The "RACE"

Monday April 21, 2008- Marathon Monday- started with the alarm clock at 5:00 AM. Don was picking me up at 6:15 AM to catch the shuttle bus from Boston Common to Hopkinton. Did I really need to wake up at 5:00 AM? Not really- I had set everything up the night before. All I really needed to do was pick up my stuff and walk out the door. I didn't need an hour and fifteen minutes to do that. Who needs sleep anyway?

Since I had time on my hands, my next big decision was breakfast. Cereal. Multi-grain Cheerios or Reeses Puffs? Hmmm... I opted for the Cheerios. I imagined my face on the box. Wait. That's Wheaties. Never mind.

To say that I was apprehensive would be the understatement of the month. My back hurt, my hip hurt and my foot hurt. To kill some time I jumped on-line and checked out the weather. It was looking to be a pretty stellar day weather-wise. Maybe a bit too warm for some but at my level, who cares?!

Don picked me up a couple minutes before 6:15 AM. As we drove to Boston I wondered if I'd be headed home before midnight.

We made good time into Boston, parked in the garage under Boston Common and found a relatively short line to the buses. Jill's dad had dropped her off at the Common. In the crowd of 20,000 or so, she somehow found us. The three of us got on a school bus bound for Hopkinton. I'd forgotten how small the seats on a school bus are. I'm not that tall and my knees were jammed into the seat in front of me. I can't imagine being really tall and crammed into those seats before a 26 mile run!

Introductions... Don Lamothe is the Team in Training New Hampshire Cycling Coach and Team in Training alumni of not only cycling but traithlon and marathon events. Gillian (Jill) Bidgood is a Team in Training alumni of many TNT cycling events, triathlons and marathons as well. Both have become my friends and we all agree that cycling is much, much better than running.

Once we got close to Hopkinton, our bus tour became a very slow affair. Who knew there was going to be entertainment???!!! Runners were jumping on and off the buses to use the 'facilities.' The entertaining part was that if they took too long, the buses moved ahead and the runners had to actually run to find their buses. OK, it's not that exciting but it distracted me for a few minutes.

By the time we got to our drop off point near athlete's village, my back, hip and foot were acting up. I was not optimistic about the day. But after walking for a bit to find the rest of the team, things started to loosen up a bit and my attitude improved a whole lot. My 'tude improved even more when the sun broke out. I spent some time stretching, ate half a peanut butter and jam sammich I brought and just tried to relax. Jill fully analyzed the porta-potti lines and determined that because of the way they were arranged, the lines away from the corner units were the shorter ones. So I only spent three or four minutes in line. Not long after that it was time to head for the starting line with a short side trip to shove our gear bags through the side window of the appropriate bus.

While hanging around the athletes village, Coach Rick grabbed me and said: "You're going all the way!!" After processing that for a bit, I decided that was the attitude I needed to have: Keep moving forward and stop when I get to the finish line. I decided that as long as I was physically able to move forward, that I would not stop. I know how single minded I can be and just decided to make that work for me no matter how long it took. (This may come as a shock but I'm not that fast anyway.)

We started toward the town common and the start line. As it turned out, we wouldn't stand still again until Boston. As we approached the start line, we heard the gun for our wave. It was probably another 15 minutes before we even got to the starting line. I started my watch as I crossed the line. I was with Jill for my first two minute running interval. After that I said goodbye to Jill, wished her luck and settled into my run/walk intervals.

The field thinned out pretty quickly- Most of the field was faster than me. I felt pretty good and kept a conservative pace. I really liked being in the thin part of the pack. I didn't feel like I was holding anyone back and being able to run wherever I wanted to on the road was a bonus for my hip and back. (The arched contour of the road can really alter your comfort level.) I spent a lot of time right in the center of the road on the yellow lines.

Through Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham and Natick I went conservatively. My plan was to start out slow and taper down from there. I felt pretty good. My half marathon split was actually much faster than I thought it would be- 3:00:13- a personal record for that distance. The water and Gatorade stops were plentiful at this point. I alternated water and Gatorade at each water stop. I was using energy gels about every 45 minutes to an hour. My foot wasn't bad and my back and hip stayed very tolerable. I could hear the crowd talking about a runner behind me who was juggling while running. I figured if I could stay ahead of the juggler, I'd be OK!

I really enjoyed the first half. The crowds were very supportive (Except for the few wise-asses who yell: "You're almost there!"- That's OK- I liked them too.) Little kids holding out their hand's for 'high-fives', people handing sliced oranges to the runners, the shouts of encouragement and especially the quiet words of encouragement. If you ever want to be reminded of how kind people can really be, run the Boston Marathon.

In Natick, a little boy ran up to me and said: "Hey! I just saw you on TV!!" I said: "Next to the juggler, right?" He said: "Yeah!" I managed to stay ahead of the juggling runner through Natick and into Wellesley. We were neck and neck for a while- I don't know whether he passed me or not. I noticed he wasn't wearing a race number.

Alyssa was right- The Boston Marathon is a 26.2 mile party!

Part of me had been really dreading April 21 but all the way to Wellesley and the halfway point I was feeling good, little aches and pains aside. I thought I might actually finish before official timing ended and everyone went home.

Just past the halfway point, my back locked into a big giant knot. Stretching provided only momentary relief. The original injury really didn't bother me much at all. It was my back that finally threatened to shut me down.

I kept up my run walk interval for a short time longer. It wasn't so much the running or walking that hurt- It was the transition between the two. This is what you call 'decision time.' My decision was that I would continue toward the finish line until I either got there or couldn't walk. I decided that since the pain would probably fatigue me more than either walking or running, that I would walk. So much for official timing!

The CVS van, race officials and police that signify that a runner is behind the minimum pace passed me in Wellesley. I knew going into the marathon injured that falling off the pace was a realistic possibility so I was prepared for it. I was happy that it had no real impact on me.

Just west of the Wellesley Community Center I saw my brother-in-law Tom and my nephew Wyatt. They didn't have any trouble at all keeping up with me. Coach Rick met me also. We had a little chat about the relative merits of continuing. One of the merits being that if I didn't stop I wouldn't have to do another marathon! There was no question in my mind- I wanted to continue.

At the community center I saw Lindsey and Dawn. If there was any residual doubt about continuing, it was gone. John Engdahl, cancer survivor, one of our team honored heroes and several time Boston Marathon finisher told me quietly: "You can walk all the way from here if you need to- I know- I've done it." Lindsey and John put things into perspective for me. My sister and my mom were there also. I didn't want to stop for too long because I knew that I would stiffen quickly. I grabbed some water and a few snacks and moved on down the road.

John's wife Helen was going to her car and she walked with me for a bit. She and her caught up to me just before I was about to cross route 128. Their adorable granddaughter jumped out and brought me a bottle of water. Stuff like that is better than any medal.

One of the disadvantages of being a slug in the Boston Marathon is that the water stops were gone. I can't count the number of people who offered me water, oranges and cool towels long after the water stops were gone. I have no idea who any of you are but I'm very grateful for your kindness and concern.

About 17 or 18 miles in, I was plodding along in Newton. Who shows up but Kyrsten, one of the angels. Shortly after that we met Paul. Paul was a charity runner from another team, hurting like me. The three of us moved on down the road to where Coach Lori, (Another angel!) was set up at mile 20.5. Paul continued on and Coach Lori beat on me with "The Stick." (Don't knock it 'til you've tried it!) That's when the third angel, Alyssa showed up!

Kyrsten handed me off to Alyssa like a relay baton and we moved east-ish for the last six miles. Someplace in Brookline I think, Alyssa and I met a drunk college guy who offered me Jack and Coke and then walked with us for probably the better part of a mile. Turns out he's a grad student working on a masters degree in education... I fear for our future! He was finally distracted by three drunk blonde women and left us in peace!

The last few miles Alyssa, Paul and I walked together. Coach Rick came out and met us. At the right turn at Hereford St., there was a big group of TNT people including Dave Tierney who'd been there all day. I don't want to try to mention names for fear of leaving anyone out but I want you to know that your presence meant SO much to me- I have no words.

From Hereford St. we made the left turn on to Boylston St. We could see the finish line. We could also see that they were taking it down! Paul and I decided that when we got just a bit closer that we would run across the line. We were a pretty good size group by then. My mom, my sister and my brother-in-law and nephew were there too. About 100 yards from the line Paul and I decided we were ready. Even though it was ridiculously painful, we ran across the finish line of the Boston Marathon about seven hours and forty minutes after leaving Hopkinton.

There were certainly some difficult moments. During those times I drew strength from Lindsey and John.

I thought about another friend also named John who was seriously injured in the service of his country many years ago. He continues to deal with the awful complications of his injuries but always maintains his dignity and bearing. I know what he would say about struggle.

I thought about Diana and what she might think of or do with the situation. She had a great influence on me over the years even though I wasn't always aware of it.

Kyrsten and Alyssa, you have no idea how much you helped me. You are both the bestest.

The fact that the finish line was being disassembled as we ran through it, that all the race officials were gone, that almost of the spectators had left, that there were no time clocks and no medals didn't diminish the moment one bit. To be at the finish line, having done what I said I would do, having done right by Lindsey, John Engdahl and our other honored heroes and surrounded by family and friends has got to be the Best Moment Ever.

I'm told that there are some photos headed my way at some point. I'll get some of them posted on here.

Two of my teammates started, but were not able to finish the marathon. My thoughts are with them.

Many of our teammates had excellent days. Don and Jill both set personal records. A good number of other team members set PRs or posted qualifying times for the 2009 Boston Marathon. Congratulations to everyone!!

I want to thank everyone who supported me during the last several months. I could not have done this without you. If I can return the favor, say the word.

And to answer the question: Yes, I am alive!