Like every year, the weather just like Texas is very unpredictable. At first they said the temperature would be in the 50's, but it changed and it was 68 degrees when we started. I wore some capri compression pants to help my left hamstring and prevent cramping. I also bought sleeves at the expo that I ended up not using after all. I was worried and wondered if I would be able to get a better time than last year. I was excited to share this year with my running buddy, Hilda, which is her first Boston and it's been a hard 4 year journey for her to get here. She's suffered more injuries than I ever did including knee surgery, so this was a dream come true for her and I was so happy to experience it with her.
We were able to ride the bus together to Hopkins Athlete Village and for some reason, the ride there was fast. We ate my usual banana, almond butter bagel and washed it down with coconut water. When we got there first was we did was get in line for porta potty. Hilda took video of the place where we were going to wait for 2 hours or so. Good thing we had a portable phone charger because we both couldn't stop taking pictures, videos and posting on social media to our friends and family back home.
It was craziness and it was just an open field that looked like a concentration camp with bodies everywhere laying down or sitting and just waiting until they called our wave color. There were military cops on top of the high school keeping a close eye on us all and helicopters flying over us too. I felt safe and glad they were there. 10:00 came and time to say goodbye to my friend and had to take one last picture with her and hugged her wishing her the best and told her I would see her at the finish. We both got teary eyed and I left to join the others. I walked and prayed we would both have a great race.
It's a long walk to the start line where you have to get into your corral number assigned to you. I went to the porta potty one more time before my start time of 10:25 a.m. I nerves were sitting in and was able to go take care of business one more time which is good because I knew my stomach was now empty and ready to run..LOL! As I walked to the my corral I take off my Cowtown green throw away recycle jacket I got when I ran the Cowtown Marathon. I was glad I took it because it wasn't heavy to wear. It was hot. They even had sunscreen lotion they were giving us to put on. I put some on my arms and face and kept walking. I then had someone take a photo of me before I start like I always do to post right before starting, set my music, set my Garmin watch and take off.
I told myself I wouldn't go fast the first 6 miles because the are downhill, but it was hot and knew it was only going to get hotter and I don't run good in the heat. So, I just told myself to listen to my body and just run. My first mile was 8:00 minute pace and then kept it under that until mile 11. Then I went back and stayed under 8:00 minute pace until the rolling hills started coming at mile 17-22. I really didn't pay attention to my pace because I knew I couldn't keep same pace on those hills especially Heartbreak Hill which comes at mile 21 and my pace was 8:45 for that monster. After I saw that sign that said, "Heartbreak Hill is Over," I had a big sigh of relief.
I was then able to pick up my pace again and stayed under 8:00 pace per mile till the end. I wore my name on the front of my shirt this time and I really think that helped me push through the last 20 miles pain. This marathon is so full of spectators most of the way and they are all very supportive. It's Patriot's Day in Boston and everyone is off work and school. The kids have their Spring Break that week too and the marathon is a great way to start off their week. There are lots of kids along the course giving you high fives, oranges, water, etc. I did take more pictures this year and that slowed me down some, but have no regrets. I wanted to capture the moment.
I barely saw Eddie on Beacon St. on my last mile. I heard his voice yelling my name and I waved at him because I was on the opposite side of him.
I was close to my goal of finishing at 3:30, but once I turned the corner on Boylston St. the finish line was just too far and wasn't able to pick up my pace any faster. It was crowded and I was just happy to finish without my hamstring cramping up on me and finishing it nonstop all the way. I was able to barely beat my time from last year by 41 seconds and finished at 3:31:05. Given the weather conditions, I'm happy with that!
After party celebration at Fenway Park.
This automatically qualifies me for next year's Boston, but decided not to apply next year. I won't say I'll never do this again, but I really want to venture out to other big cities in the USA. Not sure which one, maybe Florida or Washington D.C., but we'll see.
This is what my Garmin watch recorded. I knew I ran more than 26.2 miles! Wonder if anybody else got more miles on their own device?
This automatically qualifies me for next year's Boston, but decided not to apply next year. I won't say I'll never do this again, but I really want to venture out to other big cities in the USA. Not sure which one, maybe Florida or Washington D.C., but we'll see.
Yes, this is my 10th marathon and it all started 5 years ago when I started an after school running club with our students. I've always been an avid runner, but never thought I would be a marathoner! I owe it all to our students at Binion Elementary for inspiring me to challenge myself and push my limits.
What now? Up next is training for my next qualified marathon, The New York City Marathon in November 2016. I won't start training for that until the end of July. For now, time to work on more strength building and get ready for summer!
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