My race recaps are usually written in my head as I am running the race. Then I write or type it all down later in the day. When I finished the Boston Marathon on Monday, I had no words. I was having an internal dialogue with myself for most of the 26.2 miles that I did not have time to write my blog along the way. It was an internal dialogue of confidence, doubt, encouragement, excitement, panic, patience, and race strategy. For many years, I have run Boston as a celebratory run because the journey to get to Boston was the real test. I loved stopping to chat with my friends and taking a million selfies along the way during my celebratory Boston runs. I have told many people that I cannot BQ in Boston that I think I convinced myself that it was not possible. It was the “you will believe in something if you say it enough times” mind trick. After the Hyannis Marathon in March, I took a week off and then picked up training again with my Coach. My legs felt good and I decided that I would try to race Boston this year. I was confident that my legs could do it, but convincing my brain that I could BQ would be the challenge.
The weather. Always the damn weather in Boston. I was hoping for rain because I had done so many training runs in the rain, but we got a warm day instead. After my second gel at Mile 8, I decided to take my gels every three miles instead of every four and take two salt pills in between gels instead of my usual one. The goal was to try to prevent crashing in the later miles because once I crashed, it would be difficult to get out of that hole. I was done eating by Mile 21! I probably could have used another gel, but I only carried six gels on me. I was thankful that my stomach handled all six gels without issue despite the heat. Mental note to carry seven gels for the next warm marathon day! I drank and poured water over my head and arms at every water station. There were still times where I felt like I was overheating, but I managed to grab a wet sponge, a wet paper towel, or a small bottle of water from a spectator and I was saved! I also managed to grab ice cubes from a medical volunteer and put them in my sports bra!
I paid for Unicorn Club accommodations this year and starting in Wave 1 was one of the perks. The BAA offers the Unicorn Club to people who have run at least three consecutive Boston Marathons. Full disclosure, it cost $300. I was intimidated to be in Wave 1 because I cannot run that fast, but I tried not to dwell on that. I reminded myself that I earned my spot and that I belonged there. I knew the course like the back of my hand and I knew how to run it smart. Prior to the weather forecast, I debated moving back to Wave 2, but once I saw the weather, I decided that starting with Wave 1 was the smarter choice. So I started in the back of Wave 1 and let all the fast runners go. I repeated to myself “Do not go with them.” After letting all the fast runners go, I was left with open road, which was another challenge. It was even harder to slow down when I had no obstacles in my way! It was really a test of patience. I stopped to pee at the Mile 4 water stop (I was really hydrated.) and I stopped for a few seconds to take a selfie with Santa at Mile 7.7 to try to slow me down, but I think it just got me more excited. Wave 2 runners caught me by Mile 10 and it was another challenge to maintain my pace and not to speed up to keep pace with them.
I was hoping to cross halfway at 1:50 and I crossed the halfway mark at 1:49:37! I felt good and thought to myself that I just might be able to run sub 3:40 depending on how I felt on the hills. I saw Coach Rick from Marathon Coalition at Mile 15 and gave him a running hug. Coach Rick ran alongside me and said “You look great! Keep pouring water down your head and back!” Thank you, Coach Rick! It was the boost I needed before taking on the hills.
I felt strong going over the first hill at Mile 16 and I have not felt good going up that hill for many years! I gave Marathon Dad, Ed, a running hug at Mile 17 and then turned right at the Firehouse for the Newton Hills! The Firehouse hill is my least favorite. My quads started to cramp going uphill, but relaxed on the downhill. I usually carry two small Biofreeze packets and apply Biofreeze to my cramping quads later in the race for some relief. I put my packets in my sports bra with my bag of salt tablets because my shorts did not have enough pockets. Everything was so slippery from sweat and water so both of my packets flew out of my sports bra when I took my salt tablets out at some point during the race. I panicked a little when both quads cramped on the Newton Hills and I did not have any Biofreeze. I thought to myself, “You have survived marathons before Biofreeze! You don’t need it!” So I made it up Heartbreak Hill and willed my legs to pick up the pace again. A small part of me was also dreading hitting “the wall”, but I never hit it!
The last five miles were amazing and went by faster than I expected. I saw my friends Caren and Nicole at Mile 22. The Running Joyfully cheer section was at Mile 23.5. My coaches had signs and screamed so loudly when they saw me. The Dana Farber cheer section was at Mile 24.5. I cannot wait for the bridge construction to be finished so that Dana Farber can set up their proper cheer station again. Andrew and Henry were at Mile 25 and then it was just a sprint to the finish line! Those last few miles were a blur of high fives, screaming, giving Henry a kiss, and waving my arms wildly. My mind finally calmed down a bit and shut up. Ha! My legs? They were running as fast as they could.
The sprint down Boylston Street to the finish line never gets old even after 17 years. I ran from traffic light to traffic light, grinning from ear to ear. I crossed the finish line and stopped to say “Hi and Thank you” to BAA CEO Jack Fleming. I am not sure if he recognized me from Sunday’s Unicorn Club Shakeout Run, but he gave me a hug and said “I have a medal for you!” Jack gave me my medal right at the finish line!
I did not look at my watch during those last five miles and when looked at my watch after the finish, I was shocked that I BQ’ed! I can BQ in Boston! I need to say that to myself more. I even ran a small negative split. The last time I ran a negative split in Boston was eleven years ago on the exact date 4/15/13. In all of the excitement and craziness of marathon weekend, I did not think that it was the anniversary of the bombings. As I reflected on my race, I thought about 2013 Boston and thought about the events that happened after I crossed the finish line. Memories of that day are still clear in my head eleven years later. Martin Richard, Lingzi Lu, Krystle Campbell, and Sean Collier. May we never forget their names.
I reunited with Andrew and Henry at the Westin after the race. Henry asked “Why were you so wet when you gave me a hug?!” hahah. I told Henry that I took a shower at every water stop.
Thank you BAA, amazing volunteers, and spectators!! Congratulations to everyone who ran! The road to 25 continues another year! Even after so many years, there were lessons learned today. I am faster than I think and I will be sure to carry seven gels for next year’s Boston Marathon! See you next year, Boston!
Race Numbers:
Women’s Champion: Hellen Obiri 2:22:37 (repeat Champion!)
Men’s Champion: Sisay Lemma 2:06:17
Women’s Wheelchair Champion: Eden Rainbow Cooper 1:35:11
Men’s Wheelchair Champion: Marcel Hug 1:15:33
My time: 3:38:47 (17th consecutive Boston. I figured I should add this to my stat because I keep forgetting what number I am at!)
Total Finishers: 25,530 (Women: 10904 Men: 14578 Non-Binary: 48)
BQRunning 