Boston Marathon 2010

Clif Notes version: I ran a 3:53:09! Woo-hoo! If you want the details, keep reading. Its long...

Wow. In one word, that is how I would describe the entire Boston experience. I am incredibly blessed to have had this great opportunity, and I loved every minute of it, even the hills (okay, I didn't exactly "love" the hills but I didn't hate them either). I completely understand now why Boston is such a big deal, not only to runners but the whole city. They know how to do it right. I had never been to Boston and found the city to be absolutely gorgeous. Very European looking to me, and I love that. I think if I could afford it, I'd live in Boston in a heartbeat.

PRE-MARATHON ADVENTURES:
When we got in on Friday, it was cold and rainy. "Dank" is how the weatherman described it, and though I don't know exactly what that word means, I'd say it was accurate. We got checked into the hotel, unpacked and headed straight for Rock Bottom Brewery which was just across the street from the W, where we stayed. ("we" means me and my awesome dad). We were staying in a great part of downtown and close to everything. In fact, people around me have probably never seen someone get so excited about a California Pizza Kitchen siting, as that is what I eat before every long run and marathon. Wasn't expecting to see one, let alone across the street from the hotel. Bonus!

On Saturday, which was still "dank," we got up and had breakfast at Dunkin' Donuts. I love love love Dunkin' Donuts. There is only one in Houston that I know of. In Boston, they are on every corner, much like Starbuck's is here. We then headed to the expo, on the subway. I love subways...so easy to get around. The expo was already quite crowded when we got there, but it was easy enough to maneuver around. I will say that I'm not a big judger of expos... they all seem the same to me... and that would be true here as well. It was a big expo and had alot of really fast-looking people milling around, wearing Boston jackets from years prior. A little hard not to feel somewhat intimidated and out of place, but hell, I earned my spot just like they did!

I of course went on a wild shopping spree, snatching up anything with a Boston Marathon logo. I had two full bags of loot, which my dad insisted on carrying since my back was hurting. So there we were, heading back to the hotel, with my dad carrying all the stuff, and I detected some laboring. People must have thought I was some primadonna running bitch making her poor dad lug her crap around. I felt bad but he would not hand over my bags. We dumped them at the hotel and headed back out into the rain. In our quest to find a CVS, we ended up in Chinatown but found a great little non-Chinese food restaurant for lunch. No way was I eating Chinese food a couple of days before a marathon.

My friend Jenny flew in on Saturday afternoon, and we wandered down to the finish line to check it out and of course did some more shopping at the nearby sport store. We then walked around a bit and saw Cheers. How can you not at least walk by there when in Boston? After, we all headed to Little Italy for some wonderful pasta. This was my official carb loading night, and the angel hair and meatballs (my traditional meal) did not disappoint at all. I knew I'd need a good night's rest, so it was early to bed for me.









On Sunday, still dank, we went to a great little hole-in-the-wall place for breakfast and hopped on a tour trolley after. I really enjoyed the tour, which took us all over the city, but I was definitely off-kilter on Sunday. I was sluggish and tired and just a wee bit irritable. My heart was constantly racing, and when I tried to take a nap, it was impossible. I couldn't settle down. I figured it was my nerves. I was so anxious about the run. I didn't know what my knee would do. I didn't know what the hills were going to be like. I didn't know if I'd finish. I was concerned about sitting around at the start line for 3 hours before the race started. I secretly wanted to finish in under four hours, and to do that I knew my knee and back would have to hold up and that I need a strong run. I had done zero hill training and was petrified of what I was in for. So after some pizza at CPK with Jenny and Dad, I went back to the hotel to plan my running outfit, take something to calm me down and get me to sleep, and start to relax. Unfortunately, I didn't get to see my friend Aimee, who flew in late Sunday, but I knew we'd get to celebrate after the marathon.

MARATHON DAY!
Monday morning was gorgeous. It was chilly and clear. Thank you Marathon Gods! I had a decent night sleep, got dressed and headed to the bus loading spot which was about a 5 minute walk from my hotel. I got there early enough that I didn't feel rushed or panicked about getting on a bus and getting to Hopkinton with time to spare. I tried to tune out what all of the other runners were talking about and just enjoyed the ride through some beautiful areas. The start area, called Athletes' Village, was on the grounds of a high school campus. It was amazing to just sit in the sun, eat a little bit, try to get some rest and people-watch. Though I was concerned about the long wait time, the three hours flew by. Before I knew it, it was time to check my bag and head to the start line.

Walking to the start line, about 3/4 a mile from the village, I started crying. I just couldn't believe that I was about to run the Boston Marathon. Wow. My nerves were calm and my doubts were fading. I felt a good run coming on. We lined up in our corrals, and then we were off before I knew it. The first few miles were more or less downhill and fast. I decided not to look at my watch or the clock at each mile marker and just run a pace that felt good. I was not going to worry about time, at least not right now, because I could tell I was running at a pretty good clip. It was so cool to see all of the runners in front of me, heads bobbing up and down as we ran up and down the road. About mile 5 or 6, I felt the slight twinges of cramping, so I shed my gloves and long sleeve shirt, which seemed to help cool me down. It was so sunny and warming up fast.

Before I knew it, we were half way. I peeked at my watch, and I was at a 1:53. Absolutely fantastic for me. I was no where near a BQ pace especially with the tough second half yet to be conquered, but I was definitely on track for a sub-4. I knew I had the hills coming up though, and man, did they ever come up. There is a series of about 4-5 hills from miles 16-21. These are called the Newton Hills and they end with the infamous Heartbreak Hill. Honestly, all of the hills were breaking my heart, and my quads, but I tried to keep my pace and form steady, and kept chanting to myself "what goes up must come down." I guess it worked. At that point, I couldn't remember if Heartbreak was at mile 18 or 21, so when I was actually on Heartbreak, I remember thinking that was it but it wasn't the really steep hill that I thought. Its just a very long hill with a gradual incline that comes at the worst point in the race, when you are close to the "wall" and are in serious need of fuel. But I survived. It was also getting quite warm outside, so I was glad the hills were over or I may have been toast.

After Heartbreak, there was one more hill, and then it was more or less smooth sailing on in. I started crying again. I thought of my mom, my dad, my grandparents, my brother and SIL and the kiddos, my friends, my cat, and my old childhood neighbors who were in a terrible accident on their way to Boston in 1981, and the mom who was supposed to run the marathon and their daughter were killed. It was the first time I had ever heard of the Boston Marathon, and I've never forgotten that. And besides my screaming quads and calves, my knee and back gave me no problems the entire race, and I knew I was having a Boston to remember and cherish. I had worked so hard to qualify, and though that's the tough part, I really didn't want to get there and lollygag on the course. I wanted one more really solid run, and I was having it.

With downtown Boston in my sights, I came upon the 24 mile marker, the 25 mile marker, and realizing the end was near, I also realized I was going to sub-4 barring some major disaster. The "one more mile" sign came up, and I started crying again. We were heading through the streets of Boston, and then came to Hereford. Someone trademarked "Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston." So there I was, turning right on Hereford, and the next street was Boylston. I turned left, and there it was...the Boston Marathon finish line. What an unbelievable sight. The crowds were deafening and its hard not to be overwhelmed by the entire experience. I had reached my goals...I finished the Boston Marathon, I had an absolute blast doing it and was able to stay as alert as possible during the race to take everything in at every mile, and I got my sub-four - 3:53:09. I could not be more pleased with my run, with the day, with the entire experience. It was just plain fabulous!

Afterwards, of course, it was time for some beer and celebration! I was feeling really good. I finally stopped crying and met up with my dad and my two very best and awesome friends Jenny and Aimee.





After some beer and chips at Rock Bottom Brewery, I headed back to the hotel for a much-needed shower. I was basically a human salt-lick. But its also a great exfoiliating treatment, for free! Much to my dismay, I discovered this chafing on the tops of my thighs. I had pinned my gu packets to the inside of my running skirt. Normally this doesn't bother me, but I switched to a different brand and the packets were longer. I could feel them poking me during the run, but I never expected to see this.




Looks worse than it felt.

Monday night we headed to Legal Seafood for a delicious celebratory dinner. I thought I'd sleep very soundly that night, but I was mistaken. Too excited still.

THE AFTERMATH:
Got up early the next morning for our flight, and that's when the pain and stiffness started to become evident. My quads were screaming. I was having trouble with declines and stairs. I was walking like I had two peg legs. My knees would buckle every so often. Getting in and out of chairs was humorous. When we landed back in Houston, one of the cart drivers at the airport slowed down and asked if I needed assistance. And it only got worse. Wednesday, I had to go down the stairs at my home on my butt. I became one of those people who used the elevator to go up or down one flight. I got several strange looks for days. It was pretty funny. Eventually I was able to walk normally and use stairs, and I even had a nice 4-mile recovery run on Saturday, though I can tell that my IT band/knee problems are going nowhere soon. But I need to keep exercising somehow because I have been eating like a complete pig since the marathon and I did not like at all what I saw on the scale this morning. But this makes a weight gain just a little easier to take...

The Final Countdown...

Hard to believe that in 24 hours I'll be on a plane to Boston, and in 4 days, I'll be running the Boston Marathon. Its been a long road...seems like Chicago was an eternity ago...and I've battled pretty well through my worst running injury to date. While the knee has gotten a bit better, my gait change resulting from compensating for my knee has affected my lower back. But all is as well as I can hope for at this point, and I'm on some oral meds for a few days to calm things down and hopefully make Boston a pain-free event. I just want to finish, and hopefully finish happy as a clam (I don't know what that means but I hear it all of the time). Then I'll get the physical therapy I need.

I cannot tell you how excited I am, about everything...visiting a new city, the expo, the marathon, and hanging out with my dad and my two best friends Aimee and Jenny. I am blessed and thankful that I'm even able to run and run in this event. I don't take it for granted, I don't brag about it, I don't look for pats on the back. I'm just an average girl who enjoys running and challenging myself, and I've been amazed by my ability to set seemingly unachievable goals and reach them. Its encouraging, motivating and something I keep in mind when I think I can't do anything right or well. Its been a tough couple of weeks for me on the emotional front, finally having the meltdown I've been anticipating over the death of my grandparents, my mom's condition and worrying about my dad. It was ugly...It hit hard and fast and furious, then I was done (thank you Kaytha for putting up with me crying during the entire 8 mile run on Saturday!). I really finally feel mentally clear and focused for Monday.

So, wish me luck and I promise a fun race report upon my return. And best of luck to my fellow bloggers who will be there too! Looking forward to everyone's race reports.

Now then, I must focus on the most important part of Monday's race... what color top do I wear? I have a pink long jog bra to go with my trademark pink visor, or I have a blue one that matches the Boston blue color. I also have a yellow short bra top, which is a Boston color as well and would match the yellow and blue ribbon I made for my hair, but it might be too cold for that. Therefore, I'm taking all three, perhaps a fourth. C'mon, just because its Boston and I'm going to be wearing some dorky knee brace and smell like Tiger Balm menthol doesn't mean I'm not going to try to look my cutest. 26.2 princess, remember?

In other running news... I got into the NYC Marathon this year. My second try in the lottery. Not expecting it at all, but I'm really excited, and though I was not planning to run a Fall marathon, I can't pass this one up.

Random thought of the day: RIP Ugly Betty :(

Easter pics: I had a great time with my family over Easter weekend. We were able to take my mom to Easter brunch, and of course the kiddos had to do some egg-hunting.