BOSTON 06 - Been there, ran that

I made it – I am alive… Two days later I am feeling SORE, but very happy that I did it!

I didn’t make the 6- hour cut off, so I don’t have an “official time”, but I finished in 6:19 – just 5 minutes behind the Fox 25 traffic guy. The pre-race “Athletes Village” was fun with my teammates (after my mile long walk to get there). I have met a lovely bunch of woman and we all shared snacks, laughed a lot and waited in long potty lines. The start was overwhelming with so many people. I honestly don’t remember much about the first ten miles other than seeing a high school friend and the shocked look on her face, and the biker bar in Ashland – a sea of black leather tassels, beards, choppers and loud music! The crowds were very fun!

My roughest time was between miles 10 – 17, I started feeling nauseas and since it was so early in the race I began thinking that I might not make it. In all my long runs I have never felt like that. Luckily, the girls at Wellesley College cheered me through, gave me a wet towel (the best thing ever) and I met my coach at mile 15, who gave me another push. Then the ladies at Newton/Wellesley Hospital told me I needed salt and gave me pretzels --- my saving grace. I started feeling better (stomach wise) by mile 19, though my knee was feeling pretty rough by then.

We were told that Team in Training would be waiting at mile 20 so when I got there and didn’t see them I was a little bummed. I hit Heartbreak Hill and when I got to the top there was my TNT support tent and MY SISTER!!– I have honestly NEVER been so happy to see someone in my life! Tears of JOY!!! My mom and brother in law were at the next intersection! SO HAPPY they made it out to see me!!!!! My sister and I settled into a little walk/run thing for the next five miles. My biggest memory is dodging the trash trucks that were trying to pick everything up before they reopened the roads. There were also a lot of very drunk students who were very supportive – to extremes in most cases that kept us running (--away from them). Once we turned onto Boylston Street I knew we were there. I could see the finish line! My husband was waiting along with my mom and BIL who had taken the train back from mile 21. DONE – But not quite… Walk another block to take off timing chip, and another block to get MEDAL (very important) and bag, and another block to meet my coach at the Park Plaza. THEN I was DONE!!

I started feeling nauseas again and sat for a bit eating tortilla chips. I took a COLD shower and felt a little better. My Hubby got the car and we headed home. It was nearly 9 o'clock. I was SO happy to see my bed!!