Post-Boston Marathon summary

Just returned from my Boston marathon trip and I must say this entire marathon experience far exceeded what I thought it would be.  Considering the unfortunate bombings last year, Boston and its neighboring cities really came together to show off what Boston Strong really means.  Of course, the media certainly helped to promote how the Bostonians have recovered and that they were ready for anything this year.  As the race director of the Boston marathon Dave McGillvray delivered during one of the marathon sessions, "Boston marathon 2014 will be the safest place to run on the planet".   He definitely was right!  I saw tons of police, military guards, helicopters, etc.... everywhere.  I absolutely felt safe.

On marathon morning, my friend and I headed over to the marathon bus pickup station in Boston Common (near the finishline) to take us to the starting line in Hopkinton.  The logistics were really great since we didn't have to wait too long. Rows of buses were ready and they continued to take the constant streams of runners to Hopkinton.  Everyone was so happy/excited to do the marathon.  The hundreds of volunteers in their blue Boston 2014 jackets with yellow stripes running from the shoulder down the length of the arm looked really cool and professional.  Everyone was so helpful and courteous.  They were simply happy to be there!  I really got the feeling that Boston marathon 2014 was the only place on earth to be on 4/21/2014 and I was there!  I just soaked it all in :-)

At the Hopkinton high school Athlete's village where all runners waited, runners from all over the world converged.  Thousands and thousands of runners waited and compared stories that brought them to Boston this year.  I met a mother of 3 from North Carolina who ran Boston last year, finished before the bombs went off, and later decided that she had to come back again this year to be part of Boston Strong. There was a large jumbo-tron TV showing the race group updates and lineup schedules.  There were plenty of police officers around as well as a team of SWAT officers on the rooftops overseeing the whole school.  Around 9:50am (my lineup timeslot), 4 marine helicopters in formation made a flyby just to salute all the runners.  The announcer made a funny comment about how fast those helicopters will be flying from Hopkinton to Boston in 15 mins!  We should try to do the same ;)

I was in Wave 2 Corral 2 which meant that the first Wave (elite and other faster runners) started 25 mins earlier.  By the time I crossed the starting line, nearly 30 mins have already gone by according to the race clock.  I knew how beautiful the Boston marathon course is because I had run the 2012 marathon in the 87 degree heat.  Still, I knew I would be in for a treat again.  Once my Wave 2 group got started, there were just runners all around me.  It was hard to try to speed up to pass anyone so I just went with the flow.  Starting with mile 1, the crowd support is nothing short of AWESOME.  Both sides of the road were filled with spectators 4-5 rows deep.  At certain towns like Framingham and Natick, the crowd's cheer was so loud that I could not hear myself speak.  The energy I felt from the crowd made me proud to be a Boston marathoner.  This definitely was the ONLY place to be!

I approached the half marathon mark around Wellesley College(all-girl school) area.  Much younger crowd since it's mainly college students.  Still, they were even louder than ever.  As I ran by, I held out my right hand to high-five as many of them as I can.  Must have high-five'd a thousand cheering spectators. They all held traditional signs that read "Kiss me, I am from Boston", "Kiss me, I am beautiful", "Kiss me, I am ....whatever....."   Quite funny!  I had heard that if they don't get kissed by a marathoner, they cannot graduate.  Hmmmm..... Wonder if that is true.  

I crossed the half marathon mark just around 1hr 36 mins... right on pace.  Did notice that my left ankle was feeling a little sore, which has never happened before.

Approaching 17-18, my infamous cramping right thigh started acting up.  Quickly took another salt tablet and pressed on.  By mile 19, both legs started feeling heavy.... and fatigued all of a sudden.  Did I hit the wall?  Why do I feel like the sun is burning me up?  Oh boy....  Grabbed all the water I can find at the next water station to pour over my head.  

At Hearbreak hill past mile 20, I was feeling so drained.  Had to slow down to walk.  Legs and feet were hurting.  Thighs were cramping again.  Slowed to jog...walk... jog...walk.  Depressing.

Mile 22 was downhill and found my second wind momentarily.  Was able to run down the hill hoping to make up for lost time.  Once I got near the bottom, legs nearly gave out.  Now, I was certain I was over-cooked.  Mainly in survival mode.  Crowd all around was cheering louder and louder.  Someone shouted "Keep going 10034(my bib number).. You got it!".   I felt so embarrassed that I was walking.   I did everything I physically could through mile 25.5 to jog/walk.  We turned on to the final stretch which is Boylston street.  I could see the finishline ahead.  Just another 0.7 mile to go.  "Keep Going!"  Finally crossed the finishline at 3:32.  So glad it was over.  So bummed that I finished 3 minutes slower than my 2012 marathon in the heat.  What had gone wrong? Perhaps, my training was too short?  Perhaps, it was my right foot injury (Plantar Faciitis) that I have been fighting...  Nutrition intake during race?    

As I limped through the finish area, race volunteers put my marathon medal around my neck, wrapped me up in a nice heat blanket, and gave me some water, fruits, and some food.  I looked for my running friend at our agreed meeting area but didn't see him.  Was quite depressed with my race.  Still, I thought about what I had just experienced.  I saw a double amputee running in the marathon.  I saw a blind runner lead by his guide with a rope.  I saw Team Hoyt (73 years old father pushing his son in a wheelchair).  These are incredible people doing the same thing I was just doing.  I have nothing to complain about.  I am blessed.

This wriststrap was made from a banner from the 2013 marathon.

My medal!