It's Tuesday, April 19th, one day after Patriot's Day. And if you a running fan, a New Englander or a lover of historical factoids, you will know that yesterday was the 115th run of the Boston Marathon! I have had the running pleasure of qualifying and running this event twice!
Last year, I was a novice in all aspects- attended the expo at the most crowded time, stood in the longest line waiting for the bus to deliver us to Hopkinton (much like children on our first day of school), found the longest porty potty line before the start of the race and went to the most crowded restaurant to celebrate my victory dance. Well, my friends, I am a novice to the Marathon no more!!! This year, I was prepared!! Hubby and I arrived a day earlier and found the perfect quaint hotel just off the beaten path. XV Beacon rocked and had a terrific restaurant called Moo...yes, that's right Moo...and yes, awesome steaks are served there as well as a wonderful Malbec and Shiraz. I had much of both- after the race, of course. Anyway, having arrived early, we enjoyed Boston on Friday evening. I had the opportunity to get up Saturday morning and go for a shake out run with Bart Yasso, David Willey and the crew from Runner's World. That was awesome! Bart Yasso is the man. Period.
We went to the expo early Saturday afternoon and, although it was still quite crowded, it went pretty smoothly and we were able to pick up my race packet, a few items of Boston Marathon clothing and some samples from some of the companies there promoting their goods to all of
the runners. After a few bites of power bars, sips of power drinks and samples of energy boosters, we were pretty hyper for the rest of the afternoon. We survived the expo and walked away feeling accomplished. And thirsty. So, we opted for a stop at a local wine bar for an
appetizer and a glass or two of Merlot. Saturday night was our dinner at Moo, and it certainly lived up to its name.
Sunday was total rest and relaxation day, and the weather was perfect for just that. Rain, wind and overcast skies started the day but by early evening, the sky had cleared and the sun peaked through as if in preparation for the big day on Monday. The weather was actually perfect for race day. A few people must have been praying in unison, because the day before and the day after were both miserable marathon days. We went to the North End for a runner's traditional carb load meal and I was not disappointed. Brecco delivered delicious pasta, bread and, of course, cannolis. Cab Sav was also served to compliment the meal and we were back and ready for a quiet and anxious night before the big race!
As I mentioned earlier, I learned valuable lessons last year. One in particular, was the line for the buses to take us to the start of the race. Because this race is a run into Boston from 26.2 miles outside of the city, the BAA transports the runners to the starting town of Hopkinton by school buses. These buses pull in by the dozens, load runners, drive away so more of the yellow darlings can take their place. Last year, there was this single line on one side of the park that lasted forever! We watched others get onto the buses with minimal wait, but we were afraid to get out of line to see what the deal was. Well, this year I went to the
OTHER side of the park right away, and got in a nice, short line with only about a five minute wait. When my bus pulled away, we passed the line I stood in last year. I waved. Novices!
Once in Hopkinton, we are delivered to the local high school where they have tents, live music, some pre-race food and, of course, the most important part of race day - the dreaded yet all-important porty potties. You know you have arrived in the sport of running when you look forward to seeing one of them at the starting area or somewhere along the race. Believe me, you lose all sense of vanity when one is needed. Anyway, my strategy was to get in line right away to make sure I had the opportunity to use one. It worked so well, that I was able to get in line three times. Maybe a bit of an overload, but one can never feel ready enough!!
The line up to the race is somewhat of a cattle call. After delivering our bags to pick up later to our respective bus number, the runners make their way about a half of a mile down the street to the start corrals...corrals, cattle call...see the resemblance? There are hundreds of people in their respective corrals and everyone has a look of anticipation at what is to come. The announcer calls our start and we are off, running the most prestigious race- The Boston Marathon!!
For me, once the race starts, I pretty much forget the other runners, the stress of the morning preparation and even the crowds. It's all about me, my music and the run. As I pass each mile marker, I become more confident that the finish line will arrive. I tried to run a little more strategically this year as last year it was just about being there and having the opportunity to run the race. My strategy worked out pretty well in the beginning. I had a strong half and came in right around my goal I had set for myself. It was going pretty well until I entered the Hills of Newton around mile 17. Oh, Heartbreak Hill how I will overcome you properly someday. That is a promise! Those 3-4 miles of uphill terrain is a little tough but I was hoping to save my gas for the remaining 5 miles of the race, which takes you into Boston and, eventually to Boylston Strret and the finish line that every runner wants to cross. I rebounded ok, but was off my time and, once again, didn't finish as strongly as I would have liked. The good news is I shaved 10 minutes off my time from last year and, to be honest, was less rough on myself this year. I really enjoyed the run and crossing that finish line this year was really thrilling! I savored the moment and really did enjoy the whole experience! I know how fortunate I have been to run this race not once, but twice! My own personal paparazzi was waiting for me, (a.k.a. Hubby) so in my home anyway, I knew I had arrived! :)
Celebratory dinner after the big race is always the best! We were smart this year to make a reservation and doubly smart to do so in our hotel so crowds and walking would both be minimal. Score!! We dined at Moo for another night and this time I actually had a couple of bites of prime rib! Needed some protein after burning about 1300 calories! Champagne was the drink of choice and we toasted to another success in Beantown. I also wore my marathon jacket to dinner. Boston is the only place and the only race I have been in where the runners wear their jackets and marathon shirts all weekend like badges. After the race, runners also wear their medals around their neck pretty much everywhere they go. I will admit that I also wore my jacket around town most of the weekend, but find it just a little too showcasey with the medal. I mean, come on people...do you think the actual winners of the marathon wear their medals out to dinner, to the gas station or on the train ride home? I even saw a women at dinner last night in a very beautiful black dress and heels...and yes, with the medal around her neck. Nice bling, I guess. Maybe next year, we could ask for matching earrings for the women. I will call the BAA to check on that.
The Boston Marathon comes up often when googling "bucket list.". Check once, check twice...third time is a charm? Next April on Patriot's Day, I hope to once again be able to say, "Boston or Bust!"
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
A Recap of 2010
So, I created this blog last February, with the intentions of blogging about running, red wine and any other important components of my life. Well, the next day was 2011, and I didn't get the chance to share some of the events that happened this past year. Before I started to babble on about what is on the radar this year, I thought I might give an overview of a few special moments that happened in my life over the past 12 months.
1. BOSTON MARATHON - Ok, so I already devoted a blog to the before and after of this event, but it's the BOSTON MARATHON! And the great news is - I get to do it again this April! This time, I have a new treadmill (thanks, Honey) and have already started the year running more and training somewhat properly. Those long runs on the weekend are killer! I'm pumped, I'm psyched and ready to set a PR! More on that later! Here's a pic from last year's marathon - love the jacket!!!! Can't wait to see what they have for colors this year! What a girlie-girl thing to say! Ha! I wouldn't really consider myself that way, but sometimes the thoughts just come from somewhere deep inside....
2. MOUNT RUSHMORE - Early last summer, hubby and I took a road trip cross country and even went into western Canada! We tend to do crazy things like that from time to time - it is our third road trip across the U.S. We only have two states to explore and we can say that we have actually been to all of the lower 48. Michigan and Oklahoma - here we come!! We have seen so many interesting things, spent many hours listening to books on tape, popping almonds and M&Ms while riding for miles and miles, and randomly finding hotels and towns that are become our hidden treasures! (i.e. St. Paul, Minnesota) Last year, our road trip took us en route to Mount Rushmore in....do you know? I actually didn't - but it is in Keystone, South Dakota. Up a long hill. On a mountain. Actually, I thought the heads of our famous Presidents were a little smaller than expected. Way cool though. Take a look...
3. THE ONE, THE ONLY....TONY HORTON!! - Yes, folks...one of my heros is real! And nice! And really nice! Tony Horton a.k.a. P90X geru came to Washington, D.C. in July to be the host of the National Press Club's annual 5k race. He not only inspired people to come out and run, he actually ran the race as well and stuck around to pass out the awards and prizes at the post-award ceremony. Let me first say that the National Press Club put together a kick-ass event! It was well organized, had awesome prizes (both for the winners and raffle opportunities) and had a great sit-down spread after the event! Of course, Tony Horton was the icing on the cake. Yes, he really is buff in person and totally down to earth. I not only had the chance to meet him, I also won an award for my age division, so I had the opportunity to hug him twice. Yay me!!! Hubby and I are still huge P90X fans and spend time with Tony in the privacy of our basement most days. Can't wait for the new P90X program to roll out - looks like it may happen this spring! Woooo! "Tone" and I are hanging out here for you to see....think we look kinda cute together.... :)
4. AUGUST IN MAINE - So my favorite niece and running partner, Amanda, met her Prince Charming, a.k.a. Nate, this past year - actually on New Year's Eve, 2009. She fell in love, got married and had her first son, Anderson on January 2, 2011. Whew! What a mind-blowing, head-spinning year for her! She is so happy though...and that makes me so happy. How does this relate to August in Maine? I was honored to be one of her bridesmaids at her wedding! As her wedding was at the end of the month and I had to be there at the beginning to run in Joan Benoit's Beach to Beach 10k road race, (Joan Benoit, I bow to you!!!) hubby and I decided to just stay in Maine for most of the month. Maine is my home state and most of my family and friends are there, so we had much visiting to do. However, we did decide to rent a cabin in a couple of different locations while we were there. It was really an awesome month - we may just do it again this summer. And, of course, the Pup went with us. He goes with us most places, unless we have to fly or go to places that don't allow our four-legged friends - shame on them. So, the month was an fly-by-your-seat adventure, but we really had a great time. Pup loves vacationing - he chased birds, tried to bite the ocean waves and fell into deep slumber with the sounds of the sea and the smell of the water coming through our windows each night. Come to think of it, so did we. LOVE THE OCEAN. MISS THE OCEAN. PLAN TO LIVE BY THE OCEAN AGAIN SOON. Period. End of discussion.
Amanda and Nate were married outside at a gorgeous B&B in Greenville, Maine and had an absolutely beautiful and perfect day. The bride was stunning, the groom was handsome and the man who married them was HOT! He was also hubby. No, he is not a priest or event a justice of the peace, but he performed most of the ceremony, except for the crucial parts, so it would all be legitimate. It's all good! Here's another picture to celebrate the day and the new life of this special couple. Brian and I named them the Duke and Duchess of Brunswick...and it has stuck.
5. RUN, WINE, RUN!! GO, PUP, GO!! - So, there are many more events to share and topics to discuss - it's hard to put a full year into a few paragraphs. So, I thought a recap of what I love most would suffice - Running, Wine, the Pup.
My running suffered a little this year - I only logged about 600 miles. My goal was double that. I was sans a treadmill and we had the snowmaggedon of 2010, so it limited my running for the first few months. I was, however, able to run TWO marathons this year - Boston, as you now know, and the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C. That now makes a total of 4 marathons for me. Woo! I also ran other races, including a half marathon at night in Disney. This race is worth mentioning for two reasons - One, we started the race at 10 p.m. and ran through all the parks, ending in Epcot with a wine and food tasting. AWESOME! Two, hubby ran his first half! He rocked it! It was a proud moment for a runner, when you are able to convince your spouse to run 13.1 miles in the dark and for fun. The first thing he said when he crossed the line was, "Don't ever ask me to run a marathon." Then he experienced runner's high, forgot about the pain, and has decided to try to run a marathon this fall. Running fever is unbiased - it attacks all ages, sizes, and atheletic ability - regardless of gender and ethnicity. It was a fun weekend and an interesting race. This year, I have plans to run 50-50...it's a goal, it's a dream...but it's my goal and my dream and can be done! I'll be talking more about this in a future post. :)
I so enjoyed the Virginia wineries this year. We spent many of our weekends at one winery or another, tasting, drinking, becoming members and buying more wine for our at-home usage and growing wine cellar. If you live in the area and haven't discovered these treasures, DO SO NOW! If you don't live here but want to come visit, DO IT! Virginia is becoming the east coast Napa Valley. It's gonna go places and gonna be big...the Governor said so. We have done our part of supporting the industry. We even have toyed with the idea of having our own vineyard and winery...it's in the early stages but it is a possibility.. SevenVinesWinery became an entity this year...more on THAT to come. Shhhhhhh.....for now.
Reese the Wonder Pup was as adorable as ever this year. That boy has brought a ton of laughs and much joy into my life. Who knew I was such a dog lover? I really have become one and it all started with the Pup. He has such a personality - he even has his own facebook page - Reese Prenda - go be his friend. You won't regret it. Is this not the cutest face you have ever seen??
Well, enough of the past - time to focus on the present and the new year ahead! I'm raising my glass of Noblesse Rouge from Rappahannock Cellars in Hume, VA (A must visit - their wine rocks!) while wearing my Nike running shoes and running outfit - matching, of course (girlie-girl strikes again!), and toasting the beginning of an exciting and unpredictable 2011! Salut!!!!
1. BOSTON MARATHON - Ok, so I already devoted a blog to the before and after of this event, but it's the BOSTON MARATHON! And the great news is - I get to do it again this April! This time, I have a new treadmill (thanks, Honey) and have already started the year running more and training somewhat properly. Those long runs on the weekend are killer! I'm pumped, I'm psyched and ready to set a PR! More on that later! Here's a pic from last year's marathon - love the jacket!!!! Can't wait to see what they have for colors this year! What a girlie-girl thing to say! Ha! I wouldn't really consider myself that way, but sometimes the thoughts just come from somewhere deep inside....
2. MOUNT RUSHMORE - Early last summer, hubby and I took a road trip cross country and even went into western Canada! We tend to do crazy things like that from time to time - it is our third road trip across the U.S. We only have two states to explore and we can say that we have actually been to all of the lower 48. Michigan and Oklahoma - here we come!! We have seen so many interesting things, spent many hours listening to books on tape, popping almonds and M&Ms while riding for miles and miles, and randomly finding hotels and towns that are become our hidden treasures! (i.e. St. Paul, Minnesota) Last year, our road trip took us en route to Mount Rushmore in....do you know? I actually didn't - but it is in Keystone, South Dakota. Up a long hill. On a mountain. Actually, I thought the heads of our famous Presidents were a little smaller than expected. Way cool though. Take a look...
3. THE ONE, THE ONLY....TONY HORTON!! - Yes, folks...one of my heros is real! And nice! And really nice! Tony Horton a.k.a. P90X geru came to Washington, D.C. in July to be the host of the National Press Club's annual 5k race. He not only inspired people to come out and run, he actually ran the race as well and stuck around to pass out the awards and prizes at the post-award ceremony. Let me first say that the National Press Club put together a kick-ass event! It was well organized, had awesome prizes (both for the winners and raffle opportunities) and had a great sit-down spread after the event! Of course, Tony Horton was the icing on the cake. Yes, he really is buff in person and totally down to earth. I not only had the chance to meet him, I also won an award for my age division, so I had the opportunity to hug him twice. Yay me!!! Hubby and I are still huge P90X fans and spend time with Tony in the privacy of our basement most days. Can't wait for the new P90X program to roll out - looks like it may happen this spring! Woooo! "Tone" and I are hanging out here for you to see....think we look kinda cute together.... :)
4. AUGUST IN MAINE - So my favorite niece and running partner, Amanda, met her Prince Charming, a.k.a. Nate, this past year - actually on New Year's Eve, 2009. She fell in love, got married and had her first son, Anderson on January 2, 2011. Whew! What a mind-blowing, head-spinning year for her! She is so happy though...and that makes me so happy. How does this relate to August in Maine? I was honored to be one of her bridesmaids at her wedding! As her wedding was at the end of the month and I had to be there at the beginning to run in Joan Benoit's Beach to Beach 10k road race, (Joan Benoit, I bow to you!!!) hubby and I decided to just stay in Maine for most of the month. Maine is my home state and most of my family and friends are there, so we had much visiting to do. However, we did decide to rent a cabin in a couple of different locations while we were there. It was really an awesome month - we may just do it again this summer. And, of course, the Pup went with us. He goes with us most places, unless we have to fly or go to places that don't allow our four-legged friends - shame on them. So, the month was an fly-by-your-seat adventure, but we really had a great time. Pup loves vacationing - he chased birds, tried to bite the ocean waves and fell into deep slumber with the sounds of the sea and the smell of the water coming through our windows each night. Come to think of it, so did we. LOVE THE OCEAN. MISS THE OCEAN. PLAN TO LIVE BY THE OCEAN AGAIN SOON. Period. End of discussion.
Amanda and Nate were married outside at a gorgeous B&B in Greenville, Maine and had an absolutely beautiful and perfect day. The bride was stunning, the groom was handsome and the man who married them was HOT! He was also hubby. No, he is not a priest or event a justice of the peace, but he performed most of the ceremony, except for the crucial parts, so it would all be legitimate. It's all good! Here's another picture to celebrate the day and the new life of this special couple. Brian and I named them the Duke and Duchess of Brunswick...and it has stuck.
My running suffered a little this year - I only logged about 600 miles. My goal was double that. I was sans a treadmill and we had the snowmaggedon of 2010, so it limited my running for the first few months. I was, however, able to run TWO marathons this year - Boston, as you now know, and the Marine Corps Marathon in D.C. That now makes a total of 4 marathons for me. Woo! I also ran other races, including a half marathon at night in Disney. This race is worth mentioning for two reasons - One, we started the race at 10 p.m. and ran through all the parks, ending in Epcot with a wine and food tasting. AWESOME! Two, hubby ran his first half! He rocked it! It was a proud moment for a runner, when you are able to convince your spouse to run 13.1 miles in the dark and for fun. The first thing he said when he crossed the line was, "Don't ever ask me to run a marathon." Then he experienced runner's high, forgot about the pain, and has decided to try to run a marathon this fall. Running fever is unbiased - it attacks all ages, sizes, and atheletic ability - regardless of gender and ethnicity. It was a fun weekend and an interesting race. This year, I have plans to run 50-50...it's a goal, it's a dream...but it's my goal and my dream and can be done! I'll be talking more about this in a future post. :)
I so enjoyed the Virginia wineries this year. We spent many of our weekends at one winery or another, tasting, drinking, becoming members and buying more wine for our at-home usage and growing wine cellar. If you live in the area and haven't discovered these treasures, DO SO NOW! If you don't live here but want to come visit, DO IT! Virginia is becoming the east coast Napa Valley. It's gonna go places and gonna be big...the Governor said so. We have done our part of supporting the industry. We even have toyed with the idea of having our own vineyard and winery...it's in the early stages but it is a possibility.. SevenVinesWinery became an entity this year...more on THAT to come. Shhhhhhh.....for now.
Reese the Wonder Pup was as adorable as ever this year. That boy has brought a ton of laughs and much joy into my life. Who knew I was such a dog lover? I really have become one and it all started with the Pup. He has such a personality - he even has his own facebook page - Reese Prenda - go be his friend. You won't regret it. Is this not the cutest face you have ever seen??
Well, enough of the past - time to focus on the present and the new year ahead! I'm raising my glass of Noblesse Rouge from Rappahannock Cellars in Hume, VA (A must visit - their wine rocks!) while wearing my Nike running shoes and running outfit - matching, of course (girlie-girl strikes again!), and toasting the beginning of an exciting and unpredictable 2011! Salut!!!!
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)