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Boston Marathon 2013

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Location:

UT,

Member Since:

Oct 14, 2008

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Age Division Winner

Running Accomplishments:

85 marathons, 5 times Utah Grand Slam finisher (division winner twice).

7 Bostons (2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2016).

Two 50Ks, one 50 miler (Pony Express).

A handful of AG wins in all distance races.

Marathon PR: 3:57:09 (Boston'08)

Half Marathon PR: 1:48:41 (Bryce Canyon '11)

10K PR: 47:50 (Spectrum 10K '09)

5K PR: 22:31 (Nestle 5K '08)
 

Short-Term Running Goals:

2017 Races:

June 10 - Utah Valley Marathon (5:13:43)

June 24 - Morgan Valley Marathon (5:49:01)

July 8 - Hobbler Half (2:19:37, 2nd AG)

July 24 - Temple to Temple 5K (27:43)

July 29 - Timp Half (2:08:01, 3rd AG)

Aug 26 - Mt. Nebo Marathon (5:16:16, 3rd AG)

Sep 16 - Huntsville Marathon (4:48:53)

Oct 7 - St. Geroge Marathon (4:57:11)

Nov 4 - Canyon City Marathon (5:30:07)

2018 Races:

Jan 13 - St. George Half (2:19:45, 3rd AG)

Mar 3 - The Woodlands Marathon (5:01:35)

Apr 6-7 - Ragnar So. California

June 1-2 - Ragnar Wasatch Back

June 9 - Utah Valley Marathon (5:19:22)

June 30 - Morgan Valley Half

Sep 1 - Pocatello Marathon (6:00:43)

Sep 15 - Huntsville Marathon (5:37:08)

Oct 6 - St. George Marathon (5:25:43)

Oct 20 - SoJo Marathon (5:29:23)

2019 Races:

June 1 - Utah Valley Marathon (5:44:24)

June 22 - Morgan Valley Marathon (6:15:13)

Aug 31 - Pocatello Marathon (5:38:47)

Sep 14 - Big Cottonwood Marathon (6:03:51)

Oct 5 - St. George Marathon (5:57:46)

Oct 12 - SoJo Marathon (5:55:45)

2020 Races:

Jan 18 - St. George Half (2:38:28)

Feb 15 - Sun Marathon (5:51:54)

May 5 - Conquer Covid-19 Virtual Marathon (5:49:07)

May 16 - Clear Creek Canyon Half Marathon (2:32:15)

May 25 - Utah Valley Virtual Marathon (5:33:110

June 9 - Independence Run Virtual Marathon (5:55:22)

 

Long-Term Running Goals:

Run happy and healthy all the days of my life. Be an example and inspiration to my family.

 

Personal:

I'm 64, retired RN, happily married, nana to 14 beautiful grandchildren, mother to 6 children (1 daughter, 5 sons) who are kind, hardworking, caring, wonderful people! Wish they live closer!!!  :)  :)  :)

Picked up running in 2005 at age 50, to stay healthy so I can take care of my husband who had endocarditis resulting in AVR and MVR in 2004, end stage renal failure in 2014, kidney transplant on Dec 30, 2015.  Six months after the kidney transplant, we discovered that he has a rare auto-immune disease that was probably triggered in 2004 with then the undiagnosed infective endocarditis.  The doctors had to make up a name for this rare disease, Monoclono Gammopathy with Renal Significance (MGRS).  It is not curable.  After desperately trying different chemotherapies, the doctor finally found one immuno-therapy, Daratumamab, that works to treat the MGRS.  It is a miracle!!! 

Grateful for the gift of life, blessings, dear friends and loved ones!!! Thankful for the ability to move, walk, jog, and yes run!!!!

 

Favorite Blogs:

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Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Saucony Guide ISO Wide Lifetime Miles: 311.91
Saucony Guide ISO Lifetime Miles: 313.31
Sacony Guide ISO (2) Lifetime Miles: 225.26
Altra Torin (sz 7) Lifetime Miles: 44.49
Saucony Guide 10 (2020) Lifetime Miles: 60.91
Race: Boston Marathon 2013 (26.2 Miles) 04:20:00
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
26.200.000.000.0026.20

Finally today (May 1) I find the time to sit and type up a report.  It's been over 2 weeks since that eventful day.  My emotions were too raw, too much to process at the time. 

This 117th Boston was to be my 6th and last Boston for the next 3-4 years because I will temporarily retire from marathon running to serve a 3 year mission for my church.  Of all the marathons I've run, Boston is my husband's favorite.  He loves Boston, the seafood, the people, family and friends.  My son, Eric, a podiatrist in his 2nd year of residency at the Cleveland Clinic volunteered again as a medic; and like last year he was assigned to the finish-line med tent.  My daughter, Larissa, and her friends, Beth & Julianne, decided at the last min to fly into Boston (after running their Blue Belle 10K in TX on Sat.) to cheer me and play tourists here and New York.  I was so looking forward to seeing them and also going to visit Eric's family (my grand babies) the very next morning after the race.  I seriously had not given much thought to the race.  I just wanted to enjoy the whole run and soak in all the things that make Boston Marathon SO special, wonderful, magnificent, to savor the time spent with my family and friends.

Woke up still sleepy but feeling pretty good on race morning.  After hubby gave me a blessing of a safe and joyful run, I went down to breakfast as planned at 6:15.  A few min. later RAD came down.  She is SO ready to have a race of her life, her very first Boston.  Am so excited for her. :) Then came TJ and this was to be his last and final marathon.  It made me kinda sad to think that he won't be running any more marathons with me.  Finally Lowell came down with only his running clothes on, no jacket, no bag...he was locked out of his room...silly boy!  So, RAD and I decided to leave the boys and walked to catch the T to Boston Common for the bus ride to Hopkinton.

I have never seen such long lines, like a maze, RAD and I could not find the end of any of the lines.  Finally we merged into one with friendly people to chat with.  I think our bus driver was slow because I do not remember the ride being this long and we were dropped off way at the back of the school.  But it was fun visiting with our seat mates, Martin, the Irish gentleman and a first time Boston girl.

As a 5 yr Boston veteran, I knew where the shortest pop line is.  It always brings back memory of when Teena and I were there years ago and accidentally opened a "vacant" door only to find a surprised occupant inside! Hehe! :)  With one pop visit out of the way, we made our way to the designated meeting place, the "It All Starts Here" sign.  Amidst the huge huge crowd in this nosy excited athlete village, we stood and paused for a moment of silence for the victims of Sandy Hooks. 

Donna Pizza is a cousin of Karen Beeston (my running partner and friend back home).  I hardly remember what she looks like; but she found us.  So, after RAD met up with Paul, we bid them good luck and goodbye, Donna and I decided to stay together since we're in the same corral and wave. 

Donna and I sat waiting at the village.  We wish KarenB was with us.  We missed her.

We stood in the slowest pop line ever, seriously for 45 min. we did not move.  Finally when the MC announced, "Wave 3 people need to make their way to baggage drop off now!",  everyone scattered, there was no wait, no line, no toilet papers!  :)  With the crowd gone, I saw Lowell, TJ and Lowell's niece Karen Tree a few feet away shedding their clothes.  I took Donna over there to introduce them.  (KarenT is Lowell's niece.  I ran with her and Lowell last year 'till mile 17 on that historically hot day).  Then after a few more kodak moments, we finally left the deserted village to drop off our bags. 

KarenT, me, DonnaP on our way to drop off our bags and the happy march to our corral.

The five of us started together and did a pretty good job keeping track of each other.  With Lowell's silly shinanagan, we soon lost him and TJ around mile 5.  I originally wanted to stay with TJ, this being his last marathon, especially with his heart issue; but soon found myself having so much fun with Donna and Karen that I just let them dictate the pace.  I did not look at the watch once, only the clock as we crossed each timing mat.

Donna and Karen are so much fun! :)

We lost Donna around mile 12.  So it's just Karen and I, looking for her family who were cheering along the route.  We'd stop and take pictures just like last year.

At Wellsley, I ran along the barricade, slapping hands with the girls, reading their clever signs, feeding off their incredible energy.  At the end of the "kiss alley".  I saw a little boy about 8 yrs of age standing stalwartly next to his parent, I went over and kissed him on his forehead.  I could hear: "Oh, how cute!" uttered from behind. :)

What a perfect day, cool temp, partly sunny sky, slight breeze which turned into a bit of cold headwind during the last half.  I was having a great run.  We took a swig of gatorade/water at every station.  I gu'd at mile 7, 13, 18 and 23.  Everything was clicking along smoothly.  I didn't walk one single step on the Newton hills.  In fact, I lost track of Heartbreak until I saw the big 'ole balloon arch announcing Heartbreak Is Over! :)  I did stop a couple times to take pictures for Karen and her family and jogged to wait for her when she stopped to use the pop.  I did not care for time or pace! :)  We leap-frog'd with a guy dressed as a chicken.  When people cheered:  "GO! chicken!"  I'd yelled back:  "He's a rooster!" We finally passed him for good after Heartbreak.

Everything felt great.  No pain, not even a hint of cramp.  Having a TERRIFIC run! :)

 

The backside of Heartbreak is my favorite with the crazy energetic Boston College kids screaming their heads off.  One kid slapped my hand so hard that it'd about yank my arm off the socket.  My hand hurts from all the high-fiving!! :) The last 5K was AWESOME, I was feeding off the energy of the spectators.  Total strangers cheering SO LOUDLY with enthusiasm and electrifying energy, reaching out to touch you, like you're a rock star. I LOVE BOSTON!!!! :)

 

Running strong and happy with a mile to go! :)

Singing Called To Serve Him in my head, I was running so happy and thought to myself:  "I'm gonna to see my hubby and daughter in 5 minutes.  They'll be so surprised.  I may go over to give hubby a kiss and my daughter and friends a hug!"  Such happy thoughts, positive tunes and springy strides all came to a halt at Mass. Ave.

About a half mile after we passed the Citgo Sign, Karen ran up to me and said her husband just called and told her to not finish the race, there's some kind of explosion at the finish.  I looked around me, the police did not show any sign of concern, the National Guards marching along in perfect strides, everyone is cheering.  I said to her:  "It's probably some kind of Patriot Day (or heaven forbid, tax day) celebration or re-enactment of the Revolution War.  This is Boston, baby!  I'm having the best run ever and nothing is going to stop me from finishing.  In less than 5 min. I'll cross the finish.

Then suddenly motorcycle cops sped by, and wham! with less than half mile to go, we were stopped!  There was no sign of panic, just confused look, no explanation, just following orders.  We just stood there not knowing what to do.  I did not stop my watch thinking the cops will re-route us any minute.   Karen confirmed that there was an explosion near the finish.  I immediately pulled out my cell phone to call hubby, Eric, Larissa only to get busy signals.  I started to cry worrying about their safety and wanting to go to them.  A kind Japanese lady next to me comforted me saying,  "We'll be alright.  It's safer to stay together.  We can keep each other warm by staying close."  Karen noticed her Altra shoes and asked how she likes them.  We started to talk about our families.  She's from NY and has a daughter in her 3rd yr of med. school, same age as my 3rd yr med school son, David.  Then her husband and daughter appeared out of nowhere and they started hugging and crying.  The sight of her reuniting with her family intensified my worry and need to find my family.  I told Karen we should just get out and go to the finish, we're SO CLOSE, my Garmin read 25.85 miles.  We're right there, right on Hereford, then left onto Boylston where you'd find yourself in "runners heaven". As runners, we have only one thing in mind, cross the finish!!!

We sneaked out between the barricades crossing Mass. Ave. but the police stopped us from going onto Boylston.  Having stood for I don't know how long, may be 10 or 15 min., our legs froze up, we could not run, so we just walked down Commonwealth (which parallels Boylston) eastward on the tree-lined dirt median.  I was freezing, calling on my cell phone continuously.  Karen's cell phone died so she used mine.  We could only receive text messages but could not reply nor get any calls thru.  Then suddenly, a call came in from Ann Takasaki.  She's my sister-in-law's sis-in-law from Spanish Fork.  She wanted to know if I finished and if I was ok.  I asked her to call my husband for and let him know I was ok.  Then as quickly as her call came, it was intercepted with numerous text messages all expressing their concerns for me. 

We finally reached Boston Commons at Arlington where we could turn south.  As we crossed Boylston, I could see the clothing bag buses lined along the streets.  But there were barricades and cops not letting us through.  The cop said the bags would be put in boxes and taken to Boston Commons.  I saw no such activity at Boston Commons; in fact, the whole place seemed rather deserted.  Karen wanted to go back to her hotel, Westin at Copley Square.  So I told her I'd take her there and may be use the bathroom and the phone there to call my family.

We didn't make it to Copley Square at all as there were cops blocking every which way.  We finally went inside a dark and empty restaurant, the Melting Pot, to use the restroom.  This restaurant is across the street from the Paul Revere Hotel (previously the Radisson) where we used to stay for the last 4 years.  I felt prompted to walk down Stuart where the family reunion is located (with the first letter of the family name alphabetically posted on lamp posts). 

Karen followed me to the family letter L at the intersection where barricades again stopped us from crossing.  The place is deserted except with a handful of volunteers.  This would normally be crowded with families and runners hugging, taking pictures, with happy smiles and joyful exhaustion on their faces.  Not today, I stood in the middle of the eerily quiet street shivering, crying, worrying about my family.  Some random person gave me his space blanket and a lady urged me to seek warmth inside the building.  I just wanted to stand there and wait for my family who would surely show up.  The lady said, "this is now a crime scene, everyone is evacuated or ordered out, you'd be safer going inside that "store". 

So Karen and I went inside, she immediately headed over to the counter to use their phone.  Suddenly my phone rang, it was Teena.  We both cried.  She was relieved to know I'm okay.  I was so so glad to hear her voice.  She asked me if I knew what happened.  I really didn't know any details.  Someone tapped me on my shoulder and had me turn around (I was facing the door, looking out in the street to make sure I won't miss seeing my family if they come).  Then I realized I was in a bar and there were TV sets on the wall.  There were people sitting at the bar but no one was talking, all glued to the TV.  I saw the headline streaming across the screen: 2 explosions, 2 dead, 63 injured.  I told Teena we had to hang up so I could call Larry.  As soon as she hang up, I heard Larry's voice, he kept saying hello hello hello but could not hear me.  So I hang up and dialed him and this time my call connected.

I was SO happy to hear his voice.  I kept telling him:  "Don't hang up!  Don't hang up!  Stay on the line! Stay on the line!" while I told him exactly where I was.  Turned out he and the rest of the family were standing at the traffic "island" on Stuart/Arlington, not too far from me.  I told him I would walk towards the Revere Hotel and kept describing what I just walked past.  In the excitement of connecting with him, I forgot to say goodbye to Karen.  I figured she would call her husband from the bar and get back to her hotel.

I was so so so relieved to see everyone safe and sound.  Eric has blood stain on his clothes.  We hugged and cried.  Larissa gave me her hoodie, Beth gave me her scarf to keep me warm.  They texted RAD to tell her where we would meet up, back to Boston Commons at the corner of Arlington/Boylston.  Hubby tried again to retrieve my bag as we saw throngs of runners exiting the barricades with their bags; but again denied entry by the police.  While waiting for RAD, suddenly Lowell and TJ showed up on their way to McDonalds (a post-race ritual of Lowell's).  

You have no idea how happy I was that everyone in our party is safe and reunited.  I have lost track of time.  In fact I had no idea when the bombs went off and when we finally reunited.  Later on from looking at the times of my cell phone calls, I realized it took us till near 6pm (over 2 hours) to reunite.  When I later saw the clock time at 4:09:43, I shuddered to think that would've been my BQ time and had I not been staying with Karen taking picture, goofing off, I'd be tempted to run a BQ time today!  Hubby, daughter and friends were standing outside Prudential Center (where he always waits, cheers because it's right outside the mall where he could grab a bite to eat after watching the Elites come in).  They saw the explosions across the street.  Eric saw and treated the wounded in the med. tent which immediately turned into a triage unit.  Again so grateful we were all safe!!! 

We got separated again when everyone went different ways, Lowell to McDonald, me and TJ to Four Season to use the bathroom (but was denied entry, as well as at Park Plaza, guess all the hotels were under locked down), hubby to clothing bus, Eric being interviewed.  I went back to where we last saw each other finding myself alone again and just started to cry.  A local TV station (abc) camera man and reporter interviewed me.  I don't think they aired the interview because I was kinda mad at Four Seasons for turning away a distraught, cold, little lady runner seeking only to use their restroom, all in the name of "protecting their registered guests."  C'mon, this is Boston, strangers would give the shirts off their back to help you; but apparently not the ritzy Four Seasons!  I won't be staying there anytime in the near future, ha! :)

Larissa came back to find me and we walked to McDonald's, the only place not under locked down.  Teena called and told me that they're releasing runner's bags at Berkely.  So we sent hubby to get mine, Eric to get Lowell's and TJ's.  I did not realize I had not eaten since breakfast and the last Gu at mile 23 until Beth bought me a burger and milk (with chocolate syrup, they ran out of chocolate milk).  Finally we were able to get on the T outbound to our hotel.  The hotel staff had pizza and salad for us in the lobby/lounge.  For the first time I saw on the hotel TV, images of the bombings and victims rushed to the med. tent and I just broke down.  I did not want to look at those images, I did not want to eat.  I just wanted to go up to the room.

I took a warm shower and the first call came from Gary, my bro-in-law, from Hong Kong.  He was supposed to be running this Boston but didn't due to work.  We talked to Gary, still not believing what had happened.  We sat down and numbly watched the day's event unfold on TV, so surreal.  It broke my heart to hear of those killed and severely injured.  RAD came with a bag of chips and salsa and we sat numbly.  I had bazillion text messages and missed calls and voice messages from friends and family expressing their love and concern. 

I just want to thank everyone here on the blog and all our friends and families all over the country and across the seas for your many kindness, love, thoughts and prayers.  It has sustained me over these last 15 days.

I will never understand such evil acts of violence to destroy innocent lives.  My heart goes out to the victims and their families.  I pray for them as well as for the perpetrators' families.  How great the loneliness, hurt and hate they must've felt to cause others such devastating injuries and loss.  If only each of us know that we are all God's children, that we ARE family.  If only we would treat each other as sons and daughters of God who loves us.  If only...

Inspire 9 Miles: 26.20
Night Sleep Time: 0.00Nap Time: 0.00Total Sleep Time: 0.00Weight: 0.00
Comments
From Rhett on Thu, May 02, 2013 at 00:28:50 from 199.117.154.53

Smooth, thanks for sharing the details of your experience and emotions. I'm sure it wasn't easy to put into words. I'm so happy you and all your family were safe.

From Chad on Thu, May 02, 2013 at 10:48:42 from 168.177.153.60

What a tragedy. I kept watching the blog for any message that you and everyone else was all right. Finally QP got through to RAD and posted that you were all right too. It was a big relief.

From Tom Slick on Thu, May 02, 2013 at 11:49:38 from 69.171.160.244

Thanks Ms.Smooth for your heart felt Boston race report. Hope you can get past the since-less violence and get back to a better place in you and your loved ones lives! I'm sure that when you get away on you all's mission everything in gods plan will become much more clear and life will return to a higher plain.......Love to you all, Lloyd.

From shellberns on Fri, May 03, 2013 at 20:41:05 from 174.126.52.90

I was moved to tears reading your report. It sounds like you had a great time running with wonderful friends. I'm so glad you and your family are well. Take care.

From Bec on Sun, May 05, 2013 at 21:54:42 from 71.195.240.22

Great report Smooth. Sounds like you were having the time of your life until it all went down. I was praying for you that day and their families. Not a day has gone by I don't think about what happened.

From LuzyLew on Mon, May 06, 2013 at 10:17:04 from 71.195.220.11

Smooth. You have provided me some of my greatest running moments. You have taught me so much. My heart broke the day of the race. I could only think of you crossing that line at 4:09. We joke about being diamonds and titanium. But you really are. You taught me to be strong till, the end. Boston was always 'your thing'. So many of us have been blessed to be there with you and you have brightened the experience for so many. I am sad this was to be your last marathon in a while. But surely it would be harder for you to leave without this push out the door. There must be a reason for all things, or we must give them meaning somehow. All I know is, it is time for a new chapter. It is time for you to conquer evil in your own way. Not by running marathons, but by sharing your experiences and your indomitable spirit with the world. The stories you told me out on the trail will forever be in my heart. I can only imagine how you will go on to bless the lives of others in so many other ways "off the trail" in the next 3 years. You are the dearest person, and the most wonderful, champion human I know. Be well my friend, and we will be ready to meet you at the trailhead in 3 years time. XOXO

From Smooth on Mon, May 06, 2013 at 21:57:47 from 65.130.2.239

Rhett, Slick, Chad, Shelly, Bec, Luz ~ THANK YOU for your kind kind words. I don't think anyone would read this report being 2+ weeks old. Your comments are greatly appreciated and help me so much at this difficult time.

Luz ~ thank you for your generous, kind and loving words. YOU are one of the strongest women I've ever known. And I agree that there are reasons for all things...these experiences shall be for our good...to help us grow stronger and hopefully better persons.

I am so grateful to have you as my dear dear friend. I treasure the time we spent together and the things I learned from you. I so look forward to the day with gladness and joy to be with you at the trailhead again...in 3 years!!! Sure love you lots! :) :) :)

From josse on Wed, May 08, 2013 at 17:21:03 from 70.208.28.62

Thanks for the recap I kept checking for it and thought you were probably overwhelmed by the events that happened. Was so happy when i found out you and your family were all okay and well. Kept tabs on you though facebook and such. Have a blast on your mission:) any farewell parties planned??

From Scott Wesemann on Fri, May 10, 2013 at 15:53:36 from 66.232.64.4

Great report Smooth. So glad to hear that you and your family were safe.

From Smooth on Fri, May 10, 2013 at 23:08:28 from 71.219.9.121

Hi Josse ~ thanks for your kind words and for keeping tabs on me! No big party planned...just lots of private ones given by friends here and there. Crazy busy getting ready to move etc.

Scott ~ thanks for dropping by to read this report. I almost didn't write it because I was in Cleveland for a week immediately after the Boston Marathon to spend time with my son and his family. Then I got sick; plus super busy with mission prep. not to mention the emotional trauma of it all. It's just too sad to think about...but time has a way of helping us heal. :)

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