Race recap: Boston Marathon
129th Boston Marathon, 250th anniversary of Patriots Day and celebrating my second star!
All I wanted was a finish by 5:30pm. Not too much to ask in theory?
If you want more on the eats + accommodations, check out my round-ups over on Grits in the City where you can see more on the fab food at Contessa, Mike’s Pastry and Modern Pastry — and the amazing team at the Hotel AKA Boston Common. I mean, c’mon. I’ve never stayed at a hotel with it’s own step and repeat and their own release of race-related merch. Such a great spot and feel so lucky that I managed to stumble across the reservation.
The race weekend overall was fantastic (with the exception of missing my original Amtrak train and having to book a last minute flight). I came into town on Friday so I could be there for Saturday’s Night of Inspiration with Tedy’s Team, so I was able to put said step and repeat to some good use! I really enjoyed the shakeout run I did with Rabbit and Kofuzi and getting to see all their merch at their pop-up!
Race day itself, I was just grateful we hit the jackpot with nice weather — no rain in the forecast, not too cold, not too hot. I’ll take it. We met up at the Lenox Hotel as a team before making our way over to our charity bus which took us to Charity Village in Hopkinton. The ride went for a while but it flew by, including a lovely group sing of “Friends in Low Places.” Never too early.
Key race day moments
Charity village: OH CRAP, I know what I forgot. To pack breakfast. Seriously, the mother of all misses. I’ll never do this one again! I am very grateful for one of my teammates who donated a mini CLIF Bar to the cause and to my decision to throw in one of the Honey Stinger Waffles — just in case. Since I did all of my training solo, the Charity Village was a wonderful opportunity to get to meet more of my Tedy’s Team teammates and learn more about their experiences. So many people in the team who have overcome so much — so so inspiring. And to have
Mile 1: As I started the race, I realized yet again I was starting a race with a toll of toilet paper in hand. No way I’m running 7 miles in Boston like I did in NYC with this in my hand. Bye, TP roll!
Mile 13: The “Scream Tunnel” at Wellesley College definitely did not disappoint. These students brought their A-game and I loved every minute of it.
Mile 19: I got a surprise text morning of from my sister’s in-laws that they would be on the course, so I got some unexpected hugs and encouragement along the way. Lovely surprise and even better I managed to get the texts from them on my watch … see below for more on that!
Mile 20: I don’t think I can ever run a race without pickle juice again (this one from Pickle Juice is my fave). It was such a game changer. Helpful with refueling so late in the race — the right zing of salty brine. I’d heard much about the cramping people often experience on the course, but I credit Pickle Juice and downhill runs on my SOLE TT8 Treadmill for keeping that all at bay.
Mile 21: I heard so much more about Wellesley College that Boston College’s students and their amazing support was an unexpected boost! I found someone in the crowd to exchange screams of “Roll Tide!” with and received more enthusiastic chants of my name during this stretch. I did not realize how much I would need it, too!
Mile 22: When my Apple Watch battery died on me, I was so tired I about had a meltdown. Yes, it feels ridiculous to say even as I type it out now. I don’t think I realized just how much my smart watch is a bit of a safety blanket for me as I run. I especially wanted it now so I could anxiously look down every few minutes to see how close we were to 5:30 because ugh, no pressure, right? You can tell in my photos from the day when the watch is no longer working because there are several photos of me holding my phone. Sad but true.
Mile 24-25: I think this Citgo sign will seriously haunt my dreams. So close. So far. A mirage? I kept trying and failing to pretend it wasn’t even there but I think unless my eyes were shut, there would have been no way to avoid seeing it.
In the end? I did it! Not only did I beat the cut off, I bested my time at the NYC marathon. I’m thrilled. Couldn’t have asked for more!
Post event: So grateful for my colleague Alia who joined me at the Lenox Hotel to celebrate and hang with me as I inhaled slice after slice of pizza and relished my time in these Normatec Recovery Boots. And to find Tedy Bruschi himself still super ready to jump in for a photo so late in the day. Much appreciated!
Other takeaways:
In the spirit of “nothing new on race day”, I wanted disclose the things I ignored that on and was totally fine just the same...
I used my brand new Sprints Sling It Bag and it was LOVE. I didn’t want to use the added chest strap (because hello vanity - I didn’t want it on the front for my photos and it might block my name) and still found it did not budge and held a ton. Love my Sprints. Use this link to their site, and you can save $5 off on your order.
I lived on the edge and got the pasta I was excited to try at Contessa the night before and did just fine. Wild boar pasta on race day eve? All good!
Magical experience chasing the unicorn. Likely may be my only Boston Marathon experience since getting to that start line required so much but boy was it a wonderful one overall.
Note, I receive a small amount of commission from purchases on some of the above links. These are all products I genuinely love and the money raised helps to offset the cost of running my digital platforms and helping with my fundraising for the amazing organizations like Autistic Self Advocacy Network and Tedy’s Team when I run the marathons. Thank you!
Pickle juice?!!!