Check out my bling! I am officially a half-marathoner baby!!!
(Moments after passing the finish line...pretty sure I am delirious here)
On Sunday, October 12th I ran the Boston Athletic Association's (B.A.A.) Half Marathon through Boston's beautiful Emerald Necklace Park System (taking its name from the series of green parks that string together like a necklace).
I will preface this recap by admitting that I did not train as hard as I should have for this race. A few end of summer vacations (where I still ran but not as often), a change in season meaning a return to horrific traffic (which meant some days my running time got eaten up by sitting in an unexpected 2+ hour commute), and a minor achilles issue all combined to throw me off my training schedule slightly. That's not to make excuses or say I stopped running entirely, but my training plan called for roughly 150 miles before the race and I only ran just over 95. So the way I figure it....
Half Marathon = Half Training
Full Marathon = Full Training
Right? Right.
The silver lining of feeling slightly unprepared training wise was that somehow (and unexpectedly), I was the calmest I have ever been before a race. You would have thought I was getting ready to do a simple 5k fun run versus my first half marathon! And what an important lesson that was for me because it really framed the entire day in a very different energy, allowing me to soak in the entire day versus having it all pass by in a blur (like Falmouth).
My alarm went off at 5:03am (I have a thing about setting it for weird times, okay?) and I prepped my standard pre-race breakfast of ezekiel toast with almond butter, coffee, some Nuun electrolyte water, and a banana to take with me for later. Per usual I had set out everything the night before so I would be ready to go. Heeding advice to dress as if the outdoor temp was 20 degrees higher (to account for increase in body heat while running), I had planned on layering a half-zip over a running tank - though the weatherman's shout out to the B.A.A.runners left me wondering if that would be enough!
Right? Right.
The silver lining of feeling slightly unprepared training wise was that somehow (and unexpectedly), I was the calmest I have ever been before a race. You would have thought I was getting ready to do a simple 5k fun run versus my first half marathon! And what an important lesson that was for me because it really framed the entire day in a very different energy, allowing me to soak in the entire day versus having it all pass by in a blur (like Falmouth).
My alarm went off at 5:03am (I have a thing about setting it for weird times, okay?) and I prepped my standard pre-race breakfast of ezekiel toast with almond butter, coffee, some Nuun electrolyte water, and a banana to take with me for later. Per usual I had set out everything the night before so I would be ready to go. Heeding advice to dress as if the outdoor temp was 20 degrees higher (to account for increase in body heat while running), I had planned on layering a half-zip over a running tank - though the weatherman's shout out to the B.A.A.runners left me wondering if that would be enough!
Shivering, I left the house around 6:15am and headed up to UMASS Boston where shuttles were waiting to take us over to the starting area in Franklin Park. As I approached the parking lots there were plenty of signs directing runners to the lots and the Boston PD was on hand directing traffic which kept the back-up to a minimum. Once parked, it was a quick walk over to the shuttle line as a beautiful morning dawned before us.
Waiting (and shivering) in line for the shuttle bus
Though the line looked long, it moved very quickly and soon we were on our way. The lady seated next to me had ran the half previously, and she advised me to hold back in the first half of the race to ensure my tank wasn't "empty" for the second half of the course and its numerous rolling hills (advice which I had read in many reviews of the race). As we pulled up to Franklin Park, you could see runners and spectators streaming towards the starting area and my stomach started doing butterflies as it hit me that I was about to run my first half! After we disembarked the shuttle, it was about a quarter mile walk to the starting area and the first thing I noticed was what an absolutely gorgeous, perfect Fall day we had for the race. The sun was filtering down through the amber and golden hued leaves and the crisp air was invigorating.
Entering the starting area, I immediately spotted the banners and jerseys for Dana-Farber. Since Dana-Farber and the Jimmy Fund are the presenting sponsors and the official charity for the B.A.A. Half, I was still supporting them by running. Spotting some of the running programs team, I jogged over to say hi. Emily, our fearless leader from Falmouth, was there along with Jan,who is the director of Dan-Farber's running programs. Jan, Emily, and crew immediately recognized me as a DFMC runner and were so warm and welcoming. While I already knew I had made one of the best decisions in my life by becoming involved with the DFMC program, getting to say hi to the awesome staff really helped to reaffirm that decision and get me excited for the journey ahead.
Soon it was time to head over to the starting area. The race started in four waves, and I was in the third wave. We started ambling forward and before I knew it, we were off! Passing by tons of cheering fans with signs as we headed out of the starting corral, I could not hide the giant grin on my face as complete strangers cheered and wished me luck. Heading out into Franklin Park, the sheer beauty of the day continued to open up before us. The foliage was absolutely stunning and the weather was every runner's dream (cool but not freezing, just the lightest of breezes, not too bright but not too cloudy, etc.).
Just before the 1 mile mark I first encountered who I consider to be the best fan on the course that day. Waving a giant sign reading "It is just a 5k...with a 10 mile warm-up!" and ringing a cowbell while yelling out all of our names, this super fan would appear at two other points on the course and her energy was contagious. Before I knew it, we were coming out of the park and crossing the Monsignor Casey Overpass which would lead us up to bulk of the course along the Riverway (as seen on the course map below).
The B.A.A. Half Marathon Course...note the elevation changes at the end. Boston loves their hills!
I was most familiar with bulk of the course outside of Franklin Park given I drive that stretch on my way to work each day. It was exhilarating and fun to see the entire Jamaicaway shut down for the race and I was grateful to be traveling one of my favorite stretches via foot so I could soak in the beauty of the houses, the park, etc.
Just past the before the 4 mile mark I realized - along with seemingly half the other runners - that I needed to take a porta potty break. Joining the long line, I tried to keep jogging in place as I shed my half-zip around mile 2 and could quickly feel my body cooling in line. I lost about 7 minutes (oy!) waiting in the line but didn't dare continue as I wasn't 100% sure of where the next set would be. One of the funniest things about running races is you get all of these guides, maps, etc. in advance (such as where the porta potties are), and you devour every bit of info you can get. And then you get out on the course and you forget most of it! So I stood my place in line and utilized the time to text my hubby Dave who I knew was waiting somewhere by the 5 mile mark.
Soon I was back on my way and as I crossed Brookline, I could see Dave on the corner. I stopped to give him a big ol' sweaty hug (he was very grateful...really...okay, maybe not). From there it was a quick out/back up the top of the Riverway and I got to wave to Dave one more time from the opposite side of the course. My husband is my biggest fan and supporter, but it was particularly meaningful that he battled the crowds to come see me for about 1 minute total before he headed off to his maternity clinical at Mass General Hospital (he is wrapping up an accelerated BSN program at the MGH's Institute of Health Professions). He is my inspiration and I am so proud of him!!!
As I made my way down the back of the park system and past the 7 mile mark I reflected on the mental component of running. Just two months prior, I had battled the heat to complete my first seven mile race in Falmouth and now here I was running twice that distance with what I perceived at the time to be much greater ease (though of course the heat was a big factor in that race feeling tougher).
That little mental victory was short-lived and as I made my way back towards Franklin Park and the 9 mile mark. Heading around a rotary I felt my right calf begin cramping. I slowed to a walk and thought I could stretch it/ease the cramp away. A minute later it subsided and I started back into a gentle run...for about 2 seconds before it started cramping again. Then my left calf started cramping.
And so it went.For the rest. of. the. race.
Sigh.
I wish I was joking but sadly, this was the point where my diminished training caught up with me.
Yet no matter how slow, I jogged and slogged my way through the hills and miles 10 and 11 before heading towards the 12 mile marker and the zoo. Yes, you read that right - the zoo! At long last I had reached the part I was most looking forward to - getting to run past the animals! It was also at this point that my calves couldn't take another second and I slowed to a walk while taking in the animal exhibits. About 3/4 of a way through Mile 12 the signs directed us towards a dirt path and through a zebra exhibit, and I knew that the finish line was now less than a mile away.
Summoning the rest of my resolve, I started to jog again. Of COURSE there was an official photographer hidden in the bushes, but I spotted him just in time to flash a smile and pretend my calves weren't on fire!
I love running...my legs feel great...no, really!
(Why did I sign up for this...ooooh the burning...where is the finish line?!?)
(Why did I sign up for this...ooooh the burning...where is the finish line?!?)
Heading out of the zoo we came back near the starting line and I could hear the crowd and announcers at the finish line inside White Stadium. I continued trudging along and the look on my face must have been drastically different from the smile in the above pic, because one spectator who saw me coming yelled out "just a few more feet...keep going Erin, you've got this!"
And that my friends, is one of the COOLEST parts of these races. I have no idea who that guy was, but he truly and honestly gave me the last shreds of energy I needed to round the corner and head towards the finish line (where this incredibly unflattering photo was taken).
Almost there, almost there, almost there...ahhh still so far to go...almost there, almost there....
And suddenly I was crossing the finish line and rows of amazing B.A.A. volunteers were awaiting me with armfuls of medals. Approaching one volunteer I loudly yelled "come to Mama!" and she laughed as she placed the medal around my neck.
Continuing towards the finish area I quickly realized I had to keep moving and needed to stretch, as my legs were now screaming in response to the 2 hours and 39 minutes of work they had just performed (and yes, while that I didn't meet my goal of 2 hours and 30 minutes or less, I still finished close to it...not too bad for my first one and hopefully can cut a lot off of that next year!). After a few stretches I made my way over to the backdrop to get an "official" picture with my newly earned bling.
Woooohoooo!!!!!!
Heading through the finish area there were boxes of bananas, bagels, and offerings from one of my favorite local chains, B.Good. However, I couldn't even think about refueling and I just sipped some gatorade and grabbed a banana for later. By this point I had cooled down and could now feel the crispness of the autumn day again, so I layered back up and started making my way back to the buses. Just as well organized as our arrival, I was soon a shuttle and back to my car in no time. By the time I hit the road, my body had finally calmed down a bit and I grabbed an extra protein low-fat chocolate milk (seriously the best recovery drink ever). After heading home and taking the best shower of my life, I donned my awesome new B.A.A. Half shirt (which we received in the finish line area) and then had an impromptu meet-up with my awesome parent and sibling in-laws for a well earned turkey burger and beer. All while wearing my shiny new medal of course!
13.1 miles down. Now just many, many, MANY more training miles and one 26.2 mile race until I earn my next B.A.A. medal in April!!! Bring it on baby!!!
Click HERE to make a gift in support of Erin's Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge
Click HERE to Sponsor-a-Mile with a gift of $126.20 or more
Click HERE to make a gift in support of Erin's Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge
Click HERE to Sponsor-a-Mile with a gift of $126.20 or more