i want adventure in the great wide somewhere - running journal! (comments welcome)

[xjillianpaige]

I always regret not upsizing my "Right on Hereford..." T shirt cause it was just too small (but no trying things on when I got it). I would still wear it today if I hadn't given up on it.

Weirdly, I do not wear the finishers jacket or sweater that I bought in 2019 (and don't get me started on 2011--it was a year they decided NOT to embroider the logo on the front of the jacket and just print it on. The flak was so great, I don't think they ever did that again!) I should have worn it this past weekend. I saw others, but I always feel self-conscious with it on, and it has a big-a$$ logo on the back.

Get the shirt next time you're in town!

The past 2 years also have not been embroidered. Between that and the Bank of America logo, I thought people's heads were going to combust. I say wear the gear!!

 

[xjillianpaige]

Boston Marathon Race Recap
Part 1.5: The Gear​

Before I dive into the recap, here's the gear round up I promised! The only things not pictured are a few of the things I purchased before the weekend started. They were already packed in my post-race gear bag. I'll post those eventually, I just haven't had the time yet to take photos of them.

First up is the glass tumbler and a shot glass. The glass was a decision, the shot glass was an impulse buy at check out. But worth it! I missed out on a travel mug but I'm hoping some stuff pops up at outlets or online. Or I could find something on Etsy if I want to.

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Next up is my Marathon Sports haul. We have thee spike and the three t-shirts. A lot of blue, I'm realizing. They had a shirt with the names of some of Boston's great women (Bobbi, Katherine, Des, Shalane, etc.) but didn't get that... this year. Maybe next year I'll get it.

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Third is the some of the official gear from Adidas I got at the expo, the gray sweatshirt with the cities and towns and landmarks on the back, blue sweatpants/joggers, and the white hat which I've worn too many times.

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This is the most of official gear I ordered before hand, almost all on sale. I got the backpack, beanie, pink light weight joggers, and a cream quarter zip. The other things I got but don't have photos of yet are the celebration jacket, leggings, sneakers, and the blue shirt with the same design on the back as the gray sweatshirt above.

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And finally this is the free shirt from the BAA. I don't mind the blue and yellow, but it matches the volunteer jacket and totally clashes with the rest of the gear.

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[dis_or_dat]

I got the grey sweatshirt, shot glass, and Spike too! Were you able to get the 26.2 glass from Sam Adams? I got one on Friday and went back on Saturday but they were sold out.

 

[xjillianpaige]

I got the grey sweatshirt, shot glass, and Spike too! Were you able to get the 26.2 glass from Sam Adams? I got one on Friday and went back on Saturday but they were sold out.

I love the gray sweatshirt! It's so cozy. And it was never on the adidas app!

I didn't get the Sam Adams glass or the bottle opener. For someone who has lived in and currently works in the city... I've never been to Sam Adams. What a scam that they switched the opener for a patch that I'm gonna stick in a drawer, btw.

 

[xjillianpaige]

Boston Marathon Race Recap
Part 1.75: The Gear Again​

I know, I know, I know. Another merch post. You want the miles. I'm working on it.

Here's those last few items I mentioned that were in my checked bag. First up is the celebration jacket, the leggings, and the t-shirt. In this photo I showed the back so you could see the design I mentioned this shirt and the gray crew neck having.

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And next up are the sneakers. These are the Adidas adizero sneakers. They are not for running (for me) but make a cute sneaker to wear with jeans or marathon gear or for short walks. The men's sneakers are blue so I'll stalk the website and if/when these go on major sale before next year's marathon, I might scoop up a men's pair in my size since I love blue and it matches everything.

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[xjillianpaige]

Boston Marathon Race Recap
Part 2: Miles 1-13.1​

This is pretty unusual for me, but I'm going to be doing this race recap in multiple parts! I mean, I know that the expo was its own part as was the merch, but usually I can keep the entire race contained to one post. Not this time! Here is the first half along with some photos, and then I'll post more photos since I believe there's a photo limit to posts.

So let's dive in.

Race Morning​

I was up EARLY. My alarm went off at 5:00 am. Most runners have an assigned time that they have to arrive in downtown Boston to catch a school bus that transports them to Hopkinton/the Athletes Village. But since I was running with my club, we chartered a private bus with a bathroom.

Instead of sleeping in a little bit (because yes, I slept mostly great. Only woke up around 4:30 am feeling hungry since I failed to eat protein with dinner the night before, but I did fall back asleep), I was meeting the 13 other girls from my club at 6:15 am. Five hours before my start time. My mom was kind enough to wake up at 6 am to drive me to the bus so I wouldn't have to worry about getting my car later that night.

Before leaving, though, I got dressed, gathered my packed bags, and went downstairs to have a small breakfast of an English muffin with peanut butter and jelly and half a latte. I somehow managed to eat the whole thing even though I am notoriously unable to eat that early.

I was the last to arrive at the bus at EXACTLY 6:15. We're not told when the bus is actually leaving so that we don't miss it. We all gathered our things and took some pictures then got on the bus.

It's about a 45 minute drive to Hopkinton, and we filled the time chatting. I had brought a charger so I could use my phone. I also brought food to snack on.

I was roughly following the Featherstone Nutrition guidance of breakfast at 7:15 (more like 5:30 for me) and then a snack around 9:15, plus a sports drink. I nursed my massive gatorade throughout the bus ride and waiting time, finishing it when I had my snack at 9:15.

While we sat and waited, we all had a specific time that we could leave the Athletes Village for the start, so based on our waves, we all left at different times. I was in the yellow group and there were 6 of us in that group. Three got a bit antsy and left the bus a little early. The other three of us stayed behind and used the bathroom one final time.

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At 10:25, we went outside for our final pre-race photos and the short walk from our buses to the Athlete's Village. Then we went directly to our corrals. Michelle and I were in 4 and Kayla was in 5, so we were separated as we walked to the start.

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It's about 3/4 of a mile from Athlete's Village to the start line. Along this walk, we realized how warm it was. It was sunnier than expected, and in the mid to low 60s. The weather was not forecasted to get warmer than that, but to be safe I stopped at a pre-start line water stop to take a salt tablet.

Michelle and I stopped at a portapotty stop for one last bathroom break, also, then began walking to our corral. When we stopped at the bathroom all the corrals got mixed together after being released from the village at different times, but as we got closer to the start, they reorganized us and only let us into our corral, sort of like at Disney. They check your bib and let you in or direct you to the right place.

Soon enough... we were starting!

128th Boston Marathon​

Mile 1 - 12:02

The first mile of this race is a fairly steep downhill. According to strava it's -115 ft. I was expecting this, having run this part of the course before, so I really slowed down, trying to maintain a 12:00 pace. I was successful, running it in 12:02. A ton of people were passing me, but I remembered what I've heard from experienced Boston marathoners: let them pass you on the downhill, you'll catch them on the hills.

My overall plan was to do a workout that my coach had entered into my Garmin to the best of my ability. The first mile was a warm up.

Mile 2 - 12:12

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We leave Hopkinton and enter Ashland during the second mile! Two miles & two towns. The second mile of my workout was an easy mile (11:25-12:30). As you can see, I kept it easy with a 12:12 pace. This is another downhill, less steep than the first at -56. On the right hand side is the Spencer statue and the new puppies training to hold flags for future marathons. I skipped this since I can take a drive anytime for a photo (and I can bring my medal). The second mile marker is a party with a big crowd outside a restaurant.

Mile 3 - 12:25

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After my easy mile, I take my first 1-minute walk break. My workout was 13 repeats of a mile easy, a 1-minute walk break, and .25 at 9:55. With the heat, I decided to try to speed up a little but not to worry about hitting the paces and burning out too fast. This mile is also downhill (-57) and the support from folks along the route is still great. According to my chip, I cross the 5k mark at 38:10 for a 12:18 pace. So far, I'm going out much more conservatively than Chicago and Vermont, so I'm happy with that. I take a maple syrup here.

Mile 4 - 12:12

Another downhill. The last one before it starts to level out in Framingham. It's a -69 elevation. I don't really have much to report about mile 4. I'm happy with my relatively steady forward movement and while I'm warm, I'm not dying. It's definitely warmer than expected which is frustrating but out of my - or anyone's - control. I think this is roughly where I see Kayla has passed me, but by the time I see the back of her singlet she's too far to call out to and she's got a faster pace than me so I wave goodbye to her back.

Mile 5 - 12:43

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My friend Lisa's daughter is supposed to be somewhere in this area since she goes to Framingham State, but I can't remember which side of the street or exactly what mile marker to expect her at. I know it's somewhere in the 5 mile range. I don't find her but that's okay. Elevation in this mile is 12 - so very flat.

Mile 6 - 12:54

These miles (5 and 6) did have a bit of a slowdown. A lot of sun. I believe I take some fuel here - maybe start adding some salted margarita clif bloks. My 10k split according to BAA is 1:17:38 and a 12:43 pace. Honestly, I have a terrible memory. I have Strava, Garmin, the BAA app, V.O2, and a course map on Google in front of me as I piece it together. We're in Framingham. It's a -14 elevation, but I swear there's a hill somewhere in here. That's the sneaky thing, it's technically a net downhill but it's full of rollers and I was walking up them to conserve energy.

Mile 7 - 12:08

Not much to report in this mile, it's just Framingham. Good crowd support with lots of people out to watch. Some good signs along the way. No reason to stop so I guess I had a speedy mile.

Mile 8 - 13:21

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We're coming to Natick now. My pace really slows to the 13s here. I'd resigned myself to just running easy so I don't burn out from the heat. Turns out that the weather report of low- to mid-60s all day was wrong and the high was low 70s. Not ideal. But I wanted this to be fun and I had so many friends on the course that I wanted to hug them all. It's super flat, too, but there is one hill and at the top is where I stop for a photo with Santa Claus!

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Mile 9 - 13:05

This is my first family stop! I knew my parents and brother were planning on being around mile 9 and as I run through here I see a blue poster board at the bottom of a small hill (-8 elevation on this mile) held up high and the person holding it was my dad. I scan the group and realize that Jenna has flown in from LA after texting me a few weeks ago that she couldn't come out for the race. Liar. I sprinted pretty quick when I realized it was her and maybe cussed a little and got hugs from everyone. I didn't stay long and got right back to the course. Considering the stop I have a slightly quicker mile here and hit the 15k split at 1:58:01 for a 13:00 pace.

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Mile 10 - 13:09

This part of the course is pretty along a pond. Very flat. Still steady in the low 13s. Not much to report.

Mile 11 - 13:29

The final mile in Natick. More gentle rollers but mostly flat. I knew I was expecting to see some other people early in the course but couldn't remember who was where so I decided to just run and if someone knew me they would call my name. I had written "Jill" on my arms so that if people cheered for Jill I knew they weren't family or part of my club since everyone in my family and club call me Jillian.

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Mile 12 - 13:01

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The last mile before the scream tunnel! My friend Melinda saw me right around here and gave me a frozen sponge so I tucked that into my singlet to help cool down. For fuel I was continuing to try to take a maple syrup every 30 minutes/3 miles plus salt. At every water station I was pouring a cup down my back and drinking a cup. In my handheld I had gatorade so I was sipping that throughout the run. In here I hit the 20k split in 2:39:21 and was at a 13:19 pace. This mile is a net downhill of 49 and the first of many miles where I was a metronome in my run:walk pace.

Mile 13 - 13:01

Halfway there! This area is super flat and is where the Wellesley Scream Tunnel is. Gotta be honest, this was sort of underwhelming. Loud and energetic - sure - but not the deafening experience I was expecting. Soon enough I hit 13.1 miles in 2:48:09 and am at a 12:55 pace. This is actually just shy of what I wanted for my first half. My goal was 2:45, so to only be 3 minutes off pace was not bad for the first half. And weirdly another mile at 13:01. I was still feeling good here and excited to be taking it all in. I was chatting with other runners and thanking volunteers and taking tons of photos.

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[The Expert]

Loving your recap so far! I had to comment on this:

I take a maple syrup here.

I am curious if you DIY or if you're using Untapped? I just discovered Untapped when I moved to Vermont this past year as they are based in Richmond, which is about 5 minutes from me! I'm not finding them readily available outside the area (yet).

 

[xjillianpaige]

Loving your recap so far! I had to comment on this:



I am curious if you DIY or if you're using Untapped? I just discovered Untapped when I moved to Vermont this past year as they are based in Richmond, which is about 5 minutes from me! I'm not finding them readily available outside the area (yet).

Thank you!

Yes - I use Untapped! I buy boxes of 20 from their website. I found them at the Vermont City Marathon expo in 2022 and bought one to try and liked it and have been using them ever since. Gels gross me out because I have texture issues with food and I like that the Untapped's texture and taste match because it's straight up maple syrup. I get my salt with clif bloks or capsules though since I worry about a flavored maple syrup putting me off.

 

[jmasgat]

I'm impressed that you can take pictures along the way. That means you weren't suffering enough

 

[azrivest]

What a great sign

 

[dis_or_dat]

I love the gray sweatshirt! It's so cozy. And it was never on the adidas app!

I didn't get the Sam Adams glass or the bottle opener. For someone who has lived in and currently works in the city... I've never been to Sam Adams. What a scam that they switched the opener for a patch that I'm gonna stick in a drawer, btw.

I actually went back to the expo to ask where the bottle opener was (i thought they forgot to include mine) and they were like "ask sam adams!" and it was a patch this time. also no unicorn patch and definitely drop in jacket/finisher shirt quality. lots of cost cutting

those sneakers are so cool!

 

[xjillianpaige]

I'm impressed that you can take pictures along the way. That means you weren't suffering enough

When the suffering began before I even got to the start line I knew that this was going to be a "stop for photos" type of race.

What a great sign

If there was a Taylor Swift reference I was stopping to take a photo of it!

I actually went back to the expo to ask where the bottle opener was (i thought they forgot to include mine) and they were like "ask sam adams!" and it was a patch this time. also no unicorn patch and definitely drop in jacket/finisher shirt quality. lots of cost cutting

those sneakers are so cool!

The patch is lame. It's sitting on top of my bureau and I have no idea what to do with it. And I was not about to go to Sam Adams and find parking in JP just to buy a $9 one. I got a unicorn sticker and a 26.2 sticker. So many people put them on their cars but one day I won't have my car and my stickers won't be going away with it! Like everything, it gets more expensive and the quality goes down.

The sneakers are gorgeous! I've worn them a few times and they're pretty comfy. I probably could have gone down half a size.

 

[dis_or_dat]

Theres a subway stop really close to the downtown Sam Adams. Had I known all this I would have stopped by to get the bottle opener - I'm not paying shipping!

Anyways I'm loving your recap and pictures!!

 

[xjillianpaige]

Theres a subway stop really close to the downtown Sam Adams. Had I known all this I would have stopped by to get the bottle opener - I'm not paying shipping!

Anyways I'm loving your recap and pictures!!

Maybe one will end up on eBay for cheap! And thank you! Part 2 coming tonight!

 

[xjillianpaige]

Boston Marathon Race Recap
Part 3: Miles 13.1-26.2​

Here is the final 13.1!

Mile 14 - 13:01

We start this race recap the same as we ended it, with another 13:01 mile. We leave the scream tunnel and enter the center of town which was quieter than I expected. At some point I took a popsicle from someone - maybe around here, maybe earlier. Who knows?

Mile 15 - 15:36

This is where I start walking more than I'm running. Definitely a major slow down. I'm still doing my thing with the water and the fuel and the salt to the best of my ability but the programmed workout is more of a suggestion now. I hit the 25k split at 3:22:51 and my pace has slowed to 14:19. But there's something good up ahead.

Mile 16 - 12:18

That's right. Mile 16 is basically one long downhill - a net elevation of -108. I use this to gain a little momentum and at one point my pace is down in the high 10's as I run downhill. Soon enough I'll be on the Newton Hills and my workout switches to run 1 mile easy, walk for 4 minutes for 5 repeats.

Mile 17 - 15:52

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I would say that, technically, this is the first of the Newton Hills. This is a short, small incline (+64) and along the way I ran into Cathy who replaced my frozen sponge with new frozen sponges. After seeing Cathy, I saw my parents, brother, Jenna, Bridget, and Eric right around the Newton-Wellesley Hospital! Another quick hello and back onto the course I go. And this was a good mile because another few minutes later I saw my friend Joyce! She jumped in with me to run for a bit before going to her car and took some photos. I also saw a girl I know from high school and waved to her. The second hill is coming up, now.

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Mile 18 - 13:50

The first turn of the race: a right hand turn onto Commonwealth Avenue at the fire station and the second Newton Hill (elevation gain of 44 over a short distance). Your girl is WALKING at this point. Have I conquered this hill in training? Yes. Am I going to go hard on this hill now? No way. I have 8 more miles to go. At this point I also hit the 30k split in 4:06:58 and am at a 14:13 pace.

Now a bit of reflection: I can typically run 8 miles in an hour and a half, so if I were in the right conditions I'm looking at a PR. But these were not the right conditions. It's still hot. I have 2 more hills ahead of me. And I am taking in every moment of this race and getting every hug from my loved ones. Today 8 miles is going to take me a little longer than normal and that's okay.

Back to the course: I reach the top of hill number 2 and a woman declares that Heartbreak Hill is over. "Oh no, babe, that wasn't Heartbreak," I tell her. She's devastated. Here's the thing about Heartbreak. You know it's starting because you reach Heartbreak Hill Running Company. You know it's over because there's a banner.

Mile 19 - 13:41

A little relief, we run downhill after the Fire Station hill. Along here I saw a girl who I know through work. Lots of folks out spectating and partying. This could be a fun place to watch sometime. We do have the third hill in here, too, but it's in between downhills and a generally easy hill compared to the others, so it's a net elevation of -32. Along the hills I meet a few women who I chat to and learn about their stories of how they got to Boston.

Mile 20 - 15:20

Not much to report in mile 20. We wind along Newton and this part is relatively flat, only a 19 feet elevation gain. and I run over the 32.2k mat at 4:29:26 at a 16:32 pace. One more hill to go, and it starts as mile 20 ends.

Mile 21 - 17:18

Shortly after the fourth and final hill begins, I see my long time childhood school friends Colleen and Katie along with their husbands and Katie's sweet pea 1 year old, Baby Ryan. I stop for hugs and photos and he has a onesie on that says "Auntie Jill is my hero." That carries me up the final hill, 83 feet of elevation. Interestingly, this mile has 2 timing mats, one at 33.8k and one at 35k. I cross them at 4:46:09 and 4:58:05, respectively, along with paces of 16:44 and 15:57. This elevation is 83 feet.

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After this hill, I have not run any part of this course. I know these streets because I've spectated and volunteered along them, but this is my first time running past the peak of Heartbreak Hill. I run underneath the banner and begin the descent into Boston.

Mile 22 - 15:36

It's all downhill from here. While this is a net downhill of -77, the fuel stop that I normally volunteer at and where my running club is working is on an uphill. I run by them and give them all hugs and tears. After passing them, I run downhill to the second turn in the course, the right and quick left at BC and onto Beacon Street. I run by one of my summer employees who is a senior at BC and give her a quick hug and get some high fives from BC. They were super loud and fun to see.

I gave tons of high fives to strangers throughout these 26.2 miles. At this point I am definitely hurting a little bit. My legs are tired, but my feet aren't killing me, and I'm having some tummy troubles that make it hard to run when I want to. I did stop at a portapotty quickly twice, I think once in Wellesley and then once on the Hills. Next time I'm taking imodium.

Mile 23 - 13:45

Only a 5k to go! I can run a 5k. I'm trying to run more and right around here my workout switches again to 1 mile easy and a 3 minute walk. I walk my walks and then I try to run as much of my runs as possible. This is all downhill so I use them to my advantage (-57) I come over the 37k timing mat at 5:16:28 and a 14:42 pace. Now, another moment of reflection, if I didn't have more friends along this course, I can run a 5k in about 36 minutes, which brings me close to my Chicago time back in October. I've said from the start, I am the best trained for a marathon I've ever been. This weather really played me. Also, it's the end of April and Marathon Monday is still the hottest day of the year so far. I'm suing.

Mile 24 - 15:58 (-34)

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I see my friend Arielle, her dog Dobby, and her friend Shoshana and her 2 year old Aviva. I also run past a cheer squad club out of NY called the Nice Jewish Runners who I recently learned host runs in Boston so I'm going to try to check them out sometime since they tossed confetti for me as I went by and shouted them out.

This is another weird mile where there are 2 timing mats. I pass the 38.6k mat at 5:32:05 and a 15:37 pace and the 40k mark at 5:44:19 and a 14:19 pace. We officially enter Brookline in this mile, too. The mile 24 marker is at Coolidge Corner and while the background of my photos here are cool, my face is not. I'm walking and giving someone the side-eye and I'm not sure why.

Mile 25 - 14:25

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I love this mile. We're still downhill (-47) and there's tons of Red Sox fans along the way since it's an early game and when it lets out everyone sticks around. The course support in Boston (and yes, we're now in Boston - we enter Boston at about mile 24.75) is loud the ENTIRE time. I used to spectate at the mile 25 marker in Kenmore Square when I was a student at BU so this part of the course holds a special place in my heart. My friend Shannon is also here in Kenmore with a sign and a hug. There's a fun, quick, steep hill here near Fenway park and what's crazy is I think I ran up it.

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We hit a timing mat at 40.6k which is also the 1 mile to go marker. I hit it at 5:49:38 with a pace of 15:24 and I know I need to get my butt in gear because my goal was to come in before 6 hours and I'm cutting it tight. I look at my watch and start running.

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Mile 26 - 13:13

The final mile. Underneath the Boston Strong Bridge and back onto Commonwealth Ave. One more small hill. Up and down. Right on Hereford. Actually it's Mount Hereford. Right on Boylston Street. I see my friend Joanna at the turn. My family and friends are halfway down Boylston and I see them. I'm running all of Boylston and not stopping for anything.

Mile .2 - 10:10 (actually .5)

I cross the finish line at 6:00:46. My final mile pace is 10:56, according to the BAA app. I did it. I ran the Boston freakin' Marathon.

FINAL TIME: 6:00:46​

 

[Naomeri]

I don’t know how you manage to remember so much detail about so many miles! Great recap!!

 

[jmasgat]

The amount of support--friends, family--that you had along the way is impressive. It certainly must have been a great mental boost for you.

The weather is such a wild card. 2019 was also a warm one, and I felt that (of course, I also felt the stress fracture in my hip, so maybe the weather wasn't the issue!) I wilted in NY last November, too.

But who cares. You did it!

 

[dis_or_dat]

love your recap! congrats! was wondering why mile 25 had so much energy - red sox fans!

 

[xjillianpaige]

I don’t know how you manage to remember so much detail about so many miles! Great recap!!

Thank you! I knew that this could very well be a once-in-a-lifetime kind of thing, so I was very intentional about being present and taking it all in. Also I sat down with my Garmin, my Strava, a course map, my V.O2, and all my photos in front of me and did my best to recreate the day.

The amount of support--friends, family--that you had along the way is impressive. It certainly must have been a great mental boost for you.

The weather is such a wild card. 2019 was also a warm one, and I felt that (of course, I also felt the stress fracture in my hip, so maybe the weather wasn't the issue!) I wilted in NY last November, too.

But who cares. You did it!

It was so helpful to know that there would be a whole baby at mile 20 and a puppy at 23.5, for sure. And amen! Weather being the one thing we can't control is pretty unfair though LOL

love your recap! congrats! was wondering why mile 25 had so much energy - red sox fans!

Thank you! Red Sox fans are something else. As I was running up the hill after Audobon Circle and heading into Kenmore Square, I called out to the spectators, "Hey, did the Red Sox win?" Turns out no, the Red Sox did not win. But that's the story of the season lately for them. I threw my hands up and rolled my eyes when they told me it was a loss. Got some laughs from them for that one.

 

[superchime]

What a great recap! Congrats!