Each Day Is a Gift

This is from an email sent by Gary, my brother-in-law, I just want to share it with you, some of you have met him in person!  I am so proud of him! 

Well, its done!  I finished the London marathon in 3 hours (and 30 seconds).  This was a meaningful race for me because 1) I was running for a great cause and with your generous donations we raised over US$5,000 for Children With Leukaemia; and 2) I have now run all of the World Major Marathons (yes, there is such a thing - Chicago, NY, Boston, Berlin, London) in three hours or less.

A few details (runners have this quirky thing about writing race reports).  On Saturday, I did the usual carbo-loading that included an egg and sausage bagel sandwich, big cinnamon roll, ham bagel sandwich, pasta, hamburger, fried rice, more pasta, turkey sandwich, energy bar and four bottles of Lucazade.

Weather conditions were perfect at the start. A nice cool 8 degrees. Start time was 9:45am.  By the end of the race, however, it was a quite warm. I had brought my Garmin and heart monitor having prepared for this race knowing exactly what my split times and heart rate were going to be (or supposed to be).  It was fully charged two days before the race so I didn't bother rechecking it (a big time rookie mistake!).  When I turned it on at the start line it said 'battery low'.  So, I was a bit concerned at first that I couldn't rely on my trusty Garmin and had to run the entire race without the benefit of it or any timing device, which I had never done before, but not much one can do when you're standing at the start line.  The course wound through the city of London, passed a number of historic landmarks and ended at Buckingham Palace. There were a few inclines but for the most part it was a pretty flat course. The crowds were unbelievable. The entire course was packed with people many many deep and they were very very loud and energetic.  Lots of great music too.

Thoughts during the race: family, friends, work, memories, future, blessings, nothing, am I there yet, why is this mile so much longer than the others.

The finish line is always a very welcome site.  All in all a great race experience and very satisfying. I then had two hours to stretch, shower, find my traditional post-race juicy hamburger with a Dr. Pepper and pack up and head for the airport for the long flight home. Runners got to travel on the trains for free that day!

Once again, thanks to all of you who gave so generously to Children With Leukaemia and supported me in this effort. The staff at the charity were also extremely grateful for all of the donations.  The funds are being used for a very worthy cause.

With many thanks and best regards

Had SO much fun the entire Boston weekend: meeting new friends, re-united with old friends, ate so good, Chinese on Sat. with 24 friends and families, Italian on Sun. and Legal Seafood on Mon. with the gang!  Was so great to meet fellow bloggers in person:  Kam, his wife and parents, RattleTrap and his family.  Saw Ryan Hall at the Expo.  Rode the hotel elevator with Paul Petersen.  AmberG & Amanda had dinner with us...I was SO EXCITED for Amber...lots of giggles!!! :)  New activity for me this year was going to the Old South Church for the Blessings of the Athletes with Lowell & Terry on Sun. which was also Palm Sunday...very cool!!!  Had so much fun that almost forgot I had a marathon to run!  :)

It had been windy and rainy everyday except race morning.  The running gods were with us this year, temps in the 40s-50s, mostly sunny sky, WSW 16mph wind.  It's no wonder that Geoffrey Mutai set the world record and won the 115th Boston Marathon in 2:03:02.  Only wish I had the health and fitness to take advantage of the perfect race condition.  Due to illnesses, patellar tendonitis and busy family events, my training this Winter hadn't gone as well as I wanted:  not enough downhill running for fear of aggravating the knee, ran only two 20 milers and very very little speedwork.  I did put in the necessary mileage and some tempo runs and marathon paced miles.  Thus, my goal was to finish my 4th Boston without a trip to the med tent. 

We (Marcie, Kathie, Rhett, Lark, TomSlick, Ronnie, Jose, Lito) rode the bus to Hopkinton and got there at 7:45 with almost 3 hours to kill.  Kathie and I had a ton of fun lounging on our air mattresses, lots of giggles, p-o-p trips, tried to stay warm, hydrated and snacked on honey pretzel, chex mix, banana, PowerBar chew, gatorade.  We said goodbye and wished our fast friends great runs as they headed to their wave 1 and 2 start. 

Finally it was time for Lark, Kathie and I to head to our wave 3 start.  We lost Kathie at the bag drop off.  Lark and I crossed the start mat at 10:46am.  He managed to keep track of me while we weaved through throngs of slower runners.  I lost him at the first aid station.  I told him I would try to stay in the middle of the road should we get separated.  I figured he would soon find me.  (Mile 1-6 ~ 9:14, 8:48, 8:51, 8:35, 8:55, 8:58). 

My pace and thoughts started to drift quite a bit as my mind was filled with thoughts of my children, my SSF, upcoming wedding and mission farewells, and memories of past Bostons.  Somewhere after Wellesley, Lark came up to me and woke me up.  We crossed the half at 1:59:xx.  (Mile 7-13 ~ 8:48, 9:11, 8:54, 9:08, 9:09, 9:18, 9:13).

Lark asked how my knee was doing.  He said the ball of his feet were on fire.  That's when I realized my knee hasn't bothered me at all, in fact it was fine the entire race.  But there was a blister forming on the ball of my left foot and both my quads were screaming.  I told him I felt fine...everything is great...(ya, big lies)!  He soon had to stop to tend to his blisters and I continued the rest of the race alone with my thoughts and aware of how painful my quads were getting.  (Mile 14-20 ~ 9:07, 9:20, 9:18, 10:08, 10:10, 9:54, 10:21)  I started to wheeze going up the first hill past the highway overpass so had to take the inhaler. 

I passed father/son Richard & Rick Hoyt at mile 16.8 just before the Newton Fire Station where we would make a right turn to begin the Newton Hills.  It was so inspiring to see them giving me resolve to NOT walk the hills.  On the steeper 3rd hill, I was asked by 3 different runners:  "Is this Heartbreak Hill?"  to which I replied:  "No, not yet!" "Where is it?"  "It's right after mile 20.  No worries, it's not as steep as this one, you are doing great!"  The crowds, the music, the drums were AWESOME!!!  I was able to RUN (albeit in the 10s) the hills!  

From Newton on I did not look at my Garmin once because I was afraid to see how slow I was going.  The crowd at Boston College was as wild and loud as ever.  However my screaming quads was much louder.  I knew it would be disaster if I charged down the hill.  I just focused on shorter strides and ignored the painful quads.  I managed to high five all the kids (the only spectators at my level of height)! 

At around mile 22, Sharla Fillmore (Kam's mother) came up and asked: "Is that you Smooth?"  I was so happy to see a familiar face (even though I had only met her for the first time at Sat. night's dinner).  I congratulated her and told her how PROUD I was of her.  Here she is at 64, running her 2nd Boston Marathon and passing all these youngsters (me)!  It was as if I was running backward with all these runners flying by!  I finally looked at my Garmin and was horrified at how slow I was running.  I bonked BIG time!!! I could not get my legs to go any faster.  The Citgo sign was still half a mile away when my Garmin read 3:59:xx.  Oh Well, I am going to finish and I'm going to finish with a happy smile instead of cramps!  

Finally reached Boylston, I looked for James, Doone and my hubby outside the Convention Center among thousands of spectators.  I blew them kisses and headed to the finish with a satisfying smile on my face!  It's over!  No more running!  I walked wobbly with throngs of runners to get our recovery drink/food, blanket and medal!  I kissed my medal and started to tear up with emotions!  YES, I finished and avoided a trip to the med tent!  (Mile 21-finish ~ 11:09, 10:05, 10:36, 11:17, 11:24, 12:20, last .59 mile in 6:50)

CONGRATULATIONS to all my fellow bloggers who ran GREAT times today! :) :) :)

THANK YOU all for your many well wishes, love and support!  You're the best! :) :) :)

Checked out of the hotel and stowed our luggage.  Walked to Quincy Market for lunch.  Quads are SO SO SO SO SORE!!!  It was raining!  Hubby did not feel like walking the Freedom Trail.

Got to the airport early only to find the flights were delayed!

Lots of sitting and waiting around at Logan International and Atlanta airport. 

The flight from Atlanta to SLC was very choppy and bumpy as we flew over northern part of Texas through a huge storm.

Arrived at SLC international at 1:00am.  There was a security drill at the airport so the shuttles to the economy parking were diverted so we had to walk to the short-term parking garage to get on the shuttle.  Needless to say we got home at 2am Wed. morning, exhausted from a long day of travel.

Slept in till 6:30.  Body so tired.  Quads SO stiff.  Wish I had time to do some active recovery!  Quickly unpack before the day's busyness starts!

Busy getting the house ready for out-of-states families.  Lots of phone calls to confirm the wedding luncheon guests.  Errands and food shopping.  Quads are very tight but no time to stretch and roll.

Picked up my sister from the airport at 10:30am.  So good to see my sister who loves me more than life itself.  Took her to Market Street Grill for lunch.  Shopping at Target for wedding gifts, etc.  Picked up my daughter and grand baby at the airport at 8:30 pm.  Baby Jett is almost 4 months old and has grown so big since I last saw him at 2 weeks old.   

Got up early before everyone wakes up.  Went out for a short recovery run.  Had to stop every half mile for the first two miles to stretch the quads.  It felt so good to run.  I LOVE running in the Elixir. 

Saw Wendy, Karen and Karen's sister Jill (who's visiting from CA) at half mile from home.  They were just starting and I was about done.  We stopped to talk and give each other brief reports of how our respective marathons went.  

Picked up the tuxedos.  More shopping and last minutes prep. for the wedding and food for Sunday's luncheon after the farewell.  Picked up Eric, Marianne and Emi at the airport at 2:30pm.  Cut Steven's and Bryan's hair.  Thankgoodness I didn't have to go to Logan to pick up Steven.  His cousin, Emily, drove him.  He was good to entertain Baby Josiah in the backseat during the drive.

Took the whole family to Texas Road House for dinner.  We had "call ahead seating" but still had to wait for an hour and were seated at 2 separate booths (boys in one and girls in another).  So much for celebrating our 33rd Anniversary.  I got to wave at my sweetheart across the booths.  

Jen brought over the bridesmaid's dresses for Marianne and Larissa at 11:30pm. while Jeff and I were working on the guests seatings for the wedding luncheon.   Larissa, Marianne and I had so much fun giggling and trying on the bridesmaids' dresses.  They look darling. 

Eric went to pick up David from the airport at midnight.  David hadn't eaten yet.  He ate the leftover from our dinner at Texas Rd House.  I had to iron Jeff's shirts and pants and fixed the hem of his suit pants.  We finally went to bed at 1:30am.

Wedding day!!!  Special day!!!  My third child, Jeffrey, is married to Jennifer in the Draper Temple.  The weather co-operated!

The newly weds coming out of the Temple!

Jen and Jeff waiting for the families to gather for picture taking!

Bride's family (l-r): Jessie, Kelsey, Kent, Jeff, Jen, Diana, Kayla and Jaymie:

At the luncheon: Eric, Marianne, Emi, Larissa, Jett, David, Bryan & Steven:

 The newly weds and the bride's parents:  Diana and Kent:

Baby Jett and me:

Reception at the Lion House:

The groom's brothers: Eric (married), David (very available bachelor), Steven (going on mission in a few days) and Bryan (available bachelor):