The Boston Marathon is on Monday, and I couldn’t be more excited… even though I won’t be there.  I can still feel the race energy all the way here in Arizona.

I ran Boston in 2011.  I fell in love with the city and with the people.  I worked hard to get there and I believe that made the reward all the more sweet.

My Aunt Diane, Grandmom, mother-in-law, brother-in-law Scott, sister-in-law Rachael came.  And B too

I ran the race with Amy (she ran too fast for me in the last few miles because she’s just a rock star like that.)

Here’s what we did in Boston…

Duck Tour:

Red Sox game:

A visit to the Harvard campus and art museum finished with Mr. Bartley’s burgers:

A Harbor cruise and a tour of the USS Constitution:

A Runner’s World Shakeout Run where I met Bart Yasso (my hero) and had the chance to tell him that he was the reason I was running the Boston Marathon.  He liked that:

The Paul Revere house:

Dinner at the Barking Crab:

The expo:

A visit to the finish line:

Topped off with a spaghetti dinner at Giacomo’s (the rumors are true- horrible service, amazing food):

On race day, B walked me to the busses.  I have never been more excited/nervous/shocked before a marathon.  I could NOT believe that I was about to run the Boston Marathon:

My cheerleaders were waiting for me at the “1 mile to go” sign:

Honestly this picture makes me cry because I feel so loved when I look at it:

B and Nate (Amy’s husband) were busy catching the train to see us at different spots during the race (we were ready to throw them our gloves and ear warmers):

I ran the race in a 3:46, and I was happy because that pace felt very comfortable.

Heartbreak Hill didn’t break my heart.  It’s impossible to not love every mile of that race… even a hill at mile 20!

The spectators of every single town were awesome and amazing.  They know what they’re doing!

I wouldn’t bring headphones to this race.  They’re not needed.

The last mile…. PURE MAGIC.  So many people and so much noise, you can’t even hear your legs complaining.  I will never forget how many people there were and how loud they were.  Ugh- it was amazing!

I would love to make it back to Boston one day, but if that was my one and only Boston experience, I can die a happy woman.

There is truly magic in the air during every step of marathon weekend.

Once upon a time, I knew that Boston would never be within my reach, but with a lot of hard work, I ended up there.  Make that lesson #14,729 that marathon training has taught me- the impossible can be made possible.  Don’t stop believin’!

Want to know a funny fact? The only times I have ever worn my Boston jacket were that day, and at Big Sur Marathon the week after.  I was newly pregnant with Lou when I ran Boston/Big Sur so I didn’t race for quite a while after that.  Now, I don’t know… I guess I’m waiting to earn it back, because I feel like a little bit of a fraud wearing it… like you can’t wear Boston jackets if you run 4 hour marathons.  Silly, I know! Sometimes my brain makes no sense.  Maybe I just need to get over it.

Good luck to all of the Boston runners out there… I’m gonna be at home in my comfy clothes, cheering and dancing in my kitchen while the live feed plays on my computer.

Mwah!

M