RACE DAY!!!
Oh how I've been looking forward to running this marathon again and having a much better experience than last year. For those of you who don't know, I ran the Boston marathon last year and was the closest runner to the first bomb blast. My experience last year was so incredible until the last few minutes. Just a few snipits from my experience last year--
At mile 24 I saw my dear husband and he was snapping pics like crazy. I was feeling so great and so I pulled away from the friends that I started out with (Sheryl and Karen and Jana), but they were not far behind me. They were not able to finish the race last year and did not get a medal :(. I continued to push through the last two miles, but right before I reached the finish line I heard the LOUDEST blast and I thought for sure my left ear was going to be deaf after that!! Seriously, the loudest thing I've ever heard. My first thought was that it was a celebratory thing, but I quickly realized that it was just the opposite--a bomb! WoW!! I was right next to it! I did feel some debris from the blast, but that was all. It was like a protective bubble was around me and I am so grateful each day that I still have my two legs, two arms and an unharmed body. What a tradgedy for those that lost limbs, but most of all those that lost life. My heart aches for them and as this year's marathon approached, I would find myself tearing up over the pain of this event, which in past years, has always been such a celebratory one to an even that was full of pain and utter chaos at the finish line.
This year was very different from last year. Runners were out to prove something and THAT WE DID!! The people of Boston were incredible and cheered us on the whole way. There was not a point in the marathon that I didn't see people cheering. It was a proud moment for all of us patriotic runners! We definitely sent a message to the world that we will not cower and we are BOSTON STRONG!!
Throughout the race, I ran with Sheryl the whole time and we talked about family, Boston and many other subjects that kept our mind occupied. Also, my hubby was keeping me up to date as to how my friend, Amber was doing, as she was trying to qualify for the Olympic Trails (so exciting for her and I only wish that I could run that fast haha). Sheryl was in zombie mode at mile 25 and ready to be done. Dane was at that point with his camera and I had to physically run over to Sheryl and pull her over so Dane could get a picture of us, haha. It reminded me little kids--one leading the other one along haha. It was great :). I felt incredibly good for running 25 miles, but my whole goal for this race was to finish with Sheryl. She told me to take off, but I couldn't and I knew that she secretly wanted me to stay with her and she even said so after the race :). I guess that's how you know your BFF's because you know what the other is thinking and wants, but they just don't want to say :). It was truly an amazing experience. As crossed the finish line with my dear friend, we hugged and cried and then when I saw the medal, which was so much deserved last year, placed on my dear friend, I cried some more. It was one of those sweet, tender moments that I will never forget and I felt so proud to be part of this historic moment.
LOVE BOSTON
BOSTON STRONG!!
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