Most people
never have the opportunity to perform in front of a million people. Not so for
those of us who had the privilege of participating in this 118th
running of the Boston Marathon. As race director Dave McGillivray described the race, it was “epic.” With over a million spectators (or as I should call them, roadside participants) cheering on over 36,000 runners, it was easy to see how over 99% of those who started in Hopkinton finished 26.2 miles later on Boston’s Boylston St.
With heightened security, our team gathered early in Hopkinton to join the long lines for porta-potties. Ingenious planning was required to carry my race-day necessities. My four dollar thrift shop fleece not only kept me toasty but was home to a myriad of electronics, fruit, nutritional supplements, chap sticks, trash bags, and my “heroes” cape with the names of those supporting my fundraising efforts.
My only point of reference to describe the spectacle is Mardi Gras in New Orleans- but without the beads and floats, but with the beer and screaming throngs. Crowds lined a dozen deep in many areas. From weathered Bostonians in equally weathered Red Sox sweatshirts to a children’s gymnastics class handing out high fives while popping up and down on mini-trampolines, you could feel the collective energy pushing you along. At Wellesley, the annual chorus line of coeds with their “Kiss me because I’m (insert your own descriptor here)” drew a good number of male runners to the sidelines to collect their kisses. I admit to giving in to more than one “Free Hugs Here” sign from buff guys. I’d heard about the daffodils planted along the entire course but was only allowed peekaboo glimpses through the legs of spectators.
I admit to getting particularly emotional while passing (or often, being passed) by a number of wounded and handicapped runners. Spectators were particularly loud for local favorites, Team Hoyt, honoring father Dick who has pushed handicapped son Rick in his wheelchair to compete in triathlons and marathons for more than three decades. This is Dick’s last marathon.
As a non-qualifying charity runner for the American Red Cross, I expected a long day but wasn’t fully prepared for Boston’s abundant hills (I believe I actually heard them scoff at the meager bridge I used for training.) I used the uphill walks to capture crowd shots and even send a post or two. As a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, I didn’t want to forget a moment!
I had a
number of valuable “learnings” from this “epic” event:
·
When bad people do bad things, good people will
overcome with wicked vengeance. Hats off to the people of Boston who took back
their finish line!· If a wonderful opportunity presents itself- take it! A casual conversation at a party last May led to the chance to be at this starting line (Thanks, Karen). That night, I decided to go for it and never look back.
· If you accept an opportunity, be prepared to do what it takes. After pushing the button to send my application, I went out for a run. Good intentions may get you to the starting line but hard work and commitment are necessary to make it to the finish.
· Finally, you can’t do it alone. It does take a village- from those dear friends who generously supported my fundraising and sent countless day-of-race wishes, to fellow runners who helped make training and racing miles melt by. And most of all, my super-supportive husband Jeff who now knows more than he ever wished to about chafing products and blister relief but still rose early on Patriots’ Day to make me “lucky” pancakes and hunted me down hours later on the course at mile 25. I may be the one with the medal and the cool commemorative jacket but these are the folks that made this opportunity possible.
