Boston Marathon 2014 Recap

I'm pretty sure I don't have to tell you that this will be a long post- there really isn't a way to put this whole thing into even a million words let alone short enough for people to read. Nothing I say will do it justice, but I will certainly try my best. I already know there will be a few different posts- so if you don't want to read about Boston, check back in like... a million years.

Race morning really went off without a hitch, got ready and made our way to Boston Common to catch a bus to Hopkinton with everyone else. Somehow it all worked out that I was able to meet up with Lindsey, Ashley, Danielle and Sarah near bag check before the race. It was the least awkward internet-friends-meeting-for-first-time-IRL ever, I felt like I had hung out with them a million times before. We sat in the back of the bus like rebels, laughed and enjoyed the morning of what we all knew was going to be a big day.

Athletes Village was nothing short of insanity. We went through metal detectors, got felt up a bit and then made our way through the sea of people. Literally, people EVERYWHERE.

Ashley, Danielle, Lindsey, Me & Sarah

We had a pow wow on the ground and chatted about life, running, and everything in between. I really was grateful to be around these ladies, it made the whole morning fly by and kept a huge smile on my face.

Me, Lindsey, Ashley, Sarah & Danielle

We were all in the second wave so we walked our way to the start together, taking in the energy the residents of Hopkinton were putting off. We had our pre-race hugs and meandered into the corrals. Danielle and I were next to each other at the start, and both jumped a little when the gun went off (didn't hear the warning). Before I knew it, I had just crossed the start line of the Boston Freaking Marathon. Maybe some people don't care if they ever run Boston, but for me...that was a moment I waited for, for a very long time.

The first few miles were crowded, as expected. I had a side stitch for the first 2-3 miles which didn't do anything but annoy the crap out of me. I took some deep breaths and eventually found a comfortable stride and pace. I was 100% running by feel, I looked at my watch out of curiosity at each mile marker but never really for pace control. I wanted to see what I could do without being a slave to my watch. I  high-fived a million and one people, especially kids and I couldn't help but get the goofiest grin on my face. I even got a blue/yellow bracelet a little boy handed me and gave me the BEST high five ever (along with the cutest little smile). Jewelry on the first date, normally would be a little much but for that 5 year old...I'll make an exception.

I was happy with the times I was running, while still enjoying myself taking in the sights and sounds of the insane amount of spectators. 6-10 people deep on both sides of the road, screaming so loud I couldn't hear myself think. Almost everyone wearing blue/yellow or anything with BOSTON STRONG on it. I fought back some tears quite a few times, there really was nothing like it. (Insert *omg cheesy eyeroll* here).

I thought about so many things while running. Wondering how my friends were all doing as they took to the course, crossing my fingers that everyone was having a great day. Thought about all those affected by last years events, and how amazing the running community and Boston have pulled together since then. I thought about where I am at in my own life, thinking about things past and things to come. I also thought about how the journey of getting to Boston changed me and how grateful I am for that desire to keep pushing myself.

According to the BAA Splits, my first four 5ks of the course were almost dead on-- 23:13, 23:27, 23:13, 23:13. Uhh yeah, I've NEVER been that consistent. Normally I am the negative split girl, but control and consistency was where it was at for me Monday. Running by feel wasn't the worst thing in the world.

I had been told before the race that I would hear the Wellesley girls, well before I could see them. I can confirm that is an incredibly true statement. Ladies were fabulous and I hope that they have boyfriends to make them tea with honey the rest of the week because they certainly aren't going to be able to speak again, like ever. I high fived a bunch of the girls, and stole a kiss from the girl holding a sign saying 'I'm from Upstate NY, kiss me!'. Hopefully my little boyfriend from earlier in the race who gave me a bracelet isn't mad I was kissing a girl a few miles later.

I crossed the half in 1:38:11, this is when the math started. Okay, I was on pace for 3:16ish...but knew I wasn't going to be negative splitting that second half. This is the point where I pretty much knew I was going to run around 3:18-3:20. I kept the pace I had settled into and held it as long as I could knowing if my predictions were correct I would still run my 3rd fastest marathon.

Trucking up a hill...

The hills in the second half were definitely noticeable but I made sure to drive my elbows back and shorten my stride to get up them. I actually felt stronger on the hills than I thought I would, I'll chalk that up to the strength and cross training I did while fighting the 'injury'.

I think mile 18-19 was about when I decided to stop taking my gels. They weren't sitting super well, and the last thing I wanted was stomach problems. So I started taking oranges (thank you to all the spectators handing them out!), and Gatorade instead of water.

I could pretty much see Danielle not far in front of me for most of the race, it was comforting seeing someone I knew in a sea of thousands of strangers. Around mile 19 she came up to me and told me I was looking good and gave me a mini pep talk- that meant more to me than I could say, I really needed it. I pushed through the rest of the hills, and even made it up 'heartbreak' without too much struggle. I knew I was going slower than before but definitely still holding on.

Once I hit mile 21 I tried to pick up the pace. The last few miles of the marathon have really become a love of mine in a sick and twisted way. This is where I have been able to push harder and really pour my heart out onto the course (particularly at Wineglass and CIM). At Boston, that push lasted about a half mile before I realized it just wasn't going to happen. I settled back into a pace I hoped to maintain for the remainder of the race.

 I'm not going to blame that on the course, the hills, the heat or anything- I know EXACTLY what it was. I knew going into this race that my speed and strength were good but my endurance was nowhere near where it was in the fall. I knew that at some point between Hopkinton and Boston that this was going to catch up to me, and it did. No excuses, I was running what I was capable of on that particular day.

My goal the last few miles was to hold on. I knew I had slowed but the crowds in those last few miles wouldn't let me get down. The road narrows and the crowds thicken as you get into the heart of the city, I can still hear it (maybe that is because my ears are still ringing). I definitely struggled, I won't deny that. Twice in the last mile I stopped for 15-ish seconds to compose myself. I didn't get down on myself about it then, and I still don't regret it. Even with all of this, my last few miles were all within a few seconds of each other, who am I and what have I done with myself?

Once I made the turn onto Hereford, my eyes shot straight up while making the quick left onto Boylston. I wanted that damn finish line.  Boylston street was incredible, but I know that I didn't embrace it as much as I could have. I was so focused on moving forward and was lost in my own little world. Maybe that sounds selfish, maybe it sounds like I didn't care- but in reality it was nothing less than keeping myself composed for a finish line that would most certainly be unlike any other.

I finished in 3:20:14 which is a 7:38 average pace. I'm super proud that I managed to crack the top 1000 women, coming in at 958 (top 6.6%). Not too shabby for my first Boston. As for my personal standings, it was marathon #8 and my 3rd fastest (knocking my first BQ 3:21 from 2012) into 4th place :) I finished feeling tired for sure, but my legs held up really well especially considering my lower right leg boycotted the last few months of training.

Shortly after crossing, my mind was going a million miles a minute. I immediately asked someone who won, as I had been wondering all day. Kind of one of those surreal moments that I still can't make sense of. Danielle crossed very shortly after me, and came up and gave me a big hug as we congratulated each other. We got our medals and pictures and then made our way through the food & finishers area. At one point we sat down and took our shoes off basically in the middle of it all... the white coats (medical) kept asking us if we were okay. We were tired, sore, hot, and just ran 26 miles-- can't 2 girls just sit their butts down? Finally we made our way through the rest of the lines and parted ways to go to family area/bag check.

Danielle and I  after the race :) 

The walk to Boston Common took....FOREVER. People were staring at me walking barefoot down the road but well, I didn't care. I grabbed my gear bag from the tents and proceeded to camp out on the ground where we had all planned to meet. I was in a daze, as I usually get afterwards and just kind of sat there. Our group had all met up again and chatted about the day, each of our races and how we felt.

I have a LOT of thoughts regarding the race, and how I feel about my time etc. But that is a whole post in itself. Short version: Boston reminded me of that fire I have, to be happy, to push myself, and to never settle. I'm not mad whatsoever that I didn't PR, I didn't have any intentions of running one on April 21, 2014. I ran that race for me and for Boston, with everything that's been going on I needed control and that's what I did.

More thoughts to come on the race, my time, my experience and....WHAT'S NEXT :)