[movingon]

As some of you know I only found out the Wednesday before Easter that my registration had been accepted, so I had not made a plan for the weekend of the marathon. Saturday morning I drove up to Boston and grabbed my race packet, not even bothering to visit the expo because my kids were home with my mom. I spent 23 mins from parking the car to driving out of the parking garage...hahahahaha.<br><br>
Saturday afternoon I scrambled and found a place to stay on Sunday night, a friend of a friend who wasn't going to be home but her roommate said it was ok. So I drove up to Malden, Ma on Sunday night, got there at 10pm. Not a lot of sleeping to be had due to nerves. Gave up and got up at 4am. Got lost twice but found my way to the Copley Sq parking garage. Met a nice man running with the Dana Farber group who let me tag along to the buses. Bused to the start. Not as lucky as to get into the High School, and stood on the edge of the tent area, kept pretty dry! My feet never got wet!<br><br>
Headed out to the start at 9:50 waited around in corral 13. Started, ran and ran and ran. The uphills were fine. Started to really hurt around mile 22 as you could tell if you tracked me that day, it was the down hills that hurt! The crowd of spectators were great everywhere along the way. The gigantic sea of people kept me moving forward. And the best part was about 25 ft from the finish I heard "GO CARRIE", and turned my head to see my mom!! Mostly I go alone to all of this running stuff I do and my mom said she might come but I never thought she would see me. And there she was!<br><br>
It was COLD at the finish and I thought I would never get warm, but most of the race I thought the weather was pretty good. The rain only came down once while running and the wind actually felt good.<br><br>
I am pretty sure that was my one and only Boston Marathon, but I won't say never again.

 

[merigayle]

<img alt="icon_cheers.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_cheers.gif"><img alt="icon_cheers.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_cheers.gif"><img alt="icon_cheers.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_cheers.gif"><br><br>
Funny how you kicked out a freaking awesome 50 miler, but at mile 22 at Boston you started to feel it, lol.<br><br>
That is great that your mom came to cheer you on. At least you could say you ran it!

 

[movingon]

Meri, Bit of a pace difference from the 50 miler to the Boston Marathon!! Plus a tinge of burn out!

 

[merigayle]

Not that different, you flew thru your 50M race! But it was not all on pavement either!

 

[equinox marathon 43]

Movingon-<br><br>
Great report. It sounds like you had a good time in Boston despite the weather! Hope it was memorable for you!

 

[roots]

<img alt="icon_cheers.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_cheers.gif"> Carrie!<br><br>
Great time in that weather.<br><br>
Aw man, what a total PITA this race was for you. I imagine had you qualified last year and allowed some for some recovery and training, your Boston would have been even more enjoyable.<br><br>
Congratulations for running the Boston Marathon.

 

[Doctor Wu]

Meri, there is something unique about the Boston course that just totally destroys most of us. I've run the Adirondack Marathon twice (lots of people say it's tough) and didn't feel half as sore as after Boston.<br><br>
Movingon, sure you'll be back. You are a superhero, after all. <img alt="icon_colors.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/icon_colors.gif">

 

[sistergoldenhair]

Congratulations on finishing Boston, movingon! Glad you stayed dry, and that must have felt so good to see your mom there.<br><br>
I agree with a little more time to prepare and advance knowledge of your registration, the anticipation might have added something for you. So don't totally write off next year, OK? <img alt="biggrin.gif" src="http://files.kickrunners.com/smilies/biggrin.gif">

 

[Grizzly]

Carrie,<br><br>
You "ran and ran and ran", and despite the tight timelines and weird logistics and last minute nature of the whole thing you pulled it off. Yeah, it sounds like it was even more of a PITA than it was for most what with the weather and all, but you completed and competed. Good job!