THE Boston Marathon

     
Yesterday was AMAZING. Scott got up early & left for the race. I will try to get a guest post from him in the next day or two. (Right, Scott?) I ate breakfast & plotted my stops along the way. I could not have prepared myself for the crowds. As I went to board the subway, a Patriot’s Day celebration was taking place in the plaza. Lots of soldiers, the pledge of allegiance, & the national anthem. The mayor. Very cool that I happened to be at the starting of the parade.
For the first stop of the day, I rode the green line out to Woodline  (mile 17). All of the passengers on the subway were chasing runners and happy! For a few minutes I wondered where the runners would be, but as soon as I stepped off the train, I could hear the crowds & the bells [given out on the course]. There were already a lot of people waiting for the wheelchair division & the Elites.
The race was so inspirational!

• The wheelchair athletes came through, pushing with only their arms. What stood out to me the most was the number of young male amputees – veterans from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. The fastest athletes had been training for years & were really fast (25-30 mph fast!). The newer athletes definitely struggled but were still amazing.
• The elites came next. Elite marathon runners finish the race in less that two hours and fifteen minutes. (That’s really fast!!!) Police cars & photographers came by first & then the runners, hugging the edge of the course to run the shortest distance possible. I could have touched them from where I was standing! The women’s winner was Teyba Erkesso. Kosgei (pictured above) took third place. They were all amazing!!!
• The male elites ran as a pack – the BAA site says
“At 15 miles the split was 1:12:32 (4:57) with 1:17:10 (4:38) appearing one mile later. By this point, Cheruiyot had edged his way to the forefront, with the right hand turn at the Newton Firehouse on a near horizon and the hills immediately in front. As it was, so it is. The hills have told the tale before and did again this year. A 5:09 mile brought the pack to 17 in 1:22:19, at which point Cheruiyot had taken command, injecting a telling surge. Merga responded quickly, as did the pack; though it was evident that some damage was being done. Hall was, it seemed, struggling, close to 30 seconds off the pace, while Keflezighi appeared also to be feeling the effects.” Did you see that? 5:00 minute miles for the whole distance!!! I tried to get a picture of Ryan Hall, but he was running close to the crowds & Mr. Big-Fat-Head moved out in front of me with his camera so I missed him. It was still cool to see him close up.
• Next, I was able to see Scott. Luckily, he saw me & stopped to take  a video. He seemed to be having a great time. I kissed him & ran to get on the next subway (with lots & lots of other people). I squished on the subway, standing in a corner & talking to a lady from Phoenix, Arizona. I walked down the hill at the “Resevoir” stop, about 23 miles. I saw many people that I had seen before Scott & then started to see many whom I had not. When I saw a guy dressed as a rubber ducky – I knew that I had somehow missed Scott.

I went back to the subway station, squished into a corner at the front by the driver, and slowly, slowly made my way towards the finish line. I was tired & hungry (& my blood-sugar was low). Scott called me to let me know that he had finished, walked 1/2-mile to the bus to pick up his clothes & his phone, and walks back to the hotel. I was LOST and had a difficult time finding my way back to the hotel. Finally, a subway guy helped me get to the right gate to ride the subway back. Scott had been taken care of by the hotel - they had showers reserved & snacks for the runners in a room. He recovers so fast!!! He has already been out to run two times.
The race was huge & the crowds were huge! When I was waiting at mile 17, the runners started a few at a time & then came in swarms. Hundreds & hundreds & thousands of people all on a collision course with Copley Square. So many runners & fans & supporters. Everywhere that we went in town was swarmed with runners & their fans. The blue jackets with the unicorn logo were all over the place.
I hope we can return next year!!!