Marathon Memories

I had an amazing time at the Boston Marathon. Going in, I didn't expect to enjoy it so much. Not being a runner myself, I didn't think I'd fully appreciate what a "big deal" it really is. I was happily surprised.



Since airfare from Detroit to Boston was never much less than $400, we decided to drive. Most of you know that driving isn't really my favorite thing to do. But having 24 hours of alone time in the car with my husband was pretty special. We talked about lots of stuff, joked around and also enjoyed some silence and the feeling of just being together.




We stopped at Niagara Falls on both legs of the trip just to get out and stretch our legs. No matter how many times I see the falls I'll still be in awe of God's nature.




We arrived in Boston around 7:30 on Friday night. We found a local Italian place and enjoyed some pasta. Our room at the Courtyard Marriott in Waltham was wonderful. On Saturday morning we slept in then set off to explore Boston.
We walked through the city stopping at some historic sites like the Granary Burying Grounds, where Paul Revere & Sam Adams are buried.



Then we walked through the Boston Commons & Boston Public Garden. We even got to see the first Swan Boats of the season.



One of my favorite things was seeing the "Make Way for Ducklings" Statutes.



Then we went to pick up Derek's number & marathon pack. We ended up spending a couple hours in the convention center. Lunch ended up being free samples of yogurt, power bars & Gatorade! It was fun to just soak in the excitement. Everyone was very friendly, asking if this was our first Boston Marathon, where Derek qualified, and complimenting him on his bib number.



We ended Saturday with dinner at the Union Oyster House. Its America's oldest restaurant. We sat in a room where many Presidents have eaten. (JFK even has a special booth). We looked out the window and could imagine George Washington, Ben Franklin and other heroes of the revolutionary war looking out the same window, seeing redcoats walking by and planning to fight for freedom.



On Sunday, we drove out to Hopkinton, where the race begins. The little town was positively buzzing with excitement. The people there seem to live for this day when all eyes are on them.




In the afternoon we drove out to Salem. We had seen advertisements for the Salem Witch Museum and thought it would be interesting. It turned out to be something less than a wax museum. The History of the Salem Witch Trials is very interesting but I don't recommend the museum. A good book or PBS special would suffice. However, there is an ice cream Parlor in Salem that made the drive worthwhile. If you are ever near there be sure to stop at Treadwell's. It was amazing!



On Monday, we woke up very early. I drove Derek out to Hopinkton State Park so he could get a bus to the starting line.



Then I drove into Boston and parked at a garage near the finish line. At that point I still wasn't sure whether I was going to try to take a train or bus to the half way point then try to get back to the finish or not. I started asking random people and the consensus was that if you wanted to see the finish you needed to stake out a spot ASAP.

So I bought a little folding camp chair from Walgreen's and took my spot at approx. mile 26. Even the two hours of watching an empty street wasn't boring. I got to know the people around me. Everyone has a special story about how they ended up in Boston and who they were watching.



Then the wheelchair racers started to finish. I can't really describe the emotion at seeing them at the finish. Some were exhausted, they'd stop and look around with this smile on their face that still leaves a lump in my throat when I think about it. Others zoomed by, only focused on the finish line.




Shortly after that the Elite Women finished. The woman's race was so close. Only two seconds separated 1st & 2nd place. Desiree Davila, from Rochester MI, finished in second as the top American Woman.



A little while after that, Geoffery Mutali flew by. The cheer when he came into sight was so loud. Then, after he whizzed past, everyone just looked around with their mouths hanging open. It was so fast. Turns out it was the fastest marathon ever recorded 2:02. (The Boston Course doesn't qualify for World Record Status because its not a loop course and due to the elevation levels over the course and the tailwind.) When Ryan Hall, the top American male finished in 4th and in US Record time, the crowd went wild.




I had to wait another hour and a half for Derek to finish but in that time I saw all sorts of runners. People that were so excited to be there, they didn't seem to want the race to end, running from sideline to sideline giving high-fives or kissing girlfriends.



There were People who didn't look like they'd finish the race. Several people collapsed and had to be helped back up by other runners. One runner had a friend on either side of him and he was doing all he could to just keep moving his feet forward. The crowd yelled support: "You can do it! You can make it!" I am still tearing up as I think back to the emotion I was feeling for complete strangers.



I had been following Derek's progress all along via the text updates. When I got the first text showing a pace of 7:16, I thought it sounded good. I knew that he didn't want to go out too fast. But with the second & third updates showing that his pace was getting even slower, I knew he wasn't having a good race.

He had high hopes. Everyone wants to come to Boston and run a PR. Derek trained over 800 miles at a sub seven-minute pace. He figured he had a chance to run a sub 3 hour marathon. But it wasn't his day. Around 1:45pm I was getting a little nervous, even at the slower pace, I was expecting to see him before then. I started praying for his health and safety. Then once of my new friends spotted him in the crowd. "Hey, is that your husband?!?" Yes, relief. He was moving pretty slow but he was still running. He didn't look about to collapse. Although, he didn't look to be enjoying the experience either. I couldn't get his attention. He was focused on the finish line.



When I got to him after the race, I could see the disappointment, and pain, on his face. This wasn't the race he came to run. But, I am so proud of him. The determination and guts it takes to run a marathon speaks so much more than the results of the race itself. Sometimes finishing is hard than winning.



I love him so much. I love the adventures he takes me on. I have experienced things I would never have done on my own. I am a better person because I am Derek's wife.