Stroller pushin in Texas

Boston Marathon

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Location:

TX,

Member Since:

Jan 19, 2009

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Age Division Winner

Running Accomplishments:

I have completed 27 marathons. 

Utah Valley Marathon 2013: PR 3:16:20, 1st division.

Running With the Bulls 5k 2011: 20:02, 1st place

Race For The Cure 10k, San Antonio 2013: 42:47, 2nd overall

Short-Term Running Goals:

Run a sub 3:20 @ Air Force Marathon 2015.

Sub 20 min 5k

 

Long-Term Running Goals:

Run a 3(ish) hour marathon before I am 40. 

 

 

 

Personal:

1.  God

2.  Family 

3.  Running

Mother. Wife. Runner.  I chase stroller on the border of Mexico. 

Now is the time to run the race of your life!  Elaine Dalton  

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Nike Lunar Racer Lifetime Miles: 40.70
My TM Lifetime Miles: 838.35
Boston Blues Lifetime Miles: 146.00
Race: Boston Marathon (26.2 Miles) 03:32:24, Place in age division: 1169
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
2.0024.4526.45

The Boston Marathon was one of the most amazing experiences I have ever had.  I have never seen so many people in my life.   No words can describe what I felt today.  The crowds were so overwhelming, I just had to phase them from my mind.  Going in to this race all I wanted to do was maybe re-qualify at a 3:40, if I was lucky.  My Avg. pace of the day was an 8:06.  PR of 3:32:24, St. George was 3:35:00. I felt like I had accurately tapered and carb loaded. I was 1169 in my division and 1479 out of all the ladies.  

6:00 am I woke up, soaked in a hot tub to loosen my tight muscles, got ready and ate RockIt Fuel.  (oatmeal for athletes, very delicious).  Got myself ready and headed out the door at 6:45.  I was really nervous that I was going to be late.  But at the transportation station there were about 10 other people with yellow bags like mine.  I got off the bus and followed five thousand other yellow bags to the bus pick-up.  The line to get on the bus was the stretch of the entire park, about a half mile long.  Got in a bus, and off we went for the 45 minute ride to Hopkinton.

I made small talk with the young man sitting next to me.  He was from Boston, and this was his second marathon.  He had not qualified to run this race, somehow his uncle got him in.  I learned that about 10-20% of the people that run Boston actually do not qualify.  Places are given because of stories, sponsors, and other miscellaneous reasons.  I was happy that I had earned my place to be here.  

I got off the bus and joined the "party" of runners.  The athletes village is what I call, "Runner's Paradise."  Here you chillax with some of  the top runners in the country.  I went straight to stand in line for the PoP.  Took me about 40 minutes to get to the darn thing.  Got inside and of course it was out of TP.  Love PoPs!  The smell of half digested Power Bar always makes me excited for a race...

I brought a mattress to blow up and sit on.  But I had like 30 minutes to get to the start line and I wasn't going to waste my breath on blowing the darn thing up.  I found the Power Bar station and they were giving away BOXES of Power Bars.  I think I stalked up for a year.  (I took about 30 bars). lol. My bag became very heavy.

Dropped my bag off at my bus and started toward the start line.  Keep in mind that now I had about 15 minutes and my place in line was way at the top, by the start line.  Hmmmm, there were thousands and thousands of people that I had to try and pass through.  5 minutes was now approaching....

I almost got to my coral by the time the gun fired.  I crossed the start line about one minute after start time.  There was "magic" when that gun fired and the pack flowed down the road.  This was MY Boston.  The past four years of training had now paid off.  This was like Christmas morning.

I was sad when I tried to power up my Ipod Shuffle and no music was came out.  "Oh well" I thought.  I didn't need music for this.  Just at that moment I spotted the legend Bill Rodgers.  I started running next to him and the crowds of people on the side lines were shouting his name.  He was talking softly to his friend about the course.  It was so cool to be by him, but Bill was a little to slow for me.

I wish I could tell you my mile splits, but my Garmin is not set in that mode.  I was running this race on the way I felt.  Downhills and flats were ground for me to speed up a hair, and hills I could slow a bit.  I usually split my race into three sections anyway.  1-13 nice and easy, barely feeling any effort, 13-20 feeling the juice flow and pushing a little harder, and 20-26.2 telling my body I can do it.  Seems to work.  By mile 8 my music started working, that was welcoming.  I could now drain some of the outside world away.  Up until the 30k I had maintained 7:50 minute miles.  I had saved some power for the hills as well.

The hills came, hmmm, I still wonder where the hills really were.  I remember going up two inclines but I they weren't anything like St.George's Vayo.  It was almost like I was running in the avenues of S.L.C.  Heartbreak wasn't a heartbreak. 

My friend Brian popped onto the course with me at mile 20.  I can't believe that he recognized me out of the thousands, but he did and ran for about a mile with me.  I felt kind of bad because I was completely in the zone.  He started talking to me and I was just not feeling it.  That was probably the hardest part of the race.  Now that I think about it, he was running with me on Heartbreak.  So maybe it was good that he was there to distract me. 

Then it was downhill.  I passed my family at mile 23.  Oh bless their sweet hearts.  I love them so much, I was so happy they were there sharing this with me.  I gave my mom a quick hug and kept running.  That was one of the highlights of the run.  They are so supportive of me, and it was so exciting to see them. 

 A few times during the run I had to hold back tears.  So many people were out cheering everyone on.  I slapped so many hands.  I finally had to tell myself to not get so excited from the crowds because they were draining me out.  Some of the time there were thousands of people watching but I had zoned all of them out.  It was such a blur. 

Welesley was very WOW!  I could hear the screaming crowd from a good half mile away.  Slowly the crowd grew louder.  I just don't know how these girls can just stand outside on the curb all day and scream like that.  It was so loud.  I think they spent more energy than the runners.  I want to go back to Boston just for that.  There was one old dude in the crowd out of the thousands of Welesley women holding up a "kiss me" sign, but ew, no thanks. 

 The finish line was emotional for me.  Just being a part of one of the thousands of runners to see the blue and yellow arch.  Then I saw my PR time.  I was proud of myself.  Extremely happy that I had PR'd at the race I have worked so hard to be at.  At the very end of the race I looked up at the race director sitting on his tower and gave him the biggest smile.  He called out, "Good job Becca."  

Boston has a piece of my heart. 


                                                                                                     


 

Weight: 0.00Calories: 0.00
Comments
From Kelli on Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 22:40:05 from 71.219.84.84

YEAH!!! the first Boston report is in! You did so AMAZING! That is a great time. I can not wait to hear all about it, like just how bad the hills are, and everything else. WOW!!!!! I am so impressed with your time. You are FAST.

Okay, we will have to plan a Saturday run soon so I can get DETAILS.

From mark on Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 22:42:32 from 12.198.177.3

Nice race! My garmin read 26.49 and my 26.40.

From Mark on Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 22:43:20 from 12.198.177.3

The 26.4 in the above post was supposed to refer to my wife's garmin!

From Bonnie on Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 22:44:42 from 128.196.228.134

awesome run!! Truly awesome, I can't wait to read all about it!

From allie on Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 23:03:08 from 208.110.151.113

ahh i have been waiting anxiously for the reports. i am go glad you had a great experience. and a PR! that is so GREAT! have a safe trip home and enjoy your achievement!

PS: i love the 1000 place. nice and even. so cool!

From allie on Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 23:04:25 from 208.110.151.113

sorry "go" should be "so"

you probably figured that out already, but it will bother me if i don't fix it :)

From RAD on Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 23:13:20 from 67.166.99.8

YOU ARE WOMAN!!! YEE HAW!!! I am so excited for you - you now have 2 years to relax and let the rest of us catch up with you :) Saturday we do need to get together and chat - oh and maybe run a little :)

From Maurine/Tarzan on Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 23:14:51 from 97.117.75.171

Awesome job! Congratulations on a new PR. That is a tough course from what I have heard.

From rockness18 on Mon, Apr 20, 2009 at 23:46:00 from 65.96.197.9

Awesome job...way to pr on a difficult course!

From Burt on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 01:08:39 from 98.167.151.26

Way to go tiny dancer!

From Adam RW on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 09:43:49 from 155.101.152.103

I'm glad you enjoyed Boston. It sounds like you really took all the race had to offer. I like the age place, and also first time on your blog and I like the picture.

From Lucia on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 09:49:40 from 74.9.147.114

Oh goodness you rock girl! Congratulations, and how fun being exactly #1,000? Thank you for sharing!

From Snoqualmie on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 10:23:53 from 67.171.56.164

Congratulations!!! Screw loose or not, I would be so thrilled to run with Boston Billy! What an experience. I hope to have it too someday.

From walter on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 10:34:08 from 76.27.15.208

Oh Becca, so so proud of you! How fun to run with a former Boston Champion huh? I hope the Wellesley girls didnt get their hands on ya! haha I think the shrieks from them are louder than an airplane taking off! lol You should write more of your feelings down and your experience so you can read it in 6 months to make your mind up to run again! Great Job!

From Bonnie on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 10:35:35 from 71.210.125.219

ha ha ha -- I met Bill Rodgers at a race once. You are right about the loose screws, but an incredibly nice guy!

From misty on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 10:41:18 from 216.111.5.66

Nice Job, even better than you thought those kids at school are going to be proud of you. Enjoy the sites in Boston, so much History there.

From RivertonPaul on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 12:17:31 from 67.42.27.114

Very well done.

From rossy on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 12:50:04 from 151.151.21.99

Congratulations on setting a PR on one of the world’s toughest courses!!! Enjoy your time in Bean Town!

From jona on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 12:58:09 from 69.27.13.147

Congratulations! Awesome job!

From Sasha Pachev on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 15:57:34 from 64.81.245.109

Congratulations on a PR!

Regarding the 26.4. Maybe we need a special page on the blog explaining the accuracy of GPS vs the accuracy of the Jones Counter (the device used for course certification). Executive summary would be: GPS measurements are only an educated guess at the distance that is sometimes right. Calibrated wheel measurements are the actual distance. If your Garmin disagrees with a certified distance, even if you've paid a lot of money for it, it is still the Garmin that is in error.

From eric on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 16:44:18 from 64.17.194.9

Awesome run Becca! Congratulations on a fantastic race. Your family and friends are so happy for you.

From josse on Tue, Apr 21, 2009 at 19:12:36 from 70.193.203.69

Great job, I love Boston is so much fun. That is great to get a pr there as well.

From jorge on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 10:15:38 from 208.87.12.184

Running Boston and run with Bill Rodgers!!! Congrats.. awesome... PR and all... well... amazing..

From huans32 on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 13:23:28 from 138.64.2.76

Awesome job on the PR at BOSTON!!!! That is unbelieveable. I hope that next year your going again. I cant wait to be able to go run it myself. Great report. Short and sweet.

From Michelle N. on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 20:21:16 from 75.162.252.159

Way to go! So awesome. I 2nd everything you said. It was amazing:)

From Brent on Wed, Apr 22, 2009 at 21:38:16 from 168.178.30.75

Congrads, 1,500 commando points for the great Boston PR. What an experience.

Stay Kool, b of BS rools out

From Mark on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 01:46:37 from 24.178.1.215

Congratulations on the PR! It's not an easy course, you should be very proud.

From jtshad on Thu, Apr 23, 2009 at 11:34:25 from 204.134.132.225

Congrats on the PR and a great race. Hope you enjoyed Boston!

From marion on Fri, Apr 24, 2009 at 19:15:40 from 71.213.115.249

Way to go Bec! I can't even imagine all the madness :) Your time is AMAZING!! Congratulations!!!

From Bec on Sat, Apr 25, 2009 at 00:47:59 from 67.177.35.60

Thank you everyone for the responses.

Kelli,

You and Scott will LOVE Boston next year. I'm already trying to decide if I will be going back next year.

Mark,

I am sorry that your Boston didn't go as planned. You finished, and you were there, that is really what it is all about.

Allie,

I really wasn't 1,000 place, but close to that. I was making a guesstimate in my head. I came pretty close to that.

Eric,

It was so amazing to have the fam there cheering me on. I hope they understand why I am crazy about this running stuff a little more.

Marion,

It was so much madness! I really have never been anywhere where there were that many people in one area!

From jeffers on Sat, Apr 25, 2009 at 01:13:54 from 67.165.159.224

"Was it your day?"

From Bec on Sat, Apr 25, 2009 at 01:24:40 from 67.177.35.60

It was just "my day" :).

From kelsey on Sat, Apr 25, 2009 at 07:45:27 from 98.230.3.218

Wow, great job! It sounds like quite an experience. Congrats on the PR.

From Bec on Sat, Apr 25, 2009 at 14:09:12 from 67.177.35.60

Thanks kelsey. It was so amazing! It was Runner's Paradise!

From Smooth on Sat, Apr 25, 2009 at 21:01:52 from 71.36.71.239

A HUGE CONGRATS to your HUGE PR!!! You did AWESOME!!! It was so fun to hang out with you and your wonderful family on Wed. You HAVE to run Boston 2010. It won't be the same without you. What do you think of Bill Rodger's brother, Charlie? Was that beard wild or what? And he's not even THE runner.

From Bec on Sat, Apr 25, 2009 at 22:17:30 from 67.177.35.60

Smooth,

Charlie was great. One of the best times during the Boston trip was going to his Bill's running store. He is such a legend. Can you imagine sitting around that store and listening to the stories he must have? Wow. I guess he finished the race in 4:06, maybe he was by you. I wanted to stick around and listen to him talk about Boston, but he was going a little too slow.

From Smooth on Sat, Apr 25, 2009 at 22:23:17 from 71.36.71.239

I guess you CHICKED him!!! :-D Yep, I know all about those 60ish men. I must have listened to a dozen of them talking to me along the route. They are pretty cool. Hey, Larry is gonna be 60 before I know it.

Are you gonna run the RHPC sponsored Provo River 1/2 in July? Better get one of those pink shirts from Marion ASAP. PM her right away. It will be a better run than the one sponsored by crazy Kurt.

From Bec on Sat, Apr 25, 2009 at 23:27:29 from 67.177.35.60

Smooth,

Are we doing the race the same time the P half is going on? That would be wicked cool if we did, someone just drop us off at the top and we run with the rest of them? That would make Kurt mad. Maybe he wouldn't even notice.

From Smooth on Sun, Apr 26, 2009 at 10:58:33 from 71.36.71.239

Nope,

The RHPC 1/2 is scheduled on July 11. Kurt's in Aug.

We have our own support crew (aka the husbands), soft seat rides (aka vans and suburban).

Our race shirts are pink Asics tech shirts, choice of T, tank and singlet with RHPC on the front and "You've Been Pinked" on the back. Cost is under $16.

We are looking for ideas for awards...may be trophies from D.I.?!

Our post race party is at IHOP next to the park at the finish.

It will be the envious Provo River 1/2.

From Bec on Sun, Apr 26, 2009 at 17:29:00 from 67.177.35.60

Smooth,

I am in! I will PM Marion.

From marion on Sun, Apr 26, 2009 at 18:33:31 from 71.219.49.96

Bec- Steve has been sick, so I don't think our shirt order has gone through, please let me know if you want me to try to get you a shirt. T-shirt 16, sleeveless t-shirt 15, and racer back tank 14. :) Have a great sunday :)

From David on Wed, May 04, 2011 at 16:25:01 from 97.126.129.50

Wow... I want to run the Boston Marathon now.

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