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!!!

It’s the Boston Marathon, baby!!!

Scott left our hotel room early this morning – excited, nervous, and ready. I am planning to catch him at miles 16.8 and 22. Beyond that, everything is gravy. It is hard to know how crowded the subway will be. Based on a few rides that we had yesterday, I am hoping that my feet will touch the ground & I can find a bar to hang on to.

 

 

 

 

 

Yesterday, we went to stake conference and ate lunch with Scott’s friend Steve & his family who live near the Boston Temple. (So beautiful!!!) They are a great family – I couldn’t help but think how well our two families would fit together. Hopefully we can meet up with them at the beach or the slopes someday.

After stake conference, Steve took us to see the battlefield at Concord. As we stepped onto the grounds, I felt that I was treading on sacred ground. I am so grateful for the beautiful country that we live in & for the freedom to worship that we enjoy.When we visited Nauvoo several years ago, I could feel the presence of the people who lived there & built up the city. I felt the same way yesterday with the people who sacrificed so I can be free.

Scott is ready to run!  I made a name badge for him on muslin & sewed it to his technical shirt – we ran out of safety pins.  He left right after 6 this morning to get on the bus to Hopkinton – and just arrived at 8 a.m. The race begins at 10 a.m. & Scott’s in wave 1.

There will be tons & tons of crowds along the way. I can’t wait to see him (and the wheelchairs & the elites). I will post more pictures & results later.

Sweetness!

 

Terrific Kid – two kids from each class are picked based on good behavior & good citizenship. He was so excited to be picked!

 

 

 

 

 

 

The celebration happened the morning after we decided to turn in the diorama late – I had been too busy with kids throwing up & driving the limo to & from baseball practices, piano, scouts, & night class to make any progress. It took about five hours! If you can’t get a late pass in second grade, then when???

 

 

 

 

I love this picture – my new camera has an amazing zoom lens. I switched to manual focus & took this shot through the fence from the bleachers. He was standing out by second base. So fun!!! It was super hot & there’s not much action on the field. Luckily, our coach is a really good pitcher. In kid pitch, that totally matters. He has watched A LOT of baseball on TV so he understands the mechanics of the game. Unfortunately, baseball is a lot of waiting around.

Success is more than Just a Medal!

Scott, my mom, my sister Julie, and I were all supposed to run in Myrtle Beach in February. The race was cancelled due to what we who live in the South call “snow”.

Scott wanted to re-qualify for the Boston Marathon so we needed to find another race. We found the Snickers Marathon in Albany, Georgia. (… I originally made hotel reservations at the hotel in Albany, New York.)

We ran – it was freezing in the morning & perfect by the end.

I learned a bunch of lessons that are carrying on into my everyday life.

• When the going gets tough? just grit your teeth (or your brain) and keep on going – hopefully the finish is just around the next corner – or at least a cute smiling Marine to cheer you on.
• Do you feel pain? It’s just a massage that’s helping to loosen your muscles.
• Lost? Just follow the bum in front of you.
• Hungry? Hopefully there’s something left in your back pocket. Shot blocks are yummy.
• Tired & sore? Ibuprofen and time.
• Recovery? It just takes time. It’s now April & I feel like I’m still recovering.

We had someone take our picture early, early in the morning before the race. We picked up our packets, warmed up in the car, stretched, waited in line for the portajohns, waited again, and then we were off. We did not run one step of the race near each other but it was wonderful to be participating in the same event. I was so tired in the middle (mile 7?) that I couldn’t do simple math. I was trying to envision where Scott was at on the course. I loved being at the finish line early enough to see him come in. I definitely do better when someone else is waiting for me to get my snacks though. :)

After I saw Scott head towards the finish line, I couldn’t find him! I walked around & finally thought to see him at the medical tent. He was sitting down & resting.

Scott’s time was 3:27.00 for the marathon.

My time was 2:46 & change for the half.

Next stop? Boston.

 

 

I come in peace. I mean you no harm, and you all will die!

This is my desk. I hope you will still be my friends.

How could I let it get at this state? I am organized enough, the bills usually get paid, and we arrive at our destinations. Yesterday, I took control & now there are only about 20 items remaining. Why do I let it get this bad? Because of HER. and HIM. and THEM. Who? I am talking about the customer service representatives that I have to talk to to solve problems. I don’t take care of my paperwork because I end up on hold ALL DAY LONG!

Whew! Now I feel better. BTW Isn’t that a cute picture of Jared? We were out at the tide pools on Pawley’s Island when he was two or three with our friend, Beach. Too much fun. At least there are good memories behind that horrendous pile.

Can you name the movie that the title is from?