This was an incredible experience. I met a wonderful woman, Amy (52 from New Jersey, has twins, 5th marathon, hoping to run a 3:30, planning to have a glass of wine that night after the race), waiting for the hotel shuttle to take us to Boston Common. We rode on the bus together and hung out at Athlete's Village. We were both in Wave 3, she started in corral 1, me, in corral 3. I'm wondering how she did - I hope she did well! Maybe with a little digging, I can find out.
The crowds were unbelievable. I brought an iPod shuffle, but the fans cheer so loudly, you can't even hear the music. I didn't even use it.
My husband and kids were waiting for me at mile 22, Boston College. Boy, was I happy to see them! They gave me a burst of energy that carried me for a mile or so. After that, I had to repeat over and over, just keep running. It was a hot day. My mouth was super dry the entire race - I was craving a large Diet Coke, in one of those big plastic cups you get at a pizza place, with lots of ice and a straw. Mmmm. And believe me, the thought of laying down, just for a second, in a med tent, popped into my head a few times.
At mile 24 or so, the crowd was blasting the song Club Can't Handle Me by Flo Rida. That is my carry-me-on-in song, because inevitably it comes on close to the end of every race! Every race. And here it was blaring, not even using my shuffle. Love serendipity!
After the race, I did get that large Diet Coke at Rock Bottom on Stuart St. The same place we went last year.
This marathon was very humbling. I was in denial thinking I could run as fast as I did last year, being sick. Boston is hard enough to run well when you're healthy! I'm trying not to think about all the training during the miserable winter that didn't get me the results I was looking for. So many thoughts on what I could have done differently. But I finished!
What can you do but take it all in and put it in your back pocket for the next race :)
Have a great weekend!
