How was I to know how very powerful, motivated and meaningful these words would be to me? As I sit and ponder about my journey to the Boston Marathon 2017 and the most important finish of my life they are words that are no longer larger than life but are now a mantra that follows me whenever I find myself in the middle of overwhelming obstacles.
Even two months after THE most important marathon of my life was completed, I still have to pinch myself! I wonder, did it really happen? Then all the months of training and the huge undertaking of fundraising over $10,000 Canadian during the worst recession in Alberta in a long time, successfully squeeze that thought aside. Oh, yeah, Baby, I was there, turning left on Boylston Street!! This was a journey, not just of physical endurance but also of character, confidence building, empowerment, emotional courage and personal growth. I also consider it a blessing, as I obtained new friends and became a part of a wonderful group of women (both 261 & locally) that I feel are like family and gained strength to pass that sense of empowerment onto other women.
Boston would have remained a dream, if not for the 261 Fearless movement. These numbers and Kathrine’s story are what originally hooked me but the passion and the message behind the movement is what reeled me in. I first became a 261 ambassador, now almost two years ago. This eventually led to me obtaining coach status and then embarking on an incredible marathon, of sorts, to establishing the first 261 Fearless Club in Canada!!!
Last summer, I had an inkling that Kathrine would be attending Boston, as it was the magical 50 years since her ground breaking Boston run. At the time, I did not know that she was going to be running; I was just hoping to get the chance to see her in Boston, IF I qualified! So, I trained all summer and entered the Edmonton Marathon, aiming at a qualification entry. Unfortunately, I was 30 minutes short of a qualifying time. Now, 30 minutes is a lot, for a runner, so my hopes were dashed! This only lasted for a few weeks, until 261 Fearless Inc. made their announcement that they had obtained charity bibs and that I could throw my name in the hat! I initially had thoughts to decline but, as I was continually reminded, throughout the next six months I had the support of my family, a wonderful community and awesome women in my life! This became my source of encouragement and lifeline! Without them I would not have pushed through the many uncomfortable fundraising efforts, nor survived the countless times I was pushed beyond my comfort zones!! For these people; I am humbly grateful!
Training for Boston was a solitary and, at times, lonely experience. I trained in all kinds of weather, from beautiful, warm sunny afternoons, to grueling & bitterly cold long runs. I went from short sleeves to toques and a frost bitten nose, all within the course of one month of training. I mean, I live in Alberta where the weather can change in 20 minutes!! The cold weather training later became a deciding factor on my finishing time in Boston. Training in these harsh and ever changing conditions was a true test to my crazy Canuck determination, my love for running and the desire to spread the 261 message.
Landing on Boston soil and entering the John B. Hynes Center was a surreal experience. Feeling the buzz and excitement in the air, indescribable! The city of Boston puts on a marathon like no other race I’ve ever attended. Boston fever could be felt everywhere and in everyone!! It made me feel like I was a part of one big huge running family!! This fever spilled over for three fabulous days but was felt in much magnanimous proportions on marathon day.
2:00 a.m. Monday, April 17, 2017, my day began! Up bright and early, partly because I couldn’t sleep and partly because the possibility of missing that 4:30 a.m. cab to Back Bay Station was so incredibly nerve wracking! So, as my snoring husband slept, I tiptoed around the hotel room eating a light breakfast and getting prepared for my day. I had laid out all my gear the night before but I still wondered, once I had it all on, if I had forgotten anything. Did I have enough gels? Would my sports drink crystals be okay? Will my phone charger have enough to keep me running through the race? Is my phone charged up enough? Will it last? How hot will it be? Is it 4:30 yet? All the endless questions and concerns that go through a runner’s mind do not get laid to rest until the start gun goes off!! Finally, my anticipation got the better of me and I headed down to the hotel lobby to meet my 261 Fearless partners in crime! It was only 4:00 a.m.!!
Enveloped in anticipation, standing underneath the street lamps on Charles Street at 5:00 a.m., I couldn’t have asked to be surrounded by a better group of people. The 261 Fearless Boston team felt more like family than new found friends! This is made my first Boston Marathon even more memorable and I hadn’t even run one step yet!
The hour long bus ride to Hopkinton was the beginning of a long wait time. Fortunately, we had the luxury of using a historic house on 25 Main Street to rest, relax and socialize instead of a tent at Athlete’s Village until our wave start time of 11:00 a.m. These 5 hours were truly magical, I mean, even the porta potties were decked out in unique fearless style. We spent the hours socializing, eating our pre-run meal, and stretching, but most importantly strengthening the bonds that would later help us spread the 261 message throughout 26.2 mile course and eventually worldwide.
Finally, after numerous photos, moments of laughter and team pictures, our fearless leader, Kathrine Switzer gave us our last words of encouragement and led us through security to the corral to the start line. From the sidelines Chris Grack sent us off with a, “261” shout and we raced away in a, “FEARLESS” wave! Who was to know that this “261 Fearless” chant would be my saving grace? Many times it became my source of inspiration and another opportunity for me to dig deep and find the strength to continue.
So many runners! I was just a small maroon speck in a sea of marathoners that spread out endlessly in front of me and, I assume behind me as well!! The first few miles were very emotional. I felt the tears of joy and disbelief pooling in my eyes and had to hold them back for fear that they would impair my vision and I would soon succumb to the ocean of runners. Eventually, reality struck me and I soon wished that I had forced myself to take that one last stop at the porta potty before leaving. So the third mile found me searching for the nearest pit stop, a foreshadowing of what found me later on down the road! Thankfully, Boston is so organized that starting at kilometre 5 there are porta potties, water stations and first aid every 1.6 kilometres until the finish line!! Once that crisis was averted I set myself into a rhythm. Experiencing the wonderous, supportive crowds (over 1 million spectators) and enjoying each step of the first 25 kilometres!
My many months of winter and -30 degrees Celcius training did not prepare me for the +25 degrees Celcius temperatures! Soon my body began to feel the effects and my stomach decided to protest! Thinking I could just push through the pain I continued on. Thankful for the cups of ice chips and the blessed water spraying from some of the fire hydrants, I labored through the streets and to the top of Heartbreak Hill. Eventually, my stomach reigned and I was forced to walk 3 to 4 km! When frustration and defeat seemed to be the only end to this hilly and challenging race, I discovered new strength from the 261 supporters along the route. Their shouts of encouragement were the fuel that drove me over the last hills, while those infamous words, “I will finish this race on my hands and knees if I have to!” filled my every thought.
On the wings of the 261 Fearless movement I found the courage to run the last 3 kilometres. Turning right on Hereford and then left on Boylston Street the finish line, like a mirage, wavered in the distance. As I approached the finish line I spotted a 261 Fearless sister beside me. We crossed, within seconds of each other! I couldn’t have asked for a better way to finish this historic race. Sweaty, hungry, exhausted and elated I accepted and proudly wore my finishing medal.
My Boston Marathon medal now hangs in the middle of all my running medals. It is a constant reminder of the life changing journey I encountered but is my most treasured medal because it represents the power and importance of 261. I am eternally grateful to be a part of this community and am honored to carry on the mission of empowering women.