Roadrunner: 118th Boston Marathon

Hancock Sports and Fitness Expo

Adidas banner

BOSTON!!!! Chad and I flew in late Saturday night into Boston, so we headed over to the expo on Sunday morning to pick up my bib#. Bib #s and wave/corral assignments are based on your submitted qualifying time. With my qualifying time from the St Geroge marathon (2:58:36), I was assigned to wave 1, corral 4, bib #3865. The previous 2 years in Boston I started in the 2nd wave, so I was excited to move up a wave this year. Woot, woot! Adidas hands out posters every year at the expo that include each racer's name on it. Since they added 9,000 more runners this year (36,000 total), I was wondering how they would fit everyone's name on one poster. Problem solved . . . .make 2 posters! Adidas also had large banners to sign and leave messages of support on. After the expo, we ventured down the street to the finish line area to take some pictures.

Memorial to the victims

Later on Sunday afternoon, those runners from Utah who could make it, gathered for a picture in the finish line area. It was so sweet to be part of this group! :)

Utah runners!!!

Monday - race morning!

My Hokinton outfit!

After my traditional 2 hours of sleep, I got up at 5 a.m. to get ready to go. I don't even know why I set my alarm. I am always awake hours before it even goes off. I just get so excited, nervous, and anxious about racing that I can never shut my mind off. My body is used to racing on little sleep and I usually don't feel the effects of lack of sleep until after the race. It's the Boston Marathon - who can sleep!?

In order to get to the start in Hopkinton, athletes are loaded on school buses at Boston Commons. Bus loading for wave 1 was 6:15 a.m. - 6:50 a.m. Chad and I took the "T" from our hotel down to Boston Commons. I have always been impressed with Boston's
race organization. Everything runs smoothly and efficiently. Bus loading was quick and I was off to Hopkinton, only a 45 minute bus ride away! This year as part of safety measures, athletes were not allowed to bring bags with them to the athlete's village in Hopkinton. The only gear bags allowed had to be checked and turned in at Boston Commons before boarding the buses. That meant, whatever you wore to stay warm at Hopkinton was donated to Goodwill. I just loved some of the clothing people were wearing. Two of my favorites were sported by guys, one wearing Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle pajama pants and the other a pink sweater with big snowflakes. The buses drop you off at Hopkinton High/Middle school. The athlete's village is set up on a field outside the high school. Time went by pretty quick at the athlete's village. The buzz and excitement from the huge crowd of runners was brought still as there was a moment of silence for the victims of last year.

At 9:10 a.m. wave 1, corrals 4-6 were allowed to leave the village to head to the starting corrals about .7 miles away. It is a nice little walk down to the starting line to stretch out the legs. As I entered into my designated starting corral, I looked around and realized there were only a small handful of girls and I was surrounded mostly by guys. I started to get a little nervous, thinking that I better keep pace or all these fast runners were going to stampede right over me. At that moment, I knew I would probably go out too fast. Just before 10 a.m. they played the National Anthem and then four National Guard helicopters flew over. The elite men were announced and then at 10 a.m. we were off! It was a little warmer than I thought it would be. Not miserably hot, but uncomfortably warm. And yes, I went out a little faster than I should have, but it was fun to run a quick pace the first 10k (42:20 - 6:52 min/mile). I knew that I had to slow my pace or else I would suffer the second half of the course, so I did and came in at the halfway mark at 1:31:50. From the moment I started, I wanted to soak in the Boston experience. The crowds at Boston are aMAzing and this year even more so! There is so much support and encouragement. Running this course you feel like a rock star! There were points in the race where the crowds were chanting "U.S.A" and "Boston Strong!" It was pretty sweet. I made sure to give high 5's to the people holding out their hands especially all the little kids. The spectators go above and beyond. They hand out orange slices, bananas, otter pops, ice, licorice, etc. They cheer and push you along the course. I loved the different posters as well. A few of my favorite ones - "Run like someone called you a jogger!" "Runners are our Heroes!" "We Own That Finish Line!"

Mile 22

In the second half of the marathon come the Newton hills - little speed bumps that slow your pace. After reaching the top of Heartbreak Hill, the last of the Newton hills, I could start feeling it in my legs, but knew there were only 5 miles left! It was like a countdown to Boylston Street. Mile by mile the anticipation, energy, and excitement grew. And then that final turn down Boylston where you can see the finish line in the distance. Running the final stretch towards the finish line there wasn't a feeling of fear, but of empowerment. As the crowds screamed and cheered, I thought of those affected by the tragic events of last year.

Listening to the crowds and their enthusiasm and spirit, it was as if they brought sense of healing and strength. As each runner crossed the finish line it was if it emphasized the sentiment from the crowd - Boston is strong and resilient - our spirits cannot be broken! As I passed the finish line and through the finish area, several volunteers were thanking the runners for coming to run the Boston marathon this year. Thank you Boston for an incredible experience!