Sunday, April 24, 2011

Week 18 - 115th Boston Marathon DONE!

4,761 dollars for Children's Hospital, 18 weeks of training, and 4 hours 59 minutes and 1 second later I can officially join the less than 1% of people who can say they've ever run a marathon!

Monday was hard, but it was absolutely worth it. I still can't believe it's over.

The morning started out early. 4:45am wake up to eat breakfast and head to the buses. The buses headed for Hopkinton right at 6:15am. We got to the starting line, and hung out in an empty lodge... waited, ate, waited, and waited some more. Some people napped, some people read... I walked around a little, took pictures, and let my nervousness take over. The weeks leading up to this day I knew I'd be okay and knew I had it in me. For some reason, just 2 days before the race, my shin started hurting. What a joke - 18 weeks with the right training, precautions, and strength exercises that seemed to ward off any injury and I get a achy shin 2 days beforehand? COME ON! There was nothing I could do but just hope it didn't get worse during the 26.2 mile trek.
After hours of waiting we finally went outside around 10:20am to stretch, and pee. And pee again. (I call it nervous pee energy) Then it was over to the corrals for the start of the 3rd wave. As we crossed the start line Teddy Bruschi was there thanking people who were running for his charity. That was cool.
We were off. The weather couldn't have been any better. Just warm enough, plenty of sun, and the right amount of wind. The sea of people made for a slow first 2 miles then it spread out just a little. I tried to get comfy and prepare myself for the next 5 hours of non-stop running. I could definitely feel pain in my shin and my worst fear was that I'd hear a snap, or look down and bone would be popping out. I'm so dramatic but I feared the worse. The first 10 miles I was distracted by it and just praying nothing like what I just mentioned would happen. Fortunately it didn't take away from my pace and at some point in Framingham or Natick it just kind of went away (thank god!) and I was able to really enjoy the race and hit a good stride. Natick was where the crowds got thicker and people got crazier... lots of speakers in yards playing the "Rocky Theme Song" and one tent was blaring "Shout" and we all participated and threw our hands up. LOL!
1/2 way point was where the first Children's Hospital cheer station was and where my family was. That was exciting to see them. Then I saw my coworkers at mile 16, then my cousins and niece at mile 17. Then I rounded the corner and headed up the hills. Someone told me that if at that point I didn't say "Oh F*&#!" then I was in good shape. Well, I didn't say or think that but this is where it got even harder and the pain set in. If my shin was still hurting I wouldn't have noticed due everything else hurting. The crowds through the hills were great. Random strangers calling out "You've got this!", handing out orange slices, and waving signs like "You eat hills for breakfast!" Thankfully I was also with a pal and her and I pumped each other up the whole time. Here we passed Dick and Rick Hoyt, which was really inspiring.
Mile 21 and the hills were over and then it was BC kids in our faces. They really get into it! "Chafe now, brag later!" one sign said. Haha. At this point it was all new territory to me since 21 miles is the farthest I went in training. It seemed like forever but finally I got to Beacon St and could see the Citgo sign. Beacon St seemed to last forever and at mile 23 I thought to myself "Ok, I'm ready for this to be over." Then I saw some friends with signs and that kept me going. Strangers kept yelling out that we were almost there. My heart started racing, I could feel myself getting shaky. "Please don't pass out with 3 miles to go" I said to myself.
Into Kenmore Square and the crowd got even more insane! Right on Hereford, left onto Boylston and one of the coaches popped out to see how we were. It was great to see him. Then my entire family was ahead and I could see the finish. My sister and cousin popped out and ran the home stretch with me. I cannot even describe Boylston St. Just amazing! The crowd so loud I couldn't hear myself think. Part of me didn't want it to be over... it was just sooo cool!
Crossed the finish line and what a relief. I felt great. Sad and glad it was over, so happy that I did it.

Again in 2012? I haven't ruled it out!

To everyone who donated to Children's Hospital Boston; to all my friends and family; to anyone who gave a kind word or text; to Whitney Downum for running during the week with me; to Frank Knippenberg for being a great teammate; to Katie F. for staying by my side all 26.2 miles; to my physical therapist; to all the spectators cheering; to the people blaring the "Rocky Theme Song"; to my co-workers; to the Wellesley College screaming kissing girls; to the drunk BC kids; to the guy who gave me an orange slice at mile 18; to the person on the hills with the sign "Your dreams are coming true right now!"; to all the volunteers; to the Miles for Miracles coaches and staff; to Lauren Frazee and Dana Graham for running with me the last half mile: Thank You, Thank You, Thank You. Boston Marathon 2011 was truly an amazing experience and I couldn't have done it with out all of you! <3

Wednesday, April 13, 2011

Week 17 - Damn, I can cook!

This weeks rule is "nothing new and nothing different." No new shoes, socks, clothes, training exercises, etc. At this point, it would be a bad idea to switch anything up since training is over.

I'm being cautious about everything. I don't walk around barefoot, I'm staying away from anyone who has a cough or sniffle, I'm trying to get to bed on time, I took it easy at a yoga class to avoid injury (ha!), and I'm eating like crazy! Once again I opened my wallet at the grocery store so I can carbo-load all this week. In the peaking phase, you don't want to get hungry so I'm trying to have food with me at all times. Good dinners from scratch every night. I'm making some delicious pastas, rice dish's, breads and more. Everything is coming out great but man is it time consuming!

Speaking of time consuming, my inbox has been swamped with emails from the BAA, Adidas, Runners World magazine, etc. I'm reading all the advice and last minute tips. Eat, hydrate, rest, eat breakfast 2 hours before race, sip on a sport drink as soon as you wake up, etc etc etc. Now, I just want Marathon Monday to get here! I'm ready for this.

This past Saturday was a quick and easy 8 miles. A few 2-3 mile runs this week... 1 unfortunately on the treadmill (never will warm up to that thing), big pasta dinner on Sunday night, in bed by 8pm (I hope) and it's out to Hopkinton at 6:15am on Monday.

So sad that this is going to be over soon. It's been an amazing process and experience and I'll be sure to post one final blog with how it all turns out in just a few days!

Sunday, April 3, 2011

Week 16 - The Nerves Kick In...

Now that all of the long runs of my training are over it's supposed to be a smooth taper from here til race day. The coaches say that this can be the most enjoyable time of the training season.  An appropriate taper doesn't just feel good - it's essential to maximizing marathon performance. It gives the body a chance to heal from the stress of the long runs, recharges it prior to the real event, and mentally gives a runner a chance to relax as well. All season I've had a good mind about all of this - super nervous at times, yes, but I never lost sleep.

Until this past week.

Now that the long runs are over I'm anxious, nervous... and feel like I should be running constantly. Of course I've done my research and know that isn't how it works for all the reasons mentioned above. I've stuck to my regular amount of training during the week but something is keeping me up at night. I guess I just can't believe that this thing is here! It's looming over me... and in a big way I don't want it to be over. I've really enjoyed this whole process and once it's over... what am I going to do with myself? (soo dramatic, I know! Haha)

Yesterday's team run was 12 miles but I skipped it due to lack of sleep 3 nights in a row before =(
Instead I took a yoga class and busted out the run this morning by myself. Glad I got it done but missed the team.

Today I also got a massage did some "marathon wardrobe" shopping and got myself a new running shirt and a super cool running bag thing (yes, kind of like a fanny pack, haha).

Feeling better and ready for my last 2 weeks. 15 days to go!