2014 Boston Marathon
This race report was originally posted on the RunningAhead community boards on April 22, 2014. Some content has been edited since that initial publication.
Prologue
“I think there was a bombing at the Boston Marathon?” I think those were the words that I said to my coworkers last year after hearing news reports confirming there was an explosion at the finish line. I’d been tracking friends online and monitoring news about the race throughout the day. My statement was in the form of a question because I couldn’t understand why someone would bomb a marathon. The news and images were horrible.
After the 2012 Boston Marathon, I thought I was “one and done” with Boston. I was in such a dark place during that race and saw so many people struggling that I felt like I never wanted to see that course again. After the bombing I wanted to go back to Boston. (I had just run a BQ-20 at RnR USA in March so I already had a qualifier.)
While I wanted this to be the greatest training cycle ever, it wasn’t. Weather, work, and lack of preparedness all prevented me from doing everything I wanted. In December, I took on additional responsibilities at work which meant a lot of stress and overtime. The weather was historically cold and featured multiple snow storms that blanketed sidewalks and trails. I also broke up with Pfitzinger’s Advanced Marathoning and decided to create my own training plan this time. But, I never really finished sketching out the details so it wasn’t my usual clock-like consistent training. Still, I was able to average 60-75 miles a week and my average pace per mile dropped significantly from my last training cycle.
Goals
My tune up races were a mixed bag. I ran the 2014 RnR USA Half Marathon in 1:33:56 (7:11 pace). Not a PR but a solid performance. Then, two weeks before Boston, I ran the 2014 Cherry Blossom 10 Miler in 1:08:26 (6:51 pace). A PR by about 25 seconds!
In the days before the marathon, a couple things happened that I hoped would give me that little “umph” to run the 6 seconds/each mile I needed to go under 3:20 (7:38 pace). I was getting a lot of positive feedback from people who knew a lot about my training. They seemed to think I was going to put out a shocking time. I also followed a carbo-load plan that I was hoping would help me with the later miles of the marathon since I can’t really tolerate much in my stomach during my past races. But, there was also some added pressure – my running club entered the team competitions and I was the weakest runner on our 3-woman master’s team. We were the club’s best chance to make the Top 10. My time would count no matter what and the other two women had run sub-3:18 before. I haven’t. Being the “weakest link” was new territory for me and I didn’t want to let them down.
Personal records
Marathon PR: 3:22:56 (7:45 pace), 2013 New York City Marathon.
Course PR: 3:36:49 (8:17 pace), 2012 Boston Marathon.
Course
The course is a point-to-point starting in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, and ending in Boston. The first few miles are mostly downhill through the towns of Ashland and Framingham. Then, the course flattens out in Natick and Wellesley before reaching the town of Newton. The five miles have four moderate hills culminating with “Heartbreak Hill.” From there, the course is mostly downhill through Brookline into Boston.
There are hydration stations with water and Gatorade at every mile on both sides of the road, starting at Mile 2. The on-course energy gel was Clif. Crowds are heaviest in pockets of Ashland, Framingham, Wellesley, Newton, Boston College, and downtown Boston.
Pre-race
Saturday. I went to the expo with my new BFF from my Ragnar Relay team.
The one thing I wanted to buy was a PaceBand. At New York, I didn’t’ really know how I was pacing myself. I’m hoping a pacing band will help me not go out too fast. I also buy a couple of shirts. And after, I visit the finish line.
Sunday. The day before the race, I had planned a shake-out run for my club. In the end, only one other person showed up. And he sprung on me that a reporter from a local station back home wanted to film and interview us. We jogged around for the photo op and then did our run.
During the interview, among other things, she asked me questions about why I was running the race and what I was looking forward to most. I told her how, after the bombing, I really wanted to be in Boston to help them celebrate the marathon again. At some point during my blabbering, I got choked up thinking about how much this race meant to everyone. It was hard for me to reflect on how many lives were changed that day without feeling overwhelmingly emotional. Without hesitation I said I was most looking forward to taking that left on Boyston Street and seeing the crowds. Definitely.
Race day. I got a good night’s sleep. I went to bed at 10pm and woke up at about 5:45am. I eat breakfast in the hotel: coffee, a bagel and a banana. I get dressed for the race and am momentarily panicked when I can’t find my gloves. A few minutes of frantic searching later and I find them. For some reason, I had repacked them. I leave my hotel a few minutes after 7am.
I walk out the hotel and head for Boston Common. Where is everyone? I start to wonder – Is this race day? Did I oversleep? But, I hit the park and I see the buses. Phew! Unlike 2012 when it took me a half hour or more to get on a bus, I got on a bus in about 5 minutes this time. And, bag check didn’t look swarmed so I probably should have checked a bag. Oh well. I guess wrong sometimes.
I sit next to a guy on the bus and we chat on the drive to Hopkinton. We get to the school and the bus driver keeps going down the road leading to the Start Line. Odd, but, things are different this year so… As we’re driving, we see military police along the side of the road. This was the first really overt sign of the increased security that I think I’d seen all day. A few minutes later, some runners on the bus start to realize the driver has made a mistake and has gone too far. He pulls over and talks to security. Meanwhile, some of the runners on the bus start freaking out. (Seriously? The marathon isn’t starting for another hour and you’re freaking you out about having to walk a half mile up the road?) The police have him pull over on a side street. We get off and walk back up to the Athlete’s Village.
I get to the Village and immediately see someone from my club. I lay down my stuff and hit the port-a-potties. I find a fast line and then rejoin her for some chitchat. She asks how I feel and I tell her I feel good. And, I really do. I feel really confident about racing today. She goes off to the bathroom and I decide to lay down. I notice I feel very warm in my sweat suit but don’t take it off yet. At about 9:30, I hit the port-a-potties again and run into one of my closest friends from my club. She’s less optimistic about her race. We wish each other luck and part ways. I rest a bit more when I get back to my spot in the Village. I check my phone and see I missed a call from someone on this forum wanting to meet up. Rats! They’re calling my corral so I don’t have time to try to meet him.
I donate my clothes at the Information tent, head to the main tent for some water, and then make my way to the start. As I’m walking, I see sharp shooters atop one of the school buildings.
I’m walking down the street to the start and I realize I have to pee. In the Village, the announcer kept saying there weren’t any port-a-potties outside the Village except on the course. I’m dreading having to run the whole race feeling like I have to pee. I remind myself I’ve done it before and it’ll be fine. Sure enough, though, a hundred yards from the corrals is a sea of port-a-potties. I run over, do my business, and head for my corral. I’m probably only in the corral for a couple minutes before I start walking towards the start.
We missed the singing of the anthem, but I had made Whitney Houston’s version the first song on my playlist. I hit play. The corral starts to jog forward and then, as usual, instantly stops. Then, a few seconds later, I start jogging for real. My Boston Marathon has begun!
Weather
Temperature/Windchill: 52 at 9:50am, 55 at 10:50am, 59 at 11:50am, 55 at 12:50pm, 58 at 1:50pm, 63 at 2:50pm. Winds were 7-10 mph out of the S and SW.
The Race
Early Miles (Hopkinton to Natick, Miles 0-12)
The people of Hopkinton were out in full force cheering for us. It was hard not to feel moved by the outpouring of support. The pack is pretty thick with runners. I do quite a bit of weaving trying to get around runners. I make my way to the right of the course where I can run in the gutter to pass people. While I’m there I high-five people in the crowd.
About two miles down the road, I toss my gloves and arm warmers. The forecast didn’t sound that bad to me – it was around 50 degrees at the start – but now I’m realizing it’s pretty warm out.
My splits are fast these first few miles. My goal was to do 7:26 for the first few miles. It doesn’t feel easy really, but it doesn’t feel hard either. My friend warned me that the carbo-load diet I followed might make me feel a bit sluggish at the start so I attribute it to that.
By Mile 2 or 3, my pace actually feels comfortable. I check my pace band and I’m a little ahead of pace, so I’m pleased. The crowds are so packed, though, that I actually miss the Mile 2 sign. Grrr! The jostling was pretty intense as everyone tries to find a spot where they could run at the pace they wanted. I’m carrying a water bottle, so I’m drinking whenever I want. I also decide to crack open my first pouch of Honey Stingers (Lemonade flavor) pretty early.
At Mile 4, I reach the town of Ashland. It was the first big town I hit and the cheering from the crowd was unreal. Did I really just drop a 7:10 split? Yes, yes, I did. I’m still feeling good though. I do some more hand-slapping in the crowds and take in the moment. I try to slow down but I’m finding that 7:20ish pace feels good to me during these miles.
I reach Framingham and it’s unreal. It was everything I think about when I think about the course leading to Boston – small towns with large, supportive crowds. I passed the train station and just about had chills from how it felt like the whole town came out to support the runners. I did some more high-fiving and tried to soak up the excitement from the crowds. It seemed like the pack started to settle here and I picked a few runners who seemed to be going my pace that I could more or less try to keep up with. A woman on the side of the road is giving out water bottles and I ran over to grab one since I’d already finished the one I started with.
A little while down the road I pass a lake and I feel very serene. I’m feeling sad to leave the supporters behind but happy that my body feels so good running at this pace. I know I need to settle, though, and scope out people that might be going my pace that I can just try to follow. I seemed to be going the same pace as a woman in a sports bra and a guy in Texas flag shorts. I follow a few feet behind them and relax a little. I also start my second pack of Honey Stringers that I never manage to finish. A little while later we’re in Natick. Again, the crowds were amazing. More little kid high-fiving but mostly just trying to settle in to a comfortable race pace.
Splits: 7:33, 7:26 – Miles 2 and 3, 7:10, 7:36, 7:11, 7:18, 7:22, 7:30, 7:41, 7:44, 7:27
Middle Miles (Wellesley to Newton, Miles 12-21)
Next, I reach Wellesley. In 2012, I was a bit underwhelmed by this section. I heard the girls were a boisterous bunch but wasn’t all that impressed. Well, this year, I understood what the hype was all about. These gals were LOUD! They were so loud that I couldn’t hear myself think. I couldn’t help but smile and look over at the pure enthusiasm for the race they were displaying. The guy in the couple I was following went over to kiss a girl so I lost them for a bit. What was really cool was I had planned my playlist so perfectly that “Kiss Them for Me” was playing as I enjoyed the raucousness.
A friend from my running club said she’d be cheering in Wellesley and I really wanted to find her. Unfortunately, I didn’t pay enough attention to where she said she’d be. I looked and looked for her and feared I missed her. I enter the town and I’m scanning the crowd. The people in the town were just as loud and had as many signs as the girls at the college. It was a bit infectious and I sped up during the downhill segment through town and did some more high-fiving.
I cross the half and I check my time against my pace band. I’ve banked about a minute and a half! It’s more than I wanted but I felt good. (Half split=1:38:17).
Just as I was giving up all hope of finding my friend, I see her sign on the other side of the road. I make my way across the crowd and high-five her. I’m elated.
A little down the road I get a taste for our first mini-hill and I slow a bit. “Skins” and “Texas” pass me. I’m starting to fatigue a little and regret getting so exciting in Wellesley. I also realize I just gave up 20 seconds of my bank in Mile 15! Uh oh. I get worried because I haven’t even hit what I know will be the worse part of the race for me. I try to settle. I hit Mile 16 and mentally prepare myself for the work ahead. Right on cue, “Running Up That Hill” starts on my iPod. Earlier in the week, someone reminded me that there are four hills in Newton. I try to fit that in my head: you just have to run four hills. I also tell myself, “Just because you banked 1:30 for Newton doesn’t mean you need to give it all back in Newton”.
In 2012, Mile 16 was where the heat really got me. I felt like my heart fluttered and I ran to the right of the road contemplating the wisdom of running this race and walking. I’ve thought about this spot a lot in the last two years. I looked to the right this year and nothing looked familiar. There were so many people in the crowd that nothing was recognizable to me.
I tackle the first hill alright. I’m not such a bad hill climber that I can’t do any hills.
I make the right turn onto Commonwealth Ave and I arrive at the second hill. I remember this segment vividly from 2012. I felt like I was on the verge of collapse during this entire climb. And, I remember the people in this neighborhood really helping by cheering and giving out ice. This year, I felt stronger but was frustrated that I was going so slow. Out of the corner of my eye, I see a woman with a sign on my left that read: “MEB WON. NO REALLY. 2:08:37”. I think, “Wow, really?” and smile. Unbelievable! I tell myself to “Race to Win”, which is Meb’s catch phrase and wonder how my BFF Shalane is doing. It rallies me up the hill.
I fly on the downhill and I hit Mile 19. I look at my pace band and I do some math. F*%#! For the first time in the race, I’m behind pace. I’ve not only given up the 1:30 I banked but now I’m 5 seconds behind. “Maybe I can make it up on the downhill in to Boston”, I think. “All These Things I’ve Done” plays and thanks to notScott, I try to channel my inner Joanie. It helps a little but not by much. I feel like I’m running in molasses.
I hit the next hill and I’m really struggling. A lot of runners are walking at this point and that’s demoralizing. From the crowd, I hear someone yell, “Thank you for helping us get our race back”. It motivates me up the hill. No matter what happens today, I can’t quit. This race is for Boston.
I hit Mile 20 and now I’m a full minute behind. I feel upset knowing so many people are tracking me and knowing I’m losing it now. I feel like I’m letting everyone down. “‘Till I Collapse” starts a little earlier on my playlist than I know it should. That was supposed to be the last song I hear in Newton. My eyes spy a sign that reads, “THIS NEXT HILL WILL NOT BREAK YOU”. I think, “No, it won’t”.
I start the final hill ending with Heart Break Hill. I bear down and focus on just putting one foot in front of the other up the hill. I didn’t really realize I’d crested Heartbreak Hill when I did. In 2012, I recalled seeing a bar or restaurant with Heartbreak Hill in the title to the right. I looked to the right but didn’t see one this time. Again, too many people this year.
During this segment, I tried to force myself to eat and drink but I just couldn’t. I just didn’t want anything in my stomach. The mixture of gummy and water kept rising up in my throat. I never finished the second pack of Honey Stringers and was probably only taking in a few sips of fluids every other water stop.
A friend had also told me about all the disgarded pace bands at Heartbreak Hill. I was disappointed that I wasn’t going to hit sub-3:20 but I didn’t toss my band. I’m going to need it again.
Splits: 7:33, 7:38, 7:56, 7:26, 8:09, 8:14, 8:02, 8:24, 8:58. Half marathon: 1:38:17 (7:29 pace)
Later Miles (Brookline to Boston, Miles 21-26.2)
I see Mile 21 and realize I’m done with the hills and next up is Boston College. “It’s all downhill from here!”, I think. I try to open up my stride but my pace really isn’t quickening much. The crowds here were great but I remember them being more intense in 2012.
By Mile 22, I’m starting to hurt. I’m realizing I’m not going to make up time on the downhill into Boston. I immediately go from thinking of sub-3:20 to wondering if I’m even going to finish. I want to stop. In my mind, I think I have 3 more miles in me which is bad because there are 4.2 miles left in the race. But, I’ve never walked in a marathon and I don’t intend to make this my first.
We make the left turn on to Beacon Street and I can’t believe the crowds there. I feel inspired and try to run hard for a while but I just can’t. At this point, I’m getting passed like crazy and I’m pissed with myself. I didn’t run a smart race and now I’m paying for it.
A bit down the road, I feel a sharp pain in my left quad and a numbness. Uh oh. What is this? Is my quad going to seize up on me? Not finishing is not an option. I will not quit today. I keep running but my mental distress is pretty high. Between not really taking in much food or fluid and this new-found pain, I’m wondering if my body is about to shut down on me.
Along this section, I’m looking for the bank with the temperature reading. I remember seeing its 90 degree reading in 2012. Today it says 65. That’s it? It feels much hotter. A little down the road, I see the Citgo sign. Thank goodness! But, I see the distance between it and me and don’t feel that much better. I also see a military-type helicopter in the air. (Overall, I would say visible security at 2013 NYCM was actually higher than at 2014 Boston).
Somehow I make it through Miles 24 and 25. I’m not going to stop. Not today. My BFF from college who lives in Boston and her friends were going to cheer for me at Mile 25.5. I start looking for them but the crowds are unbelievable. No way will I see them in this mass of humanity. But then, just as I’m about to give up, I hear a, “Julia!” I look to the right and see them. I give a big wave and try to look like I’m not struggling. (Later, my friend told me her friends asked, “Will she stop for us?” and she said, “No. She won’t ”).
I go through the tunnel and have a déjà vu as I hear emergency sirens. In 2012, this is when I remembered a cart coming through with a runner on it. But this year, the worries are different and I hope everything is alright. “Brave” starts on my playlist. This was my most motivating song this training cycle and it was the last song I wanted to hear today.
I make the right turn onto Hereford. The crowds are packed onto the sidewalk. Probably 4 or 5 people deep. I take my earbuds out and put my shades on my head. I want to soak up every second of this last half mile. I make the left turn onto Boylston St. I prepare myself for the retrograding finish line. It seems far away but it’s okay. I’m not in any rush. I just want to remember this moment.
I trudge along looking at the crowds and listening to them roar. I’d like to run in strong but at this point, I really have nothing left. Steps away from the finish line, I think about the bombing victims. I raise my arms in the air and a few moments later, I’m a 2014 Boston Marathon finisher. (I am not sure why this random woman ruined my photo.)
Splits: 8:10, 8:35, 8:22, 8:57, 8:52, 0.22 at 8:31
Post-race
I cross the finish line and immediately feel like crap. I bend over and a medical volunteer immediately asks me if I’m okay. I say, “Yes” and keep walking. I get my medal and thank the volunteer. A fellow runner looks at me and says, “You need to get some water”. I nod in agreement. I’m starting to get waves of hot and then cold. Another medical worker asks me if I’m okay. I say, “I really need some water”. She tells me it’s straight ahead. I nod and keep walking. Next comes the space hoodies. I’m thankful for it but still really just need some water. I FINALLY get water and gulp some down. I feel better but not by that much. I keep walking. I get some Gatorade. I keep walking. I was supposed to meet people after the race but I’m single-minded at this point. I just want to lie down.
I exit the finish and walk half way up Boston Common before I absolutely need to sit down. A few minutes later, I ask a stranger to take my picture:
I walk another half mile to my hotel, shower, and get under some blankets. Within a couple hours I feel ready to head out and celebrate!
Result
I was well off my goal time and not even a PR. Ironically, it’s one second off my 2012 Boston qualifier race. But, hey, a course PR! LOL! I think I was in the top 12% of women finishers and top 10% in my age group. My club’s womens master team finished 18th (the other two women also had bad races, which made me feel so much better. ).
Epilogue
For me, the best part of the Boston Marathon is that you are a rock star in the city afterward. Here were two of the most special moments for me:
Some girlfriends and I go out on the town later that night. Of course, I wore my 2012 jacket and my 2014 race medal. As we were walking down Boylston, a random guy came up to me, gave me a big hug and thanked me for running the race. It was so sweet that I wanted to cry.
And on my cab ride to the airport, I was talking with the driver about the race. He was telling me about a news story from the last few days. I hadn’t heard about it and apologetically said, “I guess I haven’t heard much news in the last few days”. And, he replied, “YOU were the news” and I smiled.
It was my pleasure to be a small part of the global effort to give Boston its race back.
