We Don't Walk Up Hills

Meb won! Meb won! It was just past Wellesley College when we found out the incredible news. Could it have been any more perfect to have an American win the Boston Marathon this year?

Wellesley Town Center marks the halfway point of the Boston Marathon. The road narrows and the crowds pinch in as you pass their small shopping district. We passed the 13 mile marker and the half marathon milestones in quick succession, which always made me feel like I was getting somewhere quicker! However, the 13 mile water stop probably comes closer to 13.5 when the road opens up and provides enough space to house all the tables, volunteers, and yes, the portable toilets. I don't think Alison was expecting the extra half mile when she threw down the next challenge to run to the next pit stop, but we made it there as the pain in her ankle was obviously building. What I didn't hear was, "I'll meet you at the end of the water station," before she took a restroom break. So I stepped off the course to get out of the way of other runners.

I waited. . . and waited. . . and chatted with a few volunteers . . .and waited. . . and stretched a little. . .and waited some more. Finally, a friendly volunteer and I surmised that my running partner had given me the slip. Let the chase begin again! Luckily, it didn't take 9 miles to catch up this time, and after a reunion a quarter mile later, we made our way through the rest of Wellesley and on to Newton.

Wow, a smile! And someone trying to hold me back.

For anyone that has run the Boston course before, you know that Newton is where the course likes to play mind games with you. It starts with a steep downhill into Newton Lower Falls, and then a long tedious uphill that no one ever seems to mention when they talk about the dreaded Newton hills. Alison and I decided then and there that we would run up every hill for the rest of the race. We probably should have got our heads examined at Newton-Wellesley Hospital as we crested that first arduous climb.

We rested a good portion of the flat mile that follows the hospital and we arrived at the "firehouse turn" onto Commonwealth Ave. The first of only five turns on the course. I knew there was always a medical tent there, and I convinced Alison to have one of the amazing volunteers take a look at her ankle and at least get some ice to numb the pain. This also gave me an opportunity to celebrate the day with the kids, volunteers, and staff of the Goodwill Youth Initiative. They were camped out at their usual spot across from the medical tent and I was welcomed with resounding cheers and high-fives as I ran past. And since it was so much fun the first time, I ran past again after Alison was freed from the medical tent with a new compression wrap on her ankle.

Our very own Goodwill cheering section!

Still enjoying myself at mile 17.5!

We were immediately faced with another long uphill. And another. And another. Running up each one, and resting in-between. Then came the big one. Heartbreak Hill. More than 3/4 of a mile of absolute pain and suffering, even for the healthiest of runners. What a perfect start to the 10K race to the finish line.

Heartbreak Hill is this big!

The traffic light at the top of Heartbreak became the next challenge. The Drum Connection drummers gave us a beat at the bottom of the hill, and we kept churning until we reached the top. As the hill flattened out, I figured we had accomplished our goal and started to slow down, but Alison zoomed past and noted that we hadn't reached the light at Hammond Street yet. I'm such a slacker.

Next chapter: Onward to Boston