2010 BOSTON MARATHON: PART TWO

And continuing in my Boston Marathon ramblings … I’ll start with the finish.

The Finish

After getting over the peak at mile 21 I knew I had a little over five miles to go until I could run past the Boston Public Library and cross that big blue finish line. They say (whoever “they” are) that your body can deal with 20 miles but after that your survival relies on your training and nutrition to push to 26.2, which is why many runners face a battle after the 20 mile mark. I had anticipated hitting a wall right around this part of the race since I’d been feeling tighter than normal. I’m not sure if I bypassed the agony of hitting that wall or if I just pushed through it – but I kept up my same pace and kept on going until 26.2. There were countless times I wanted to stop and walk for only a minute, you know, to stretch my legs out, catch my breath or whatever excuse I could make up, but I didn’t and I am so happy I didn’t. My legs were lacking something (besides energy) and I kept imaging that they'd be good as new if they were refueled and so I chugged Gatorade and water with every water station we passed and finished off my GU. When my legs still felt like they were fighting a brick wall I accepted that it was going to hurt and I also told myself that there was no way in the world I would give in and walk during the Boston Marathon. I made it this far, I can make it to the end. The spectators were consistently energetic throughout the race but during the last handful of miles the sidewalks were overflowing with people hanging over the railing, waving their arms and pushing the runners along with their cheers. We ran under the bridge, saw the yellow sign on the side of the road that read “One Mile To Go,” made a quick right turn and then at mile 26 we took our last turn, a left turn onto Boylston Street. I didn’t know we were as close as we were so when we took that final turn I mouthed the biggest “Oh. My. God.” It was a roar of adrenaline, a spurt of energy and a feeling that a rockstar must feel when they take the stage, the lights flash on and the fans scream. Incredible.

You can talk to any runner and they will tell you that the last 0.2 miles in a marathon seems farther than the first 26. You’re so close but still have a couple minutes to go. Honestly, the last bit was a blur. All I remember is a sea of excited faces and a blue strip of relief ... the finish banner in the horizon. Finishing was surreal. Seriously, did I just BEAT the BOSTON MARATHON? What a feeling. They kept you moving once you stopped running. If you didn’t feel important in the race, here was your time to embrace your celebrity status. You walked, they gave. First they gave you a bottle water, then the heating blanket that they wrapped around you and the next person used a sticker to close the blanket to keep you warm. Next, you were given a Gatorade recovery drink and then a lunch bag with a collection of food items inside, including chips, granola bars and maybe a banana. Finally when you thought it was all done someone was there to place your finisher's medal over your head and around your neck. How did that feel? Well, I have chills running down my body and tears in my eyes writing about it – can you image that feeling in real time? After collecting my bag from the buses that I left at the start I made my way to the Boston Commons, where I figured was a good place to meet my entourage. Like icing on the cake, my family walked up and we shared a round of congratulatory hugs.

Motivation

Mine as well continue on those heavy emotions while I’m at it. Most of you know about my race shirt that I created on CustomInk.com. The front was simply “Boston Marathon 2010” and the back read “Running as fast as my angels can fly,” which was followed by my angels’ names: Grandma, Grandpa, Mom-mom, Pop, Tippy and Franny. That speaks a lot to where I find inspiration when I’m in the middle of a difficult run and I’m digging for something within to keep going – I usually think about the people in my life – those who are living and those who have passed. It meant a lot to me that I had the opportunity to honor them in this kind of way.

I had my phone in Athlete’s Village and was texting people here and there since we had so much time. One of those people was my mom. This is pretty personal but I want to share it anyway because it really gave me some wings during critical times in the marathon. Here is a text message my mom sent me before the race:

“Mere, Mom-mom would tell you that she loves you and is so proud and she taught all of us when our feet hit the ground in the morning, be sure to offer all your prayers, works and sufferings up to God. Also, when it feels like you can’t go any further, she would tell you to pray to Mary, one Hail Mary after another! I love you so much Mere! You are beautiful inside and out. Love, Mom”

Instantly, my eyed flooded with tears as my thoughts shot back to memories and memories. That is when I really understood what I was running for. It was the perfect message. With every mile, I said a Hail Mary … (and remember those last five miles I said were hellish) … well I may have said one every other step to keep my butt in gear. Someone must have been listening because it did the trick.

Results

FINALLY … how in the heck did I finish?

There is the short of it! My Outer Banks time was 3:34 so I ran three minutes slower than my best but with the course being considerably more difficult I think this time was comparable. My pace was five seconds slower than my first marathon but I am beyond satisfied with these results. I didn’t have a goal when I started; qualifying again was in the back of my mind but I didn’t want to put that kind of pressure on my shoulders. The way in which I paced myself kept me on track to qualify though so I guess I wanted it more than I made known.
 
I finished a little slower than I started. My fastest split (in the beginning) to my slowest split (at the end) was only a 63 second difference and surprisingly I didn’t lose a lot, if at all, as I was climbing heartbreak hills. Some other fun finishing facts: I was 9305 overall, 2272 overall women and 1680 in my division. Like I said in part one of my recap, they assigned bib numbers according to qualifying times and so I was happy that I finished better than my bib number.

And so there it is! A long journey, finished. But one I’ll have the chance to make new memories at next year too. I’m looking forward to it and in the meantime, I’ll look for a half marathon or two to run in the late summer/fall timeframe.

Stay tuned for more! As always, thanks for reading and thanks for your overwhelming support.

2010 BOSTON MARATHON - PART ONE

When I heard it was going to be an incomparable experience, a once in a lifetime kind of day and a motivating journey I never realized how true those phrases would be. The Boston Marathon was one of those awe-inspiring events and I am blessed to have been a part of it.

The Expo

The sports and fitness expo was a zoo, simply put, but a very exciting one. Runners were easily spotted carrying their extra-large neon yellow bags that everyone received when they picked up their bib number. In it was a blue Adidas long sleeve running shirt that had 2010 BOSTON MARATHON in bright yellow down the sleeve, pamphlets, an official race program, bottled water and a 2010 Boston Marathon keychain. Think of an athletic apparel company and it was set up at the expo in Boston that weekend. In addition to apparel, Power Bar, Runner’s World and GU were among the other vendors – plus many, many, many more. It being my first Boston Marathon (and as far as I knew, my only one) I had a list of things I wanted to buy and so I did. On that list was a black track race jacket, the nalgene bottle decorated with the race course, a Boston Marathon t-shirt, a pint glass and finally, a print. I know it’s weird – I bought a print for the race – but it’s something I would think was worth it even if it didn’t have anything to do with the race. 

 Pre-Race

The night before we had reservations at a nice Italian restaurant in Boston's North End, Mother Anna's. I split spaghetti and meatballs and had a couple slices of bread so I could get an ample amount of carbs but not an overload. I set out everything I needed the night before, tried on my running outfit, pinned my number to my shirt and attached my timing chip to my shoe. Then I got to sleep as soon as I could. On race day, I woke up at 5:20am, got dressed and prepped my bags. For breakfast I had a banana with peanut butter and a plain bagel. About an hour before the race I had a quarter of a Power Bar. I hydrated myself thoroughly leading up to the race but did not continue that streak on race morning. At that point, you're as hydrated as you're going to be and let's face it - you don't want to have to go to the bathroom while you're running. I left around 6am to head to our transportation to Athlete's Village.

Athlete’s Village

For those of you who don’t know, runners get transported via bus to the start in Hopkinton and are taken to a large area that is available for participants only. Runners were instructed to arrive in the Boston Commons anywhere from 6am to 7:30am, depending on their start wave, and board one of what seemed to be a never ending line of buses. I waited in line for 30 minutes or so and then got onto a bus and sat next to a guy named Richard Ferguson. Similar to OBX I found my bus-riding buddy to have an interesting story. The last time he’d run Boston was about a decade ago where he placed 13^th overall. He used to be a professional runner, sponsored by Saucony. I absorbed as much advice as I could and after the hour-long bus ride to our destination we wished each other luck and headed into Athlete’s Village.

The village was like a community in itself but of course it has to be to occupy 26,000 or so athletes for multiple hours before the first start. The village offered large tents that appeared very vacant since it was such a nice day (thankfully).  My first sight was a sea of runners either sitting on their bags or blankets, stretching, listening to music or laughing with friends (both old ones and new ones). It was crowded but not overwhelming, and if anything, it was humbling to be with the 26,000 other people who were about to take on the same incredible challenge I was. Bagels, bananas, coffee, water and Power Bars were available under the tents for athletes. The announcer on a large platform didn’t let any more than a couple minutes pass between his announcements, and music blared throughout the morning. The lines for the bathroom were fairly long but it’s not like you had anything else to do but wait. I took some time to listen to the sports psychologist speak but he wasn't preaching anything I didn't already know. The elite women started at 9:30am and wave one, which included the elite men, took off at 10am. Right before the start of the first wave they did a fly-over with three F-150s that flew as low as the treetops that surrounded the village. With about 30 minutes to go until the wave two start time at 10:30am they announced for those runners to make their way to the start. I shed my layers of clothes that kept me warm all morning and brought them to the information tent where they will donate all left behind clothing to the Boys and Girls Club. Then I dropped my bag off at the buses to be taken back to the finish and continued onto the starting line.

Starting Line

The starts were broken into two waves. The first wave consisted of all the elite men and runners with a bib number numbered 1,000 to 13,999. The bib numbers were given in order of qualifying times. I was in wave two, which included bib numbers 14,000 and up. My bib number was 14021 – just nearly making wave two. Fortunately for me that meant I was in the first coral of wave two. Corals were separated by the 1,000s. I was in the front of wave two, which gave me plenty of elbow room to start the race. The town of Hopkinton is small, and it’s apparent that it holds a lot of history. I’ve heard concern with the number of runners and Hopkinton being able to host the volume of people but I think it was executed wonderfully. As far as I know, there weren’t any glitches and maybe it was because of my starting position but I also felt that I had plenty of room, relatively speaking for a race.  Hundreds of people lined the streets with signs and cameras, runners were jumping up and down to get loose and turning on their GPS watches and the sun was shining on a mid-50 degree day. After a prayer and counting down – the gun sounded and we were off.

The Race

The night before the race I bought a roll of hot pink duct tape and stuck a couple strips onto my purple shirt and wrote my name in all caps across my chest. What a great idea. From the minute I set out on the course to the finish on Boylston Street I felt like a celebrity. I don’t think I ran for more than a few minutes without hearing my name softly spoken by a quiet spectator, yelled by a fan (sometimes even accompanied with a fist pump) or chanted by a group of friends. The start is electrifying in large part due to the spectators’ energy. We begin the race on a big downhill and I was quickly passed by what seemed like everyone in my coral. I kept an eye on my time and was sure to not start out too fast because I learned from my first marathon that saving energy is crucial to last and stay strong for the full mileage. My goal is to be faster than 8:23 (Boston qualifying pace) but not any faster than an 8 minute/mile, which is right around my last marathon pace (8:13).

The course was beautiful. Trees and back road scenery lined the first bit of the race. We visited several small towns on our way to Boston and experienced each community in a special way. Small kids reached their hands out to offer up their high-fives and encouragement. I tried to hit as many as I could because I think it made their day and Lord knows it certainly made mine. We passed a biker bar where you were a minority if you didn’t have a plastic cup of beer in your hand, we passed Boston fans with chalkboard score boards with Red Sox updates, screaming college students who probably started just as early as the runners to pre-game and all sorts of other fans of every age.

I saw my parents, my sister and her boyfriend at mile 20. They held signs like true supporters - one with a favorite quote of mine, “Pain is temporary, pride is forever.” That quote is undoubtedly true and especially for a marathon. They said that one got a lot of attention; I think most runners can appreciate the meaning behind it. Marley (my sister) came out and ran for a minute, too. Mile 20 was perfect for them because I had just defeated the first part of the heartbreak hills series and I was just about to battle THE heartbreak hill. They gave me the oomph to conquer it. 

Heartbreak Hills

The Boston Marathon is known for a lot of things but one thing that stands out when talking about the race course is Heartbreak Hills. Surprisingly, these did not get the best of me. Around mile 16 you start on the first of four stair-like hills. Like everyone has said, it's not the incline of the hill it's where they are in the race. Much of the first 16 miles is downhill or flat and when you are faced with a difference in elevation - your muscles go into shock. Then you hit mile 20 and you are faced with the Heartbreak Hill. This is a gradual incline stretching for a little less than a mile. The good part - when you get over it downhill is basically all there is left. Don't let it fool you though - those last five miles are hardly easy. They say your body is equipped to run 20 miles and the last six rely on your nutrition and training to pull you through. This is where you have to start racing and you have to get in a mindset that, well, pain is only temporary. 

Obviously I have a lot to say about the race so I’m going to stop there and finish in part two of my post. Part two will include the finish, my results, post-race and more of my motivation, emotions and mentality. Stay tuned for the rest! Thanks for reading!

One Hand Countdown

Seriously, I mean SERIOUSLY? Five days to go until the Boston Marathon?! Hopefully now with two runs remaining (having run my three miles already tonight) I've done all I can do to run my best race. The road to the starting line in Hopkinton has undoubtedly been a constant journey of ups and downs with motivation but now that the sound of the gun is in hearing distance, I'm thrilled I pushed through when I didn't want to and thrived when I was optimistic.

My last long run went well. I ran the eight miles with my sister. We maintained a good pace and faced a lot of hills (contrary to what my sister told me before we started). (HI KATE!) This week is, of course, very easy so I can be completely rested before the race. Usually where I'd alter my training program during the week I feel like I can't do a lot of that the week of the race. I'm sure I could but my nerves really kick it in a higher gear and I turn into a slave to my schedule. I ran four yesterday and three tonight. Tomorrow I'll do another three with my sister and then two miles on Friday. That will give me two full rest days before race day.

Chris and I fly out to Boston Saturday morning to get in around 10am. It'll be nice to have a couple days to enjoy the city and do some touristy things, and maybe ever catch a Red Sox game. No, no ... not to watch them win - to check out the stadium and see them lose. (Go Yankees!) We have dinner reservations on Sunday for some good Italian in Boston's North End. The weather outlook for the weekend is pretty good; it's no Raleigh sunshine but it's better than wind or rain (knock on wood). Race day is looking to be in the 50s and mostly sunny. Most would say that's perfect running weather.

Gettin' Close

A couple things ...

I got my race packet in the mail yesterday! The booklet they give you has pretty much all the information you'll need for race weekend from parking to course information to official race gear. It also explains how to get to the start. Even though I'm in wave 2 and starting at 10:30am I still have to be on the buses at 6:45am because the roads close leaving the city. They transport you to the start where athletes will be able to hang out in "The Athlete's  Village." It's a huge tented area where light refreshments and entertainment are provided for the three hours before the gun. Something else I didn't think about before ... I can qualify for the 2011 Boston Marathon during the 2010 Boston Marathon. DUH! I guess I just never thought about it but I am trying to forget it as quickly as I became aware of it. No more pressure will be needed.

My race shirt came in the mail today! I'm running in memory of my family members who I've lost. Instead of telling you about - see for yourself!

It turned out better than I thought and it fits great, which is what I was worried about. I am so happy to have the opportunity to run for such incredible people who truly made me a better person and taught me some of the greatest lessons in life.

12 days to go!!

Two Weeks and One More Long Run

What a busy weekend! Monday snuck up on me quickly, which means Boston is getting closer too! Looking back on training I can’t believe how fast it has been flying by. I’m on an even steeper downward slope to the start line now. Last Saturday I had the first of my tapered long runs – 14 miles. The first half of the run went very well but I committed one of the biggest long distance running mistakes. I started too fast. Even though I felt great, averaging 7:45 minute miles hurt me in the long run. No pun intended. The last four miles were difficult and were mostly overcome with a lot of talking to myself, trying to motivating myself and digging up some mental toughness from who knows where. Sometimes, that’s what it has to come down to. I finished with an overall pace of 8:12. My legs got some rest on Sunday but my stomach certainly didn’t. What can I say – my family likes to eat and we had my sister, brother-in-law and two nieces over for Easter. We went to town on the food and candy and, needless to say, I felt a little sluggish today.

This week is pretty calm. Tonight I did a hard 45 minutes on the elliptical, a typical Monday night workout. I round out the week with my last long run of Boston Marathon training – an eight miler on Saturday. Wow.

I should have received my Boston race packet in the mail already but I think with my move a few months ago things may have gotten mixed up since I registered under my old address. I'll try calling tomorrow to see what's up. It is a big disappointment though because I eagerly checked the mail every day last week and got nothing! Bummer!

Two weeks and counting ... BOSTON BOUND!