Keeping track of all 4 of us in a field of 20k was a challenge!! Nicole, danielle and lisa were great buds to run with. Not much talking, just taking in the scene.

We hit the 1/2 way point at around 2 hrs which felt good.

Around mile 15, I noticed nicole had faded back so I dropped back to see what was going on. Her knee was really acting up on the downhills so I hung with her a bit. We stopped and got her knee wrapped at an aid station and tried to work back into a rythm. Unfortunately, the pain was too much, nothing seemed to help. At mile 18, her parents and fiance were waiting so she decided to stop and prevent further injury.

So, after that, I felt like one of those team horses without it's partner. I kept looking over to my right to see how she was doing but no one was there. Ah well. Suck it up, buttercup!! However, the best was yet to come!! Amazing how friends and family pop up when you most need them.

At mile 19 or so, I was greeted by a gaggle of track clubs peeps who were spectating!! Lots of hugs all around!! Isis was at mile 21 with a BIG sign!! of course we had to do pics!! :) Another friend was at mile 23 with a very cool sign and pics there too!! Then at mile 26, my older brother was there with a high 5!!

The day was wonderful. The course was challenging but not too hard. The wellesly hills were a challenge but I love hills. :) Crowds were racuous!! Physically I felt fine. Tired but not injured. Emotionally and mentally, I felt the best I have felt. Amazing, truly amazing, the difference supportive and positve people can make on a persons life.

Never did hit the 'wall'. Strange thinking back to it.

Thank you to all the support and encouragement that all of you have given. My thoughts did wonder to my firefighter friend mark, and to scuba-punk and all to ya'll.

nothing at all. no regrets. Nicole stood by me at cape cod marathon a few years back, no way was I going to leave her.

For me, its all about a good time, not the clock.

walked and walked trying to figure out where my bag was and back top the Lenox hotel.



organizing 20k plus runners is a herculean task. Boston does it right.