My Road to Boston: Fear. Excitement. Butterflies a Plenty.

September 15th, I clicked the button on the baa.org website, putting myself into the running for the Boston Marathon. The wait was long, and nerve-wracking. I continue about my daily routine, checking the website entrant database, for the 57th time to see if my name was listed...still not. Sigh.

September 22nd was supposed to be the day I might "Find out." None of it is certain, but after reading on the website, it seemed that I'd know by then. September 22 came and went, and I thought I might be out & that all of the work & dedication might be for just those times & experiences. Which I gladly carry in my memories and they still bring many smiles to my face, but I'd always have this empty spot for Boston.

Yesterday, September 24th, I am closing up all of my work documents & I'm just about to unplug my laptop, when I get a new email titled, "2015 Boston Marathon Confirmation Of Entry Acceptance." - I gasp, I stare at the screen. My gaping mouth, turns into the biggest smile I can muster, and I yell out "Woo-Hoo!!!" I was kind of glad my boss had left for the day. I danced and spun and thanked the Lord that I was able to go. I wrote to my husband, forwarding the email to him. I left work with an extra skip in my step.

Today is September 25th, my oldest turns 7 years old today and it makes me reflect on life & how greatly our paths have changed and grown since he came into our lives. When I was a kid I ran middle distance in high school. I was horrible at it. My best friend replaced me on the 4x400 relay team & they went to state without me. I was never an outstanding runner, and I never ran more than 2-3 miles, hating it the entire way. My coach, Mike Hall, took me with the middle-distance runners, seeing potential that I never knew I had. I was a good runner, not a fast sprinter, but I have developed strong endurance.

When I was 28, I ran my first 4 mile run. I remember wearing a cheap sports bra, over an under-wire one that I should have never put together & I still have a scar on my chest that will forever note that jumping off point. I just continued around the block to my house. I've done this hundreds of times since that day, but it was the initial step & I recall it being such a daunting beginning. Do I really think I can run 4 MILES?!? I was so fearful, just for that 1 extra mile. Now I don't even think about it & I feel I'm almost cheating myself out of further mileage when I take that "short" route. So weird how my sights have changed.

Baldwin 10K

Hastings Run

Walter congratulating me after Ellsworth 10K

My first 10K was in Baldwin, my buddy Bridget asked me to go to this Booster Shot run with her, and I thought, aww heck, I'm not doing anything today, gotta' try to do one of these races sometime. Well, the end of it had this crazy, steep hill, and I saw others walking, but I was determined to keep pushing &

River Falls 10K

finish it out without walking. I received 2nd place in my age category upon completion, and I was HOOKED.

After a few local 10K's (Baldwin, Ellsworth, and River Falls),

Ellsworth 10K, with role model & friend Rob Larson.

I knocked down a half marathon in Red Wing, MN at the River City Ramble. My time was 1:47, and I was so proud that I ran it in under 2 hours. The last 5 miles was very challenging, but I kept my focus on this one woman, who just kept getting outside of my reach. A gentleman ran up behind me, who was also running that half, he must have been watching me for a while, because when I started to lose hope, and have her pull slightly away, he said to me, "You're not going to let her get away, are you? Kick it down!" I did, I didn't catch her, but I got up closer & came in right behind her. Its a huge mental battle as a runner, more so than physical for me personally. But a friend once told me, when I was defeated, that you just keep putting one foot in front of the other. Just keep running. I know, it sounds like a "DUH" statement, but sometimes, when you think you can't go on, and then you do regardless of fatigue, & thoughts of failure, it feels even greater to reach & surpass goals.

My half finish.

Running in my bud Nic.

So a friend at work was talking to me about the Twin Cities Marathon & that I should try to run it. This whole notion seemed beyond crazy. Back then though, Runners World offered a free training guide, so I picked one up, signed up, and began training, thinking I might, but then again, I might not. My first 10 mile run was a game changer. My girl Jess & I ran to Bay City, via the creek road. She trained with me my entire first marathon. We were so elated when we finished & so proud that we hit our goal.

Fellow Half Marathoners, Jess & Nichole.

The best training run we ever ran was during the Flood Run season. We ran from Ellsworth to Maiden Rock, a 16 miler, and the motorcyclists were happy to "encourage us." I remember saying to her, "I know its cheesy, but their engine revs, hoots, waves, whistles are really helping me to continue on." That was the longest run I ran before my first marathon. I thought at the end that I could run 10 more miles, easy.

MARATHON TIME

My first marathon was an emotional whirlwind. Having my husband find me around mile 18, and then again at 22, telling me to "kick it in the ass!" was just so helpful & I was very emotional during that run. I remember hearing "Sky Pilot" by the Animals, as I ran down the last .2 miles to St. Paul. Seeing the American flag, the capitol building, well, I could barely see the finish line through my tears, I was so ecstatic & my heart was so moved.