Monday, June 07, 2010

My Road To Boston- THE RACE

The gun went off and so did I. There were so many tid bits that I kept telling myself to "remember that, don't forget this." But honestly it was all so surreal and crazy, it kind of just blurred into one. Immediately I was bombarded with runners ditching off to the sides to "make." It was so crazy that I just stared straight ahead as much as I possibly could. I quickly found that I could break a record for the amount of high fives given in one day. I had to resist because a friend had told me how tiring it actually was to give out so many high fives. We were greeted into each town with bigger and drunker cheers. Those Bostonians like their beer and they really like to drink it on Patriots Day as you run through their town.
Live music, fans, and food were never ceasing. I think every family along the route bought oranges in bulk just to offer them to us as we passed their houses. While their were aid stations every two miles or so, I could have gotten food and drink the entire route.
I had no idea where I really was most of the time. I saw some signs or heard fans saying "Welcome to Framingham!" But I had forgotten the order of the towns, so that didn't mean a whole lot.
Physically I was feeling okay. My legs were stiff from waiting around in the cold, but all things considered, I was feeling good. I wasn't all that concerned because I was just supposed to "enjoy" this race.
Before halfway, I had realized that I should have worn something with my name or my state or my college. The supporters were incredible about yelling out for the runners. I kept in step with a girl from Canada for several miles. Every time someone saw her maple leaf, I'd hear "GO CANADA!!!" I ran with another girl from Iowa and every time a spectator saw the Hawkeye on here shirt, again, I'd hear "IOWA!!!!" My favorite was an man wearing his Colombian flag on his singlet. He passed a dense crowd of Latinos who properly pronounced their cheers, "CO-LUMM-BE-AH!!!!"
I had chosen my shirt earlier in the week. I was at a sports store and it was like the shirt spoke out to me, "I'm the one." Because of my choice in clothing, the incredible fans in Boston, decided to call me "Trust." One single word printed across my shirt gave me a new name for 3 hours and 29 minutes. "Let's go Trust!" "Come on Trust!" "TRUST, Trust, you can do it!" On that day, it was good to have a new name. I think I needed to hear that word over and over. It was nearly halfway, and I needed to trust I could do the rest, because my legs were already so tired. I hadn't even hit the real hills yet and I needed to trust I was still going to see that finish line.
Among all the crazy spectators on the side, there were plenty more hanging out windows, perched on balconies, and camped out on their lawns. The closer we got, the louder everyone got.
However, no other area can rival those girls at Wellesley!
The long standing tradition of the scream tunnel and kisses is just purely Boston.

As I got close, I saw a sign that said, "Prepare your ears." They weren't joking! It was so loud that my ears were humming. I chuckled the whole way. Watching sweaty men jump over for their kisses. So many signs to read.
"Kiss Me, I'm a Senior." "Kiss me I'm a Freshman." "Kiss Me I'm From Minnesota." "Kiss Me I'm Jewish" "Kiss Me I'm Half-Asian."


The signs were hilarious. The tunnel lived up to be everything I had ever heard it was. What an incredible boost to my tired body.
I left the ruckus behind and kept looking to the right. I told the family, I'd stay to the right and look for them. Kenton had planned to be at the halfway point, so I started looking more intently. As I was running through the town, I heard my name, my real name being screamed from the left. It was Kenton, Judah, my sister-in-law Tara, and my brother-in-law Scott! It was crazy and I think I cut some people off but I managed to get a quick wave and smile. I hollered out something about staying to the right, but it was all in fun because I only learned later what chaos they had to endure to get a spot to cheer from.
I'm not sure why I didn't take 2 seconds and stop, I guess I was just in the zone. It was so great to see familiar faces.
The weather remained beautiful. The sun shined and the temps were mild. I never even noticed the wind. These were such good things, because I could only deal with a few bad things at that time. My biggest concerns were the fact that I was listening to veteran runners telling others that "the hills" were coming right up, and the blisters that were forming back at mile 5, were really, really starting to hurt!


I never stopped to check on my blisters or get some Vaseline at the medic tents. I considered it, but I assumed stopping would be worse than the blisters.
I kept going and took in those hills that make Boston so famous. None of them were particularly steep, they were just long and and they just kept coming.
At this point the crowd knew what to do. They saw the looks of pain on our faces and dug deep themselves to get us through. Many were very informed about the course and let me know how many more I had to go. There were lots of mama's out there that day. Or at least they treated me like I was their baby. Screaming encouragement and not allowing me to give up.
I was told by the screams and by signs that Heartbreak Hill was coming up. The most famous hill of the entire course was almost behind me.

The route was adorned with huge signs. One for each town and a tag line that represented the traditon of the course. Most of the hills are in Newton. I looked up and read, "Run Newton Better In Pain." I laughed! That was the best line out of all the signs. At least I knew the pain I was in was expected and normal.


As I got closer to that sign, I was startled by a mob screaming my name. My whole family was there. My parents had staked out a spot at the base of Heartbreak Hill many hours prior. They waited and were joined by the rest of my family. I even had friends, Duane and Maria AND their 4 girls, directly across the street. Cheering from both sides was going on.
At the sound of my name I jumped and waved big, so happy to see them. It was so crazy that I never even knew about the friends screaming from the other side. Again, I waved, and smiled and ran on. My family had stood there all morning and all they got was a wave. What was wrong with me!?

I was never fully aware that I was on Heartbreak Hill, or fully aware when I was done. All I knew was that my legs were trashed. I heard a woman tell me that I had 7 more stop lights and the hills were all over. Then another person screamed something about a few blocks. I don't know when I reached it, but I did clearly see signs telling me it was over. I felt relieved for a minute. Then I remembered I had over 5 miles left to run.
The crowds were getting really really rowdy. They knew we were almost done and the alcohol had also had time to really kick in.
Somewhere around mile 23 I walked through my first aid station. I hadn't remembered ever feeling that spent before. My legs were stiff lead poles. I told myself I could walk to the last table. A very boisterous (and drunk) spectator spotted me walking. He started following me alongside the street, screaming all sorts of encouragement. He wasn't going to let me walk. He screamed until I started running again. With the little energy I had, I smiled at him and tried desperately to find a stride again.
I walked one more time at another aid station. But it hurt so bad to start up again, I refused to stop anymore.
The crowd was so thick. So loud. So amazing. So.... Boston.
It was all a haze, even then. I couldn't wrap my brain around the fact that I was finishing the Boston Marathon. I saw the Citgo sign. Signaling that I was at mile 25 and I had one more to go. I still couldn't get it to click. I was so tired. I hurt so bad.

I ran the last turns. I was showered with screams. I turned ON TO BOYLSTON STREET.


I could see the finish. It was still a long ways off, but I knew I was going to get my body across that line.
I was tunneled by the crowd, but I was in another place. A place that only days later was I able to describe.
On our last night in Boston, I broke down in tears to Kenton. I had finally been able to describe the feeling I had as I finished. Of all things, Chris Brown's song, Forever, had unlocked that feeling for me.
I was playing all the memories of my running life through my head. From running my first mile in 2006 with my Dad at my side. To completing new distances with friends running with me or cheering for me. To training for my first marathon with Wendy by me, every single step of the way. I thought of my talks with my Dad about trying to BQ. My conversations with Jamie after I fractured my pelvis. The tears shed to my husband. The sweetest words of faith from my son. The support my mom had given at every single race. Maria telling our whole church goodbye, but specifically reminding me that they'd have a room for me when, not if, I got to Boston. I thought of all times Kenton let me dream out loud. I thought of how he always pushed me to go after my dream, to never let anything stop me. How James mapped out 26.2 miles and used it as a teaching instruction at church. How Stephanie was first to pray when I was scared. How Rachel and Dave laid hands on my injuries. How my sister screamed the loudest when I got my BQ. How my Dad abandoned all formalities and told me everything he felt. How he got worried and came after me in the last few miles of my qualifying race. How Dad jumped in front of me to block the wind in that last mile. How Dad pushed me to run in the first place. How he helped me take a fluke and turn it into a way of life. And so many swarming words of encouragement I'd received from family, from friends, from strangers. How I had truly come so far. I was accomplishing my dream. And how I was doing it by traveling on the legs of my loved ones. I was trudging through those last footfalls on a path they had built for me. I desired so badly to take everyone by the hand and celebrate this moment with them. I had waited for so long for this moment and in my heart, I desired so much to share it.
All things had truly been made possible for me and in that moment, as I crossed the finish line of the 2010 Boston Marathon, I became living proof that, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13). I could look my son in the eyes and tell him nothing is impossible.



From the finish line it was chaotic. I was exhausted, but when a nice woman placed my medal around my neck, I cracked. I was completely and totally finished.

I was herded through thousands of people. My family was stuck on the T. I had to have help putting my warm ups back on. I managed to find Kenton and then I got in view of my Dad. I was greeted by a great reception of family and friends, but I passed them up because I had been waiting all day to hug my Dad. Running had become our thing. I believe it was a gift from God to bring us closer. Closer than we'd ever thought possible. Running may have saved us from living this life as strangers. And Boston was the stage for all of our emotions regarding this relationship to be on full display.
I have had such a hard time expressing my feelings about Boston. Finding those perfect words to truly describe what the journey was like. I just couldn't do it. It's been such a long road for me. A strange turn of events turned an unsuspecting girl into a runner and got her to Boston. A mob of friends and family carried my hopes and helped me turn them into a reality. How do you put those experiences into words? I don't think you can.
If I was alone when I finished, I never felt like it. I had loved ones across the nation cheering for me that day and I knew it. I had a family just minutes away on a train. I had thousands of adopted friends screaming for me. But as my sister pointed out, I had my God, my savior, and my friend by my side the whole way. I was so impacted by a father that gives good gifts to his stubburn, selfish child.
How I long for everyone to experience that joy. How I wished I could have taken you all by the hand and shared this journey with you.
Kenton made this video, and he nailed it. My words never came, but this is exactly how I feel about "my" road to Boston.

My Road To Boston from Kenton & Lacy Hansen on Vimeo.

I waited for these images before I could post about this race. These images are the pure, wordless expression of what Boston meant to both of us. Of what running had done for us. Of what we discovered about each other through this journey. Of what God will do with a life, if you let him have his way.

So, when Persia was dust, all cried, "To Acropolis!

Run, Pheidippides, one race more! the meed is thy due!

Athens is saved, thank Pan, go shout!" He flung down his shield

Ran like fire once more: and the space 'twixt the fennel-field

And Athens was stubble again, a field which a fire runs through,

Till in he broke: "Rejoice, we conquer!" Like wine through clay,

Joy in his blood bursting his heart, - the bliss!

-Robert Browning, his 1879 poem Pheidippides.


There are things worth fighting for.

What more can I say?
I will end with a quote from one of my favorite minds.

Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So... get on your way.
Dr. Seuss

17 comments:

  1. Inspirational!!!!!
    That's all I have for this post :)

    ReplyDelete
  2. And I teared up reading this. Yes, very inspirational.

    ReplyDelete
  3. Wow, that just makes me want that experience even more. I can't wait to get there someday. Thanks for sharing everything about the trip.

    As far as a rematch? Maybe the Gobbler Grind (full?) in November?

    ReplyDelete
  4. Great recap. I loved your descriptions of the race and your thoughts about your journey there. Congratulations!

    ReplyDelete
  5. what a great post...actually all your Boston recap posts have been really great...I have enjoyed reading your posts....I love the image of you hugging your dad, and of your son calling for you in the crowd....awesome stuff....so I guess you met my wife today at soccer camp, woo-hoo! maybe we'll meet at a race one day. Congrats on an amazing race at Boston.

    ReplyDelete
  6. And I am officially crying. Great job friend!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Lacy, as someone who screamed in the Wellesley Scream Tunnel for three year (I was abroad my junior year), it was really neat to read someone's account of running through it. Glad to know the hoarse voice I got from screaming all day was worth it. (But I never wanted kisses from the runners--sweaty faces = ew!)

    Also, this was really inspiring. Thank you.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Anonymous7:42 AM CDT

    I started following you after finding your twitter from a #bostonmarathon search (on Marathon Monday). I am 25 yrs. old and just started running and love reading your accounts of just starting out running. It's truly inspirational to go from those "just starting out" entries to one like this. I may never run a Marathon (or more than a mile at a time right now), but it's nice to know that, now that you've accomplished all this, it was hard at the beginning.

    Thank you for your honesty and inspiration. You're awesome.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Thank you all for your comments. It's so great to hear from you. I'd love to interact more with my readers. (I didn't even know if I had any)so please always comment!
    I love sharing my journey and I love hearing about other's as well.

    ReplyDelete
  10. Aw, great RR and photos! It was a magical day and I love getting to re-live it through someone else's words and pictures! Congratulations again.

    ReplyDelete
  11. I know I'm weeks behind in reading this (and you may never see my comment), but I just wanted to know how much I loved this recap. I dont know you and yet there were tears streaming down my face as I read it.

    amazing,amazing,amazing.thanks for giving me a dose of inspiration before I head out for a training run.

    ReplyDelete
  12. Anonymous5:37 PM CDT

    Your video was amazing. "Forever" by Chris Brown is on my running playlist as my last song for every run. I'm new to running, but I know that one day I'll be at Boston.
    Thank you for being an inspiration for me today.

    All things through Christ,
    ~Veronica

    ReplyDelete
  13. hey, you won the Ultimate Runner book giveaway on my blog...email me your address for shipping, ozrunner@cox.net

    ReplyDelete
  14. Ann Coleman10:44 PM CDT

    Lacy, your posts are just amazing....thanks so much for sharing with us!

    ReplyDelete
  15. eskort ankara bayan eskort servisi web tasarımı web tasarımı, internet sitesi google optimizasyonu escort bayan eskort kızlar escort bayan escort girls. türkiyenin özel kızları sallama kelime kolleksiyonu burada türkiyenin eskort kızları bayan erkek eskort servisi istanbul ankara izmir köpek eğitimi köpek eğitimi ve bakımı arkadaşlık Sohbet siteleri chat
    islami evlilik siteleri bayan partner siteleri arkadaşlık sitesi arıyorum en güzel kızlar bu sitede ücretsiz üyelik sistemi bayan arkadaşlar kız arkadaşlar arıyorum
    bayan arama escort izmir telekız hizmeti veren siteler car rental oto kiralama araba kiralama araç kiralama türkiyenin kızları en sexy kızlareskort istanbul bu sitede aradığınız kızı bulacaksınız. attım kafadan kalıp tasarımı firmanıza uygun kalıp tasarımları eskort bayan türkiyenin en güzel kızları. biz www.bizdensor.com sinema dizi full film izle belgesel video clip play game çocuklar oyunlar erkek çocuk games escort istanbul deneme sallama mail escort kızlar
    wertty

    ReplyDelete
  16. Lacy~ thank you so much for guiding me to your blog....as i sit here icing my IT band I am in full blown tears reading your posts. it is so amazing and i hope to get there someday. you are an inspiration! I am a new mom (at 30), I have been running since high school, but have been fighting injuries since then too. Boston has always been a dream. I ran Berlin in 2008, Cologne in 2009 and am doing Dallas here in Dec. I am not logging the miles as I used to, I dont want to risk an over use injury (tendinitis in the ankle), I am not looking to go over 16 for training this time...lots of speed and hill work coming my way. I am hoping to have a strong year and qualify for Boston 2012. I love what you said about showing your son that you can do anything. It is the same thing I want to give my daughter, that no matter what she can reach her dreams if she works hard and believes in herself. Nothing is impossible. Again, you truly are an inspiration!

    ReplyDelete
  17. Anonymous3:36 PM CDT

    Özel günler için kiralamış olduğunuz escort bayanlar için küçük sürprizler yapmak isteyebilirsiniz. Escort bayanların dikkatini çekmekteki en büyük etkende, sevdikleri şeyi beklemeden almaktır. escort bayan kiralama sebebine bağlı olarak, o eskorta uygun hediye seçimi yapabilirsiniz.

    Öncelikle eskortları, cinsel bir obje ve ya satın alınan kişi olarak görmek çok yanlış bir davranıştır. Çünkü eskort bayanlarında belli bir kural ve çerçevesi vardır. Bunların dışına çıkmak için değerler vardır. Eğer bu değerler dışına parayla çıkabileceğinize inanıyorsanız öncelikle eskort gözündeki değeriniz düşük olmaktadır. Escort bayanların en sevdiği erkek tipi saygılı ve temiz beylerdir.
    Ayrıntılar için http://www.escortbayanelit.net ziyaret ediniz.

    ReplyDelete