Boston Marathon

Leading up to Boston I watched the weather and was uber aware of each ache. Race morning was crisp, cold, windy but sunny.  The sun meant for a great race and the wind was a fortunate tail-wind which would lend to Boston being the faster marathon setting a world record time. (The course doesn't qualify for a world record)

Jason and Chrissy waiting at the Westin for the arrival of our bus

I was incredibly fortunate with an opportunity to ride in the coach bus with the Alzheimer's charity group. The bus not only had a bathroom on it, but we were allowed to stay on the bus until the last minute.  I didn't have to sit in the mud in Athlete's Village, stand in the port-a-potty lines or deal with the terribly cold wind.

Athlete's Village

The race started and I heeded (or so I thought) all the advice to go out slow.  I held myself back at the beginning and was running strong.  Around mile 11 I ran into Tall Mom and was so excited to meet her.  It was sunny and for me quite hot.  I sipped the water at most water stations and dumped the rest on my head.  Going downhill at mile 18, I no longer felt I was holding myself back and my arms were incredibly tired.  I tried to maintain for a little while but when my BQ pace slipped by, I gave myself permission to walk some.  I felt the wall hitting me, falling on me brick by brick. From mile 19 through the finish I struggled and ran/walked to the finish. I've never been so happy to finish a race.  

My final time was 3:54:45 and I finished in 14729 place, 5053 out of females and 973 in my age group. My bib number was in the 17K's and that means that I finished about 3K above compared to the people I started with. A number of people I talked to did worse that the qualifying time by 10-15 minutes so I fit right in.

While I am disappointed that I didn't finish with a 3:45, qualifying and running Boston is a great accomplishment and I will always have that.  Thanks everyone for the kind words and support. 

Relaxing on the Boston Common post marathon