Today: Marathon Monday
I feel especially lucky to live in Boston on Marathon Monday. Not only do we get to see world class athletes flying by us on Beacon Street, we also get to be our best, friendliest, most positive selves, cheering on all 25,000 marathoners until our voices are hoarse. I sound like a man right now. An unhealthy man.
This year I had the chance of a lifetime, crossing the marathon finish line with a race bib pinned to my shirt and running shoes on my feet. Before I get ahead of myself, I should clarify that this was Sunday (not Monday) and I had run 3.1 miles (not 26.2). Nick and I, and 4500 others, ran the B.A.A. 5k Sunday morning, as marathoners cheered us on from Boylston Street, en route to pick up their numbers. Crossing what would be the finish line for the 114th annual (and record-breaking) Boston Marathon just 24 hours later, was exhilarating. Because let’s be serious… I won’t be qualifying for the marathon anytime soon.
It wasn’t my best race, but it was definitely one of the most exiting. The 5k was followed by the B.A.A.’s invitational mile races. I am still trying to wrap by brain around how anyone can run a 4 minute mile. It takes me longer than that to tie my laces. 🙂 You can find all of The Boston Globe’s photos from the B.A.A. 5k here.
Today I met my sister Andrea and my friend Lizzie on Beacon Street to cheer on the runners. I can’t help but turn into a big cheese doodle watching everyone running by. Marathon Monday never ceases to inspire and move and amaze me. Here are few photos from Mile 24-ish.
I loved cheering for fellow Eagles (especially those running for Campus School), people running with friends, older people, younger people, people from Southie, police officers, women wearing running skirts, people in wheelchairs, Army rangers, people named Norbert (there was only one, hi Norbert), people named Mary, Texans, Canadians, people from Michigan, disabled runners and their guides, people running for Dana Farber Cancer Institute, people who clearly forgot their name was written on their shirts, people from Greater Lowell, men dressed as women (there were more of those than there were Norberts), people from Somerville, people running with Mexican flags, people who were not wearing shoes, people who looked exhausted and people kicking it into high gear. I love Marathon Monday.
Also On Tap for Today:
- Check out the Globe’s full Marathon Monday coverage
- Write a note to Nick’s Avo (grandmother) in Portuguese and hope I don’t mistakenly write something inappropriate
Did you watch the race?
Comments (15)
purplume
April 20, 2010 at 2:06 am
I didn’t watch the race.
I did get to help man a water station for the ironman here in Kona. It was so exciting.
Elizabeth
April 20, 2010 at 12:11 pm
I’ve always wanted to volunteer for a race– thanks for the inspiration. I am sure the runners appreciated seeing your smiling face!
sharon
April 20, 2010 at 10:11 am
thanks for your blog and the great pictures.
made me feel like i was there.
Elizabeth
April 20, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Thank you! It’s one of my favorite days of the year. Happy to share the excitement!
Jessica @ Dairy Free Bety
April 20, 2010 at 11:44 am
Congrats on your race!! That must have been an awesome/fun feeling!! “I crossed the Boston Marathon finish line” no lie there 😉
Good luck with your Porteguesse (I can’t even spell the word ;))
ps. I decided since Jamie is moving back to the island, and I live here, you should come visit!! 🙂
Elizabeth
April 20, 2010 at 12:10 pm
Thanks, Jess! Brilliant idea, by the way. 🙂 Just think of all the trouble the three of us could get into…
Wishing4One
April 20, 2010 at 6:27 pm
I have always wanted to watch a marathon live and in person, hasn’t happened yet. Closest I came was Race for a Cure. Thanks for the awesome pics, took me to Boston for a minute.
Just Me
April 21, 2010 at 10:44 am
I <3 the Boston Marathon. I used to live near Cleveland Circle, and now every year on Marathon Monday I miss my little condo there more than ever. I did watch it on TV, though, and thought the women's race was great. Very cool that you got a great pic of the winner as she ran by! And good for you for doing the 5K! I wish I was a runner, but I could never get myself past the first week or two of trying to get started. Now I only run if I'm being chased…. 😉
ICLW
PAE
April 21, 2010 at 9:40 pm
What a great entry….I felt like I was there instead of watching the tv!!!! When you were really young (like 5 weeks old) you were positioned by BC distributing orange slices to those brave runners on Patriots’ Day…nice job!!! XXOO YKW
Robin
April 22, 2010 at 1:32 pm
“It takes me longer than that to tie my shoelaces.” That’s hilarious! Wow, that is a fabulous shot of the race at the top. And the legs on that female runner (your favorite photo of the day) – whoo, they could crack me! Congrats on doing the 5K. My hubby did it last year and I was so, so proud of him. I’ll tell you what I tell him – now that you’ve done that, you don’t know WHAT else you might accomplish! Kudos!
shannon (the daily balance)
April 22, 2010 at 3:08 pm
so inspirational! i wish i could have seen it first-hand (your photos helped, though!)
Kimberly
April 23, 2010 at 9:43 am
So very awesome!! On Saturday I signed up for to run my first marathon (Milwaukee Lakefront Marathon), I’m so excited! I had no idea that there was a 5k on the day before the Boston Marathon.
ICLW #134/135
zikata
April 23, 2010 at 2:40 pm
Hahah good job for running the 5k! I wouldn’t be able to do even that! I’m so humbled by everyone who ran on Monday!
In my blog, I expressed a similar perspective on the event: its wonderful that we all get to watch it, run it, and cheer for it together! Take a look, http://zikata.wordpress.com/2010/04/21/all-you-need-to-run-the-boston-marathon-is-sports-spirit/
A also have a few good pictures like you 🙂
All the best,
Zikata
Half of a Duo, Raising a Duo
April 25, 2010 at 9:46 am
Hey homegirl. Just stumbled across your blog and will add u to my blogroll. Will you be attenting the SITS conference in Btown in August? Maybe we can meet up. I am always in the city, at either Childrens or MGH. Would love t meet a fellow blogger who is a SQueener.
ICLW!
The grey lady
Lisa
April 27, 2010 at 3:48 pm
I’ve never run 3.1 miles in my life, so you’re a winner in my book. The photos are great, so I can imagine that there is great spirit in the air, between runners, cheerleaders and anyone who got caught up in the Marathon accidentally. We had the London Marathon here this weekend too! I wasn’t there, unfortunately, but it is so wonderful to hear the individual stories of runners and hear about the charities that benefit as well.
All the best,
Lisa (ICLW #65 – your great life)