T Minus Zero – Today I Ran The 118th Boston Marathon

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BMC: http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/21/us/boston-marathon/ and http://www.bostonglobe.com/sports/2014/04/22/dick-and-rick-hoyt-run-marathon-their-last-duo/0802xdlCGKe5Z84VmCgMpI/story.html

BEST DAY EVER.

Temps in the high 60s, some stomach rumblings in the middle of the race and a swollen left ankle. Crowds the whole way.

This was the most amazing race of my life. I was so humbled by the people I met in Boston and the stories from the bombing survivors. I met Fred, who has run 30 consecutive Boston Marathons. I met several first-timers like myself and two guys from St. Louis. I paid my respects to the fallen from last year’s Boston Marathon bombings. I saw the true heart of the people of Boston and am thankful for their support. Families were out along the course and I get choked up just thinking about the smiles I got as I high fived all the little kids. The energy from all the college kids could fuel a trip to Mars and back. After the marathon was over, people continued to congratulate me and high five me… felt a bit like a celebrity!

Thank you to the brave men and women who were tasked with keeping us crazy runners safe. Thank you to the volunteers for filling up all those Gatorade cups and endless smiles. Thank you to those who supported me through the Hoyt Foundation fundraiser, through well wishes, text messages, Facebook posts, rides to the airport, and joining me on long runs.

I worked so hard to run well and finished in 3:39:47, but I know I trained to run faster. My phone decided to kaput the morning of the marathon so I couldn’t keep track of my splits or take any pictures during the race. Maybe it was a blessing in disguise though, reminding me of the more important message of the race which is camaraderie and community than getting a PR. I may never run this race again which saddens me, but I am grateful for this experience. As my mom points out, there are no runners in our family and there aren’t a whole lot of Asian marathoners out there for a reason… so maybe I’ll have to just start volunteering at races instead of running them at some point  Final thanks belong to my family and especially to my little sister Catherine who really is like a big sister most of the time

Alicia 
Net Time 3:39:47
Overall 12385/31931
In Gender 3667/14356 (Female)
In Division 2520/6979 (F18-39 Age Group)

2 Days To Boston

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Today’s Run: Week 18, Saturday April 19th at 5:53pm

  • Miles: 2?
  • Pace: ?
  • Route: Over the Charles River
  • Weather/Other: Chilly stiff wind from the north
  • GM: Can’t believe I’m in Boston! So excited to be off the plane and out in the city.

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3 Days To Boston

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BMC: http://www.runnersworld.com/boston-marathon/mcgillivray-finishes-42nd-boston-marathon

Today’s Run: Week 18, Thursday April 17th

  • Miles: 6.1
  • Pace: 8:06
  • Route: Golf Course
  • Weather/Other: Windy. A little chilly. Cruised.
  • GM: Wished I could run my old Hillcrest 6 miler. So comforting, the familiar. I think I knew I would be getting on a plane to the unknown after the run, sometimes you want to stay where you know everything is the same. But, I know I can’t grow or change without trying out new experiences and taking risks from the familiar. Off to Boston!

4 Days To Boston

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BMC:  For the local spectators – http://www.bostonglobe.com/lifestyle/2014/04/16/great-places-watch-boston-marathon/P9sOYr1DQgaTNi6fnTcB5N/story.html  For those far away from Boston – http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/event-information/tv-coverage.aspx or stalk us runners in real time http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/participant-information/baa-boston-marathon-mobile-app.aspx

Today’s Run: Week 18, Wednesday April 16th at 9:15am

  • Miles: about 4
  • Pace: ??
  • Route: Torrey Pines
  • Weather/Other: Great day for a run! Sunny, but cool. Beat the crowds and the traffic. Ran with my good friend Linda. We also got some crazy organic juice/smoothie thing. Feeling healthier already!

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6 Days To Boston

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BMC: Fun facts and stories http://www.bostonglobe.com/2014/04/16/faces-field/5SqJQAcCIY7QAVjqkZ23ZN/story.html

Today’s Run: Week 18, Monday April 14th at 5:51pm

  • Miles: 5
  • Pace: 8:20
  • Route: Trader Joe Loop
  • Weather/Other: Sunny and hot. Feeling lethargic from past few days.
  • GM: Took an alley down into a new neighborhood. I used to run down the alleys in Beverly Hills, which always seemed more interesting than the front yards. Those front yards were immaculate, but cold. Big gates, the house so far from the street. Gleaming Mercedes and BMWs in the driveways..no sign of life. The alleys, though, kids playing and the mess of life. There were tennis courts, basketball courts, elaborate play structures (this is Beverly Hills after all). The alley I ran down Monday was the backs of mismatched homes and apartments. Fun to explore.

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8 Days To Boston

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BMC: http://abcnews.go.com/blogs/headlines/2014/04/thousands-turn-out-for-boston-marathon-sports-illustrated-cover/

Water tower and a hill... North Park scenery today

Water tower and a hill… North Park scenery today

Today’s Run: Week 17, Saturday April 12th at 6:15pm

  • Miles: 7.2
  • Pace: 7:52
  • Route: the New Balboa Park — same loop but from a different starting point
  • Weather/Other: Cool and cloudy. A very schizophrenic day. It occurred to me that all of this training would have been impossible if I didn’t live in sunny SoCal. The weather is such a factor in performance and enjoyability. Just knowing it won’t snow (hello apocalypse!) and likely won’t rain or freeze makes life so easy.
  • GM: Cannot believe I am down to single digit days!! Getting pretty real now…think about what to pack and last minute details. Don’t get sick, don’t get injured, don’t forget to live it up!