8:42,  Mile 21: 9:45,  Mile 22: 7:16

As I got closer to downtown and the finish, I became more and more excited. I dreaded the little hills that aren’t noticeable except on race day, but I also anticipated the crowds. They never stopped. I ran past amputees and blind runners and was inspired and awe struck by their perseverance and strength. They were simply amazing!! I couldn’t image the pain they were feeling.

• Mile 23: 8:20, Mile 24: 8:44, Mile 25: 9:38 (I struggled through this mile and the heat was getting to me)

There’s nothing better then seeing the Citgo sign and knowing you have a mile to go. Soon I was turning right, less than a mile to go, but my heavy legs wanted to walk. I started to walk, when a man said lets do this together and grabbed my arm. We turned on to Bolyston street and saw the finish line.

I dug deep. I choked back tears and I ran to the finish. I loved how those who didn’t finish last year were going to finish this year. I loved how the horrible events of last year didn’t keep the crowds from growing louder, stronger and bigger, and didn’t keep us from running.

• Mile 26: 9:33, .53: 3:16 My watch time: 3:23:57, which didn’t account for my potty breaks, as my watch was on the pause setting whenever I stopped…oops. My official race time: 3:29:39. I can’t believe I wasted 6 minutes using the potties and dealing with my socks. Consequently, my splits would be different to account for the potty breaks.

Waves of emotions hit me the entire race. There were moments I wanted to cry as I saw runners with the names of those who died last year on t-shirts and their bibs. Those who were running for a cause. Those running with new prosthetic legs. But then came the smiles. Excitement from the crowd made me happy. Seeing all the runners made me happy. The running community showed they were unbreakable.

After receiving my heat blanket, medals and water I left the finish area looking for Marc. I was ready to go home, and really didn’t want to hang around downtown with all the finishers. I needed to get away from the large crowds. As much as they helped me through the race, I wanted time to process it all.

Finishing the 118th Boston marathon was an honor. I loved being apart of the day and apart of the history and spirit of Boston. Loved reading all the race day signs. This race was memorable in ways I can’t describe. We all united once again to show we were Boston Strong. This amazes me. We preserved to show our support for Boston. This amazes me.

Thank you all for the encouragement before race day and on race day. I appreciated all the kind words!!

Oh and after the race Marc and I found our new house…hehehehe…as we were walking around the neighborhood, which I am sure was sight for all to see!! 😉