Which really made it feel like a 4 am departure with a 3:30am wake up call...but when you have the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon course, you don't think about it, you just get up, and go.
Off we went...Vanessa and I headed out(with one important pit stop for an XL coffee, Gatorade and water) to meet with Karin at her house. We could have met somewhere in the middle but figured it'd be more fun to just to all go together from the start.
5:31 we were at Karin's house and on our way to Boston. Our plan was to take the t from South Station to Framingham which is right around mile 6 of the course. We made it to South Station, found parking with literally 2 minute to spare. Parking was an adventure all on it's own because the door was closed to the lot but thankfully when we pulled up, it opened! So, we parked and scurried to the train as everyone was boarding. The train ride was about 40 minutes long but seemed to go by quickly. We made it to our correct stop hopped off and searched out a bathroom. After many oz of water and coffee we all needed a pre-run pit stop!
With our eyes fixed forward off we went. When we first started our teeth were chattering but by mile 1 we had stripped off hats and gloves and were fully enjoying the warm sun and blue skies.
The run was beautiful, the weather perfect! I found my pace and just went with it. The thing I love about the Boston Marathon course is the excitement of getting to the hills. I have to remind myself to keep my emotions in check and not get carried away with the excitement. I know once I get to the hills it's about 8-9 miles left which isn't so bad. I took the right at the fire station and powered up the hills. Thankfully a team had Gatorade out so I accepted a splash continued on. Everything felt great! I made it up heart break but couldn't remember if I had already gone up all 4 hills, I started asking people but of course the people I asked didn't know either. Once I came to the college, I knew I was done. It was time to get focused and try to crank down the pace for the last few miles. It was a little dicey with traffic, foot traffic and bikes but I made it! No ankle problems and ran for 20 miles in Boston and didn't get lost although I did have to ask a few times to make sure I was headed the right way!:) The funniest part of my run was I made it to the right street but I couldn't remember where exactly to find the finish line! I actually ended up running about 3 minutes past and finally asked in the store City Sports (which also gave me the opportunity to see the Boston Marathon Jacket...in a word:Bright!) So that was that, I ran back, found the finish line and then headed back to find my two other buddies. I ran it in with them and then we began the journey back to the car. It was a great run for all of us!
After about 15-20 minute walk we made it it our car and piled in, so relieved, tired, starving and chilled from our sweaty clothes. We paid and we're ready to pull out when the magical door that opened for us when arrived wouldn't open. Gasp. We called the number but could actually see and hear the phone ringing at the empty desk outside the pay station. What the..?? We paid again and tried again. Nothing. There were some choice words and some fists waving for sure. Stuck in an underground parking lot, what a nightmare! But thankfully there was a security officer in the lobby who let us out, we all smiled and waved at the camera as the electric arm came up and the door opened.
We were on our way home, sweaty, happy and totally satisfied after an incredible adventure!
35 DAYS TILL BOSTON!!!
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