I'm not crazy...I'm just bored!!

Again, no running. I was a little worried about not running, but figured I was on a good taper, right? When we woke up, the Easter bunny had visited and left us a trail of peeps through the hotel. How fun!! Lowell had seriously packed almost a full suitcase of peeps just to surprise us. I am so blessed to have Lowell and Terry (my two running dads - they are exactly my dad's age and my dad never saw me run...I started after he'd passed. Actually, Terry is 3 days younger than my dad!) in my life and to spend incredible experiences with them. 

Our intentions for Sunday were to go to the blessing of the athletes at Old South Church. They have 2 services at 9 and 11. Then, we were going to go to Sacrament meeting at the Boston ward that our hotel was in at 1:00. This was Easter. I was SO excited for the blessing. Last year it was an incredible service and I knew with the scarf project and last years events as well as the holiday, I just knew it was going to be unforgettable. When we got there at 9:30 there was already a line of at least 50 people for the 11:00 service! WOW! We took turns waiting in line, because it was cold...so cold! I was really worried, because I'd brought lots of spring clothes and it had been so cold and it just kept getting colder and colder. My special tank and outfit that I'd ordered and the company special sent my skirt TO Boston because it wasn't going to get to me at home in time...I wanted to wear it! But, if it was going to be 35 degrees I'd freeze. Anyway, small worries on a great day. 

We finally got into the Church and got our seats, they were perfect seats. The service was incredible. Oh wow was it incredible! When they had the volunteers come out for the blessing of the athletes with the scarves it was so moving. You could truly feel the love and courage that the community was sending as a blessing to all of us. Especially after last year. Having the strength to come back and not let the darkness take over. It was palpable how much the city put on the athletes to bring back this celebration, to rescue it and to restore the glory that is Boston. I was so glad that I had taken the time to go and to participate.

During the service, Bret had gotten a text that it was Stake Conference at 11:00 and that there were no LDS services at 1:00, but she had talked to the bishop a few weeks earlier and he'd said yes they were having services. We thought maybe it was a different Stake or something so we decided to go and try and attend LDS services anyway. We took the train and walked about 1/2 mile to the church and as we got there, we couldn't see any cars or people crowding in and going to services, so we knew that it had been Stake conference and we'd missed it. While we were discussing what to do now, a family came out of the church. Heidi Neuffer and her family had made the same assumption we had and tried to attend services at 1:00...with no luck. She said that a Bishop and his counselor and their families were inside cleaning up and offered to do sacrament for them, but knowing it was a holiday and they'd already been through services we wanted them to be able go home and enjoy the rest of the day with their families. As we were discussing this 3 girls climbed out of a taxi...again wanting the 1:00 services. They'd come straight from the airport. Then another 4 people came. We finally decided that since there were so many of us now that maybe they'd still be willing to do the sacrament. 

We went inside and asked and they were gracious enough to comply and continue to serve us despite a day full of service, away from family anyway. The service was short and sweet. Opening prayer and song, Sacrament, closing song and prayer. But the spirit in that room was immense. I've never felt it so strong. All the glamour and beauty of the church during the Blessing of the athletes was incredible. But that day I learned that I don't need a full orchestra, orators, stained glass, beautiful voices or any of the pomp to feel the spirit. The spirit was so strong in that simple service and simple building that there wasn't a dry eye in the audience. We all were just simply moved by the generousity, compassion and spirit that attended that meeting. That is something I cant ever deny. I won't. That day my testimony grew. I was excited for the pomp and circumstance, but the simplicity of the spirit was what I needed. I'm grateful that Bret was willing to go despite knowing it was Stake conference, becaue this was an experience  I will always treasure. Even if it did make me miss my kids and family even more. I needed that. Even if that was the only reason I went to Boston this year, to experience that, it was worth it. 

The rest of the afternoon we relaxed, I attempted to be in the Utah picture at the finish line, but everyone went about 50yds away from the finish line and I couldn't find anyone and missed the picture...blah. Whatever. It was still good to see many of my local peeps and chat a bit. 

Then I met the group at Fillipios. The mafia grandma! Oh so good. We then went back to the hotel and got ready for the next morning...the big day. Oh man. Nerves setting in! I had a small breakdown and Terry and Bret were incredible to listen to my whining and help me through my missing of my family and overall crazy. I'm so grateful for wonderful friends and the people in life that support me and help lift me at my lowest. Thanks :)

The day! Oh how long I'd trained and waited. I was hoping for a 3:20...that was my A+ goal. Under 3:30 would be the next goal and certainly doable. I hadn't really planned on much else. I knew I could do this. 

We got up at a decent hour for a race and boy had the temperature changed. It was warm. I was worried about being too cold...ha! Bret and I got on the buses together and actually met up with Lisa just as she was getting on the bus. They had a seamless bag drop and checkpoint and loading for the buses. No lines, no nothing. It was seamless. it truly is incredible how well Boston takes care of 35,000 people! 

We got to the athletes village, got settled in to a spot and chatted. Lisa and I were planning on running together and we both had similar goals, but knew that we didn't need to stick together if one was feeling it and took off or feel bad for doing it if the other was struggling. This year they had you congregrate at the HS then walk down to the corrals and the start line. They must've held us back too long, because despite getting to say hello to Hill Billy runner (which was SO great to see him again this year!!!) we spent too much time there and weren't even in a corral (and we were in the middle of the group) when the gun went off for our wave. AACK! So, we jumped in the closest corral (6, I think) and just went through the lines until we got to the start. We still had stop and gos until we got there, but getting to that start line was amazing! It was go time. 

I had a problem. I started and although I'd had a nice taper...I think it must've been too much of a taper. My quads were just feeling tight and sore by 1K...getting to the 2K mark seemed like forever. This race was NOT starting how I had hoped and dreamed. The easiest miles were getting harder by the kilometer. I kept my brain quiet as it told me this was going to be torture. I got through to mile 5 and finally loosened up a bit, but still didn't feel right. At mile 8 I asked Lisa where we were, knowing I wanted to be at 1:00:00 or just over. I think we were almost 1:03, ugh. Well, now it is time to just suck it up and deal with what the day was giving me. This included heat. My arm warmers came off at mile 2, if not before. The cold had been around for so long this spring and even in Boston the past few days that the high 50s were feeling a little hot...and with a race that starts at 10:30, it never gets cooler. 

It was really nice having Lisa beside me. We didn't talk much, but we had each other to kind of pace off of and have as a support. I've never raced with someone before. But, Lisa and I are so equally matched in our pace that it was perfect. A small pull when you needed it and then you could return the favor for the other at times. Matt Shoemaker from Logan picked me out of the crowd (the tall blonde girl with braids is easy to pick out) and unfortuantely I didn't recognize him. Luckily Lisa saved my butt! :)  

The crowds were incredible. Smaller than I remember with Paul, but more solid. There was a solid force out there. You could feel it. It was different from last year. This was the "I've got your back, thanks for having ours!" feeling. The crowd wanted you there and was proud to have you and proud to be supporting you. Signs that read "YOU are the true hero" I didn't really feel like a hero for simply running a marathon, but to them I knew they felt I was. We were taking back the streets of their city. They appreciated our sacrifice. We weren't just athletes, we were their heros for being willing to come back in droves and show the world that we will not be stopped. Good always conquers evil and runners are persistent as crap and we won't be deterred, even by bombs! 

At mile 15 I went to the side to get a drink and Lisa stayed in the middle. Then I lost her. We'd seen Teena fly by just a mile-ish before and I noticed she was walking and drinking, but I guess I lost track of Lisa there. I looked behind me, I didn't see her. I couldn't see her ahead either. Shoot. I was on my own. After mile 11's confession of "I'm going to say it. I don't feel good for mile 11!" I was pretty bummed to lose my companion. I did know that mom (Laura) was going to be at mile 16 on the right side. So I stuck like glue to the right side and searched faces. Lisa must've been in front of me, so I figured I'd see her saying hello to her mom. I couldn't see her, searched and searched. No one, nothing :( I kind of gave up at that point. I knew I was alone, tired and done. I was either going to finish or not...I was going to finish. My pace wasn't horrible to that point and the hills were ahead. Sometimes it is the steps you take alone that make you who you are. 

I kept my head high. I was determined to conquer the hills. I'm not very good at running hills, so this was my chance. On the rollers that become heartbreak, just at the bottom a guy was waving in the crowd and stepped in a man-hole rut/hole. He wobbled then fell right in front of me! I couldn't help but stop and help him up on his feet. He was okay and didn't even have road rash. We both set off running together again and he seemed okay. As I pushed up the hill I kept imagining Chad just ahead dragging me up just like a couple weeks ago when I was determined to conquer my 10 mile route hill. I just kept going and pushing. I knew when I got to the top that I'd have just 3 miles of downhill to go to the finish. I could do this. Hang on girl.

The last few miles of downhill were incredible. I finally was able to get back into a groove and I pushed past many that were walking or falling into a shuffle. I knew I was far off my 3:20 goal after the half and 20 mile splits, but I thought I still might be able to gather enough to finish under 3:30. When I got to the 40K mark I, for the life of me, couldn't figure out how fast I can run a km. I deal in miles, not km. So I had to wait until I hit the 1 mile mark...unless I ran a 6mm I wasn't finishing under 3:30! So, I just kept pushing and thought "at least I'm going to BQ in Boston!" Which isn't easy from what I understand, so I was pleased with my effort. As I turned onto Boylston I had decided to run down the left side of the road so that I could honor the bombing sites as I ran past them. But, then I heard my name. Over my right shoulder. What? I turned...it was Lisa!!! I told her I couldn't believe I'd caught up. She said oh no, I've been chasing you for 10 miles! LOL! I thought she was in front of me and I was in front of her. I was SO happy to have her with me as I finished this journey. With tears in my eyes I grabbed her hand and said "I'm SO glad to have you here!" We ran the last quarter mile together and finished at the exact same time. It was incredible. A perfect finish to a great race. 

We wandered through the finishers area getting our cool blankets (which we were both too hot to wear!), medals, water, food...then after we got our Dole fruit cups a guy pulled us aside and asked to take our picture with the cups, because we looked quite a bit happier than the rest of the crowd. HAHAHA! So, we got to be models for the Dole people...awesome. The drop bags were SO far away. By the time we got almost there I was done walking. I decided to just leave it until I picked up Lowell and Terry and Bret and we all met there. All I wanted was my flip flops, but I was okay. I visited with Lisa, Julie and Laura when we found her for a while, then I got a hold of Susie and took off to find a way across the finishing area to get to her. 

Trying to get there I was asking a couple officers where I could cut through. I ended up having a good converstion with them and they asked me "why do you look like that and everyone else looks that they do?" I just had to laugh. They apologized for not being able to let me through and I told them I wanted them to do their jobs and I was grateful they were there not letting people through to protect us! I finally found Susie and we chatted and waited for Lowell and Terry. We were down the finishers area past the finish line and so they called when they finished and I walked against traffic to see them. After my emotional breakdown yesterday I felt so close to Terry and having this be his last marathon and he ran the first 10 miles with me my first marathon. I gave him a great big hug and then Lowell. Terry and I walked together while Lowell visited with everyone and it was so great and emotional. I love those guys! My two running dads. I'm so stinkin' lucky!

On the way to the drop bag area I saw a fire hydrant open and spraying into the street for the runners. I was SO excited! I'd always seen kids playing in them in movies and I always wanted to as well! So Terry sat down and took my picture as I ran my victory lap through the fire hydrant in Boston. A capstone to a terrific day. We gathered our drop bags and Lowell, of course headed to McDonalds for a bacon cheeseburger. I really didn't want McDonalds, so I visited while they ate then I stopped at Clover (an organic vegetarian local place) to get a bite near our hotel. Oh, that place is yummy! They even let me pay only the sweaty $5 cash I had in my pocket instead of the $7 the menu posted. The people of Boston LOVE marathoners! I was grateful for their hospitality. 

After being lazy and hanging out at the hotel and getting showered, we went to Legal Seafood and I had a great dish of pan fried kale with greek yogurt and peanuts. Yum. Almost as good as the steak and shrimp :)

Great recovery day! I honestly don't remember what we did :P so silly, but I don't. I do remember it was sunny, but a little overcast. Bret wanted to go to a few things downtown and the library memorial before she returned home in the afternoon. Then Lowell and Terry took her to the airport and Susie and I went to lunch at a great pizza place. I love the local and good food flare that is taking place in the restaurants in Boston. I loved sweet potatoes on my pizza!! 

After a rest at the hotel and a light dinner there we headed to Fenway park for the Yankees V Redsocks game. how much more epic can you get?!? We didn't have seats together, but they were in a close vicinity. We tried muscial chairs to move from row to row trying to stay under the radar and together. I also got my Fenway Brat that I'd been craving since last year!! 

A run away game and the rain helped us duck out a little early, but it was still a great time at the ball park. When isn't a game at Fenway a good one?!? We got to sing Sweet Caroline and that was the topper to the evening. 

I wanted to go running in Harvard...epic movie scene running. But, after a report Tuesday night that a girl had been attacked while running in Harvard, but she'd fought him off thankfully. Either way, I wasn't going to go running alone and Terry and Lowell weren't interested in joining me in the rain. So, another day off. 

My running dad Terry and my stand in mom, Susie, and I went to Harvard to walk around while Lowell did business on his laptop and packed. We followed an incoming freshman tour around and we felt like we fit right in. I only wished I was going to Harvard! But, we had a good time learning and creating our fun family history :) 

We headed back to the hotel, packed and headed to the airport. Got a bite to eat and got on the plane to head home. I was excited to get home, but sad to see the journey end. Even with a rainy day to send us off. Of all the days of weather we had while I was there I would've chosen Monday's to run. It was a perfect as it would've gotten. A great trip! 

Ran the Shaggy Mountain route, slower than usual, but I still finally got out after the marathon. A good shake out run is always nice! It was good to chat about Boston and to hear Chad applaud me for my final 5K push and not slowing down. I worked hard those last few miles and it was nice to have someone else notice. 

I don't remember what I did and I don't have a text to Amy about it either :) But, I was supposed to meet her there to run 4 and I think I ran 2 slow and walked with a friend, but I don't remember so I'm going to say 2.0 and call it good :)

A nice rainy run with Amy. She convinced me to do a 14 mile downhill route with her. Of course it was raining, but at least it was mostly downhill. She met me at my house after doing 6 before and then we were off. A decent steady pace. Craig picked us up and we were both freezing, but we had a nice run and chat. An 8:25 pace after Boston isn't too shabby. I'll take it on fatigued legs. I really enjoy Amy's company and that she forces me out of the door when I'm not always ready for it! Oh and my new Boston rain jacket? loved it!