1. I have decided to make a separate tab up top on the heading bar for current giveaways.  Just posted one today for Eazy Bandz Headbands.  Check it out HERE
2. I have two more days of classes, today and next Tuesday to get through, then exams.  Oh how I can’t wait to be done with German FOREVER!
3. I’m glad I have organized, think ahead friends like T who already has our New York hotel booked =) 
4. Okay I’m adding one more because I think my boyfriends take on the Royal Wedding is rather funny.  He was asking me why people are so interested in it…

all very good points.

I must add though, that I have nothing against Kate Middleton.  All opinions expressed are exclusively the opinions of J ; ) And yes…I will watch the wedding tomorrow!

scattered thoughts.  that’s unfortunately what ya get today.

• Peanut totally made my week the other day.  On Monday I went over to have dinner with the kids and family and when I walked in the door she ran up and jumped in my arms and gave me the BEST hug ever.  You know the kind where they are mildly choking you and have their little faces smashed against yours?  It was one of those.  She is a good hugger but this time she wouldn’t let go and said, “Katye I’m so happy to see you!”.  So sweet considering I saw her the night before.  I went to put her down and she wouldn’t let go.  I asked her if something was wrong (she gets very clingy when something happens) and she just said, “Nothing, I just love you so much!  You’re my favorite big sister!”.  I’m the only one but hey that’s alright ; ).  She totally melted my heart.  I love that kid!  
  

  our little movie star on Easter

  

  gotta love easter cupcakes!

• Bugg has discovered how to “roar” and now it his favorite thing to do.  He gets confused with the video camera…he thinks he is supposed to pose and say “cheese” but still super cute.
• In my science class (it is an Elementary Ed class…basically you learn how to teach science) we have been doing this really fun model rocket project.  And yes, we actually got to make them!

I deemed it the "Shamrocket"

 However, our teacher forgot to inform us that Monday was “launch day”.  It was a beautiful day…but 2 hours in the middle of a shadeless field=bad news more us Irish skinned people.  

I'm wearing clothes I swear. And of course I decided to wear a strappy top on Monday

•  NYC Marathon lottery spots were announced today.  I didn’t get in but good thing I was already signed up as a part of the Grassroots Soccer Marathon team (along with T.  Yeah we got personal invites from founder Ethan Zohn himself.  Simply because we are a big deal).  Sweet deal = ) Are you in?!  I’m really excited about this race and hope to get some marathon redemption!  And I will finally get to meet my best Dutch Friend, SGR!  We can speak German together and she can tell me how much my German sucks!  
• If you are at all curious about why Ethan is one of my personal heros…just check out the video diary series he did with People Magazine starting the week after he was first diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma.  He is such a truly inspiration person!  No wonder I wanted to marry him when I was 12…
• I may have found my new favorite site.  http://www.myraceragz.com/ -a no minimum site for custom running shirts!  Pretty cool huh? 

In the spirit of Easter, I got to thinking yesterday about something that was bothering me…so why not share =) 

In my opinion, “love” and “hate” are the two most overused and misused/misunderstood words in our vocabulary.  How many times a day do we say we love something or someone?  It seems like anytime we even kinda like something we love it.  Anytime someone says something nice about us, we love that person (seriously check facebook once in a while…if someone tells someone they look good in a picture, the typical response is “omgsh I love you!”.  I myself am totally guilty of this as well and don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying love isn’t a word that should be used and that we shouldn’t acknowledge the kindness in others or something we enjoy, just that maybe perhaps, we overuse the word love.  I mean do I really love my running shoes or do I really love my family?  Will I still say I love inanimate objects?  Oh of course.  But I’m just saying maybe I should think about it before just throwing such a powerful word out there.

The same goes for hate.  Hate is truly such a powerful word.  And we throw it around a lot.  ”I hate hills”, “I hate German”, “I hate the Kardashians”, “I hate waking up early”.  Do I strongly dislike these things?  Yes.  But do I really hate them?  I was curious so I looked up the definition of hate.  According to Webster, hate is “intense hostility and aversion usually deriving from fear, anger, or sense of injury”.  Do hills, German homework, the Kardashians, or waking up early cause me fear, anger, or injury?  Nope (well unless running downhill causes you to rip a calf muscle but never mind that).  They are just things I’m not particularly fond of.  But in actuality, they are all things that are good for me, except maybe the Kardashians, but hey they teach me exactly what I don’t want to be like so that’s positive right?  

But even if we aren’t being hateful, holding so much resentment and hostility towards something or someone does nothing but add negativity to our own lives.  It really does nothing but take away from ourselves, and in some cases, takes away from the people we care about.  For example, you may know that I truly despise Sketcher’s shape up shoes.  For more reasons than one.  So I see someone wearing a pair and all the sudden a fire is lit within me.  I don’t say it out loud but I’m thinking about how silly those stupid shoes are.  I’m thinking about how ugly they are.  I’m thinking about how it makes me mad that someone is making money off those damn things!  I’m thinking about how much better off that person would be if they just walked up a flight of stairs in stead of wearing those ugly boats on their feet.  Granted this all runs through my mind rather quickly, but that’s a good minute of my life that I just gave to Shape Up Shoes.  That is a minute of my life I will never get back, and simply by being so negative, I have given the advertisers and makers of the very shoes I can’t stand, a piece of me.  

these are a few of my favorite things...

And yes, this is a silly example but just for a second, go ahead and reflect on the things I hold resentment towards, all the people you are holding grudges against, anything you are vengeful and angry towards.  Now think about how much of your time you spend thinking negative thoughts about that very person or thing.  What good comes from it?  Is anything accomplished?  Or did you just give a piece of yourself to the very thing you are against?  In dedicating so much of yourself to being hateful and negative, you are making that thing more powerful.

I am incredibly guilty of this.  I get caught up.  I am a very emotional and sensitive person.  I get my feelings hurt.  I hold grudges (just ask poor J).  And it is just so silly.  We waste minutes, weeks, years! being angry or negative.  We take away from all the amazing things we could be accomplishing and doing for others.  Don’t “hate” silly things.  Hate cancer.  Hate shameless violence.  Hate AIDS and HIV and other terrible diseases that orphan children and widow adults.  Hate evil.  But don’t just waste time thinking about how much you hate it.  Do something.  By taking negativity out of your own life, you can add positivity in someone else’s life.

I am a believer in Jesus Christ.  I believe He is the true definition of love and Satan as the true definition of hate.  But regardless of what you do or don’t believe, let go of hate.  Think twice before using the word.  Don’t waste precious moments of your life by being angry.  Stop empowering those things you dislike by giving them another second of your life.  And most of all…appreciate all the love that there is in your life! 

And Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this?” -John 11:25-26

Wishing a truly blessed and beautiful Easter to all.  Today is the day that my entire faith is based upon.  God has continued to bless me over and over in so many ways but most of all, He has blessed me with eternal life!  Now it’s time to rejoice in it with my wonderful family =) 

While limping along for 5+hours, you have a lot of time to think and reflect on things.  I learned a lot about myself on the Boston course but I also took a lot of mental notes of Do’s and Don’t for race day (especially when you are traveling).  Thought I’d share…

DO…

• Run for a charity at least once…even if you are qualified.  You will meet so many great people and get so many great perks!  For example, we were allowed to stay on our private bus once we got to Athletes Village.  It was windy and cold.  We were able to get off and walk around, but had a warm comfortable place to fit to wait out the start.  Plus our own bathroom.
• Bring food with you to the start, even if you ate breakfast.  Its amazing how hungry you can get sitting around.
• Bring a large trash bag, tarp, or old race blanket with you to the start.  Nothing sucks more than sitting on the cold wet ground before hand.
• Get win VIP passes for family to have a reserved spot at the finish! Another charity perk.
• Make a spectator plan with family friends.  I like to know EXACTLY where to expect them/look for them and it really gives you something to look forward to.
• Book all travel and hotels EARLY!  Especially if it is a big race.  When booking my hotel for Boston (in the summer!) most of everything near the finish was sold out.  We stayed in a great place but it definitely cost us.
• Stay near the finish if possible.  It is much easier to travel to the start.  When you finish the race, the last thing you want to do is try to catch a bus or have to deal with a hike home.
• Give yourself more than enough time race morning.  Nothing is worse than rushing around on race day!
• Have your favorite pre race foods with you and ready to go.  Actually…have EVERYTHING ready to go.  Set out all your race clothes, accessories, electronics, nutrition, throw always, after race clothes, shoes, etc. laid out and ready to go.  You don’t want to make till race morning to realize something is missing.
• Find everything single on course photographer you can find and try to look like you’re mildly enjoying yourself
• Sign family/friends up for text alerts if possible!
• Make friends with the people around you!  Say hi and introduce yourself before, during, and after the race.  You are all in the same boat!
• Take advantage of med tents if you need to!  In my experience, they are very helpful, friendly, and for the most part, want you to finish.  Take their advice, but also listen to your body and your heart.
• Wear your medal with pride!  Wear it the rest of the day, wear it home, wear it on the plane…where it however much you want and live it up!  The medal doesn’t say how fast or slow you are or how great or awful your race was…it says you finished!
• Take advantage of what the city has to offer!  Give yourself some time to explore the city, talk to locals and get their recommendation or where to eat, what to visit, what to do.  This does not require spending a lot of money.  You will be amazed how much you can do for free in a city when you ask around.
• Cheer on others and support your fellow runners on the course.  Sometimes when you are really feeling DONE a little pick me up from another runner can make all the difference.  Be that difference for someone!
• High five little kids on the route.  I swear you will make their day!
• Have a friend who can run with you, even if its just for a little bit, on the course.  I know this isn’t always possible but having that little pick me up is amazing!
• Be proud of yourself, no matter what! 

DON’T…

• Grab a big bite of something withtout checking what it is first.  I grabbed what I thought was an Ice Pop from a cute family on the course and took a bite just to realize it was in fact a frozen GoGurt stick.  I almost threw up.
• Wait till something goes wrong to take in electrolytes.  I really don’t like sports drinks and thus drank nothing but water but once my calf cramped up they were forcing Gatorade at me.  Gross.  But I needed it.
• Let the hype get to you.  You will get so many positive and negative opinions about your race before you get there.  Try not to have any preconceived notions…this is your race and your experience.  Don’t let other’s opinions make or break your experience.
• Get so caught up in a pace that you don’t take in the experience.  Take in the spectators, the volunteers, the scenery, the little kids handing out food…everything!
• Rush through the expo!  Obviously some race’s have better expos than others but research the expo before hand and see if there are any speakers/appearances you would like to go to, if there are any specific vendors you want to see, and WHAT YOU NEED TO GET YOUR NUMBER!  Some races are very strict about this so go prepared.  And give yourself time to experience the expo!
• Try to go to the expo early if possible.  We were there right as it opened on Saturday and didn’t wait in any lines!
• Forget to make a dinner reservation.  There is probably be a lot of runners in the same area as you so it will be helpful to have a reservation for dinner the night before the race so you aren’t left scrambling.
• Be miserable.  You might be hurting, bored, exhausted, disappointed, etc. but do not let the whole experience go south!  Find any possible thing to lift your spirit!  It’s just not worth it to be miserable.
• Take anything to seriously
• Grab a cup at a water stop…and STOP.  Grab your water, and run through the stop and then find a safe place to slow down if you want.  You will save yourself a lot of evil eyes from other runners and will be much less likely to get plowed into.  Also, if you are throwing a cup that isn’t empty, move off to the side and drop it.  Don’t chuck it and get another runner or volunteer soaked.
• Forget to thank volunteers.  They probably woke up earlier than you, and will be there longer than you.  Be nice. Make eye contact.  Be sincere.
• Let the time on the clock diminish your hard work, accomplishments, and dedication.  No matter what that clock says, you put in the hard work, you made sacrifices, and you did what less than 1% of the population will ever do.  

1) We all know the post race blues.  I’m not exactly in the “blues” mood but more the “frustrated that I can’t do what I want to do!” mood.  I think we’ve all heard the rule about resting 1 day for every mile raced…but let’s be honest.  Who has ever done that?  But I do truly believe in adequate rest.  Everyone has their opinions and everyone knows what works for them but as I learned after Goofy…my body cannot run the week after a marathon.  Some people swear it helps shake out their legs to run the week after, but not me.  It messes with my muscles.  And this time around, I physically could not run if I tried.  I really need to not run at all for a little while.  I’ll start playing with cross training soon…but for right now…I’m stir crazy.   I did find this chart from Cool Running (www.marathontraining.com) which I think is pretty interesting.  We’ll see how it goes.

 2) Is it just me or did lots of bloggers have a tough race out there on Monday?  The more reports I read, the less alone I feel.  But regardless, I love the Boston Marathon.  I will get redemption on that course one day!

3) Fastest mile from Monday: 8:47 (mile 9), slowest mile 20:01 (mile 18…where they put me on the bus and tried to take my number).  Yep…it was a whirlwind of a day.  I love how people assume that because this race was so hard that I’m not about to consider doing in again.  Are you kidding me?  New York here I come!  

THANK YOU not only taking the time to read my Boston recap HERE but for all the amazing kind words.  There are so many personal thank yous that I owe so many people but I’ll put that post together soon.  For now I just thought I’d share this super cute photo.  If you thought a torn calf was bad…check out this lovely thing I found when I took my shoes off Monday.

That, my friends, would be one giant blister between my big and second toes.  How I got it I haven’t the slightest idea and it actually never bothered me while running.  I find it funny that I managed to get such an obscure blister but so far no bruised or dead toenails! See, I told you there would be a positive! 

In all honesty, I’m feeling much better today.  Still really really sore especially trying to stand up/sit down or go up/down stairs but not really the same shooting pain it was.  Luckily legs get a lot of blood flow so I’m hoping for a speedy recovery.  Lidocaine pain patches have been really helpful too.  Regardless…I look just like this video and I’m sure many of you are quite familiar with this feeling =) 

Yeah.  Proof Reading.  I don’t do it unless it’s school or work related.  Sorry.

Okay so I started my Boston Marathon post HERE but was so rudely interrupted by having to go to class…so here is Part II because as of now (after my 4 classes today) I am on Easter break (I love going to a Jesuit school) and currently laying in bed.  I plan only to leave this bed in order to eat.  So I left off as we were heading off from the athletes village to the corrals.  WOW that was a mad house.  I was supposed to start in corral 5 but think I ended up starting in 7.  But none the less I was off and ready to run Boston 26.2!

The Beginning AKA The Good!

I’m sure you all know that Boston starts off downhill.  Coach S who has run this race a billion times drilled it into my head to take the first half conservatively because flying down the hills would catch up with me later.  If only she knew.  I really had to force myself to hold back in that first third of the race.  But I was holding a comfortable 9:45 for the first few miles and was honestly feeling amazing!  The mile markers seemed to fly by and I was really taking it all in.  There was a group of girls standing by the 1 mile marker yelling “you’re almost there!” it was pretty funny!

My dad’s friend actually lives directly on the race course in Natick so I knew exactly where to expect to see Dad and J.  I was really looking forward to seeing them and was so excited when I came up on the house!

They surprised me with signs! Js says "GO Katye" but he wrote Katye in yellow highlighter, on white poster board. Oh well he tried!

They caught some shots of me coming up!

bet you cant spot me!

two healthy calves and crazy pony tail!

I stopped for a quick minute with them for some water and to rub some bio freeze on my left ankle which was just a tiny bit sore but other than that, 10 miles down and I was feeling great!  A few quick hugs and I was on my way.

The Middle AKA The Bad!

Hit mile 11…feeling good!  11.5 and BOOM!  My entire right calf clenched up.  Bad charlie horse.  Not a problem I can run through this!  Wrong.  I couldn’t extend my right leg without it completely balling up again.  Okay stop and stretch it out.  Fail.  The more I stretched it, the tighter it got.  Luckily there was an aid station not to far off so I made it there.  The aid pulled my sock down and quickly forced gatorade in my face and started kneading it out.  Ouch.  But it started to release a bit.  He sprayed some kind of numbing stuff on it, made me finish the gatorade and I figured it would be smooth sailing there on out.

I couldn’t have been more wrong.  I’ve had calf soreness before but nothing like this.  I would be fine for a few minutes then with one step I would almost fall over because that damn calf would completely lock up again and stop me in my tracks.  Literally.  I couldn’t extend my leg.  And thus the 2nd of my 17 med stops began.  I texted my dad and J.  I’ve never in my life texted during a race before but I was panicked.  They told me I could do it and to get some electrolytes.  I really don’t like Gatorade.  I HATE lemon lime gatorade but I forced it down.

I wish I could say that was the answer.  It wasn’t.  I would get a few 10ths of a mile and then it would all seize up again.  I felt helpless and defeated.  More than half the race left and I could barely get through a half a mile.  I had so much extra confidence going into this race after my last kick butt 20 miler.  I needed something to get me through so at the next med station while they were working the knot back out, I updated my facebook status to reflect my current condition.  The words of encouragement started flooding in!  So many, “You can do this! Just be smart and you’ll get through this” messages.  I called J crying.  I just felt so pitiful and frustrated but he and Dad assured me I could do this and no matter what ended up happening they would be so proud.  At that point I knew there was no way I was going to quit.

me.

One of my best friends from highschool goes to Boston College and I knew she’d be right after Heartbreak.  I texted her and told her I was struggling, would be longer than expected, but I’d make it.  She also told me she knew I could do it and would be there waiting for me.  I COULDN’T WAIT to see her.  The next miles where a blur.  I pretty much stopped at every med station, they would do their best to pound out the giant ball that was my calf, and I’d hobble off.  And again, I’d feel okay for a few strides than it would seize up again.  Crap this was going to be a long race.

It was just such a demoralizing feeling.  My energy, lungs, and heart felt great!  I wanted to GO but that damn leg just wouldn’t extend.  I did my best to just really try to take in everything around me.  I couldn’t let this turn into a negative experience no matter what.  I was in a lot of pain and I was so frustrated, but this was something I worked so incredibly hard for.  I ran when I could, limped when I couldn’t, and kept stopping at those damn med stations (most of them were actually quite wonderful).

PLEASE JUST LET ME GO AKA The Ugly!

Finally around mile 18 I was really really struggling.  I had made it over the first big hill in Newton but the down hill really threw me off and seemed to rip my leg apart.  I stopped at the tent (well actually one of the med guys helped me over) and had me sit down.  Wrong.  As soon as I sat everything below the waist started to lock up.  I got back up and he started working on my calf.  They called over an older lady who was a massage therapist and RN and she started poking and prodding around my leg.  OW OW OW OW!  ”Sweetheart…its torn.”  Not the words I wanted to hear.  And she said my skin felt too cold and I didn’t realize it but I was shaking.  I didn’t feel cold but she took my temp with the strangest thermometer I’ve ever seen (they rub it around your forehead and behind your ear).

looked like this

She got some godforsaken chicken soup (I was 99.9% sure it was going to come right back up but I kept it down) and told me my temp was down to 93.9.  And that’s when it happened.  She gave me one of the post race blankets and said, “okay the van will be here in about 5 mins and they will take you back to the finish”.  WHAT!  NOOOOO.  She wanted me to quit!  She wanted me to stop and not finish the Boston Marathon!  She must have seen the horror on my face and said in the nicest way possible, “your temp is very low and your calf in torn.  You need to stop.”  I was in shock.  Seriously I didn’t know how to react so I didn’t.  Before I knew it I was sitting on a van with a few other people, and a med guy was taking numbers.  Like physically taking bibs.  He got to me and that’s when the flood gates broke.  I started sobbing and saying “you don’t understand I can’t do this”.  They misunderstood and said, “Oh no don’t worry you don’t have to!  We are going to drive you to the finish.”  I then responded, “No, not the race.  I can finish the race.  I can’t do this.  Sit on this van.”  I pleaded with them not to take my number.  I was creating quite the scene but I didn’t care I had to get off that damn van!  After 3 medics trying to convince me otherwise, I signed a waiver saying I was running “against medical advice of the BAA” and I kept going.  I was a mess and needed to regroup.  So I did what any mature 22 year old would do.  I called my mom.  I got it back together and was so determined to finish.

Thank goodness for ALL YOUR AMAZING WORDS!  Everyone few minutes my phone would go off with another “go can do it!” message and it really truly kept me going.  I was so touched that you all cared so much.  So amazing that so many people that I have never met really had my back (although I do know some of you!).  I felt like you were all right there with me and I knew I could get through it.

How was Heartbreak?  Honestly couldn’t tell ya.  None of it really felt worse or better than anything else in the second half.  But then I saw this and was like, “what I finished Heartbreak??”.

I started looking for Kelly and before I knew it she was running out into the street!  I can’t tell you how amazing that was!  She was the perfect ball of energy I needed.  I was able to pick up the pace a bit.  She was such a godsend.  She really lifted my spirits and kept telling me how proud she was of me and how close we were getting.  She stuck with me through about 2 miles (and 2 med stops) before she had to turn around.  A huge sweaty hug and I was pushing forward.  Less than a 10K left.

At this point I could almost walk faster than I could run.  I even walked backwards for a bit because someone told me that helped the calfs.  I was keeping an average moving pace of 11:45-12 min miles (not bad for a walk!  I can do some serious speed walking) and was averaging about 3 mins stopped at med tents per mile.  Yep.  It sucked.  But every step was one step closer.  It was so frustrating.  I felt like everything around me was in fast forward and I was stuck in slow motion!  But at least I got tons of great compliments on my outfit!

The Final Countdown!

I actually got to walk with Team Hoyt for a bit!  If you don’t know Team Hoyt…you NEED to.  They have always been such an inspiration to me.  HERE is an article about Team Hoyt and their Boston efforts!  Dick Hoyt has been running, swimming, and biking is son Rick in everything from 5K’s to Ironmans for the past 33 years.  So truly amazing.  Such a blessing to stumble upon them when I did.  I wished them well, they wished me well, and I pulled ahead a bit and ran until I couldn’t.  At mile 24.5 I was ready to be done.  Just keep moving, just keep moving.  And then yet another little inspirational angel descended upon me!  A young man, probably about 20 or so, came up to be in the middle of a decent calf seizure and put his hand on my shoulder.  He looked at me and said, “its okay you can do this.  It’s not far.”  He had a white bib and a medal.  Meaning a) he was a qualified runner and b) he had already finished and had come a mile and a half back to cheer people on.  He and the older girl with him ran along side me for a few moments before saying, “just two more turns and you’re there!”  By the way, that qualified runner (with his medal) had Down Syndrome.  I was so touched.  Time to do this.

Right on Hereford…

Left on Boylston…

Holy crap there’s the finish.  As I said before, for being one of the top fundraisers on my team I had won 2 VIP passes for J and Dad to have reserved seats right at the finish line.  I saw the bleachers and saw them and the signs!  I waved and started crying.  I was going to finish the Boston Marathon, torn calf and all.  It took everything in me to run that last .2 but pure adrenaline took over and I ran across that finish line.  I’m getting butterflies and teary eyed just thinking of it now!

so close!

the finish! Do ya see me?

it hurt. but these long legs held out for me and pulled me through!

 I did it.  I ran finished the Boston Marathon.  It hurt like hell and it took over 5 hours but I did it.  By the way, 5+ hour marathon is FARRRRR harder than 4ish marathon.  By far.  But I learned a new respect for myself.  Because I finished.  They tried to make me quit but I just had to cross that finish line.  Over those long 15 miles of ouch I thought about so much.  I thought about all the awesome kids with DS who I have met and have changed my life.  I thought about my brother and all he’s conquered in his life.  When he was born there were so many “what ifs” about what we would and wouldn’t be able to do…but I don’t think he’s ever questioned his ability to do anything.  Neither have I or my parents for that matter.  He knows what pushing through pain is really about.  I thought about Kati, “ain’t nothing but a bran muffin!”.  I thought about how far I’ve come.  I thought about my family and I thought about YOU!

can you tell Im smiling/crying out of pure exhaustion, pain, and kick assness!

and of course the Amanda picture ; )

So there ya have it.  According my Garmin, time was 5:24 (matches the baa.org results) for 26.35 miles (I made a few detours off course for the med tents so it makes since it is a bit over 26.2).  Average pace, 12:19.  Average moving pace, 11:27.  I’ll take it.  

I really don’t know exactly how to start this line of posts (as I sit in between classes with my computer on my lap and my crutches beside me).  Yesterday I ran the best race in the world.  And it happened to me my worst race ever.  Not worst marathon ever…worst race.  Ever.  But honestly, I’m okay with it.  I added an hour and 20 mins to my marathon time from January (finished in 5:24), but I worked a hell of a lot harder for it.  And I’m proud of myself.  5+ hour marathon=far harder than 4ish hour marathon.  There’s no words to explain the mental digging I had to do to just get through the pain and get to that finish line.  But I never once thought I quitting (although they tried to make me quit but that’s for later on).  So in the end, I had an awesome first 11 miles.  And after that I ran/hobbled/shuffled/limped/hopped/walked backwards the longest 15 miles of my life on a torn right calf and learned a hell a lot about myself and pretty much life in general doing it.  

current view. yep...that's my Boston jacket

Race Morning/Pre Race

Because I ran with an awesome charity team, we had out own buses to take us to the start.  This meant not 45 min line to get on a school bus.  Some people say you miss out not taking the official buses…I say it was amazing.  I woke up around 5:15, started getting ready at 5:30, and dad and I were out the door by 6.  We were meeting the buses at 6:30 (to leave at 6:45) and we wanted to give ourselves plenty of time to get there (even though the buses were only 2 miles away from the hotel).  We made it to the buses in plenty of time, dad wished me a final good luck, and I was on my way (dad got in a run by running back to the hotel and around the parks).  Eventually Coach Susan got on the bus, wished us all well, then pulled me off the bus and told me to get on bus #3.  Um okay?  Not gunna argue with the coach (later found out she wanted all her “favorites” on the same bus as her…aka the Party Bus.  I was touched).  It took us about an hour to get to Hopkinton and our bus drive was quite entertaining.  At one point he asked “so what time do I pick you up?”  We were confused.  ”What time do I pick you up to take you back to Boston?”  he clarifyed.  ”Oh…umm we’re running back.” we explained.  We literally laughed out loud and was astonished we would be crazy enough to do that (not sure how a MA native doesn’t understand the concept of the Boston marathon but oh well).  We had a lot of fun on the bus.  AND we got to stay on the bus while at athletes village.  AKA no standing/sitting in the cold, actual chairs to sit in, and our own bthroom.  Score.  

me and Coach HurleyGirl waiting out the cold on our bus.

 Eventually the time came to gather ourselves, check our bags, and head to the corrals.  But more later…cuz now I have to hobble to class #3.  

If you haven’t checked out my last two Boston post HERE and HERE, well then what have you been waiting for?  Because now it’s go time.  The training is done.  The fundraising is done.  Nothing left to do but to do it.  Praying the ITB and ankle hold up…cuz if they do it will be smooth sailing.   My dad’s friend actually lives on the course right before mile 10 do hopefully I’ll see my dad and J there and then again at the finish.  I’m exciting.  I’m anxious.  I’m nervous.  I’m not tired.  Crap.

Oh well…it’s go time!

i won't be noticeable at all.

 Oh and by the way, I totally love this running town!  Tonight dad and I were sitting at the bar at Cheers waiting for a table and started up a conversation with the older couple sitting next to me.  They mentioned that their son was running and than casually added, “and his girlfriend is running to.  She’s hoping to be the first female.” WHAT?  Their son’s girlfriend just happens to be Desiree Davila (currently holds the 4th fastest American female marathon time, right behind Kara Goucher) who may just pull out the female win tomorrow.  I’m still pulling for Kara but Go Desiree!  How could would an American female winner be??