Here we are, Boston Marathon weekend and Patriot’s Day are upon us. Even though I’m not running Boston this year, I still get all the feels. Did you know this blog was born as a training journal for my first Boston Marathon in 2009? I ran my first BQ in October 2008 and Boston training started right after Christmas. This blog, originally named Running Off at the Mouth, started in early January, 2009.
In honor of that glorious Beantown race, I give you five fun facts:
I’ve run the Boston Marathon twice, qualifying for it both times (2009, 2010). I was actually qualified to run it again in 2011 but chose to pass on it.
Of the five World Marathon Majors I’ve run so far, Boston 2009 is my fastest. My two Bostons are my third and fourth fastest marathons overall.
Of the 13 full marathons I’ve done, Boston is the hardest marathon course I’ve ever run.
Me with a few non-runner girlfriends who came to cheer, bless their hearts
When I ran in 2009, 8 members of my family and 12 friends came to cheer me on. In contrast, when I ran in 2010, I went to Boston alone but met a whole bunch of blogging friends for the first time. They remain great friends all these years later.
You may know I’m kind of a bad weather magnet when it comes to racing. I’ve experienced race-cancelling heat (Chicago 2007), cold rain (Tokyo 2019), gale force headwinds (NYCM 2014) and Hurricane Sandy (MCM 2012) but ironically both of my Bostons had perfect running conditions.
Thanks for bearing with me on my run down memory lane. Best of luck to everyone toeing the line in Hopkinton on Patriot’s Day! I’m cheering you on in spirit!
OMG OMG OMG, I am in many of your Boston memory photos <3.
The 131 miles of Boston I've run over the last 10 years, they hold a lot of memories. This race has changed me, for the better, and I’m thankful to have had the opportunity. I don't know about any of the other major marathons, but finishing the Boston Marathon is something I will carry in my heart for the rest of my life. Those 5 medals are the only ones (besides Leadville) that I proudly hang up to see daily.
That was SO much fun meeting you in 2010 for my Boston birthday, and I cherish our very special friendship. I think we need to write a book one day about the Thelma and Louise adventures! I can't wait for more adventures ahead (we may be whittling down to 5ks by next year though – hahah).
Thanks for a fun trip down memory lane!!
xo
You know that if I have any running regrets, it’s not getting to run Boston. That BQ was within my grasp but it slipped away. Glad I can live vicariously through you and others who get to toe the line!
Great memories!!!! I’d LOVE to run Boston ((someday)) but am lacking the desire to put in the major work to qualify. The charity-runner aspect, though, has crossed my mind several times….
Interesting that you’ve done your best on such a hard course. You really are a running rockstar. 🙂 LOL on your original blog name. I don’t think I found you back then.
I have run those Newton hills (just for 13.1 & they are no joke. I wasn’t blessed with good weather unfortunately.
I’m not at all surprised you think it was the toughest course but then we all know you are tougher!
What fun memories to look back on! I did not “know” you back then. Interesting that you had your fastest marathon times on such a hard course. One of the great things about blogging is that you have all those memories stored up to look back on
Great memories!
Those sound like great memories! I couldn’t imagine all those other races with the crazy weather though. Glad to hear your Boston experiences didn’t have to deal with that! 🙂
This will be my second Boston. The first I had great weather. I’m afraid that this Boston won’t be. But I plan to make the most of it!
I haven’t run Boston, I would never quality until about the age of 70 or even 80 😀 it’s not a super desirable race for me (sorry) but it’s one of the 6 majors and therefore I hope to run it at some point (likely charity route). I wasn’t a runner when I lived in the US and never really got why Boston was such a big deal. Obviously I appreciate it more but I’d much rather run Tokyo!
I have run Paris twice and would love to go back. That was my favorite marathon. I loved Berlin but my foot pain took away from some of the epicness I thought I would feel running it (the Half in Berlin is my favorite and I absolutely love the city). I thought Athens would be the most epic marathon but it was shit haha! Only the start in Marathon and the last 7KM and finishing in Athens itself was nice.
Boston Marathon Monday is like a second Christmas for me, lol. I always enjoy watching the live stream at work
Wait, what? Boston 2009 was my first Boston too! I feel like you and I have been at some of the same (huge) marathons, but that was before I began blogging. I think we were both at Berlin 2017 too, right? Is that a picture of you and Bart Yasso? I saw him today at the expo for Ukrop’s 10k in Richmond, VA.
It’s funny when we look back and see how much has changed and how far we’ve come isn’t it? I’d love to run Boston someday. I’m also a bad weather race magnet…for marathons I usually end up getting really hot, humid weather (so NOT good PR conditions) and for obstacle races its usually the opposite, freezing cold! Which isn’t good when you have to trek through mud and water!
This was lovely – well done to you and I love how you met blogging friends through the race!
Such great memories!
I love Marathon Monday – I grew up going to the race every year to spectate and love volunteering now.
I think it’s amazing that Boston was your hardest yet fastest marathons. I hope to be running it next year with a goal of running comfortably and finishing strong. Stay tuned…:-)