The Boston Marathon

The Boston Marathon

Now for the Boston bit... it's a long one and I hope I can do it justice💛💙

Now I have some time to reflect on what I can honestly say was the most incredible time I have ever had at a race.From the moment I arrived at Logan International Airport the guy at passport control took my photograph and my finger prints and then asked me why I was here and once I had told him I was there for the marathon his attitude changed from being serious.. to being happy, encouraging and even thanked me for traveling to his city to be part of their race, which they are so obviously proud of. Even leaving the airport and catching the bus to my hotel, people just start talking to you. They want to ask you how your day is going and tell you about their day.I met other runners who were finding their own way in Boston.. even though I had made the 3,500 mile journey by myself, I never once felt alone. It felt like I had come to the home of running.

Besides all the usual pre-race build up and learning how things differ from the UK my first few days were spent shopping and exploring. I definitely did way too much walking, got lost a few times. Nearly got ran over more time than I can count. Found a love for Dunkin Donuts ! Love nearly found me in the form of a homeless lady pushing a trolley full of cans and bottles.. but she wanted money for this love ! Luckily I was near a Fire Station and the man inside rescued me.

I met some amazing people and they all had this one thing in common, the absolute pure love for the marathon and anyone who was part of it.

Race day morning, I met my new squad of friends in the hotel reception so we could share the ride to bag drop.. Sarah (Colorado) , Robert (Arizona) and Carissa (Georgia) Dropping the bags was super easy.. big yellow school bus with your bib numbers on.. give it to the volunteer and job done. Sarah and I headed to the bus queue for the ride to Hopkinton.Whilst standing in the line waiting to board the endless stream of school buses taking us to the start I just looked around and started to soak it all up.. It was still only 7am, I had been awake since 5:30am and my race start was not until 10:30.. plenty of time to chat to runners, reflect on what we had done to get us here.. and be excited for what was to come.The bus ride was around an hour long. We talked a lot, time went quick and we arrived in Hopkinton around 8:30am. The race village was fantastic, well laid out and plenty of room to stretch out or just sit and relax like I did. Loud speaker instructions made it super easy to start making your way to your coral at the correct time.

When I got to mine I was wondering why people were using the free sunscreen at the sides of the road.. it was 4˚ and I was there debating if I should run the first few miles in my chuck away clothes as it was so cold.. But I ditched the gloves and the plastic poncho and crossed the start line. Holy shit this is actually happening.

I started off slightly crammed in and it took me a good mile and a half to get enough space to be running at my pace. The course is definitely not a cruising downhill for the first 16 miles like the elevation chart looks.. it's undulating and quite tough the whole way. But I held a consistent pace and it felt comfortable. By mile 10 I was regretting not taking up that offer of free sunscreen! The heat was blazing down on me and there was no shaded areas at all.. I now started making the most of the water stations.. half a cup over my head and half in my mouth.. which I mostly missed. Around mile 12.5 I could hear the noise.. I had heard about this and watched a few video clips on YouTube. But nothing prepares you for what it is like in person. Hitting the half way point at Wellesley College and the half mile long scream tunnel was just epic. That sound carried me on for miles and miles. The energy coming from those people was just the boost I needed.I did have to dig deep at some points, I knew I would not be able to maintain my race pace for much longer than 11 miles.. the sun was just beating down on my right shoulder and every mile that continued to pop up at 6:50 was a blessing.. I did ease off purposely around 17 miles just to try give myself a breather for the hills in Newton but it was too little late for me. I did what I could to get through the first 3 inclines and was still doing pretty well.. but the climb up Heartbreak Hill completely ruined my legs.. I was still high fiving the supporters and smiling from ear to ear but from then onwards even the downhill and flats hurt like hell.

But the support from the crowds just carried me on towards that finish line.

I reached the CITGO sign.. which I knew was mile 25 and I had ran this part during the 5k on the Saturday.. I knew I was minutes from the end. I dropped down into the underpass up back into the sunlight and could see the turn I had been waiting years to make.. I went right onto Hereford didn’t realise how much of an incline that was.. then got to the final turn.. left onto Boylston.. the crowds were deafening.. I could feel the energy returning to my legs for a final push.. I made sure I was to the left as I wanted to run close to the 2 memorial sites from 2013 and just give them a silent nod as I passed them both.. and then I raised my arms and crossed that line.

I clicked the button on my watch and that is when I saw my time or had any idea what kind of time I was even close to.. I didn’t realise how near to a PR I was.. looking back, if I had known.. I would have high fived a little less and could have maybe just clawed back that 70ish seconds I was short. But I knew deep down that running this race and experiencing everything I had gone through outweighed anything that clock would say.

Running my second fastest marathon time ever on what many consider the hardest of the 6 World Marathon Majors courses is something I am happy about, and to run a time to qualify for the race again is icing on the cake. I know I am in great shape and this will carry me on through my training for Chicago which I am now confident I can finally have a serious go at going under 3 hours.

I don't know if everyone who runs this race feels like I do... but once you have ran The Boston Marathon.. you take a piece home with you and will forever feel like part of you belongs in Boston. It is a feeling that makes me miss the place like crazy and for that I thank the people of Boston, this includes the kind elderly man that just decided to start a conversation with me as I walked around shopping on the Friday.. the police officer who I stood chatting to in Copley Square while I watched the Mayor give a speech on the stage, the amazing staff in Marathon Sports.. everyone is just so proud to be part of this event. The endless runners I met and shared the excitement with. I know I have made some friends for life and that to me is priceless.

The volunteers! Where do I start.. each and every single one of you.. Incredible! Always happy, always helpful and always encouraging. Speaking to each runner like it's the first one you have spoken to that day. I made time to speak to as many as I could. Without those amazing people this race wold not be possible.

The people of Strava.. I lost count of how many of you I finally got to meet, it’s a strange feeling when you are in a new place so far away from home and so many people know your name. Something I do not think I will ever get used to.

I am still reading through all the comments and messages that I have had through various social media platforms. I have no idea how to respond to the 200+ comments on Strava.. I just thank all of you, not just for the messages you have sent and the advice and well wishes but for the ongoing support that I have been so lucky to have from so many amazing people since I started this journey.

A journey that started with me sat in a doctor’s office being told I would never ever run a Marathon.. never mind Boston.. well this run was for you.. Because there is nothing like telling me I can’t do something to make me want to do it more, so for that I thank you.

Chase those dreams, because I promise you.. if you want it bad enough.. they will come true.

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