Each Day Is a Gift

Celebrating 24 weeks of Training

Boston 2008 was such a wonderful experience that the moment I crossed the finish line I wanted to return and run it again. I had the best time in more ways than one. I wanted Boston 2009 to be as wonderful. I began training a month after SGM’08 for 24 weeks. I was disappointed that Teena had to defer. But I was happy that my brother-in-law, Gary, from HK was running (he deferred the last 2 years); and my son, Jeff, from Chicago was coming to see me and his friend, Becca run. I think I was more excited about seeing them and my running friends than the race itself.

My three goals were:
Satisfied ~ Finish without charlie horse (which has plagued me in races).
Happy ~ Run a qualifying time (need 4:05:59 to BQ).
Ecstatic ~ Run a PR (Boston’08 was 3:57:09).

I followed the 24 weeks training plan to the tee. I felt that I peaked around week 20 and was loosing steam during the last month. The week before the race I felt very fatigued. However, I have learned much about core strengthening and getting better at finding my pace.

I could never sleep the night before race. Gary and I were up before the alarm. We met the gang and walked to the bus line. It was fun talking with Canyon, Rhett and Gary on the bus ride. We got to Hopkinton with 2.5 hours to spare. Thanks to Lark’s air-mattresses, we made ourselves comfortable at the Village. All that carb-loading really did me in... visiting the PoP three times.

Soon everyone headed to their corrals and I was left all by my lonesome self. I called Lowell several times with no luck. I waited till the last possible minute before heading to my corral. It was hard deciding what to keep and drop off. I ended up wearing shorts, short sleeve top and gloves. The temp was in the low 40’s; but the wind chill made it feel more like 30’s. I was glad to have a kitchen garbage bag on for the walk to the corral.

The race started just as I got in the corral and all of a sudden I felt another “need to go”…too late. It took 8 min. of walking to the start line. I started out really slow (9:28 pace). There were just too many people. I kept looking for Lowell and Terry with no luck. I did talk to lots of 60ish men along the way. 

My plan was to run the whole thing at steady pace or at least even effort. I dedicated the first 10Ks to Emi, my new granddaughter, having fun and enjoying the crowds from all these little towns.  Gotta love the quaint homes and shops in New England.  10K time: 56:38

The next 10Ks was for Teena…funny how many girls I saw resemble her along the route.  Oh, how I wish we could run these middle miles together.  I momentarily lost the hearing on my right ear to the Wellsley girls’ crazy screams. I passed a girl dressed as Minnie Mouse, a girl or boy in tutus, lots of “Go Liver” and “Run for Dad/Mom/Son”.   20K time:  1:53:54. 

I passed the Holts father-son team.  What an inspiration.  I passed Jay (the guy with oxygen tank) and two amputees who reminded me of the third girl I dedicated the third 10Ks to, Jeane, Teena’s cousin whom I finally had the pleasure to meet a few days before the race at the hospital. She's one courageous lady.  30K time:  2:50:23.

I saw Coach Slick chugging ahead after mile 17 at the beginning of the Newton hills chain. I wanted so bad to run with him; yet too selfish to let go of my BQ goal. I gave a meager encouragement and offer to "pace" him. I gained a much greater respect for Slick for his toughness and tenacity. I was lost in my own thoughts during this stretch and lost count of the hills. I started to feel twinges of cramps and saw my PR dream faded. Thanks to the great cheering of the Boston College crowd, I found a second gear and dedicated the remaining 10Ks, a mile each, to my six children.  40K time:  3:50:04.

My quads started to burn with 3 miles to go. I fought the urge to walk, praying for Charlie horse to stay away. I concentrated on picking off road-kills, passing many runners.  The crowds were incredible.  I couldn't possibly disappoint the spectators who called out my name.  I side-fived lots of kids along the way.  At the Citgo sign I looked at my Garmin and realized that the sub-4 goal was not gonna happen. However, unless something disasterous happened, my BQ goal was in the bag.

My next mental focus, the last 0.2 mile was dedicated to my husband, the love of my life, the reason I run.  Imagine my joy after running up Hereford, among the sea of cheering people, I saw my hubby standing behind the barricade on the right side on Boylston by the Convention Center. Tears welled up and I wanted to run towards him; but I was afraid my legs would cease up if I stopped to kiss him. So I gave him a smile and wave and sprinted towards the finish. I punched my Garmin reading 4:03:00. It accidentally got restarted when I put my jackets while walking on Stuart St.  My official time was 4:02:51, good for another entry to the 114th Boston.

Everyone in our group did very well. Gary met his goal of running every major marathon under 3 hours. His time was 2:58. We bid goodbye to Rhett; amazed at how fast he ran with a painful foot coming in at 3:08. MarcE triumphantly nailed his goal at 3:19.  Canyon (Marcie N.) running her 50th marathon finished in 3:48. 

The fun resumed as the whole gang met at 5 pm to head to the post-race celebration dinner at Durgin Park where Slick had made reservation and good to have Lark joined us. We then went to the post-race dance. It was neat to watch the race video. Great Fun!!!

The next day, hubby made me send a check to Marathon Tour and reserve a room at Radisson. We really like the location. Hope y'all sign up for Radisson now. Can’t wait for the Celebration of Boston 2010!!! WooHoo!!!

THANKS everyone for such a wonderful Celebration of Boston 2009!!! You're AWESOME and the BESTEST!!!!