My race recap from DailyMile. I looked for those of you at the locations, but we must have missed each other. Absolutely amazing day!
Dreams really do come true.
I got to Boston on Saturday and met up with my daughter
Meghan H. and my stepmother. My amazing Sunshine put together a dinner in my honor with my Boston friends, to include my dear friends
Christina and
Dan S. who flew up from Delaware just for this. So fun! They gave me gifts, inspiring letters, and lots of good wishes for the race.
Sunday, I headed to the expo. It was a madhouse. Got my bib, took some pictures, bought some gear. The city was just unbelievable. I’ve never actually been in Boston on Marathon Monday – but along the course. So much energy pouring out with all the runners in town. Everyone was just talking about the brutal weather we were going to face on Monday. Ensured I was hydrating all day. Was sad for a few days that I was so healthy for this race and Mother Nature was going to kill my plan. I decided to take a page out of the
Michael N. playbook and just enjoy the ride and make sure I got to the finish line.
Sunday evening was the Dana Farber dinner. Inspirational stories of cancer fights were told, many tears shed. We were honored to have Uta Pippig, the 3 time Boston Marathon womens champion, as a guest speaker. Also, Jack Fitz, who was the 1976 winner and is the DF coach. He advised us of a calculator on the webpage that would tell us how fast we should run depending on our fitness and with the weather. I was now projected for a 5:20 marathon with an 11:40 pace. Ok, this is what I have to do.
Short walk from my hotel to the Boston common to get the buses to Hopkinton. I met a few women from Allentown PA and we walked together and swapped stories. We were on the last group of buses to leave - seemed like the 25 minute drive took an hour, but it was all good. We got off at the Athletes Village and it was just mass humanity - energy galore! Everyone was in good spirits despite the weather forecast. Made my way to the DF sanctuary and was so lucky to run into Justin T. and give a quick hug!. Got some food in me, took care of business, then headed for the starting corrals with a bottle of water. Then a wonderful moment happened - Steve S. and Ally S. came to find me! I was so happy to see them - we walked a bit together, then they turned to head where they needed to be. I was surprised I didn't get emotional in Hopkinton, but I was so geeked to be there, I just couldn't stop smiling! Got to my corral, a long walk to the starting mat and then we were off!
I tried to go slow coming out - but my legs were having none of it - they just wanted to move - I had to stop at Mile 3 for the PP to just pee, so that scews my 5K time - but I was in the low 10's for all of that. Still couldn't slow myself, I kept trying to. At Mile 5, I figured it out. I had grabbed water before a hill in Ashland and was walking up it as I was drinking and I thought "I'll walk the hills". So I ended running a Galloway plan for the entire race. When I was running, it was high 9's, low 10's, then I would walk up hills. It was the only way I could do it and survive the entire race. The heat was BRUTAL.
I got to Framingham at the 10K mark and my dear friend Ryan M. was there waiting for me! I was so happy to see him - he's who brought me to DM. He took a picture, gave some Swedish Fish, and sent me on my way.
The people along the course were just amazing. Water hoses being sprayed at us, the Red Sox score being updated, ice bags that we could grab ice from, they just were unbelievable. So much love out there for the runners.
I approached Wellesley College for the Wall of Screams - it was late in the race for them and they weren't quite so loud. I yelled at them "I can't hear you" and that got them going again. All the Kiss me signs, saw a few guys with them too, so I said, what the hell, and went over and kissed one of the guys on the cheek! Too fun!
I got into Wellesley Center and saw the stone wall. I watched 4 marathons from that very spot with my Dad. I lost it. I stopped, walked to the wall, and bawled my eyes out. Medical people came to check on me and I just explained how emotional this race for me. It was very cathartic to get those tears out of me. I took a breath and got back on my way.
Went pretty fast down the hill in Newton Lower Falls and now the start of the hills. . Just cruised slowly up the I-95 overpass and as soon as I started passing Newton-Wellesly Hospital, there they were! My daughter, my stepmother, my sister, my godson, and my niece! I stopped for a good 5 minutes talking and hugging them all.
Back on the course, I started to make the turn onto Beacon Street - my Dad lived just two blocks from there. Didn't lose my composure - just touched the picture of him on my shirt, kissed my fingers, pointed at the sky and said "Lets go Dad". The Newton Hills!
Ok, I walked most of them. Except one! That's right! I took that bitch Heartbreak DOWN!I I ran an 8:30 up that forsaken hill!! Of course, I was dead at the top of it
)
I made a pitstop at Mile 21 - I didn't want to have to hit the porta potty at the finish, so I figured I better try to pee. Got moving again and was running most of the rest of the course - the energy around Boston College was great - I hit Cleveland Circle and thought of all of the times I got drunk at the bars there and even said that to someone outside of Mary Ann's pub. Kept on plugging along - I was running all of this now, but it was slow - but that's ok, I was running. Saw the Citgo sign - I'm in Boston!!! Then I saw my friends - my incredible friends (the SoSH gang) - who were all there to see me! And they took my daughter under their wing - she made it over their way. I'll post the video they took, it's funny as hell! Got back on my way - one mile to go! Do I have a Kate Mile in me? Well, I had a little - it was a long, long day! Tried to put down the hammer but I still had too far to go. I walked that tiny little underpass before the turn to Hereford then starting running slowly up that small incline. I made the turn to Boylston Street.
Turned them on! The crowds, the cheers, the look I know I had of pure and absolute joy to see that finish line! My city, my Boston Marathon!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for your generosity of money, friendship, and advice to get me to this dream.
I'm coming back. But I'm going back with a BQ under my belt!!