Technically it’s race week since The Boston Marathon takes place next Monday, Patriot’s Day. In honor of that little race in Beantown, we’re talking all about it this week on our Tuesdays on the Run Linkup.
If you’re a long-time reader you probably already know that Boston is special to me. It was the original premise of this blog. It was meant to be a training journal for my first Boston Marathon back in 2009. Boston Marathon race reports are here and here.
Why Boston is special to me
I was a confident kid. I played the violin, did well in school and figure skating was my passion. I ran track as a teenager but after that, running and I took a long hiatus. After college I entered the workforce and had a stressful, tumultuous career. Add to that years of repeated failure at starting a family and the fortress of confidence came crumbling down. Maybe I wasn’t all that after all.
When we moved to Great Britain I hit the reset button. I bagged the stressful career, basically took my life down to the studs and embraced things I loved as a kid. I rode horses, did lots of yoga and started running again, working up to a couple of loathsome miles on the treadmill. Gradually those miles increased. When I could run 7 miles without stopping, I signed up for my first 5k. Yes, that’s how much of an over-preparer I am.
Me and Bart Yasso at a Boston pre-race party
In 2007 I summoned the courage to sign up for my first half and full marathons and in 2008, ran my second marathon with a goal of hanging on to 9 minute miles as long as I could. I realized, when I was still on target pace at mile 22, that a BQ was mine if I could hang tough, and hang I did. During training I knew on some level that the training paces and shorter races I’d run suggested a BQ was achievable yet I didn’t dare set that goal.
That day in 2009 when I boarded the bus headed to Hopkinton was surreal. For me it was not a dream come true, because never in my wildest dreams did I even dare to dream I’d be part of the Boston Marathon field one day.
I’d been setting the bar too low, telling myself I was too fat, too old, didn’t have time to train properly, it would hurt too much, and on and on. Until one day I stopped the excuses and negative self talk and decided to simply give it my best, whatever that was. So I trained, step by step, mile by mile, week by week and never looked back. The Boston journey is what gave me back my confidence.
My cup runneth over with my first Boston Marathon. Being able to run it again in 2010 and qualify for 2011 as well was very sweet icing on the cake. Never underestimate the places running can take you. Dare to dream big.
Have you run Boston? Hoping to? Spectated? Has running been a confidence builder for you?
I’m linking up with Suz, Rachel, Debbie and Lora for Coaches’ Corner.
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Running has totally been a confidence builder for me. I’ll never be fast enough to qualify for Boston, mostly because it’s not a goal for me. What an awesome experience for you though.
A few years ago I realized that a BQ was within reach. Now I just need to get this silly injury to heal so I can get back to runner marathons!
Wow, you ran BOSTON! Thats so amazing! and you ran while I was living there it seems! I went to school at BC and loved Marathon Monday and watching all the runners run right by our campus on Comm Ave.
What a wonderful story! Yes, running has given me confidence. It’s such a part of who I am. As much as I would love to run Boston, the very thought of not being able to run is shaking me to my core. My Boston dream goes on the back burner for now.
I so love this story. What an amazing journey!
I love your story. As you know, my relationship with the Boston Marathon is a bit…. complicated. But I will run it one day if it still matters to me to run it.
Great story! Never under estimate yourself right? Running is definitely a confidence booster! I am looking forward to running it again next year.
This is such an amazing story and tribute tot he pinnacle (for a lot runners) of our sport. Running, indeed, has given me confidence. The Boston goal is deeply embedded, in the very back of my mind at the moment, but it’s there 😉
Loved reading this post! i love that you had the confidence in yourself to push harder and earn that BQ time. I’m so excited for all the runners that get to toe that start line on Monday. What a wonderful experience!
Running has definitely been a confidence builder for me — and seriously, I think that’s what’s behind the current female running boom.
OTOH, I know that I’m never going to run Boston. Of course first you have to run a marathon, but even if I did, there’s just no way I would qualify. So when Runner’s World announced their Heartbreak Hill half, I just knew I had to run it. And I’m so glad I did, since they never held it again.
And I just realized, that I’ve actually run 5 inaugural races . . . 1/3 of my halfs have been inaugural races so far!
I can’t imagine running a marathon. And I definitely just can’t imagine running THAT marathon!
I can only imagine what it’s like to BQ and run in Boston. Congratulations on your achievements! I’ve never given Boston any serious thought but would consider doing it as a fundraiser, even though they are considered “lesser than” smh…
Running has given me so much. I’m bummed I wasn’t into running while living in Boston, but I also know the marathon is not on the table. I don’t know if it ever will be. I enjoyed cheering for the runners, but I didn’t mind not being out there.
Wow, what an inspiring story Marcia! You brought tears to my eyes …thanks for not only sharing, but sharing with transparency!
I would LOVE to run the Boston Marathon one day! It will take me a long time but I am determined to get there.
Lucky you to have that amazing opportunity. Any plans to run it again?
Wow, Marcia, what a powerful story! I love how running tied everything together for you, from the confident childhood to realizing you ARE strong and can do what you set your mind to! Inspiring.
Gosh this post brought me to tears. Congrats on all of your success my friend, and thanks for sharing. I have been feeling a bit low in regards to so many things, so thanks for the reminder that it’s never too late.
Oh yeah, running is an amazing confidence builder and after not being able to run for eight months … I miss it desperately. Qualifying for Boston by the time I turn 50 had been my ultimate goal for so long, but now I just don’t think it’s possible. (Not being negative, just realistic.) So thanks for letting me experience it through your recap! You had me tearing up. 🙂
What a great story!! I’m not naturally athletically inclined, so I’m not a fast runner… so Boston is probably not in the cards for me… BUT I feel the same way about running in general. I started in my late-20’s and it re-energized my life! Such a joy. Congrats on getting there and doing well enough to go back!
I never knew that story thanks for sharing it today!
What a great story! Love it! Yes, running is a definite confidence builder! It is amazing what we can accomplish when we stop doubting ourselves! You are AWESOME!
Love this!
I loved reading that little running bio of yours Marcia. It’s funny how we all found ourselves running after overcoming a long phase of self-doubt! Deep down inside you were always a Boston Qualifier all this time and didn’t even know it until you gave running a try! You’re a role model for so many of us in the running community! Keep up the awesomeness Marcia!
One day Boston…..one day. We.Will.Meet! Inspirational post! Glad we’re friends on our little part of the internet. 🙂 Nice Marcia!
That’s such a great story! Thanks for sharing. I never took my opportunity to run Boston when I was younger. I hope that I can qualify again and actually make it there this time.
Not sure if my comment is lost in cyberspace or is being held for moderation, but just in case, here’s what I said. I just got an error message then a duplicate comment message. Oh well…
That’s such a great story! Thanks for sharing. I never took my opportunity to run Boston when I was younger. I hope that I can qualify again and actually make it there this time.
Great story! Running has definitely given me more confidence to take on challenges I never would have thought I’d done when I was younger. I’ve dreamt of getting a BQ and it became a reality last weekend for me which I still can’t believe. Just hoping I make the cutoff, if not there’s always a next time. 🙂
Stopping negative self talk can make the world of difference! Why are we always so hard on ourselves when the world does such a good job of that already? Congrats on all your success – and just on being awesome as well 🙂
I really enjoyed you sharing your story. It was really powerful when you mentioned ridding yourself of self doubt and just going for it. So inspiring!
You are awesome.
I don’t dream of BQ-ing as I woudl have to cut 90 min off my current PR.
But I do dream of pushing myself, getting faster, and seeing what my body can do when healthy.
I love that you challenged yourself, went for it, and did so well.
I just love all of this Marcia!