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April 17, 2006
QUICK UPDATE FROM BOSTON: 3:09:43
I just sent out this email - so sorry for not posting this weekend (I did not have internet service at the place I was staying. B. and I are at a cafe and our internet is about to run its course . . . ). So I am doing the lazy thing and copying and pasting the email I just sent out. Here goes:
I don't have a lot of time before my internet service runs out so this will be a rather brief update (if such a thing is even possible).
Most everyone knew that today I was running the Boston Marathon as a recipient of the Margaret L. Bradley award. Margaret ran for the Greater Boston Track Club and when she moved to Chicago, she joined Universal Sole (the team that I currently run for; I ran for GBTC when I lived in Boston). Margaret tragically died 2 years ago, and not knowing exactly what to do, Universal Sole and GBTC came together and GBTC started the Margaret Bradley Award. Each year, GBTC sends a runner to the Chicago Marathon and the Sole sends a runner to Boston. This year I was greatly humbled and honored to receive the award.
I wasn't too sure what to expect since I had about 6 weeks to get myself psyched and ready for this race. I tossed in some emergency long runs - all of which went surprisingly well - and I continued to do an array of progression runs - my weekly mileage hovered in the 50s and once or twice in the 60s. My long runs and my progression runs told me to chase a sub 3:00 marathon time.
This entire experience has been incredibly powerful and rewarding. GBTC had a wonderful get together on Saturday night and the atmosphere was warm and welcoming - it was beautiful and bittersweet; the last time I was training for Boston, I was training with Margaret (she ran and I got injured). So the one time I was not planning to attack this course, Margaret brought me here . . .
This entire day has been special beyond words.
When I lined up at the start, I made a decision - in spite of everyone's warnings - to go after a sub 3. Why not? I have never felt this fit and the moment - to remember one of the toughest and most dedicated runners that I have ever known - seemed ripe. I kicked off my first mile at a conservative 7:01. The next three or four were around 6:30, and then I pulled on the brakes and the two guys from Chicago (Mike and John - the Universal Sole jersey attracted a lot of Chicagoan runners throughout the race) slowed down with me. We ran through 10K in 41:38 (give or take a few seconds), 10 miles around 1:07:35 or so and 15K around 1:02 + change. We hit the half in 1:29:05. Everything felt smooth and effortless at this point, in spite of the roller-coaster ride that is the Boston Marathon. Then I hit a downhill at mile 14 and my quads SCREAMED! LOUDLY. I freaked out a little. Never once did I think that I took it out too quickly - I still do not. BUT, nothing can prepare a Chicagoan for the downhills of this course. The uphills seemed like a piece of sweet apple pie in comparison.
The rest of the race was difficult, to say the least. I hung on to a sub 3 pace until mile 19 (6:50 pace). I hit 21 still chasing a PR of 3:02. Then I hit 23 and I wasn't sure if I was going to make it. My quads started to shake from the constant rolliness of the course and I was afraid - deathly afraid - that if I took one walking step, it would all be over (in running lingo, "I BLEW UP; HIT THE WALL; TANKED; DIED"). So I resorted to shuffling. It was humiliating at times, but it was the best I could give . . . and I gave it my all. It was a truly humbling last 3 miles. When I hit Boylston Street and could see the finish, I realized that not even seeing the finish line (nor watching what seemed like thousands of people fly by me) could make my legs move any faster. I truly gave it everything that I had. I crept across the finish in 3:09:43. Hardly a sub 3, and not a PR, but good enough. I honestly feel like that could translate (easily translate) into a sub 3 in Chicago this fall. With some 80 mile weeks and a summer to focus and train, I can taste it - I am more excited about running than I have been in a long time (the magic of Boston?).
Some people say Boston is a fast course. I am not so sure. I think it can be. BUT only if one trains on downhills day in and day out. We do not have that luxury in Chicago.
At the end of the day, I finished around 112 out of 8,000+ women and a little over 2,000 out of 20,000+ runners.
When the pain hit me at mile 14, I had one thing on my mind: Margaret. The last 12 miles were somewhat of a journey that it is going to take me quite a long time to translate into words.
I cannot thank USole and GBTC enough for the gift that was today.
P.S. I CAN STILL WALK! . . .. (barely).
Posted by bridget at April 17, 2006 08:50 PM
Comments
Bridget,
Congratulations on your marathon experience! What a meaningful day for you and so many people. Take care of those quads!
Posted by: Meghan at April 17, 2006 09:22 PM
OWWW~!! :)
congratulations on your finish for your friend. what a great experience.
Posted by: Audrey at April 17, 2006 10:32 PM
Congrats again! I'm SO impressed with you.
Posted by: alweiss at April 17, 2006 10:55 PM
I think the Boston course is just wacky. Some people respond well to it, but most struggle. I am really impressed by how well you did, and I definitely think you can go sub-3:00 in Chicago. I saw you and cheered, but Rod was cheering for you at the same time from the other side of the road, and he was louder. The photo I got of you was you sticking your tongue out at him :-)
Enjoy the remainder of your time in Boston!!!! (Quack quack)
Congratulations on a great race and for toughing it out at the end. Recover well!
Posted by: Alison at April 18, 2006 12:07 AM
Way to go Bridget!! I am so impressed by how you ran your race. I think that's the hardest way - go for it and hang on at the end. It takes a lot of guts, which, from what you write about Margaret, seems like what she was all about. 3:09 is amazing off of the 6 weeks of training you had. Rest up and relax and enjoy the reward!
Posted by: Beth at April 18, 2006 06:37 AM
Congratulations on a very comendable finish! I saw that you had finished 112th out of all female finishers and was overwhelmed with amazement - what a fantastic accomplishment. Best of luck with Chicago, and thanks for sharing your running experiences with us.
Posted by: Jodi at April 18, 2006 09:50 AM
WAY TO GO BRIDGET!!!
What an amazing experience, and what a great way to honor your friend's memory.
Posted by: barb at April 18, 2006 10:58 AM
You ran a very impressive race, Bridget! You went for your PR and were still able to finish with a great time despite all your pain. I hope your recovery goes well.
Posted by: Caitlin at April 18, 2006 11:23 AM
Yeah! Congrats on a great race! We can't wait to watch you in Chicago - me, Joe, Rosie and your new twins! Lots of love!
Posted by: colleen at April 18, 2006 12:48 PM
Great race, Bridget. Your performance definitely puts a sub-3:00 in play for Chicago this fall.
Congratulations!
Posted by: Gerard at April 18, 2006 04:30 PM
Congratulations. I'm very impressed.
Posted by: dallen at April 18, 2006 07:32 PM
Congrats! Well done!!
Posted by: Paige at April 19, 2006 12:08 PM