In a few short days, it will be Marathon Monday.
The Boston Marathon.
A race that every runner knows about. A race that even the non-runner knows about.
Like every year around this time, I have Boston Marathon thoughts pop up more more often than usual.
I’m getting the question, “Are you running Boston this year?” from everyone.
When I say “Everyone”, I mean all of my patients who remembered me running four years ago or people who I just meet and find out I’m a runner. When you live an hour away from Boston, everyone and their brother knows about Marathon Monday.
If I had a dollar for every time I’ve been asked in the past month, I would be a freakin’ millionaire.
Of course, the majority of the people asking me are not runners and have no idea that you need to qualify, run with a charity or a get a bib from a marathon sponsor (like I did from Stonyfield).
Once I answer “no”, it’s usually followed up with, “Have you ever run Boston?”
I had to laugh when one of my patients asked me last week if I ran marathons “competitively” like I was going to win or something. I just laughed. Clearly, he doesn’t know jack about running.
Three or four years ago when someone would ask me if I ever ran Boston, I’d hesitate about giving them an answer. If I did answer, it usually meant having to go into the dirty details of that horrible day. I’d give the complicated answer “yes but no” and then rehash it all.
A friend told me I should just say yes because I did train for it and I did cross the starting line. I even have a finisher’s medal. Read THIS story if you are wondering how that happened.
Now that I’m 4 years out from that day, I’m totally cool with talking about my DNF. I can laugh at the ridiculousness of it all because it was nothing but a shit-show. Sure, I can remember all the details but it doesn’t make me sad or angry like it used to. I can wear my shirt and jacket from that year with no problem.
With my social media feeds blowing up with all things Boston right now, I feel a teeny tiny twinge of maybe wanting to try for a BQ again. I mean, how can you not?
But then I see that the weather this year is supposed to be Part II of last year’s hurricane and I think, “Nah, I’m good!”
The whole vibe of Boston Marathon weekend is what gives me a tiny itch. If you have ever been, you know the whole weekend leading up to the race is electric. There’s so many fun meet-ups that it’s easy to connect with runner friends from everywhere. The expo. The history. The symbolism.
When you get to the Athlete’s Village, the electricity continues. And all along the course, it’s nothing but one big party.
It’s easy to get wrapped up in that excitement.
But then again, I could just head down to Boston for the weekend and partake in all the events and hit up the expo and pretend I’m running without actually running on Monday. That be one way to catch that vibe without having to run in Hurricane Part II. That kind of sounds better. Lol!
Who knows if I’ll ever want to run a road marathon again. Never say never, right?
5 days out from @bostonmarathon and here are my thoughts about this iconic race! #running #bostonmarathon
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Linking up with Coaches Corner.
Do you have Boston Marathon dreams or do you think “Nah, I’m good!”
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