When I first moved to Boston, I had voiced my desire to run in the Boston Marathon to a few people. If you've read my post about my first attempt to run in this prestige marathon, you know I was denied in 2013 (which I've already said- was definitely a good thing!) A few people that had run marathons told me that training for a marathon was very hard work and I was probably better off. A few said that the Boston Marathon was one of the hardest and that I may not be able to do it. When my mom told my uncle that I really wanted to run in the Boston Marathon (he is also a runner and has run many marathons), his response was- "You can't just decide to run the Boston Marathon. It's really hard to get that opportunity." So throughout my training the past few months and on the actual day while running on that course- I was definitely beaming with excitement and joy thinking about anyone that had doubted it could happen. Because I DID IT!!!! :) I've seriously been a walking inspirational book that just wants to shout at the top of my lungs- "NEVER SAY NEVER and aim high because if you put your heart into something, ANYTHING can be accomplished!!"
I did not get much sleep the night before (as expected), and woke up pretty early to make sure I ate a good breakfast, had time to get my "game face" on, and slather essential oils (from sickness) and body glide all over myself before getting dressed. My sister made the most awesome shirts EVER (the first one she gave me said- "If found, please deliver to the Boston Marathon Finish Line." HA! that's not the one I actually wore) ;-) While I was eating breakfast (and frantically awaiting my black car service..another story...haha!), she slipped these awesome shirts on my kiddos and it was the best surprise ever.
The shirts say- "team Kristi" with a huge picture of Texas :)
I got to the bus loading area (it's close to the finish line but you can't really SEE the finish line which is kind of a teaser), and had plenty of time to grab a water and relax before loading the bus. I sat next to the nicest girls (they were from right around where I live), and one of them had run the course before. Ironically, I had almost the exact same pace as they did for most of the course until we reached the hills in Newton, and I noticed they had started walking (there were A LOT of people that walked once they got to Newton..all I have to say is- thank goodness I trained on those awful hills!! LOL!) The bus ride took SOOOOO long (we were joking about how we were about to RUN that entire trip back to Boston....wowzer!!), but we finally made it to the "Athlete's village" in Hopkinton.
they had security on the buildings with binoculars
They had tons of food, a medical tent where I put on lots of sunscreen (thankfully because it was really hot and sunny that day), areas to stretch, and lots of port-a potties with very long lines which explains one thing I did NOT expect to see right after getting off the bus- a line of men (and a few women...) just leisurely using the restroom in public...and I mean it was an entire row of about 60 men no joke!! No pictures of that...it was pretty awkward...haha!
I wasn't in the athletes village long until it was already time for my wave to start loading the corrals. I was in corral 2 but actually waited until corral 5 was loading because I wanted to stretch in the grass. And then it was time- the moment I had been waiting for: the START! It took me a good 10-15 minutes to actually get to the start line after the gun went off (there were a total of I think close to 35,000 runners this year!!!) I got a pretty good video of me at the start. Talk about nervous!! :)
start line!!!
One of the funniest things I saw that day was before mile 1- a bunch of "duck-dynasty looking men" holding out a tray and a sign that said "Need cigarettes, beer, or wine??" It was great. :) So from Hopkinton, to Ashland, and then into Framingham- that's where I unexpectedly saw my cheering squad!!
Cade, my mom, my dad, my sister, and my kiddos :)
My sister and mom :)
Giving out some high-fives :)
Andrew and Grandad
There I am!! :)
My sister ran out to exchange phones (mine was not going to make it) and got to run with me for a second or 2 :)
Right before this- I had hit the 5K marker and thought to myself- "This is where it all started-a 5K-" and I seriously had never felt so great in my life. :)
The first part of the race was filled with incredible fans (and people). A few notable things I saw before the half marathon mark- I almost ran a guy off the course trying to high five a kid (opps....), a random dime in the middle of the road (not sure why but I thought this was symbolic...). I saw a shirt that said "Running in memory of my mother in heaven," lots of "Collier Strong" and "Boston Strong" shirts, some "Marathon Survivor" shirts and some of the toughest people I've ever seen in my life. People that were already limping and yet kept going, people that had a guide with them because they were visually impaired, a runner with a shirt that read- "I'm able to run because I have a donated heart," runners with prosthetic legs, and runners the same age as my grandmother (no joke!) All of those people with a story to tell- why they were running, how they got there, and what was keeping them motivated. Absolutely incredible to share a course with such fantastic people.
After Natick came Wellesley (along with the half-marathon mark). I had remembered reading a quote about the Boston Marathon- "If you feel bad at mile 10-you are in trouble. If you feel bad at mile 20-you are normal. If DO NOT feel bad at mile 26- you are NOT normal" :) So when I was feeling really good at the half marathon point (13.1), I was very excited. Not to mention my cheering squad surprised me here too!!!
someone had shouted "GO TEXAS" :)
"KRISTI!!" :)
I technically ran more than a half marathon because I ran back :) HA!
I handed off the arms bands I had been wearing that morning (not for long because as I said- it was a hot day that day), and headed off for the 2nd half of the race. :)
Something to be said about this course- they tell you not to see this as the "half-way point" because you've only gotten through the easiest part. They say the 20 mile point should actually be considered "half-way" so thankfully I was still feeling really great at the half-marathon mark. :)
The Wellesley College is known for their "scream tunnel" of women, so this was fun to see and hear. :) It wasn't the loudest part of the course for me, but was still pretty fun to see the girls with their "kiss me" signs. Ironically-the part of the race just before this was the quietest it ever got that day. I had my iPod off so I could hear the "scream tunnel" and it just seemed kinda quiet for a little while.
When I was training, I actually did my 22 mile training run on the course. I started in Newton (on the hills), ran to Natick (the 11 mile marker), and turned around and came back through Newton (back through those nasty hills). In all honesty- this training run was harder than running the marathon so that was an awesome feeling. It was also good to recognize this part of the course that day. :) So when I got to the Newton sign I said out loud- "Here we go" :)
The biggest, loudest, most motivating crowds that day were in Newton and then in Kenmore square...the 2 places I needed them the most. My friend Tara actually waited for me at mile 19 in Newton and had pretzels for me to snack on. :) I got the biggest hug and a burst of energy knowing so many people were cheering me on that day. She is truly one of the nicest people I know and has actually also ran the Boston Marathon. I remember telling her- "I'm making it!!! I feel great!!" And I really did. :) This is a funny pic of me (her friend took it) but truly shows how excited I was that she was there. :)
pretzel sticks in hand at mile 19 :)
I saw quite a few people that day "hit the wall" so to speak. I saw a man collapse, lots of people stop to walk, and some people stop for medical attention. But on the hills- that's where I saw the most "walls hit" These hills are no joke, but I really did feel so powerful going over them and seeing the sign that said, "you're done with the hills!!" was amazing. :) If only I'd know there are technically some other hidden hills along the course afterward...haha! :)
Mile 22-24 were a big blur...I remember seeing a cemetery (I guess they call this the "haunted mile" because so many elite runners are passed going down after running all those stinkin hills...your quads are not real happy going from uphill to downhill so fast and furiously). I remember searching for the mile 23 sign and thinking "surely I missed it...there's no way I haven't gotten to mile 23 yet" but I had not...then I finally saw it. After this, I remember seeing the infamous "Citgo Sign" by Fenway Park (where the Red Sox play) and hearing a man very loudly exclaim to himself- "there's the Citgo sign!!!" because most people that have trained for the Boston Marathon know that you only have 1...more....mile once you've reached that glorious sign. But it is very misleading- it seemed to take an eternity to actually reach that sign. I also remembering seeing the city sign for "Brookline" and thinking, "I didn't remember reading anything about going through this city....I remember Brighton....but not Brookline?!!!" Delirium had hit- I guess I was never technically in Brighton and DID know Brookline was right before I would be in Boston. :) I remember passing a guy with "how does my dust taste?" written on the back of his shirt and being very tempted to make a snide comment about him tasting my dust...but I felt a little bad. ;-) And Finally- Kenmore Square. The Red Sox played that day and a lot of people hang out to drink and watch the marathon. It's only a mile before the finish line so is a very excited spot to see the runners. I saw a runner shot gun a beer, throw it to the ground and run victoriously away. That was fun. :) My body was definitely feeling it at this point but the crowd was incredible. So much noise, excitement, and people yelling my name ("Go Kristi from Texas!!!")...it was amazing.
And then under the bridge- this is actually where Todd and Cade accidentally saw me and got some good pictures. I had no idea at the time that they were right above me. Again- lots of people slowing down (I was dodging around lots of walkers at this point). I think the heat really got to a lot of people that day. I couldn't have asked for a better day personally! I hate being cold while I'm running so it was awesome!
And then the moment of glory- "right turn on Hereford-left on Boylston" :) This is where my emotions got the best of me. I was so.stinkin.excited. I had done it and this was my moment to really take it all in. I couldn't believe this was right where I had been watching the year before as a teary-eyed spectator dreaming of how incredible it would feel to be running toward that finish line. I'm crying just thinking about it. And in all honesty-I was not scared one bit. It was on my mind- but I didn't feel afraid. I felt I had conquered a fear and had achieved what I thought may never happen- I had finished the Boston Marathon. :) The crowd was amazing. The volunteers were so friendly and were congratulating us left and right. What a fantastic moment. And then I got a massage and cheesecake afterward which really-how can you beat a day like that???!! :)
We stayed at the Sheraton Hotel in Copley Square that night which I think was the best idea ever. I got to talk to so many other runners and then was able to take some awesome pictures the next day. I was also able to sport my medal and jacket around Boston like the other runners were. :)
I've been reading this book that Todd bought me a few weeks ago
One of the best quotes I've read- "the decision to to run Boston can come from impulse or deliberation. But from the time one decided to do it until the moment they cross the finish line, runners are introduced to the depths of who they are, what they have undertaken, and why they are there. They have the resolve to confront life's challenges." and I completely agree. I now feel I have the strength and determination to conquer any of life's obstacles. I feel #texasbredbostonstrong :)
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