The details of the Marathon

I gotta tell you, my body is pretty beat and doesn't want to let me fall asleep so what better time to update my blog on the Marathon. I'll take this in sections so here we go. While this was EASILY the most difficult thing I've done physically, it was also the most rewarding.

Weeks Leading up to the race.

As I mentioned, I was fighting a brutal cold for about the last week and a half. I just couldn't kick it and I really feel it had an impact on my running today. I felt SOOOO strong after the 21 mile run a few weeks ago I don't think there was ANY way it would be as tough as it was today.

The night before the race.

I attended a Pasta Dinner Sunday night for the Dana Farber Team in Boston. It was a great event but I think I ate a bit to early because by the time I went to bed I was starting to get hungry again. Sleep was OK on Sunday night, I ended up with about 7 hours so I felt pretty good about that.

RACE DAY

I got up race morning and had my usual pre run breakfast of a gatorade, bagel with Peanut Butter and a piece of fruit. I got the rest of my stuff together and headed to the starting line around 7:30. I had been a part of the race day almost every year for the last 11 years and it was great to be a participant. Weather was chilly at the start and there was no wind, that would soon change. I hung out with the Dana Farber Team in the warm confines of a church hall and also spent some time with the Hopkinton Running Club at the old Town Hall in Hopkinton.

Start to Mile 6.

I started out pretty smoothly. I really concentrated on holding my pace back and keeping a pace much slower than I would normally run. I knew it would probably be windy later so I wanted to save some energy. The course was very crowded at this point and was bumped, pushed and hit more times than I care to remember.

Mile 6 to Mile 8.

I started to feel the effects of the wind at this point. I lost some time stopping to go to the bathroom but all in all, felt OK going into Natick.

Mile 8 - Mile 13.1 (Halfway)

At this point I was able to meet up with another Dana Farber runner running the same pace as me. It's nice to have someone to talk to during these times on the course. I also went through "Scream Tunnel" as Wellesly college. About a half mile of college girls screaming and asking for hugs and kisses as you go by. You can hear this from about half a mile away. My running partner actually thought it was a train.

Mile 13.1 to Mile 16.

It was here the real "fun" began. My legs started to cramp up and my ITB started to hurt. I took a long stretch break and that seemed to help. My pace was slowing but still nothing I couldn't handle.

Mile 16 to Mile 18.

I hit the first of 4 Newton hills at 16 and knew I was in trouble. I had a tough time getting up this first hill and my legs really started to tighten up again at this point. The saving grace was the Dana Farber Tent at Mile 17. I was able to rest, stretch, and refuel.

Mile 18 to Mile 21.

I absolutely hit a wall here. My body had just given up physically and mentally. The winds were so bad at this point they often stopped me in my tracks. I was never so happy to be over the top of Heartbreak Hill. Many walking breaks at this point.

Mile 21 to Mile 23

This part of the course was also extremely difficult mentally. I was through the toughest part of the course but still had 5 miles to go.

Mile 23 to the finish.

Once I got to Mile 23, things improved a bit. My legs were still pretty tight but I knew that soon it would all be over. Running past the Citgo sign in Kenmore Square on my way to Boylston street is a feeling like no other.

The Finish.

I was so excited to cross that finish line. I crossed alone so the announcer said my name over the loudspeaker as I came across. It was an amazing experience. It was just after this I saw my family and was so happy the made the trek into Boston on a cold windy day to come see me finish. It was kind of a pain because I had to walk almost two blocks to get my Medal! Let me tell you, after running 26.2 miles, that 2 block walk seemed like an eternity. After picking up my bag with my change of clothes, we walked back to the Marriot Copley where I got a massage, changed and grabbed a quick bite.

Tonight, I am certainly pretty sore and my body doesn't want to get any sleep but all in all it went ok. Nothing broken, no blisters, no chaffing. A few days of stretching, advil, and ice and I should be good to go!

Thank you all again for your support during this amazing adventure!