April 9, 2012 Yep...7 Days and counting ---Boston 2012

Seven days and counting.  Legs are itching to run, mind is focussed, excitement is hard to contain.  Yep.  Those are all signs that I've got a little sickness called "Boston Fever" and the only cure is in Hopkinton.

November 29th was my first day of training for this year's Boston Marathon.  Since then, I have spent countless hours running, swimming and biking, all in an effort to run my fastest Boston Marathon ever.  I am extremely grateful to my family and friends that have supported me on this journey and especially to the Lord for keeping me strong and healthy enough to complete my training and run this race.

The Boston Marathon (a runner's quest for the Holy Grail), is an amazing journey.  From the moment you commit yourself to training to qualify for this prestigious race you become a different runner.  There is this edginess that one gets about training runs, speed work, cross training, sleep, food, etc., that doesn't compare to other races.  When I think back to the year I qualified for Boston, it was harder mentally then any other race I had run.  It seemed like it was taking forever to reach the finish line in Chicago but once I crossed and heard Boozel yell, "BQ Baby", I knew I was set.  Qualifying with John by my side was a moment I will always cherish and doing it in my home town, made it that much better.  At that moment I knew I had reached the next level in my running.  A dream I had chased for 12 years had finally arrived.  Approximately, 8,133 career  miles later, I could finally say, I had a ticket to the Big Dance.

Now, 3 years later, I am still as excited about participating in this historic race.  I went from wanting to just enjoy my first Boston marathon to the next year running for time, dropping 20 minutes and setting a PR and now this year, I am trying to PR again.  Lets hope that 3 times is a charm!

I can't wait to get out there.  To see the Expo, buy some new running shirts, experience the town, take a cheesy tourist tour, and meet up with friends I have made in previous years out here.  The whole town buzzes with excitement as people share information about the course, the fun bus ride at o'dark thirty and overall excitement that Marathon Monday brings.

There is nothing like the Boston Marathon.  The excitement builds as you travel on school buses early in the morning to Hopkinton.  The level of noise with everyone talking, laughing, taking pictures, is unreal.  And when you hop off that bus and walk through the gate to the Athlete's Village, you know you have arrived.  You can sense the excitement and thrill in the air.  All of these well conditioned, focussed athletes in one area; its crazy. And, so much fun.  There is usually a long line by the Hopkinton  To Boston sign for picture taking, a food tent, enough port a potties to choke a horse, and a huge big screen with text message of good wishes to runners scrolling non-stop.  And, if you are really lucky, the wind is calm, the sun is out and you are able to find a nice patch of grass to lay down on until your wave is called.  Truly a sight to behold.

When your wave is up, its a .7 mile walk to the corrals and your last chance at a port-a -john for awhile.  Then, its just a matter of waiting for your gun time to go.  And...you're off and running.  Taking in all the sights, trying to remember what everyone has told you about the race and strategy.  Thinking about all the advice from the top runners so you cut every second off your time that you can.  Focussing on how you body feels and the pace you are running.  Keeping in mind that the second half of the race really starts at mile 21.  Working to contain your excitement as everyone on the side lines is screaming and cheering for you.  And, smiling because you have all the strength from your family and friends and you are doing something that you have always wanted to do; run the Boston Marathon.

Yep, 7 days and counting!!!!