Before I recap, I want to thank you guys for all the love and support. When I logged in after the race, I had 89 notifications. Way to make a girl feel special! Anywho, buckle in, this will probably be a long one. On to the good stuff...
I don't know what I was thinking when I packed my bags for Boston. I didn't bring a running jacket ("I run in shorts and Tshirts for marathons. I'll bring a pair of emergency tights, but it's overkill") and I didn't bring a hat (I don't train in hats). At that time, the forecast still looked decent with only about a 20% chance of rain during the race. Sunday, I headed to the expo with the family in tow. I feel horrible saying this, but I absolutely hated the expo. Maybe it was just the time we went... but it was absolutely jam packed, hectic, and felt unorganized. There was no "flow" to it.. just people pushing and shoving their way around. It made Chicago feel like a spacious dream come true in comparison. I didn't end up buying anything - I just wanted to get the heck out of there. The night before the race, it was clear that the weather gods would not be on our side. I went back and forth a bajillion times on what to wear.
About an hour before we left to head to Boston Common, I decided on tights and my brand spankin new Boston jacket. I broke cardinal rule #1, nothing new on race day. Needless to say, I didn't go into race morning feeling like it would be my best day. I was a little down about it, but kept telling myself "This race is your victory lap. Enjoy it." The energy on the bus heading into Hopkinton was phenominal. I sat next to a guy from Scotland running his 46th marathon (but first Boston) and we traded stories the entire way. Athlete's village wasn't as exciting for me as I had hoped. Mostly, I stood in the slowest moving portapotty line ever. I got to the start area about 5 minutes before the gun went off. Three minutes before my wave started, the rain started (spoiler: it didn't stop. ever.) My strategy was to run a nice even effort, and be conservative on the downhills.
The first 6 miles or so were mostly downhill (with some sneaky uphills thrown in for fun). I tried to run as light on my feet as possible. My splits for the 5k and 10k were dead on. From 10k to the halfway point I tried to keep a consistent but not too difficult effort. At mile 7, I saw my family and was super pumped. Holy shit, I was running the Boston Marathon! Mile 12 was through Wellesley, which was the most amazing cheering section of any race I've ever done. I kissed a Wellesley girl and gave about a million high fives. By this point, I had been soaking wet for quite awhile. At the halfway point, I was still running a really consistent pace (like, down to the second - it was beautiful!) and felt pretty good. But I was starting to get really cold (my hands barely worked to open my pocket and pull out a gu.) The rain picked up and was pouring. I kept plugging away into Newton.
Miles 16-22 were all about the hills. The wind picked up (steady 30mph headwind) and there was sleet mixed with the pouring rain. I slowed it down and just tried to keep a consistent effort. I saw my family again around mile 20, and it was exactly what I needed. I was feeling rough, but the wheels hadn't fallen off or anything. One last push up heartbreak hill (which was not as bad as I expected) and I was in the home stretch. When there was one mile to go, I picked the pace back up. I was so cold, it was so windy, but the crowds were so so supportive and awesome. Right on Hereford, left on Boylston. I pushed through the finish with a 3:45:13. Not my fastest, but a time I still feel proud of. I don't run well in poor conditions in general, so I did the best I could on that day, and had an awesome time doing it.
After I crossed the finish line, it felt like the longest walk EVER through the shoot. The wind and rain and cold were horrible and I was sopping wet from head to toe. I got my medal and started to get a little scared because I felt so cold I could barely keep walking. I got my space blanket, and kept moving at a snail's pace. At that point, I had tears streaming down my face. A volunteer grabbed my arm and asked if I was okay. I shook my head and said yes, but she was having none of it and got me in a wheelchair. She wheeled me into the medical tent (which BTW was SO freaking organized). I couldn't really talk at that point and had stopped shivering I was so cold. They stripped my wet clothes off and wrapped me in a bunch of warmed blankets. They took my vitals; temp was 95.8 and blood pressure 90/46. I just laid there in a sobbing mess, barely able to answer their questions. Once I started to warm up enough to shiver, they held my head up and fed me sips of hot gatorade. After about 20 minutes or so, I was able to sit up and started feeling better. They called DH, who came and brought me dry clothes. We headed back to the apartment and I took the best hot shower ever.
Recovery has been really good. I was walking pretty well on Tuesday and on Wednesday, I did a yoga class to stretch everything out. Yesterday, I was walking down stairs like a champ and wasn't sore anymore. I think my quick/easy recovery proves that my legs had a lot left in them, but the conditions really slowed me down. I hope to go back again someday and really lay it all out on the course. It really is such an amazing race.
I'm so proud of you! I would have been miserable in those conditions. You really pulled the best out of terrible weather and didn't let it ruin your Boston Marathon experience. Just like nothing compares to your first BQ, I'd imagine nothing (not even another Boston) is going to be quite like your first time on that course. Congrats on a strong finish!!
You are a fighter! Congratulations on your nice finish in really tough conditions - sounds pretty scary at the end, but Im so glad they had the medical people trained enough to see you needed to get warmed up
Post by libbygrl109 on Apr 24, 2015 11:39:04 GMT -5
What an amazing race despite those nasty conditions. I am so glad the volunteer and med tent took such great care of you. Cold rain can be so brutal on the body.
Post by bostonmichelle on Apr 24, 2015 12:06:57 GMT -5
Congrats on an amazing race!! I'm sorry you had to go to the medical tent. I'm glad they were pulling people aside the conditions were awful out there.
Post by runblondie26 on Apr 24, 2015 12:12:39 GMT -5
Congrats on your race! It was a long road to get there, I'm so glad you finally have your moment!
Funny thing about the expo, it does feel very chaotic and like there's an aggressive rush to get around. Guess that's what happens when you're packed in like sardines with a bunch of other highly competitive, type-A people. Thank goodness you were able to find something warmer. You looked like a natural dressed in your Boston gear.
Congrats on your race! It was a long road to get there, I'm so glad you finally have your moment!
Funny thing about the expo, it does feel very chaotic and like there's an aggressive rush to get around. Guess that's what happens when you're packed in like sardines with a bunch of other highly competitive, type-A people. Thank goodness you were able to find something warmer. You looked like a natural dressed in your Boston gear.
LOL! So true. Also, knowing the races she has run, it would be pretty damn impossible for anything to compare to Chicago. If that's your main comparison for big marathons, others are going to seem hectic. I don't know how they do it with so many people, but damn, that is seriously such an impressively well organized/executed race.
Congratulations jordylee!! I can imagine that wet, windy weather was just frigid after you stopped running. (Well, before as well. But once you stopped it became extra miserable.)
You are strong, awesome, and I'm so happy you shared your story and journey with us. Awesome!!
Post by CallingAllAngels on Apr 24, 2015 13:42:10 GMT -5
It's incredible to me that anyone can run that fast in those conditions. I would have sat down on the side of the road and cried. I'm sorry you needed the medical tent, but it sounds like they took really good care of you.