Believe to Achieve

Boot work out.  MRI later today. Last night went to Hope of America.  My daughter's class was on the floor-- so she did a few dances.  Definitely a must see.  Very inspiring and well done by all the fifth graders.  I was a volunteer (up and down those stairs at the Marriott Center in my boot, back not happy, foot very happy).    Got reserved seating right in front of my daughter down low.  So wonderful.   It helped me feel better.  And I don't know why I even went through PMD (post marathon depression).  I think it is because SGM is still fresh in my memory.  I knew five weeks ago my foot might not come through for me.  I did the longest taper ever and every run since the injury has been painful.   Sooooo some post Boston Marathon reflections:

I am thankful Melanie filled in for me for Rachelle.   Bending down to pick up the Gu shots at that very moment must have been meant to be.   I would not have seen my family along the course if I was focusing on going faster.   I was in constant "look out" mode two miles before Wellsley (hug to my Aunt) and at miles 16 through 18 thinking that was where my family was.  Then again at mile 21-22.5 when I saw them.  Few....once I got there I knew I could breath easier.  I was very worried about missing them.  Family is way more important than a marathon!! :D. 

I was so in vacation mode and it was so nice to feel that way for a whole week.  Eating whatever I wanted.  The only problem with driving 850 miles in a week was lack of noticing my hydration level.  When I run SG I am keenly aware of this.  But I don't think I was dehydrated in the race. I stopped at every water station and grabbed some from locals as well.  The water stations were almost every mile.  The BM added additional stations due to the heat.   Even though I never felt like I needed to pee in the race I didn't feel unusual thirst.

Third Boston is LOUD.  I didn't have my music and still there was constant noise.  It is nice to have this support truly but by mile 25 I wanted peace and quiet.  The sun compounded the noise.  But Seriously the finish line moment was surreal.  I am running down the 0.3 miles stretch to the finish thinking about how all the elites came through this way and here I was coming too!!  It was an amazing feeling.   :D.

The marathon felt like a jog in a sea of other athletes fighting the heat.   My heart was never pounding like it did at SG.  It was nice and slow.  I didn't feel out of breath.  My quads gave in way too early.  Which I guess could have been from too much time off and the heat all at once. 

I am also not going to EVER take a xanax (1/2 tab works well for me, I just barely got the prescription two weeks ago because I couldn't sleep) the night before the race.  Sleeping 7 hours straight  (and I felt like I could have gone back to bed after waking and eating the buffet breakfast at 830am) and arriving pretty much as the race was about to start is way too relaxed for me!!!  I felt like I dreamed the whole thing.  I slept well the most important night (Sat) so there was no need to overdo it.   I do better lying up thinking about a race then sleeping through one :D.  

Lastly-- I know what I am capable of.  Things happen at the worst times all the time.  I am not going to dwell much longer on the whys and what ifs.    When my foot is healed I will be back!!!   I am not going to lie-- the pain was intense.  But my photos for the marathon don't show it--- I am proud of myself.  I smiled for the camera through the pain.  This will only make me stronger when someday, maybe when I am fifty,  I run a sub three hour marathon pain free!!