Running Boston has been a goal of mine for about 12 years. I became a serious runner at the age of 29 when I volunteered for the Hood To Coast Relay. My husband Phil was supposed to run in the Hood To Coast, but sprained his ankle playing basketball. I had a 7 month old daughter and a 3 year old son at the time, but I signed up for a 10K just to see if I could possibly replace Phil for the team. I didn’t end up having to take his place because another runner stepped up. Something happened when I ran the 10K though. My pace was all over the place, but it wasn’t that hard. I felt good about running a 9 minute mile with no training after giving birth only 7 months prior. Phil and I decided to volunteer for the Hood To Coast. Watching all those runners of all ages, shapes and sizes inspired me. At one stop I watched an elite women’s team hand off. The women were so graceful and I remember thinking I want to be like them. I went home, bought a running stroller and began to train.
I entered some local races my times began to improve. I started doing well in my age group for short distances. I had about 8 months of training under my belt when I did my first half marathon. Again, I found that it wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. I started to think of myself as a runner.
I got caught up in being competitive. I won a couple of 5k’s and an 8K. I was placing in the top 15 for local half marathons in my age group. I was motivated to keep training. I began to train for my first marathon. I had been running about a year when I did my first marathon, in Portland on my 30th Birthday. I wanted to qualify for Boston that day. I needed to run 3:40, but ran 3:52. I ran 6 more marathons, but my fastest time was 3:49.
Qualifying for Boston meant that I was a good runner. I fell into a trap of trying to prove myself. if I ran Boston that I would prove to everyone that I was a good runner. Turns out that I was looking for approval from others and not from myself. I thought I needed to achieve to earn the respect of my peers. I tried different training methods to improve my speed and achieve my goal. I struggled with injury and I never met my goal.
I was invited to run Boston as a fundraiser for Tufts University last year. I seized the opportunity because this meant that I would only have to run one marathon instead of two. Since I had been suffering off and on from plantar fasciitis, I wasn’t sure that I would be able to run a qualifying time and run Boston. My goal was to run a qualifying time in Boston instead.
I trained hard. I did everything right. I took time off to recover from plantar fasciitis. I approached my training with caution and careful consideration. I ran the Resolution Series with my friends Andrea and Michelle. Michelle is training for the Western States 100. Andrea qualified for Boston in Las Vegas. My average pace for my 20 mile race was 8:27. I was ready to run 8:45 in Boston for the marathon.
I told myself that whatever happed I would enjoy the experience of running Boston. Doing my best meant running 3:50. I began the day with my goal in mind. I got into my pace and was on track and feeling good. As the sun was beating down on me, I kept going. I listened to music and gave the kids along the course high fives as I ran by. New England is really beautiful. I looked forward to Wellesley because it was the half way point and my aunt used to live there. I am sure I still have some distant cousins in the area. The college kids were all out on the course cheering us on. They had signs that said “Kiss Me” etc. I’m sure the guys loved that! I settled into my pace, anticipating the Newton hills. I ingested as much sports gel, water and Gatorade as I could handle. Still, I felt the signs of dehydration, cramping and nausea. I noticed some hot spots and grabbed vaseline from the medics around mile 16. I applied the guey stuff to my upper arms. It was all over the place. I think I ate some of it with my next gu. I managed to stay on pace until about mile 19 when I hit the Hills. I did okay though the first part and began looking for the statue of John E. Kelley. I never saw it. My pace began to slow significantly. I had a familiar heavy feeling in my legs. I worried that if I increased my pace I would cramp up and not be able to walk or run. I also felt that I could get sick at any moment. I felt detached from my body, but not in a good way. I wasn’t in the zone. I was a little concerned that I should be in a medical tent, but I was determined to see it through. When it became apparent that I wouldn’t reach my goal I decided that whatever happened I was going to run the whole way. And that is what I did. Sometimes my run resembled the shuffle of an octogenarian. I looked down at my garmin to find that I was doing 12 minute miles at one point.
I literally felt that I could pass out at any moment, and still I trudged on. At once point it hit me that I can only do the best I can. I can’t control my environment and I can’t control other people. I don’t need to prove myself. I learned to be humble. I learned that I can devote myself to something and enjoy the process even if I can’t control the outcome.
I didn’t run a great time. I didn’t meet my first goal of 3:45 or 3:50 or even break 4 hours. I met my third goal, which was to run the whole way. Phil met me afterwards and gave me a hug. We met up with Andrea. Both Andrea and I agreed that the course was brutal. Our Seattle skin was not ready for the beating the sun and wind gave us. The thing that amazes me is the support and well wishes of my friends and family. People from the past that I didn’t even tell about the marathon knew about it and wished me luck.
Running Boston has changed me. I no longer feel compelled to prove myself as a runner. I feel complete with the marathon. I don’t know that I will do another one. I don’t know what the future holds for me, but I’m sure it will include running. The difference now is the freedom that I feel. The Boston Marathon was the first marathon in the united states and is considered the most prestigious. It is an honor to run the course and I am grateful to have participated in a race with such a rich history. I am open and ready for what’s next in my life. 
Workout:
- Type: Run
- Date: 04/21/2008
- Time: 10:30:00
- Total Time: 4:12:58.00
- Distance: 26.2 miles
- Average Pace: 9:39.71/mile
Although I got a late start, I’ve been a serious runner since 1994. I ran my first marathon in 1995 on my 30th Birthday. It’s been my goal to run the Boston Marathon since then. I missed qualifying by 12 minutes that year. I needed to run 3:40 and ran 3:52. Running in the most prestigious marathon, is the ultimate for most runners. The fact that you have to qualify, only fueled my competitive juices.
Over the next 9 years I ran 6 more marathons. I love running so much that I became a 