Garth, Sommer, Calvin and I arrived in Boston on Saturday after catching a ridiculously early flight. Rich, Brittany's dad, offered to give us a ride to the airport, picking us up at 4:30 am! Bless his heart.
After maneuvering ourselves and baggage through the "T," we easily found our hotel and checked in. We were thrilled to be given an awesome upgrade (much bigger room with 2 bathrooms). It was only 8 am, but we had already been up for 4 hours. With stomach's growling, we walked through the beautiful Boston Commons and headed straight for my favorite breakfast place, "The Paramount."
There are many others who love this restaurant and the line was long. So long in fact, we had to wait in it for about 40 minutes. But after receiving our 3 larger than life pancakes (mine with fresh blueberries), we quickly forgot about the inconvenience.
The weather was unbelievable cold (in the high 30's), and we all suffered (except Garth who brilliantly packed three coats). After putting on a couple extra layers, we headed to the ultimate rush, the Boston Marathon Expo!
Garth and Calvin hung with Sommer and I for a bit at the madhouse, but had happily made other plans, attending a Boston Red Sox game. And even with the freezing temps, they had a super time!
Sommer and I had no problem having fun at the Expo. Sommer immediately spotted a "hot" guy, the famous Josh Cox (fastest American in the 50k) signing autographs. I was surprised when she asked to hop in line to meet him. We were lucky to be given the last spot. He was incredible gracious and chatted away. We talked about his new baby, his fast running and of course what all runners talk about...bathroom issues (I won't go into details about that for all of you non-runners)
We spotted Ryan Hall (American's fastest marathoner), but that line was way long...and luckily Sommer didn't think he was quite as "hot" and therefore not worth the wait. We did however sneak in a picture.
The expo was full of some serious crowds!We picked up my race bib and shirt and then started our quest to find all of the FREE stuff we could get! We loaded up on everything from bottles of Pom juice, powerbars, chips, tattoos, SO MANY THINGS! I love it.
Our favorite booth at the expo was the Sweaty Bands! Women were flocking it! They had rows and rows of every style, color and size of the cutest head bands. We had a hard time narrowing our selections...they were not cheap (ringing up at $18 each)...why don't we think of this stuff!
After purchasing the coveted "Boston" jacket, we pushed and shoved our way out of the crowds and to Boylston Street (the finish line).
There we found plenty of runners kissing it, laying on it and visualizing their finish. I asked Sommer if she wanted to give it a try but she refused. I too wasn't quite interested in the kissing part.
The next day brought warmer weather giving us the opportunity to enjoy the many outdoor restaurants. We met up with Jen, Frank and Katie for a lovely lunch. After chowing down on plenty of carbs, we finished with a stop at Pinkberry (my first time)...and how yummy was that?!
We had plenty of "down" time and decided that the movie theatre was something we wanted to take advantage of while we had the freedom. Sommer and Calvin were able to see 5 movies...yes 5, I came in second with 4 and Garth was able to see 3.
While waiting for various movies to start, we found plenty of time to "goof" around. On Saturday afternoon, they had a group from Nielson Ratings, doing surveys. We were asked to participate (we had to watch a few previews and rate the movie). We were thrilled to give our opinions, especially when freebies were involved... popcorn, t-shirts and other goodies!
We were sure to get a few random shots in the cardboard advertisements. You can see what Calvin might look like as a girl or how Sommer reacts when a "skull" is attacking.
On Sunday, Jen and I were thinking our race outfits were lacking just a bit. We decided our nails needed some hot pink polish! You would have thought nail salons were a dime a dozen along the busy shopping street...but no...we could only find one. It as an Aveda salon and they did not have a technician available to do our nails. We truly knew the importance of having our nails done so we decided to just purchase the polish and do our own nails. The only problem was Jen and Sommer had old polish still intact. So we asked the receptionist if we could use some remover to take our polish off.
They were kind of enough to honor our request, even letting us sit down at the station and proceed to do our nails. After plenty of giggles...and thinking we might even get a job offer...our nails were gorgeous and ready for the race.
As we were painting our nails, one of the hair stylists, Roberto came over to chat with us. As we were leaving, I asked him if he knew how to braid hair. He replied, of course. And my last problem was solved...
We left the salon experience with lovely nails, braided hair and a good story. And both Jen and I had a "happy" moment or two during the race where we glanced at our nails and smiled, remembering the previous days fun.
We could only have so much fun before race day finally came. As usual, I slept horribly. After a full night of tossing and turning, I stopped the fight and started getting ready (5:30 am). The crazy thing about the Boston Marathon is the start time. The race doesn't even start until 10:20. But the tricky part is everything that happens before that. All of the racers make their way to Boston Common to board one of hundreds of buses. It was a chilly...and windy morning! Linda and I met in our hotel lobby and made our way to the bus line. After what seemed like hours of suffering, we finally made it on the bus.
The bus ride can be a bit disturbing. You see, they drive you to the start! And although they don't take the marathon route, it does seem daunting driving and driving and driving....the whole time thinking...I have to run back?! And the suffering doesn't end there. If you have been sipping your water and Gatorade, the bladder pain begins during the bus ride. Runners begin to moan and groan as the final miles of the ride linger ever so slowly.
This year's bus ride had the usual male subject who couldn't "wait" any longer and insisted the driver pull over. The rest of us, are then privy to a potty show out our window as the runner relieves himself for what seems like hours. We of course all need to "go" too, so that makes things even more disturbing.
After surviving the bus trek, we are dropped off at the Athletes Village, or as I like to describe it, the muddy, crowded, freezing high school field.
This year didn't disappoint. With winds blowing and temps low...we were indeed cold. As we all gathered together, we made our final outfit adjustments (should we wear our gloves or not? hat? how about arm sleeves?), and pretended to be calm. In reality, we were all a bunch of nerves wondering what the outcome of the race might be. We knew there would be pain and suffering...but how much? Those questions would be answered shortly.
What we actually did while at the Athlete's Village was spend time standing in the outrageously long porta potty lines...a few times. You see, you gotta do, what you gotta do.
Because there are 3 different start times (10, 10:20 and 10:40), we couldn't all stick together. So after hugs and kisses we separated, dropped off our gear at the buses, and began the .5 mile walk to the start. We are alone at this point (unless you are lucky enough to have a friend in your corral...Jen and Steve, John and BethAnn, Linda and Ann)...okay so I was the only one alone...
I made my way to my starting corral with a few minutes to spare. I said a little prayer and the crowds of runners began their way to the start. It took me about 4 minutes to actually cross the starting line. And then it was show time.
My goal was to keep my pace between 7:50 and 8:00 minute miles. My first few miles were right on. I felt great. I was high fiving as many children as I could, taking in the roar of cheering fans and just loving the experience.
But all that usually changes during a marathon. The key is to have your "light switch" go off as late as possible along the course. I started feeling the "dimmer" switch making its presence known about mile 8. I did my best to ignore it. That didn't work to well. My body required a "potty" stop at mile 9. I hoped that would be the end of it (ha) but that was wishful thinking. It wasn't many miles after that I had to stop again. I did my best to run a bit faster after making my stops but 3 minutes is tough when you are already running your pace.
I still was running some pretty good splits though and my light switch by no means had turned off...so I kept moving.
I knew the previous miles of downhill would cause my quads to weaken and sure enough, I began to feel them. I began to anticipate the "Newton Hills (3 miles of gradual hills, the final one, Heartbreak Hill, quite a doozy)," and took a quick gu break, chugging down two and a big glass of water in preparation for them.
That seemed to work and I really was able to settle in to a painful (yes painful but doable) climb. I have a little thing I do on hills (or when I am in pain). I make my way to the road's painted lines. I put all of my focus on the line, not looking up at any point, just driving up and up until the up is over. It works pretty darn good. And I am always surprised how many people I pass...that always boosts your morale.
At mile 22 (after the heartbreak hill), there is a wicked downhill. And although my heart enjoys this portion, my legs do not.
But on you go...what choice do you have? I had my music on shuffle during this portion of the race and a random song came on (I can't even remember it) that was right on my cadence. Funny thing, I ended up hitting that song over and over again...for about 2 miles...seriously.
At mile 24, one would think, with only 2 miles to go, how simple it would be...but on the contrary. The last few miles seem like an eternity. If you glance at your watch (and I try not to do that at this point of a marathon), each tenth of a mile goes along ridiculously slow. It can tempt you to walk (and my last Boston I actually tried the walking thing...found it just as painful as running...but slower)...but I don't fall for that. I just keep putting one foot in front of the other...in running motion.
And after what seems like a few hours, you see mile 25. For me, that mile marker tells me one thing...I can finish. Boston throws in a little under pass followed by a little steep climb...a total joke in my opinion. After one finishes that not so funny terrain, the road turns. And just like that, you are on Boylston Street. You can see the finish. The crowds are lined up 10 rows deep...screaming, cheering, motivating. The problem with this portion of the race is the big blue arch signifying the finish seemingly far in the distance. In reality it is only something like .3 miles away...but man it seems farther.
But digging deep is a marathon requirement.
I dug. Garth, Sommer and Calvin see me (I am in the black shirt with argyle skirt). They cheer. Those strangers around them join in...GO MOM! The finish nears. I finish. Not the ultimate time I wanted but a time I am proud of: 3:36:53. After walking through each station (water, medals, blanket, food), Steve and Jen call out, "over here Heather." We share our marathon journey story. We wait for our other friends. We make new friends (this naked guy ran the entire marathon with only a loin cloth...no shoes!), we stretch, we try to walk, we smile.
My splits:
Mile 1: 7:54:42
Mile 2: 7:48:97
Mile 3: 7:56:45
Mile 4:7:50:80
Mile 5: 8:05:05
Mile 6: 8:01:18
Mile 7: 8:00:62
Mile 8: 8:07:73
Mile 9: 8:01:16
Mile 10: 7:41:77
Mile 11:7:57:90
Mile 12: 7:50:74
Mile 13: 8:06:63
Mile 14: 7:59:17
Mile 15: 8:15:10
Mile 16: 8:21: 87
Mile 17: 8:18:81
Mile 18: 8:38:13
Mile 19: 8:09:00
Mile 20: 8:35:67
Mile 21: 8:46: 63
Mile 22: 8:09:94
Mile 23: 8:02:10
Mile 24: 8:05:07
Mile 25: 8:35: 75
Mile 26-26.2: 10:21:05
For me, the race is over. But for Brittany, her race continues. If you would still like to make a donation to NBIA, please do so...I am SO close to reaching $5000!
You can send a check (made out to NBIA) directly to me (14807 Ashby Oak Court, Haymarket, VA 20169) or Brittany's parents (see above). All donations go directly to NBIA research...we promise! I picked up a special Boston Marathon souvenir just for you. I will be having a drawing for all of those who donated, a pair of black Boston 2011 arm sleeves (totally cool)!
To see more pictures click here. (type in Porter and bib # 13637 and Boston 2011) To see it bigger just click on the magnifying glass at the bottom of each picture).
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