I woke up after a night of coughing and congestion-- just getting over the flu. Despite that, I was happy and excited to RUN! Mom, Sheryl, Jim, and I had a yummy breakfast of bagel, sausage, and oatmeal in the Diamond room. I briefly saw Mary- my friend, motivator, training partner, and travel companion-- who was running with her sisters.
We left the hotel and walked to the bus loading at Boston Commons. Anticipation was in the air! We met a nice guy named Dave from Grand Rapids on the bus- great guy! He came to finish what he couldn’t last year.
When we got to Athletes Village, it was almost time for my wave to start. We hit the port-a-pots and grabbed a bagel and some water. I told my mom I would stay with her, but she wanted me to start ahead. I tried to argue, but mom always wins, so I was off on my own. I wish I had taken the time to write my name/state on my arm. People around me got lots of cheers—which I tried to claim as my own J. People still shouted my bib # or called me “orange” because of my shirt.
I had no real time goal,(especially after being sick) and being unsure whether I was going to run with my mom, but I wanted to run my best and have fun, fully enjoying the experience. In fact, as never done before-- I didn’t even wear a watch or keep track of my time in any way. I simply ran with my thoughts and reveled in feeling like a celebrity for a few hours.
There was no 3,2,1, blastoff at the start, just a lady shouting in a megaphone that we were on TV and to wave at the camera, and I stepped over the start line. I tried to Facetime Craig, but it didn’t work. So I called and we talked for the first 2 miles. Those 2 miles were dedicated to my love and greatest support, Craig.
I then decided to dedicate mile 3 to Addy. I thought of her birth, her sweetness, and helpfulness and the joy she is.
Mile 4 was for Mitchell. When I recognize the sun is shining on me as I run, I always think of Mitch. The sun shone on me the whole way. I have a sun burn to prove it. I thought of the lessons we’ve learned from that trial.
Mile 5 was for Hope and the symbolism of her name. I thought of the potential her personality has, of what I envision her future like.
Mile 6 was for Hayden. I thought of all the things I love about him- his leadership qualities, his ingenuity, and his smile.
Mile 7 was for Miles. Part of the reason we named him Miles was because of its connection to distance, the miles that have been run paving the way for his birth, his life. I thought of his happy smile, of how his arrival into this earth was one of the most incredible experiences of my life.
After that I thought of my parents, grandparents, friends and family. During all of this introspection, I had many distractions of scenery and thousands of fans cheering for ME! I took some pictures, posted on instagram, and slapped hundreds of hands.
Around mile 8 or 9 I felt a little sad I was running alone, but soon after thought, “you are running with 30,000 of your best friends!” I talked to Craig again at mile 12ish. I realized it was too much effort to talk, so I had him just talk to me. He told me about his day at the farm with the boys. It kept me going.
One of my favorite memories of the spectators on the course was a rap singer chanting, “Boston Strong” in a microphone to an awesome beat. Some Nuns on the other side of the street starting chanting in and got really into it!
At about mi 14 I had to dig deep. I had decided to do my regular warm up for 13, race for 13, so I was picking it up a notch. It became hotter and the hills seemed steeper and more numerous. But I was still occasionally slapping hands and mouthing “thank you” to cheering fans. I punched a “power up” sign someone was holding.
I walked several steps through every water stop and tried to listen to my body as to weather I needed water or Gatorade… and when how/much gu I should swallow. From fans I took a twizzler, and otter pop, a couple of oranges, and a BEER (accidentally). When the guy said, “atta girl,” I realized it wasn’t water…
I saw team Hoyt !!! It was so inspirational. I walked with them for a bit, asked how he was doing and held Rick’s hand. I shed a few tears, snapped a picture, and posted it on instagram J
I saw 2 women with prosthetic legs, a blind person being led by a guide, and several very old people…running my pace. Amazing.
I smiled all through Wellesly laughing at all the “Kiss me, I’m…” signs. Boston College had several extremely handsome young men cheering wildly. This gave me a boostJ
From 18 on, especially up the hills, I had to put my head down and just zone in on my feet against the ground. I wondered about the thoughts feelings, and pains the runners around me were going through. I realized that Christ knew. I thought o the Atonement and of my mom on these last few miles. I prayed and hoped my mom was doing okay. I was out of energy to take out my phone for anymore pics. I dropped my albuterol and hoped I could breathe when crossing the finish line.
I felt gratitude for no injuries. I thought of the bombing victims and all of the runners in 2013 who were unable to finish.
I trudged ahead. I turned on my music for an extra push. Onward and forward I went. I was mentally prepping for heartbreak hill at mile 22. When I got to mile 21 and a sign read something about having made it up heartbrake hill, I was astonished! (I thought I was on a warm-up hill) and I got another boost knowing that it was mostly downhill after that. I felt like my pace was under 8s at this point and I predicted my time to be between 3:30-3:40. The crowds became more intense and stronger in numbers the closer I got to the finish. I vacillated between a “runners high,” and near “hitting the wall.” I pushed through. I was listening to “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger-“ Kelly Clarkston and I repeated it. As I turned onto Boylston street, I’m not sure why, but I had images and expected to see people plugging their ears and dropping to the ground. I wondered if I should run in the middle. Then I realized I was thinking crazy. I was finishing the Boston marathon. Everything was fine. I was safe. I got a little kick 300 feet from the finish and pushed it in signing, “I love you” to the fans. I bent over and began to wheeze-- more from emotion than exhaustion. It was incredible. I got my medal and was congratulated by amazing volunteers. I had to call Craig who was tracking me to get my time: 3:35:49. I guess my internal GPS was working.
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