Heather Free

December 31, 2021December 31, 2021

2021 Running in review

It was a great year of running and reaching many goals!!

With my registration and running date to the Tokyo Marathon to finish and earn my 6^th Abbott World Marathon Major Six Star Status and Medal still in question (due to Covid since March of 2020,) this year was such an amazing year regardless! The year was full of running adventures and traveling, fund raising, and pushing myself to hit certain goals. Paying it forward and raising money for charity was the biggest highlight and my most memorable experience. My focus on Tokyo had to be shelved for a bit and my main goal was to run Tunnel in September and run it well. Everything leading up to that was training my body for a possible BQ and to stay fluid for when and if Tokyo would take place. With the help of my coach, Christopher Johnson of Zeren Performance and PT, we made some serious magic happen and I chased down another unicorn.

The first of the year started with running REVEL Mt. Lemmon Limited Edition full marathon in Tucson, Arizona in late February. This run was a bit challenging for me because we were going to be dropped off at the top of Mt. Lemmon and run all the way down to the local high school in Tanque Verde just outside Tucson. I wasn’t sure how elevation, temperature changes, and downhill running was going to be on my body. The start was at about 8,200 ft. at around 36 degrees with a little bit of snow on the ground but I wore compression sleeves and gloves for my upper body and warmed up pretty fast. By the finish at around 2,700 ft. it was fairly warm. The run was so beautiful and we had an amazing time as a family sight-seeing. The REVEL race series did an outstanding job of socially distancing runners, etc. While out in Arizona, we were able to help support other runners from our run club, Boston Buddies, and bond over all things running.

Place
Overall	Gender	Division (40-44)	Time
111/187	58/104	15/24	3:58:47

In June, we travelled out to Sun Valley, Idaho to run REVEL Sun Valley Limited Edition ½ marathon. This was definitely going to be a test of how well my training had been going and if I was ready to run a fast Tunnel Marathon in September. We were pleasantly surprised with the outcome. We drove out to Sun Valley over two days and just took travels super easy while visiting with family along the way. The Sun Valley area is so beautiful and the ½ marathon starts at about 6,600 ft. near Cathedral Pines and finishes at about 5,800 ft. in Atkinson Park. The morning of the race was super calm and relaxing. And everything just clicked for me that day. Sleep, nutrition, fuel, energy, and pace were all on point and I managed a 2^nd age division and 12^th gender placement. We were actually able to help and support a few Boston Buddies out for the marathon and help a few other REVEL runners out with somewhere to stay and logistics, etc. The course was so beautiful and we had a amazing time sight-seeing. REVEL race series did an outstanding job again with socially distancing measures, etc.

Place
Overall	Gender	Division (40-44)	Time
20/145	12/97	2/13	1:46:33

In July, we travelled out to the Dundee Hills in Oregon to run Fueled by Fine Wine ½ marathon. This is a run that I’ve done several times before and it’s super hard and full of hills as you run through tons of vineyards up and down the Willamette Valley countryside. This course is not a fast course and the weather can be on the warm side. This was going to be a fun run for me as I just had raced Sun Valley the month prior. Fueled by Fine Wine is so much fun. We usually rent a house, go wine tasting, and really enjoy the scenery. The course was so beautiful and we had an amazing time with friends and family. This course always kicks my butt. It’s hard but so rewarding with yummy Pinot Noir to enjoy at finish line at the after party.

Place
Overall	Gender	Division (40-44)	Time
95/200	44/120	7/25	2:20:59

In September, we travelled locally up to the Cascade Mountain range to run Tunnel Light Marathon at Snoqualmie Pass in Washington. This is a marathon I have run a couple of times before and has a very special place in my heart. The course, the scenery, the memories of running after my father passed away, etc. It’s near and dear to me and this is the course that I really wanted to put it all out there if the training and stars were aligned. And they surely were! We start at about 2,545 ft. and finish at about 500 ft. in North Bend. Went out strong and just tried to hold onto that pace all the way through. And everything just clicked for me that day again just like in Sun Valley. Sleep, nutrition, fuel, energy, and pace were all on point and this performance time qualified me for 2022 and 2023 Boston, 2022 New York, and 2022 Chicago World Marathon Major marathons. We were able to help cheer on and support Boston Buddies runners and celebrate with friends and family.

Place
Overall	Gender	Division	Time
175/408	42/167	15/37	3:37:53

In October, we travelled out to Boston, Massachusetts to run the 125^th Boston Marathon for 261 Fearless, Inc. Charity Organization. The charity organization was founded by Kathrine Switzer who in 1967 was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon as a registered runner when women were not allowed to run and almost got kicked off the course by the race director but her fearlessness and perseverance got her to the finish line. What an outstanding role model to all runners. 261 Fearless, Inc. works to empower women around the world through movement and running. We raised an astounding $9,000 dollars for the charity and had an amazing time with family and friends. We decided this would be an easy and relaxed run for me as it was for charity and I had just raced Tunnel and qualified for so much. This was my 4^th Boston Marathon and 1^st time running it for charity and my most memorable day of the year. We were very proud to represent the charity and make a HUGE difference.

Place
Overall	Gender	Division	Time
10,306/15,386	4,484/7,444	914/1,289	4:06:17

After coming back from Boston, I finished up the year by deciding to run our local and annual Fall Family Fun Run YMCA 10k, which I have run or my family and I have volunteered in almost every year. This run and local charity event gives back to the local community and was such a wonderful way to end the season! And I beat my time from 2019 by 14 seconds when I placed 2^nd overall for my gender!

Place
Overall	Gender	Division (40-49)	Time
12/46	3/19	3/9	47:20

This year has been challenging but rewarding between trying to find in person races due to Covid to getting out the door each and every day to push myself to run rolling hills in preparation of the REVEL series, Tunnel, and Boston marathons. My coaches training plan was crucial to all my performances and has been a game changer for me. As we come to the end of the year, I’m reflecting on all accomplished this year and my goals for the next year. I’ll be ending the year with about 2,150+ miles and a huge grin on my face. 2022 has some new BIG goals and I’m super excited to get started and rock the roads. As of right now, I’ve started training for the 126^th Boston Marathon (my 5^th) in April. There are a few other BIG goals that we are planning out as well. I’m still waiting to hear when we’ll be able to safely travel and run the Tokyo Marathon for my AWMM status and star but I’m keeping busy and wish everyone a Happy New Year and running!!! Huge thanks to all my family, friends, and coach. For without your support, none of these goals could have been met.

January 2, 2020January 2, 2020

2019 Running in review

16 week marathon training plan started in January for the 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon that took place in April, as a family we collectively raised $7,550 for Back on My Feet charity and I completed my 4^th Abbott World Marathon Major and 12^th marathon in 4:15:18, placed 18,851 overall, 5,456 female, and 1,006 for age division.

16 week marathon training plan started in June for the 2019 BMW Berlin Marathon that took place in September and I completed my 5^th Abbott World Marathon Major and 13^th marathon in 4:12:55, placed 24,669 overall, 5,044 female, and 904 age division.

Ran a 5K in early July in 23:50, placed 133/645 overall, 31/337 female, and 3/44 for age division.

Ran a hilly half marathon in early July with an elevation gain of 1,783 feet and finished in 2:25:55, placed 231/730 overall, 111/519 female, 20/74 for age division.

Registered and received charity acceptance into the Tokyo 2020 marathon and raised $1,000 for the Ronald McDonald house charity and a chance at my sixth star Abbott World Marathon Major status.

Ran a half marathon in August with an elevation gain of 435 feet and finished in 1:51:42, placed 152/747 overall, and 5/60 for age division.

Ran a 5k in September in 20:18, placed 16/1356 overall, 3/758 female, 1/94 age division.

Ran a 10k in October in 47:34, placed 7th overall, 2nd female, 2^nd in age division. (small race)

Ran a 6k in December in 26:11, placed 5^th overall, 2nd female, 1^st in age division. (small race)

16 week marathon training plan started in November for the 2020 Tokyo Marathon that takes place in March and will be my 6^th Abbott World Marathon Major where I will hopefully add to the 6,600 athletes worldwide, 1,202 athletes in the United States, and the 1,895 female athletes worldwide to accomplish this goal.

Here’s to 2020 and what the new year will bring!!! Happy training to all my fellow athletes out there!!!

October 17, 2019

Training for the 2019 Berlin Marathon

Training for the 2019 Berlin Marathon

My blog is to share and support other runners, specifically moms trying to make our training work for our lives 😊 This is not a how to, it is “how I made it work” and if it works for you or gives you ideas then I consider it a win!!

My 16-week training plan for the 2019 Berlin Marathon consisted of around 400+ running miles being logged on the road and on the treadmill, 50+ cross training miles, 1 5K race in early July, and 2 half marathons in mid-July and at the end of August. Long runs over the training plan consisted of 7, 9, 8, 9, 10, 13.1, 7.5, 14, 17, 19, 11, 16, 13.1, 20, 10, & 5 miles. My mid-week runs would consist of anywhere between 3-7 miles every other day. My training plan for Berlin 2019 also emphasized in rowing for 10-15 minutes prior to every workout for warm-up and to stimulate the core, weight lifting, strength training, elliptical with no arms to work the core, stairs with no handle gripping for core work (the most I ever sweat working out), PT/Coach approved exercises to strengthen weaknesses. Planks, foam rolling, acupuncture, magnesium baths are key for my performance and training as well.

A lot of mid-week miles were logged on the treadmill vs outside due to the kids having walking pneumonia for weeks during the summer and only being able to get outside for long runs. But I also logged some long runs on the treadmill to spend more time close to home and the family when intuitively I felt it was needed. Since moving out to Duvall, I have been doing more workouts from home simply because of our location. Although, beautiful and out in the woods, running out here can only happen if you have a partner of some kind. I have toyed with maybe making my wooded area a short trail path but that takes some time. But I have all the equipment to do my workouts at home and that is a blessing. So just be flexible with every day would be my training advice. Get the miles in where you can and making it work somehow.

My husband is incredibly supportive with my goals and I would not be able to fulfill this dream of becoming a 6-star Abbott World Marathon Major with out him. He is the glue that keeps every thing together when I have to log hours and hours of training and running. Surround yourself around those that love you and support you. Whether that be your significant other, family, friends that have common goals, Facebook groups that encourage you, or just your pure will to get it done. Get the miles in 😊 Happy and healthy training.

April 16, 2019April 16, 2019

Training for London 2019

The 2019 Virgin Money London Marathon is three weeks away so this is a great time to update you on training. In going through the blog, I noticed that I have not updated in a while. I apologize for that. First, life has been busy and not easy to say the least. We sold our Monroe home and bought a new house in Duvall. Reading one of my very last posts regarding a broken toe and managing through our temporary apartment during which I was training for the Berlin Marathon brought back memories of how hard things were and how far I’ve come thus far in this training season. Losing my cousin in July broke my heart and then my grandmother took a turn for the worse and passed as well. A broken heart and toe, having to defer the Berlin Marathon, and at the time just being burnt out on everything was pouring out of the blog. A break was needed because I was emotionally and physically spent. Running and training wasn’t a priority nor did I really want it to be. My priorities were moving everything in the new house and getting all the kids on a routine in regards to new school, etc. And just letting the heart heal as much as it could. Just needed to some time for things to calm down and for the love of the sport to return to my veins again.

So here we are now and I’ve been training for the London Marathon for 13 weeks now and feeling good. I raised money for a charity called Back on my feet whose mission is to help combat homelessness by encouraging the homeless to start running to gain confidence. Once an individual has committed and shown up to a few runs, the charity then starts to help with school, employment, and housing. I had to write an essay months ago about why I wanted to run for this particular charity before gaining acceptance. This was near and dear to my heart as my dad had suffered before his untimely death from addiction and depression, which sometimes lead to unhealthy and or inadequate housing. But he actually ran his very first 5K with me and I noticed a sense of confidence and achievement in his smile afterwards. Unfortunately, the addiction lead to a terrible accident and he passed away two months later. I was devastated to say the least but if I can help one person for even a second gain confidence through running, my goal that I set out to accomplish is fulfilled.

Training has had its ups and downs this season but it has mostly been up. This time around, I’ve been relaxed with my plan and not stressing about missing a run. Mostly, because I just want to show up at the start line healthy and happy for this great cause. As I get older, I’ve been trying different approaches to training to try and keep injuries at bay. Some have included running long runs every other weekend, not running a full 20 miler but keeping it at 16-18, and really listening to my body. Acupuncture has been a blessing and really seems to be helping me. Nutrition has become so important too. Making sure I’m eating pre and post training with foods that fuel the body. Taking long warm baths with mineral flakes has become my new favorite. I have also been working with a coach who is so knowledgeable about every aspect of this sport that its incredible and mind blowing all in the same. I feel very lucky and fortunate to have this guy in my court. Swimming, cross training, strength training, drills and adding a weekly walk a day after a long run seem to be working too.

In the bigger picture, I’m on a mission to finish all six of The Abbott World Marathon Majors. London will be my fourth and later in September, Berlin will be my fifth, leaving Tokyo as my last. This journey thus far has been exciting, rewarding, but hard work. There have been bumps along the way but that’s life and I’m doing a better job of embracing them as they come. The reason I started this blog a while back was to hopefully help other runners out there with any and all tips of how we juggle and make it work with a large family and life. Logging long runs on the weekend and training during the week with five children is no small feat. It takes planning, sacrifice, and determination along with flexibility from everyone in the family and beyond. My husband is the backbone to my training. He watches the children on my long runs and supports me in every way. I seriously would not be able to do this without his love and dedication. It also takes a support system and a small village outside our family. Most of my training is done at the YMCA because of the support and childcare that is offered. And they are amazing with my children. All my children have grown up there since we became members nine to ten years ago. I’d also like to mention the support from other amazing women and moms out there doing the same thing. We have a circle of friends that have the same goals and support each other. It makes a huge difference to have friends around that support you and understand what you are going through because they are going through the same experience. They have been unbelievable role models to me.

With three weeks left of training until The London Marathon, I am very excited but cautious. There is one last long run before the taper and I’m literally shaking with nerves as I type this now. I do not want anything to go wrong or risk injury on that last long run. And I keep reminding myself that the most important thing right now is that I show up to that start line happy and healthy for a wonderful charity and an experience of a lifetime! Here we go!!!

Update: After writing this post last week and I have accomplished the scary 20-mile-long run and now on taper. Two weeks to go and I’m just trying to take it one day at a time until the start line. So excited to fly to my first international marathon. Simply amazing!!!

August 17, 2018August 17, 2018

Injury and picking yourself back up

Just really can not put these last two months into words. It’s been that long since I’ve posted and so many changes have occurred.

My cousin, Alicia, was placed on life support so very unexpectedly . Alicia was only six years older than me and just the most funniest, caring, sociable, beautiful inside and out, amazing soul you will ever meet. She was the party of any event and told you how it was all at the same time. She genuinely cared about friends and family but always loved to have a good time all in the same. I had a really hard time with her passing and couldn’t believe it had happened. Depression was definitely a daily occurrence for me and I was just trying to deal with what to do next. What that means and what that looks like. Our family has been plagued with so much tragedy.

After Alicia’s passing, life was just out of control for me. Getting our house ready to sell, moving into a smaller temporary apartment, the physical work, etc. Training just seemed to be on the fly and really consisted of moving boxes constantly, staying up all night cleaning, living off of a hardboiled egg as the one and only “meal” all day long.

Get my drift? I was burning myself into the ground with grief (emotional) and physical (moving and no nutrition on a daily basis) that looking back…I’m surprised I didn’t injure myself earlier. We took our first vacation and went camping for a few days after the house was pretty much ready to be placed on the market. Took a nice long run along the Hood Canal, took time to reflect, spent time with my family and friends, so much more that I felt a little like myself again for a brief time…

The next week, baby Lily got herself in a tricky situation, and I ran to save her from a falling chair and got myself a broken toe in the process. Lily is so good and perfectly healthy. At the time, it really hurt, but I truly thought it would turn into a really bad bruise. Then it occurred to me: can’t walk on it and it’s turning purple are not good signs, so I called the doctor and got in the very next morning. One nerve wrecking Xray later…yep, it’s a broken toe.

Doc placed me in a boot and crutches for 8 weeks, no running, and say goodbye to Hood to Coast and The Berlin Marathon. All running events that I had been training for and anxiously awaiting…gone. I probably sat in that exam room for half an hour and just cried…but was I surprised…yes and no. Surprised that it happened in the way it did, but relieved that I saved my baby from a big accident. But not surprised, because in the way our temporary apartment is set up, it’s a mess. And not surprised in the way that this year has sucked in so many ways. See….things have been so crazy, that our temporary apartment was an accident waiting to happen. Boxes, suitcases, stuff everywhere. One of us was bound to have an accident. But in life, we are usually in survival mode, not thinking or looking at the little details. My beautiful cousin passed away and I really just can’t wrap my mind around anything. The energy I had left had been in getting the house ready, moving everything out and into the apartment (not caring where it went), appointments with contractors, logistics back and forth, then our long awaited vaca (camping), and getting that together after moving, organizing this maze, ended up being my one little biggest mistake.

Now, I’ve come to the realization that all my hard work will have to wait until next year and I probably have a lot of healing to do emotionally and physically. I’m starting to be okay with that and say it out loud. Working on weaknesses, organizing the apartment so an accident doesn’t happen again, and just saying to myself, “this was not my time,” and everything happens for a reason that we aren’t sure at the time but makes sense in the long run. Sometimes you have good long runs and sometimes you have really bad long runs. In the eye and mind of a runner and mother of 5 who just lost one of her best friends/cousin, I’m looking at this tragedy and injury as a really bad long run, that will eventually make me a stronger person and runner. If you can pick yourself up, dust yourself off, and persevere then you are way ahead of the game.

On the flipside, The Berlin Marathon is letting me defer my 2018 entry to 2019 after touching base with them about my accident and what options were available. The Berlin Marathon is a class act marathon and I haven’t even ran it yet!! Testament to how they treat their athletes and runners. That doesn’t happen very often, and I’m just so much in their debt. Thank you!!!

Wish me good luck with a boot, crutches, tiny apartment, dog who used to have a yard but now has to pee every hour, five kids… on getting around 🙂 But most importantly that the heart heals for each and every one of us.

June 5, 2018

A YMCA Family

I was asked last week to give a testimonial to the staff at our local Monroe/Sky Valley YMCA on what they mean to my family and I. After giving the testimonial, I was blown away by the response I received from others and just wanted to share it with you. And share it again to those that heard it and would like to see it again. Please say thank you to those that make it possible for you to do what you do. Be appreciative and recognize the job they do. They are doing one of the most important jobs in the world in my opinion. Hope you enjoy!!

Testimonial: When Jamie asked me the other day to come in today and give you a testimonial, I had no reservations because I knew exactly what I was going to say, except for being shy about public speaking. Because it’s important to my family and I.

What you do between these walls, out on the fields, track, and within our schools and community everyday makes a huge impact on our members and families.

You greet families with a smile as soon as they walk though that door.

You watch and take care of our children. All of my children have been raised and nurtured by you for the last 9 years. And what a wonderful job you have done!!

You’ve created a safe environment for members and families.

You coach my children. Teaching them ballet, t-ball, basketball, and soccer.

You have taught my children to swim.

You help and train members and families on health, nutrition, overall wellness, how to properly use equipment. **Emily and Brennan: Those videos are awesome. Keep them coming. You are having fun and it shows. It’s contagious.

You have given my family confidence in all areas.

You have pushed us out of our “comfort zones” to try new things. **To try an indoor triathlon, to run a 5k, to run a 10k, to run a half marathon, to run a full marathon. ***YOU have made that possible***

You have pushed us to volunteer and love it. From helping with the Sky Valley Classic every year with Tania to coaching the children of our community with Coach Austin. You have pushed us to be a better version of ourselves, to step outside of ourselves.

You’ve made it possible for parents to go out at least once a month and have a date night. I cannot describe how invaluable that is to our relationship and to our families. And when we pick the kids up, they don’t want to leave because they are having so much fun. They fall fast asleep as soon as we get home. They’ve had so much fun and have learned so many new things, they change their habits. For example: Miss Li Li taught the children about Chinese new year, Chinese food, dance, and eating with chopsticks. My 9 year old daughter loves to eat with chopsticks every night for dinner and she loves to listen to Chinese music.

They are learning about different cultures. Wow….Amazing because their brains are sponges right now. The themed Kid’s Night outs are the BEST!!

My family considers the Monroe/Sky Valley YMCA their second home, their Y Family!!

You’ve made my family homemade cards after the birth of our children.

My children love to walk through those doors everyday because they are learning new things, having fun, making friends, and being very well taken care of.

LOOK around this room – Everything you do everyday makes a HUGE impact on our members and families lives.

You are nurturing and helping to raise our future!! I can’t think of a more important job!! You are amazing, you are all truly rock stars!!

We thank you and could never quite tell you in words how much you mean to us and our family.

KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK!!!!

May 22, 2018

Happy Runner Mama’s Day!

My daughter, Erin, brought me this book as a present for Mother’s Day and I just have to share how impactful we are with our children. And just how much they pay attention and love you! They are always watching and learning from you. When you are having a “moment,” always remember this. I hope you all had a beautiful and wonderful mother’s day, you are the world to your little ones!

Many days we get caught up in just getting things done. Dishes, cleaning, prepping meals, homework, work, training, volunteering, teaching, changing diapers, breaking up sibling fights, bills, medical appointments, family commitments, etc. this list can go on and on depending on our situation but one thing is for sure. Don’t lose your fire amongst all the demands because your little ones are watching and are why you do what you do.

My Mom Is the Best! by Erin Free

I love my mom so much! She is always working hard, it is so hard to say one thing about her because she is many things. That is why I love her so much. I would do anything for her. My mom works so hard for us. Sometimes I think wow she is the most awesome and sweetest moms in the world, even the universe (I don’t know how to spell universe so I don’t know if it is spelled right)!

Runner Mama Rules! (pic)

My mom owns a website called “Runner Mama”. She is a really good mom. My mom was in the newspaper once, I think she should be on it again because she is trustworthy for being on the newspaper already. I can’t believe I have a mom like my mom. I will tell you what she is in many words. Sweet, kind, nice, best, best mom, not rude, fun, smart, tough, best runner, and awesome. I hope you liked this book, I hope my mom will love it too…

May 11, 2018May 11, 2018

The wheel in the sky keeps on turning…

The local newspaper did a piece on my story, and did an amazing job! Made me think about one of my dad’s favorite journey songs. And it’s all about the “Journey.”

http://www.monroemonitor.com/Content/News/Homepage-Rotating-Articles/Article/Running-without-a-finish-line/26/538/11210

April 28, 2018April 29, 2018

Recovery

Sometimes we just need to go out for a good run! Or whatever it is that gets your blood pumping. I’m still recovering from the Boston Marathon and everything is feeling good but I’m not supposed to be out running for a full four weeks to allow my body to heal properly. This Monday will mark two full weeks since the Marathon but I just needed to get out and go for a good run. Waking up this morning feeling a bit melancholy over certain things and just knowing that something was off. I’m taking recovery very seriously but also trying to take care of my mental health as well these days. The run was glorious, peaceful, and exactly what I needed. And when I came back home to foam roll, my beautiful daughter, Savannah Madison, sat on the foam roller with me and looked into my eyes. I felt like a newer person than when I had left out that door 45 minutes prior. This exchange is exactly what my heart needed and the run was exactly what my mind needed. So, when you’re feeling blue or just not feeling like yourself, take that walk, run, or whatever it is that gets your blood pumping. It turned around my day and will make a huge impact going forward. And that, in my book, is recovering both mentally and physically. When I’m asked why I run, these are definitely a few of the reasons. After a run, I come back a completely different person. There’s just something about being out on the road and grinding pavement and just letting go of all your negative thoughts. Happy wifey, happy lifey!!

April 20, 2018April 20, 2018

Boston Marathon 2018 recap

Race recap:

After a great night’s sleep, I woke up on race morning ready to go! Dedicating this race to a recently passed friend helped me to really focus, and make sure I had everything I needed for the severe weather conditions that were forecasted. And severe conditions they were! I had pre-ordered breakfast the night before, for delivery in the morning, to fuel my body and to avoid the stress of trying to get something in the downstairs hotel lobby. After eating and getting ready, my sister and I worked on applying the special memorial bibs onto my clothing and just reminiscing and talking about our friend that I was honoring and running for.

We headed down to catch the hotel shuttle that would take me to Boston Commons, to board the marathon shuttles for athlete’s village. As we stood waiting on the hotel shuttle, we got a first-hand glimpse of the weather. The rain and wind were heavy and I started thinking to myself that I sure was glad I brought an extra pair of shoes, socks, trash bags, space/heat blankets, and throw away layers.

When the shuttle arrived, I was first in line, and they sat me in the front seat. We drove out and all I could see were Bostonians on the street walking to work and umbrellas turning inside out from the wind. I felt a lump in my throat at this point. This is probably going to be the worse conditions you have ever run in. Oh my!! When we got to Boston Commons, it was pouring. I practically ran to the bus to avoid getting drenched. As we boarded the buses we were just so glad to be out of the elements…for a little while at least.

As we left for athlete’s village, the windows in the bus fogged up so badly from all the wet runners that the driver had to constantly wipe her windshield with a cloth, just to be able to see outside. Nobody seemed to mind the long bus ride, I think we were all happy just to be out of the elements for the time being.

As we pulled up to athlete’s village, I could see that things were going to be interesting. There was mud everywhere!! I mean everywhere! I took one look down to the bathrooms (porta potties) and realized that in order to use the bathroom, I would have to trudge through thick, treacherous mud. Thank goodness I brought an extra pair of socks and shoes because I was going to need them to switch into before start time. Once I finally got to the bathroom everything inside was caked in mud. Once I got through that mess, I decided to wait under the tent in an attempt to avoid the worst of the elements. That was even worse. Runners were actually sitting in piles of mud along with their blowup floats, space blankets, ponchos…you name it and it was being used as a protective barrier between them and the mud.

Not too long after my wave was called, I walked up and out to the corrals. On my way to the corrals I knew that my shoes and socks needed to be changed and I would have to ditch some of my extra layers. With about five minutes before my corral was supposed to start, I grabbed a space next to the fence to make the switch. My hands were shaking so badly, that it took me longer than I anticipated to make the change, and I had to rush to the corral. But I got it done – I was supposed to start in corral one, but I had only enough time to run up to corral three. I thought, “At this point…whatever, given these conditions.”

And then we were off! As we started it continued to pour buckets of rain, but it felt like no matter how miserable this could be, it was Boston and we were in this together. The first couple of miles felt good; I was just trying to get my pace in check around all the other runners and assess whether my gear was going to last and keep me warm.

As this was my third Boston, I started to remember what to look for at each mile. Places to look for funny and supporting spectators having a good old time drinking and barbecuing. The smell of the food was making my taste buds water. Part of me wished I could veer off course and ask for a burger or hotdog. Maybe I was so cold that anything warm seemed like heaven, but this was Boston and I was feeling good, so unless I needed to stop, I wasn’t going to. I’ve been known to try and bank time early in the race if I’m feeling it as to not feel so terrible if I start to slow towards the end…which usually happens.

I kept telling myself that I’m going to run a smart race. I’ll grab bottled water from a spectator right before I’m supposed to take my GU every 45 minutes, so I could avoid the aide stations unless I desperately need it. I’ll run down the middle, between the aide stations on either side, to avoid getting tripped up by cups or runners. And that’s what I did. There were plenty of spectators handing out bottled water. It was working time wise so I stuck to it.

But my gloves…oh my gloves! It was raining so hard that my gloves were just soaking up all the water and I just kept making a fist to drain them out. I thought about tossing them off to the side but wet gloves were a better choice than no gloves at all. I also wore a buff around my neck that kept my neck and face warm at certain times in athlete’s village and throughout the run. AT&T had given it to me for free at the expo. What a difference that made. I might just make that a cold temp run staple for my gear. I also wore a visor which shielded the pelting rain from my face. Sometimes it was raining so hard that looking down was a heck of a lot better than up. Most of the run, I was just thinking about how lucky I was to be running this course again and that I was dedicating it to my high school buddy whom passed in February. Whenever I had to dig deep because of cold or being tired of being wet, that’s what kept pushing me. The mighty rain dance.

Time seemed to go by fairly fast. I was just in the mindset of hurry and get the heck out of the elements. As I approached the half way mark and Wellesley scream tunnel, there was a sense of calmness. I’ve reached the half way mark and I’m still doing okay in these elements. That gave me hope and I knew the next thing that I needed to think about was getting through the Newton Hills, Heartbreak hill, and a possible wall. I love hearing and seeing all the girls because they are so loud, supportive, and you know you’ve made it halfway and everything else is that much closer to the finish.

I started to think about not letting my mind wander too much, and just think about the task at hand. We were all suffering out here and whenever a squall would hit us, I would just laugh out loud and tell myself it’s okay. You are being tested on this one and you are going to kick its butt. After all, nothing and I mean nothing, was going to stop me from finishing this race. I ran this very same course last year at 6 ½ months pregnant in the heat and if I can do that, I can do anything. As the Newton Hills started, my mindset was “don’t walk.” In the past, I have walked some of the hills and have always regretted it. So, no matter how slow I went up, I never walked. Heartbreak hill was the very same thing. I never walked this whole marathon and maybe stopped at one aide station. That was a huge goal of mine and I had conquered it. Try to not stop at the aide stations if you have our own fuel. This is a secret of mine. Carry your own fuel as much as you can. It saves you time…sometimes that time is so precious that it ends up qualifying you.

As I got closer to the finish line, the weather seemed to get worse. More wind and heavier wind had my body in some deep coldness. I just kept laughing to myself that of course mother nature is going to pour it on as I am more tired and towards the end. Bring it Bitch!! I’m not backing down!!

Seeing the Citgo sign is the best. You know you are close and just hold on…you are almost there and that much closer to crossing the finish line and getting out of this weather. Hot bath, glass of wine, and warm clothes was on my mind. The crowds got heavier and heavier and I just kept watching the blue lines in the road and told myself you are almost there. That left on Boylston never felt so good but you still have a little bit to go until you reach the finish. You can see it but you’re not there yet. Just keep moving and kick it in gear. If you have anything left, now is the time to give what you got. I remember feeling sick to my stomach though. Almost like I was going to toss my cookies but I just told myself to keep it together and not puke before the finish, puke after if you have to.

I threw my hands in the air for #11, crossed that finish line, and cried like a baby. Yes, I did it!! With a level one stress fracture to my post tib diagnosed in Sept. 2017 to running New York last November to coming home and working my butt off to do anything and everything to get me rehabbed and ready for Boston had come to fruition. All my hard work had paid off and we did it!! I had such a sense of achievement and a feeling that if I put my mind to it, I can do it. I was so happy to be able to honor my friend, make my family proud, and finish my 3^rd Boston Marathon. Woot!! My 3^rd Boston Marathon never sounded so good.

I made my way straight to water, heat blanket, food, and out. I was freezing and started to peel off the wet layers. My legs were cramping a bit and my hands were shaking. I knew I needed to get dry and warm quick. As I tried to find out where my sister and niece were to pick me up, I made my way to a warming bus that the marathon had supplied to the runners. Thank goodness for these buses. I got on and after a few minutes, my hands stopped shaking so I could properly use my phone. I eventually met up with my family and headed back to the hotel for all the above that I had been thinking of. Warm bath, tea, wine, clothes, and learned that an American woman had won. Des Linden won?? Yes!! Made finishing that much sweeter.

We went out to dinner that night and all the other marathoners were wiped out just like me. You could see it in their eyes. We had all just accomplished something that will forever be remembered as suffer fest 2018. If you can finish a marathon in those conditions, that is a badge like no other. As the days have passed, I have read and heard so many stories of runners having hypothermia and having to seek medical attention, some runners going back to finish after they warmed back up, and the struggles that were very real and raw. I ended up finishing at 3:55:13which is my second fastest Boston Marathon time. Woot, I’ll take it considering all the obstacles that were stacked against me. And for the record, I think I had a form of hypothermia by the time my sister rescued me. Shaking hands, not thinking clearly, ended up on the opposite end of my rescue pick up. In the end, have a backup, backup, backup plan for pickup especially in conditions like these. I walked away from the marathon on foot, hypothermic, and trying to find my ride. Not a smart plan even if it was planned out. Plan for the worse so you know where to go even if you aren’t thinking fully. Because after a very wet, cold, hypothermic marathon…you aren’t thinking…you are just trying to stay warm and alive…

I love numbers so here goes: my placement was overall 14,712 out of 26,948, gender: 5467 out of 12,063, and division: 974 out of 1813 and there were 14 female runners aged 40 from Washington State and I placed 9^th out of the 14. Wow!! Not bad considering my longest training run for this cycle due to injury was 10 ½ miles. I’ll take it!! Here’s to a speedy recovery to all and stories for years. Cheers for living through the one and only Boston of all Boston monsoons…hopefully!!!