From Within Training for the 2012 Boston Marathon: April 16 Whether/Weather or Not ---- Boston 2012

Ok. So I think the best way to start this entry is by saying that things don't always go as planned. Time for a little background so you will understand what has been happening this marathon weekend.

The biggest story of the 2012 Boston Marathon was not who was running it, but the temperature at the start of the race. Some weathermen were projecting the temperature to reach 90 degrees by 2pm. The start of the race had a temperature hovering around 68-70 degrees. No clouds and full open sun. So, in an unprecedented move, the BAA decided to let runners drop out of the race and be guaranteed a spot in the marathon next year. They sent out some emails warning runners of the heat and asking them NOT to try and run a PR but to enjoy the moment and run the race to finish. And, if you were a charity runner running for the first time, they did not want you to run. No one knew how hot it was really going to get but the warm forecast was not what us runners wanted to hear.

So, all of the runners had to decide what they wanted to do. There has been one race in my life where I collapsed after I crossed the finish line and had to be rushed to Northwestern for heat exhaustion. Another runner actually caught me as I crossed the line and helped the medics get me to a tent where I was packed in ice and received an IV while being rushed to the ER. It was at that moment that John made me promise him that I would always listen to my body on warm running days and NEVER have that happen again. So, John and I discussed what I needed to do. We decided that I would run the pace I trained for but be willing to slow down if the heat became too much. Sounded good and both of us were comfortable with this. I have never run a marathon in temperatures over 60 degrees so even starting one at 70 was going to be different for me. I prefer to run in the cold and I have always had my best races in the cooler temperatures, so running a PR in the hottest temperatures for a race my body has ever experienced in this heat was not going to be pretty.

Everything was great in the morning. I met Jim and we took the T to Boston Commons to catch the bus to Athlete's Village. As soon as we got there, we took our picture by the famous Hopkinton to Boston sign and then secured a spot under the shady tent. Glad we got there early because the tent really filled up and some runners were left to wait out the start of the race in the sun for 3 hours and bake. Oh, man. That was a recipe for disaster. The temperature under the tent was about 15 degrees cooler than outside. Even standing in the port-o john line was hot and really sunny. Put on tons of sun screen before the start and kept hydrating as much as possible.

We met up with Ashley, John and Bob from the ERC and a friend of mine from Kansas City, Bob. Just passed the time listening to music, reading the paper and walking around and taking pictures. Before you knew it, it was time to head to our wave. One last trip to the port-o john and we all were off to our corals. We had about a 20 minute wait in the sun and it was HOT. The temperature was close to 70 degrees and we were sweating and hadn't even taken started a stride. Not good. So at 10:20 our wave went off and we were on our way. All was good but I was already starting to feel the heat. I kept telling myself, just listen to your body and see how you are feeling. So, the first 4 miles were great. Legs felt good, had a nice stride and was only a little concerned about the weather. As I approached mile 6, I was really feeling the heat and I had stopped sweating. That is one of the first signs of dehydration. Not good. I still had a long way to go and I needed to decided what I wanted to do. I thought about my family and at this point decided that I needed to slow down and drink at every water stop and pour it on me whenever possible. So, I slowed down. Started drinking water and gatorade at every stop and that seemed to work for awhile. Then, the heat got to me a little more. I could tell that I needed to slow down some more as the water I was pouring on my body was evaporating within the one mile stretch between the stations. That wasn't good. So, I decided I would start taking ice and putting it down my sport bra to keep my core cool. I was wearing a singlet with a sport bra built in. It was a last minute purchase at the expo and was a bit big, so it was not as tight as it should have been. This was actually pretty funny. I would drop this big cube down my sport bra and of course, it would melt quickly and the movement from running would cause the chips to fall out. Could not keep anything close to my chest to cool it off. This helped a bit, but my heart rate was up and I was starting to feel sick to my stomach. Just in time to join the crowd. At least I didn't get sick but there were plenty of people throwing up on the historic course leading into Boston. I was just trying to keep my wits about me. My hamstring that I pulled in training was also giving me trouble and the lack of fluids wasn't helping. So, I needed to take it easy on the hills and run the straight aways. At this point, I just needed to focus and run as best as I could to cross the finish line safely.

So, what did I see along the course. Well, I passed lots of people that were in the wave in front of me at the beginning so I could see that the weather was getting to everyone. I saw people losing their pasta dinners from the night before, I saw people being taken away by medics. Lots of men peeing in the wooded areas, some nut case wearing an Elmo costume head (great way to dehydrate yourself), lots of water tunnels for the runners to go through to cool us off (yeah), and of course John and Ian. I also saw my coach, Susanne Davis along the route and she ran for a bit with me. That was cool. And then, I saw it. The last left hand turn and I was on Boyleston heading to the finish line. And, before I crossed the finish line, I stopped to Tebow. Then, I crossed. Finally met up with John and Ian, back to the hotel to shower and get ready to go to the party at Fenway Park. Drank tons of fluid to keep hydrated. That was a crazy marathon.

So cool to see Fenway Park at night without it full of fans. Took lots of pics and had our photo taken with the 2 World Series Trophies. So amazing, and so nice of the Boston Red Sox Organization to do this in honor of their 100 year anniversary. I met some really funny guys too at the park. I was trying to convince them to run across the field so I could get a picture. The photo would be of them getting arrested, hahahha. They had almost enough to drink and I almost convinced them, but I was getting tired and needed to head out. I hadn't eaten since the last GU at mile 21 so I was pretty hungry.

By the time we got back to the hotel I just wanted something to eat. Anything really. I needed some energy so we stopped in a bar and had a margarita. Oh, and I had a steak too. But the margarita glass kept getting refilled so that was great.

So a bit of reflection on this whole training and marathon experience. Lets see, I trained my heart out to run my fastest marathon ever; 3:35. And, what happened. Well, there are many things you cannot control and the weather is one of them. A smart and experienced runner is able to adjust their pace and run safely. I was determined to finish and see my family at the letter S, not ER. I ran it for the experience although I can honestly say I would never want to experience that hot of a marathon again. I guess it is really how you look at it. I am very happy that I was not one of the 2000 people who received some type of medical treatment or one of the 120 people that were rushed to the hospital. I also was not one of the 4300 runners who opted to not even start the race. In the middle of the race, the temperatures reached 89 degrees sending runners to the ground and those of us that were on their feet scurrying for shade. Some of the elite runners dropped out and never even finished. Now, I can say, I beat some of the world's best.

But I could not have run this race alone. There are so many people to thank. Thank you BAA for doing your best in a bad situation. All of the BAA volunteers from the buses in Boston Commons to the people handing out the medals and food bags, you were awesome! To all the doctors and medical personnel that helped the runners out, thank you for EVERYTHING! I am forever grateful to all the spectators that stood out there and gave us fluids, ice, cheered, screamed my name, and encouraged me to cross that finish line. They will always have a special place in my heart. To all the little kids that high fived me along the way and especially to the little boy who poured water over my head to cool me off, thank you. And, to everyone back at home, I used all of your good wishes and support to propel me to the end. So many times I thought of all of you and your part in my journey. To my husband and son who were the greatest sight at mile 22, you were with me the whole way and I will love you forever. To my daughter Shannon, you were with me mile after mile and kept me going, love you to the moon and back. And at the top of my list, to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, thank you for watching over me and keeping me safe. Marathon number 17 (3rd consecutive Boston) is in the books and now I can start a new chapter of my life. I am truly blessed!!!!