Boston Marathon - RunMarathon

Before the Nor'easter blew in, I was hoping to get under 3:30. With the dire predictions for race day, I adjusted my goals and was just hoping to get a qualifying time again (under 3:40). Since my goals had changed for the race, I walked around a lot more than I probably should have on Saturday and Sunday, trying to enjoy Boston despite the weather. Once we started racing, though, and I realized the wind and rain were going to hold off, I figured I could probably do better than a 3:40, so I started pushing it. Unfortunately, my corral was 14, which was with the 3:40 runners, and I wanted to be running 7:20min/miles for the first 3 miles. I did my best to run in and out of the other runners, and I know I ran a few extra tenths of a mile because of it. As you can see from my splits, my first 2 miles were a bit slower (when you consider how much of a downhill they were). Oh well! I didn't realize I would want those seconds back until the end.
The whole race was just incredible. My legs felt amazing, I had my breathing under control, and I really felt like I was living in the moment. The crowds came out in droves, despite the wind and the rain, and they were the most excited, supportive crowd I've ever seen. They really lived up to my expectations!!
I didn't start as fast as I wanted to, but maybe it saved my quads for the end. The first 11 miles just flew by, and it was a ton of fun to be running with so many awesome people. I started eating my shot blocks pretty early and had my first gu at mile 11. Everything sat well, and I didn't start drinking until mile 5. I was wearing my jacket, but it was way warmer than I anticipated. There were a lot of people out there in shorts with no shirt! Crazy! I kept my jacket on the whole race though, because I had spent such a long time finding it, I wasn't about to not use it!
At mile 12, you could hear the Welleseley girls screaming their brains out. As you got closer, it just got increasingly louder. I ran through the whole wall of women slapping everyone's hand and thanking them for being out there. It was awesome!
There were a few more steep downhill sections that really made you feel that ache in your quads. I felt the pain, but it was just a dull ache, and nothing crampy. Then I guess the hills started. Now, I was a little bit worried that I didn't do enough hill running in my training. Turns out, I did plenty, because these hills are nothing compared to what San Diego can offer. I honestly didn't notice most of the hills, and had to ask other participants if they were the ones we were supposed to be worried about. Hills are definitely my strong point because I passed almost everyone around me going up them. Also, as you can see from my splits, I didn't really slow down a whole lot. I felt so strong, it was really encouraging and I just kept smilin'. I honestly couldn't tell you which of those hills was 'Heartbreak' because, if anything, they all just gave you a break from running downhill!
As the course started getting closer to Boston, I was thinkin' that a walk break would feel kind of nice. But, there were so many people around, that I would have felt so weird walking, and everyone kept yelling at me that I was looking good! So, I didn't. Instead, I ran faster and kept smiling and pumping my fists at the crowd. Every chance I got, I'd run along the side of the road and slap some spectator's hands. They got such a thrill out of the littlest reaction from the runners and it made running soooo much easier. Each passing mile felt like the finish line, with all the cheering we were getting.
My legs were still aching at mile 22, but when I looked at my watch, I saw that I had a chance to break 3:20. That was totally unexpected, and since I still felt great and hadn't hit a wall, I wanted to go for it. My legs were killing me, but everytime I checked my average pace it was faster than it was before. At this point, I stopped hamming it up for the crowd and started focusing on my stride and the finish line. Miles 23-26 hurt like hell, but my pace just kept getting faster, so I figured I'd go for it, and if I blew up, oh well!
As we got in to the city, the giant CitGo sign was looming above us, and there were 2 other women by me who were trying to get under 3:20. We were egging each other on, and I know they were hanging on to my heals to try to get to that finish. I ran by so many people, it was crazy. I don't think anyone passed me from 23 on (or at least, that's how it plays out in my fantasy world :) ). I haven't been racing for too long, but this was the first time I could really push it fast at the end, and I owe that all to the crowds. It felt amazing to have so many people yelling for you, and to actually 'sprint' across the finish was exhilirating. I didn't hit the 3:20 mark, but when I looked at my garmin, it said I ran 26.47 miles. I also finished with a huge smile on my face, and ran a nearly perfect race for myself under those conditions on such a hard course.
Boston is an incredible race, and any one who gets the chance should do it. If this many people come out and support when a Nor'Easter is in town, then it has to be just absolutely nuts on a normal day!
I am extremely happy with my time. My first marathon was in '05, and I ran a 4:25. My second marathon was my BQ, which was the San Diego Rock 'n Roll last June, with a time of 3:38:33. Taking almost 50 minutes off my time was really difficult for that race, so I thought there was no way I'd break 3:30, let alone get anywhere near 3:20. Since then, I started doing triathlons, and I truly believe that the addition of cycling was the key to my success at Boston. I have twigs for legs, and with all of my biking, I've been able to build up some muscles in my quads, which totally saved me on this downhill course. Beating my previous PR by 17 minutes is a friggin rush!

The only thing that might have helped me break 3:20 was if I had started in a faster corral and had made up that 1:30 on the first 3 miles. C'est la vie!

More like a warm-up! I was instantly freezing, and even after I put on two layers of clothes, I still had the chills. I found my mom, and we hobbled around Boston to get back to the hotel.


Other people were in my way, and I was mentally prepared to run a slower race. Those excuses aren't a regret- I had the most fun running this race, and also PR'ed by 17 minutes- no complaints!


Boston is simply the best. The volunteers are amazing, especially given the terrible conditions. Everyone was still out there helping us out with everything they could and still had the energy to cheer us on. The crowds were amazing, and I am so happy they still came out to support, even though the weather wasn't great. The entire city gets pumped about the race, and the atmosphere is infectious. Since I wore my official Boston jacket, a whole bunch of complete strangers wished me luck- on the T, at the store, at the hotel- it was awesome!
The course is really tough, but I bet there are tougher courses out there. Train on hills, and beef up your quads. If you train smart, you can go wicked fast :)