Thursday, April 29, 2010

Boston Marathon 2010


Boston Baby!!

I did it! I ran the Boston Marathon!!
It was not with out opposition as 3 weeks before the marathon on my last 21 miler, I injured my hip/leg and really was not sure if I was going to be able to pull it off. I had to change my expectations and just go wit the flo. I threw my hopes of getting a PR out the window and hoped that I would be able to run and not be in pain the whole time. I really just wanted to enjoy the marathon, I had worked hard to get there and now I just needed to take it all in and enjoy the experience.
The expo was so fun and so big!!!! I could have spent all day there.
The energy in Boston was amazing, so many runners so excited about the race. I was more anxious/nervous that I thought I would be, I think because I was beginning to realize that this was a big race and I was so blessed to be there.
As usual I laid out all my gear the night before and realized I did not pack the top I wanted to wear, this of course threw me for a loop but I just went with what I had and made the best of it.
Race morning came after a pretty good nights sleep which was surprising, I usually toss and turn all night. Boston starts at 10am which is a little tricky. It is hard to figure out what and when to eat. The other thing is that it starts at 10am but the runners are bussed to Athletes Village at the start line 2 1/2 hours before the marathon starts.
My brother and I just before I got on the bus to go to Athlete's Village.

It is an amazing site, I thought I would have an idea of what 26,000+ runners looked like, I did not! It was beautiful out but it was not warm. Luckily I discovered that they were offering pre-race massages inside the school, so I decided to get in line and stay warm. It was a great idea!!! I got a little massage and just in time got done, headed to drop off my bag at the busses, and then Wave 1 was called tot he start line.
I can not describe how amazing the energy was, it was a great experience. Everyone was so excited to get started. I lined up in my corral for the start gun to go off. As I was standing there I looked ahead and recognized Candice (sister of marathon mommy Cal). Let me just say that she was an inspiration!!! (Cal I would love to know how her race went, if you read this I would love for you to comment!)
The gun must have gone off because the crowd started moving. It took about 12 minutes to get to the start line, crazy. We started running and the adventure continued! The crowds were amazing, there really are people lining and cheering all 26.2 miles. There were kids high fiving, people handing out water, oranges, licorice, bananas, popsicles. It was awesome!!!!
Miles 1-12 flew by and then my leg started to hurt. I knew that I could push threw the pain but how long could I hold out was the question. The hills were coming but I just tried to take everything in and be distracted by everything going on around me. I passed Team Hoyt around mile 15, that was an inspiration!!! I passed military men running in full gear with their packs, that was an inspiration also.
The Newton Hills (miles 17-21) were pretty tough but as I crested Heartbreak Hill (mile 21) the real work began. Miles 21-26 were tough!!!!!! I just kept on thinking" I am running the Boston marathon, take it all in." As I turned the corner onto Boylston Street and saw the finish line the energy of the crowd gave me energy to power through the finish. I was so happy to be done!
I started to tear up, I had done it, it hurt, and it was over! Not my fastest time but I was happy especially considering that I was not sure if my leg was going to cooperate at all :)
You can probably tell by the look on my face that my legs are killing me :)
It was an awesome experience and worth the pain and all the training!
Boston Marathon 2010
3:38:13

Some fun photos my hubby took at the finish line-

Ryan Hall
Meb Keflezighi Police coming out to line up right before the elite runners finishThe giant screen at the finish line showing the coverage of the race

11 comments:

Lisa said...

Congratulations Stephanie! You are an incredible runner and such an inspiration to all Mommy Runners! I've been following Marathon Mommy for awhile and when I saw your pic on this post I realized I KNOW YOU (well...kinda). Columbus University Ward several years back??? We were in optometry school and lived on the "East" side from '02-'06. Anyway, congrats again on the race and thanks for sharing your story! May you recover quickly from your injury!

Sarai said...

Wow! Impressive time! Specially knowing that you were in pain and dealing with an injury. Congratulations! You did awesome!

S Club Mama said...

oh I'm so impressed! Seriously you are awesome. What a great race report. You got to see Team Hoyt. and the military men running in full gear & pack - hot and awesome.
:D

Laura said...

Wow you are AMAZING!!!! Congrats on running Boston!

KK @ Running Through Life said...

Hands down, you are amazing and such an inspiration! A great big congrats to you and thank you for your race recap and pics!!!!!!!!!!

rebecca said...

Awesome! Thanks so much for sharing! Great pics, great details. Congrats!

Anonymous said...

Awesome! And what a great time! I finished a half-marathon this past Sunday, 6 months post-partum, and am gearing up to start training in July for NYC marathon in Nov. Look forward to following your blog for marathon mommy running inspiration!

Mrs. Spencer said...

Stephanie...I saw a video my sister took as the race started and she was talking to someone next to her and then I realized "Hey that's marathon mommy Stephanie!" I think its so funny that you guys ran into each other again. She also has a few pics with you in it too! Congratulations on the race and you got a great time!!!
I don't completely know how Candace's race went but I think that overall she had a great time! Judging from the video's that she took from the race...she was taking everything in and enjoying every minute of it. I was also happy that I was able to contact Ellen Patton (Thanks Shelah!) and she made a sign for Candace and took pictures of her at mile 19...I wish I could have been there to cheer her on but that was great!
Anyway, Congratulations again! I'm just happy to finish marathons...I could never qualify for Boston-You guys are awesome!
Congrats to Marathon Mommy Amanda Stevens who ran Boston too!!!

Suzie Petunia said...

What a great post! My adrenaline and heart rate got going just reading about your race! Some day I am going to qualify... that is simply an experience I don't want to miss in this lifetime! Great job on an amazing finishing time... especially with an injury! WOW!

Melodee said...

Congrats! What an awesome experience. GREAT job!!

Tia said...

Congratulations on running Boston!!I qualified for Boston in December but at the time the upcoming Boston Marathon was full so I just registered last week for the April 2011 Boston Marathon. The only thing is I am now pregnant and scheduled to deliver via c-section in January. (This will be my 4th baby and 4th c-section.) I would still like to complete Boston although I may be jogging/ walking. I have a tentative training program and fortunately I have been running before and during my pregnancy. There's just no way for me to know right now if I'll be recovered well enough to do it. Plus I'll have a 3 month old so who knows how much sleep I'll be getting! I noticed you holding your baby girl in your Boston pic and I was wondering how old she was and when you started marathon training with a baby. Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!!