All Positive, No Negative

Checking out the finish line
the day prior to the race

I came to Boston ready to have a great race on April 20. I'd made it through a bitter winter of training buoyed by so many supporters who lifted my spirits with their generous contributions and kind words.  "All Positive, No Negative"- this was one of my mantras that cycled Another one was "We are whipper-sinkers, we are duck, if it rains all week, we're in luck. Quack, quack, waddle, waddle." "Cookie Power" was another mantra.

Before each race, I write down a race plan which includes things to do in the days leading up the race - salt foods, drinking Gatorade, wearing compression socks, sitting on ice packs for my piriformis (that's a muscle in the butt that can be a huge pain). The race plan also includes course strategy and mantras to get me through the miles.  This year's mantra "ALL Positive, No Negative" -helped me focus on making it through a section of miles or a rough patch when I get tired and things start to hurt. The plan gets condensed on an index card that I tuck into my shorts pocket. 

Got to meet 4th Place finisher Desi Linden!

  Race day weather called for a cold rain but it didn't dampen my spirits.  My race plan included a  conservative time goal that would allow me to enjoy the race and not be too pressured during the first few miles which tend to be very crowded. I got frustrated the first mile as it was slow, but immediately reminded myself "All positive, no negative."  From then on, I stuck to the pace band as I made my way through the miles. I eased into the miles and didn't push early so I wouldn't struggle so much at the end.

I made my way through the towns dodging the puddles. The half marathon I ran in March in a steady rain reminded me that I was comfortable being uncomfortable. I turned to my mantras to push out the negative.  Santa was there around Mile 7 in Framingham, wearing  a red slicker. I though of Howie, my former coworker at Frager's, who loved to dress as Santa each year. Although wet, the crowds were cheering just the same. The screams from the Wellesley girls were deafening. My singlet had "Run like a Girl Scout" on the back, another mantra. 

After seeing the Marathon Coalition-Girl Scouts Coach Rick at Mile 15, outside of Newton I had a tough part of the course to negotiate so I buckled down to make it through. I thought of all the inspirational messages I received before the race. I saw Andy at Mile 20 and headed toward Heartbreak Hill as I gave him a thumbs up and a smile.

The wind picked up Mile 22 in Brookline and I noticed another runner my size running at the same pace.  I tucked in with her and we took turns leading in the wind for the the final miles.  I said a little prayer at Mile 24.5 for the bombing victims and turned right on Hereford to the screams. Left on Boylston and the finish was in sight.  I made it to the finish line of my 10th consecutive Boston Marathon and saw that I beaten my goal by a minute and qualified for 2016 with a final time of 3:51:58!


I am so thankful for the support. Beginning with the contributions in December when I was just beginning the daunting task of raising $5000 got me going on so many cold mornings. I could not have done this without the generosity of so many people who made donations to my fundraising and helped me give back to the Boston community. Every contribution made a difference and helped get me to the finish line!