BOSTON Recap Part 2 - THE RACE

So, where did I leave off…to read part one, go here.

After a quick wait in the corral, wave 2 started right on time at 10:20am. We walked a few feet and before I knew it we were slowly running before we even crossed the mat. I had heard so much about the downhill start before the race and how it can kill you for later but I never really thought much about it. Well, right away I knew what everyone meant and I was happy I was forced to take the start of the race so slowly. But with that being said, the start of the race was very lonely for me. Everyone was excited and quickly passing me by and there I was, scared and paranoid that at any given second my Achilles would seize up and I'd be walking. I didn't even want to chat with anyone because I had no idea when I would be forced to walk. The first mile or so I felt alone, sad and even thought that this was going to be a really long day.

Slight downhill right at the start

Thankfully I quickly came to my senses and realized that I was ruining the experience for myself. At that moment I worked my way over further to the side of the road and started high fiving some spectators. Within a minute I was beaming and had a spring in my step! THIS is how I pictured running the Boston marathon! And that's how I continued right through Ashland…

I took the early downhill miles easy although my body really wanted to pick it up. Even if my Achilles held up, I knew I still needed to be conservative considering my month off before the race. So I sucked it up and didn't let the thousands of runners passing me bother me at all…and I had a feeling I'd be seeing some of them later when they didn't save enough for the Newton hills.

I loved this shortcut sign!

It was either mile 4 or 5 when I decided to take my first water stop walk. But instead of walking a minute as planned, I walked while I took a few sips and then quickly started back up again. I repeated this at almost all the remaining water stops but a few. I had some pain from time to time in the Achilles but it wasn't the fist making, teeth clenching, cursing out loud pain that I had experienced the weeks before so I kept pushing forward. As I crossed each Athlete Alert mat I was ecstatic that my sister and Andy would see I was holding on strong and I just hoped that held true the remainder of the race.

Now, as for the race and course itself, it was unbelievable. I am SO glad I ran with my camera and was able to soak it up all. I thought to myself several times out there that I was so happy I was not racing. The crowd support was crazy and they all seemed to be having such a great time (I'm sure the beers helped!). There were people handing out sponges soaked in water, ice pops, candy, orange slices, etc and you always had water if you needed it in between official water stops. There was even a "lube" stand where you could swing by and get some Vaseline for any chafing!

There were spectators all along the course but some spots were more populated than others. Entering Wellesley College was my favorite part. You could hear the screams well before you reached the girls with their "kiss me…" signs. I had made it my mission to kiss some girls and that's exactly what I did! I got kisses from: "kiss me I'm gay," "kiss me I love chemistry" (I'm a chemist so I couldn't pass her up), "kiss me, I think science is cool" and the best one, shown below, was for "girls only." The girls got so excited if you stopped to kiss them…so much that I even went back to kiss one that I had originally passed by. It was so fun and worth running backwards in a marathon!

Ready for some kisses!

The miles flew by and it was impossible to take it all in. The sights, sounds, other runners, spectators…it was all amazing! I typically run looking at the ground but on Monday I had a bobble head and was on sensory overload. All along I was feeling pretty good. My legs were tired but I never once felt like I was falling apart or wouldn't finish. The course is definitely challenging but it didn't faze me too much at the time because of all the fun I was having. The hills that everyone warns you about, yes, they are there, but they are not as bad as everyone makes them sound. If you were all out racing then they'd be a lot tougher, of course. But honestly, I didn't even know I was on Heartbreak Hill until I saw this big heart colored in chalk on the road!

The "you've got great stamina, call me" was my favorite sign.

Heartbreak Hill artwork.

Survived Heartbreak and still smiling!

Running through Boston College was a little bit of nuts! At one point police were holding back some of the students who were pushing so hard to get close to the barricades. I loved the energy and ran along high fiving and yelling back at all of them. I left BC ready to tackle the last few miles of the race!

Some of the Boston College kids.

As we got closer to the finish the crowds really started getting thick. At one point I actually thought that I was glad I wasn't in the crowds, it looked sort of scary everyone so packed in together. When I got my first glimpse of the Citgo sign I couldn't believe it was almost all over. The miles went by so quickly and I couldn't believe I was nearing the finish. And I'm not sure I was ready for it to end! I knew Andy, my sister and Lisa would be somewhere within the last mile so I kept my eyes peeled hoping I could pick them out of the crowd. As we made our first turn of the race onto Hereford Street I spotted my crew right up against the barricade. I bolted over to them, my arms stretched and tears running down my face. I gave them the biggest, sweaty hug and didn't want to let go. But Andy (who I swear had tears in his eyes but won't admit it) yelled, "You're almost there, don’t stop, keep going!!"

Crazy crowds!

Lisa captured this great shot as I ran to Mich and Andy for a hug!

Brings tears to my eyes every time I see it.

I turned onto Boylston and composed myself. It was my last few seconds to take it all in and I could finally see the finish line that I had been waiting a year and half to cross. I crossed the finish line with a huge smile on my face and my arms in the air.

4:08:36

I am a Boston Marathon Finisher.

Post race, hurting. Definitely the sorest I've been after a marathon. Since I didn't race I'm chalking it up to my body not being used to pounding the pavement combined with the difficulty of the course. As for my time, I couldn't be happier with it. I ran a 4:08 a month after racing a 3:35 marathon, dealing with an injury that kept me from running for a month, taking walk breaks, snapping pictures, getting kisses and hugs...and best of all, I enjoyed every single step out there and had the time of my life. I couldn't have asked for a better Boston experience.