Back To Boston

This April I am heading back to Boston for the marathon. It’s the 120th anniversary of the Boston Marathon. If you have followed my blogs at all, you know that I ran this race two years ago, the year after the bombings. As far as the experience of going to Boston, it was amazing, the experience of the actual race however, that was a little rough. Without rehashing and getting into all of the details again, I was nervous, it was hot and sunny, and I had a stomach that just would not quit! I ended up running my worst full marathon time in 10 years. (3:51) I know that doing this race wasn’t really about my time, it was about the experience. My best times were run to get me there. However, what has always bothered me is that I had trouble enjoying the actual race because my nerves had gotten the best of me and my stomach was SO uncomfortable. As a runner that’s frustrating, it’s hard when your legs feel great but something else is hindering you from both performing well and enjoying the moment.

So here I go again. I go back with the hope that I understand the process of the day. Maybe I can better prepare nutritionally and I can plan better for that joyous two and a half to three hour wait on athletes village. (This is where the runners sit for hours after the bus drops them off) Last year when I went it was just my husband and I, and we had an awesome time! Believe it or nor it was our first real trip away from our kids in what had been 8 years at that time. This year we decided to take the whole crew! I am over the moon excited at the opportunity for my children to have the memory of watching their mom finish the Boston Marathon. They know I love to run and they have been to a few small races, but not many. With all of their activities on the weekends, it’s usually me rushing through the finish line to throw on dry clothes and make kick off of a soccer game or some other sport. I truly hope they see just a small glimpse of what running has done for me, both physically and emotionally.

But the fun doesn’t end with them! This year our friends from Charlotte will be meeting us their with their daughter. So not only will I have my family, but our friends that may as well be family also! I feel so loved by just the thought of everyone being there. It means more to me already than any of them could possibly know.

One of the hard things last time was the 10:30 start time. I was doing all of my training runs at 3:30 or 4 in the morning so the later running times were hard. I am going to try to start some of my long runs later. I am also going to bring more things to snack on at Athletes Village. I am hoping the weather will be favorable as well.

I look forward to writing the after the race blog and sharing some new pictures. The spirit of Boston that day is unexplainable. I can’t wait for my children to experience it and have the memories of that trip that they can keep with them forever.

In the meantime, on March 5th, I will be running the Tom King Half Marathon to help me prepare for Boston. I haven’t run that one I a few years so I am looking forward to it. I will be back on the blog with a post race review for that as well! Spring can’t get here fast enough!