Even two days later, they are still quite unhappy. They prefer that I avoid stairs and that I not get up from a seated position. The pitfalls of running 26.2. The race was unlike any experience I have ever had. It was by far the HARDEST marathon I have ever run. I am so pleased that I squeaked in under 4 hours. Much gratitude owed to my parents, Kat, Julie and Marsha for being out on the course. Never mind the second half being hilly, the whole thing rolls. The first half might be a NET downhill, but that doesn't mean it's all downhill!
Day started early - as they always do - even though my race didn't start until 10:30 am. I got three good hours of sleep and then after midnight I was checking the clock every hour. At 5:20 I just gave in, turned the alarms off and got up. Dad, Julie and I were out the door at 6:30 headed into Boston to find the buses to the start.
The Bus Ride: With relative ease and a detour or two, we found the Tremont St. Side of the Boston Common and a lineup of school buses that went for block and blocks. Weather was overcast, but predictions were for it to stay that way without rain and without breaking up much. I wound my way to the end of the line where I met Adrienne Jones from Ontario, Canada. This was her third Boston and she'd never seen the bus lines like this before. I got in line about 7 and we pulled away from the Common about 7:25. Ninety minutes later we FINALLY made it to Hopkinton. The buses were like a train in the right lane on the interstate and as we pulled off the exit at Hopkinton and slowed to a stop (at least 20 minutes more to go it turns out) some couldn't hold it anymore. A school bus full of nervous, hydrated runners isn't always a pretty place to be. The bus drivers were kind enough to let the desperate ones off for a pee in the woods. First it was one, he got applause when he returned to the bus. Then it was many, from many buses. Adrienne said she never seen this before either! Once released from the bus I sought out a relatively short line for the potty, myself.
The Athlete's Village: I never really did get a full sense of the Athlete's Village as I didn't really have the time. A couple of big tents set up and water and food - I'd brought my bagel and peanut butter with me so I didn't really need to find much - and thousands of people. There were, afterall nearly 25,000 expected to start this race. Other than my friend from the bus, nearly everyone else I talked to was a Boston first-timer. I spent maybe 10 minutes collecting my thoughts, sitting in the grass, listening to my Ipod and centering myself. Text from Jane said, "Life is an occasion; rise to it."
Decisions about clothing were hard. It seemed the sun was trying to break through the clouds. I opted to leave the sweats in my bag and wore the gloves and long sleeve Target technical tee I had with me. Found the school bus window with my race number, 17715 and gave up my bag - cell phone, Ipod and extra clothes now out of reach until I was done with 26.2. One more stop in the "johns" and I was headed for Corral 17 - I'd forgotten that it was about .7 miles to the start line from the Village. That's when I started to feel butterflies. I wondered if I'd make it to my Corral before the gun went off. Wove my way through the crowd of runners and spectators and squeaked in with a minute or two to spare.
The Gun Goes Off: I didn't move. 30 seconds, a minute, 90 seconds and I moved a bit. Walking though, not running. Another couple of minutes and I finally got to the start line. Not bad, I was thinking it might take me as much as 10 minutes to cross the start, instead it took less than 5. I'm on the right side of the two lane road that leave Hopkinton. TV cameras are filming the start and we all wave our hands, hoping for our seconds of fame. The side of the course is lined with spectators - young and old - holding out their hands for a high five. One after the other after the other. I choose to rise and high five as many as I can - I am here to have fun - it is my first Boston, afterall.
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