2010 Boston Marathon Spectating Recap

Race Eve: After dinner with the B.R.A. we headed back to our hotel and got our stuff together for Marathon morning; Spike laid out his race gear and packed his gear bag while I charged the phone, camera, packed my sling full of snacks and tried to figure out how best to layer. Within an hour we were packed and ready for bed... well Spike was anyway. He knocked out cold. I on the other hand laid awake most of the night fretting we'd miss the alarm somehow. Sweet dreams my luv, I'll take care of the pre-race nerves for you!

Pre Race: Despite my greatest fears we did NOT miss the alarm. In fact, I watched the clock eventually roll over to 4:30 a.m. on the dot and begin beeping. Up and at 'em! We had to meet the B.R.A. at their hotel at 6 a.m. sharp so we got straight to business getting ready. Spike was calm, cool and collected as he got himself ready... I don't know how he does it! I was a complete ball of nerves! We left the hotel right on time and it was a beautiful clear morning as we made our way to the T.

Look at him; not a care in the world...

You could feel (and see) the nervous energy of the other runner's as the train filled up and made it's way into the city. As we reached our destination the sun had begun to rise and the city was flooded with runner's and their yellow gear check bags. Contrary to our (my) fears there was no mass hysteria on the T and we got to the hotel with time to spare.

B.R.A. ready to represent!

Once everyone was assembled and ready to head to the buses I kissed Spike goodbye, wished him and the rest of the B.R.A. a great race and told him I'd see him around mile 26. My stomach was full of butterflies as I watched them leave so I said a few words to the running gods that they all would have a most excellent race day.


With the runner's out the door, V, Julie and I hit the restaurant so they could fuel up on some caffeine and we could discuss our spectating strategy. After going over the maps we trekked down and scoped out our spot. I shot a quick text to Spike to let him know where/what side of the road to look for us and then we headed back to the hotel to kill some time before we set up shop. V & I had discussed drinking Mimosa's while planning the trip so we attempted to order some when we got back to the hotel but no cigar... so we did what any resourceful gals would do... we hit up the local liquor store for some OJ & champagne and ghetto rigged our own once we headed back!


I had strategically placed us across from the convention center, a place everyone had gone to over the weekend and could remember, conveniently after the turn onto Boylston, near a bar that had public bathrooms for us to use and at a cross street for easy exit so after we spotted our runners we could slip away and head parallel the runner's up Newberry St. to the meet them in the family meet up area without having to fight the crowds on Boylston. Location, location, location! We set up shop about 9am and killed time chatting up cute cops, making posters and enjoying our Mimosa's. Amidst the excitement of waiting Ally found us and together we awaited the wheelchair and elite's to go by...

The Race: First up were the wheelchair's; they were neck and neck as they zoomed by!

(Click any pics to see larger)

Then the women came in. It was absolutely amazing to see in person! Words can not describe what an awesome experience that was. Ally and I screamed our heads off and jumped up and down like kids. Yes we're running nerds and proud of it! :)

Teyba Erkesso for the Finish

Tatyana Pushkareva a close second.

Look at them neck and neck!
They finished within a second of each other!

Just after the women zipped past Ally had to take off and V and I decided we'd use the restroom really fast before the men came through... and so it goes that I commit the biggest spectating FAIL in the history of man!!! We head into the crowded bar, push our way into the restroom, go as fast as possible and before we are even out of the door to return I hear the most thunderous round of screams, yells, you name it... WE MISSED THE MEN GO BY!!! FML!!! I ran outta that bar so fast, elbowing everyone in my way and had just enough time to snap this pic... in case you can't tell that is Ryan Hall's back. FAIL!!!

I was able to get this great pic of Meb though...

Yes folks... I completely FAIL'd you all. I was so p*ssed at myself for missing them. I had been so excited to see them all morning and completely missed it! D@MN IT. Oh well no time to dwell our men would be following shortly...

GO B.R.A. RUNNERS! GO!

As it closed in on 3 hours V and I were a duo of Nervous Nellies. Actually let me back up, we had been Nervous Nellies from the get go, as time elapsed it just got worse. The runner updates weren't coming in at all, our phones were blowing up with people calling to find out where the guys were on the course and my phone was dying! FML!!! V had someone on a computer pulling check point times on everyone and we gauged ETA's accordingly. It was absolutely nerve wracking and anticipation grew with every moment. Right on time we finally spotted Coach Tom, V's man of the hour, and he was looking STRONG and right on pace! Congrats Coach Tom!!!

Coach Tom (Center in Blue)

A few minutes later we spotted Navy Steve and he was in the zone... Great job Navy!!!

Navy Steve my Gasparilla Finish Pacer (White tank & hat)

Not too long after Navy Steve we spotted Coach EK, he didn't veer our way but thankfully V spotted him in the crowd. (Center just beyond guy in white tank top, he's in the blue tank and black shorts w/ yellow strip) He looked great out there in action. Congrats on another Boston Marathon Finish Coach E!!!



A few minutes went by and V took off to go meet up with her beloved so I sent her on her way and continued to anxiously await Spike's arrival. I knew from his splits that his race was far from what he expected it to be and knew what must have happened. As each minute ticked on I frantically scanned the pack of runners praying I wouldn't miss him somehow. After what felt like a lifetime, which it most certainly was in those moments, I finally spotted him and screamed my head off to get his attention. He ran up and I gave him the biggest hug and kiss I could over the barricade fence. One more kiss for good measure and he was on his way to the Finish line.

My luv on his way to the Finish Line of his First Boston Marathon
(White hat, shirt, gray shorts)

*Schmoopy Alert* I may or may not have gotten a little teary eyed. I may or may not have thrown down my posters, left my fold up chair behind and sprinted down Newberry as fast as I could so I could be the very first thing he saw when he exited the Finishers Area. What can I say, I'm hopelessly in love with that man and I wanted nothing more than to tell him how proud of him I was. I wish I could channel that feeling everytime I raced because I assure you I have never sprinted so fast in my life! And it was well worth it when he came out wearing his medal with the biggest smile on his face I have ever seen! Congratulations my luv you are amazing!!!

He DEFINITELY earned that Bling & Jacket!!!

He was absolutely glowing and despite everything, was in complete awe of the experience. I had hoped he'd have his recap up by now but we all know what a slacker he is about posting so you'll just have to wait for the juicy details. He has quite the story to tell and is an inspiration to me every day but especially this day.... yup he's kind of a big deal...

Don't they look riveted by his recap?!?!? You will be too!

I will close this recap by saying that spectating Boston was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. That morning I witnessed the physical definitions of the words; Inspiration, Determination, Dedication, and Perseverance. I hope everyone that truly appreciates the sport gets to witness it first hand at least once in their lifetime. It will be an experience you will never forget and will put the fever in you like never before... there's a reason why it is the elite most Marathon in the world and it's earned that title accordingly.

To all those that raced I extend my congratulations and to all those that aspire to run the course someday I say "Believe to Achieve!" One day you'll make it there and it WILL be worth it!!! I myself had never had Boston as a goal but after this experience how could it not...