Update 23/04/07:   The Final Word!

As the days have passed since ‘ Marathon Monday’, the sense of accomplishment sinks in more and more:  I ran the Boston Marathon!  

 

It was such a memorable weekend – bad cough, sore back, weather anxiety and all.  And the best parts:  a fun Expo, lovely hotel, good food and sharing it all with a great friend.  From the day I qualified a year and a half ago, Criss committed to being there with me.  How great is that!  And thanks to all of you, raising over $4,000 for children was like the icing on the cake. 

 

 

Unfortunately with traveling, etc. on Saturday, time didn’t allow us to get to the Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club but we know the money will be put to good use. 

 

 

Although I struggled with my cough, I felt so proud to cross the finish line and get the medal placed around my neck.  Did you know that less than 400,000 people have ever run the Boston Marathon?  And don’t tell anyone, but the weather at race time was near perfect. 

 

 

It was a great adventure I’ll never forget.  Thank you again for participating with us.

Janice.

 

 

Update: 17/04/07:      POST -EVENT SUMMARY!

Well we didn't exactly win the Boston Marathon yesterday BUT what an incredible experience we had.  We're both exhausted and stiff - but elated that we survived the storm (Nor'easter) and finished the race.  It took us just over 4 hours - a bit slower than hoped for but thrilling none the less.   I took the picture above just before I crossed the finish line.  Janice will add more pictures and commentary later but a big congratulations to her for a fantastic race and an incredible effort given that she was still on antibiotics for a bad cough.  

It was wonderful to see friends along the route who cheered us on and many thanks to those of you who sent  messages of encouragement along the way (yes I had my crackberry!) -   My IT band acted up at the 3 mile mark as I had feared it would and the rest of the race was a combination of hopping, walking and jogging!  I was forced to slow down which was wonderful because it allowed me the chance to look around, enjoy the route, interact with fans and family  (take pictures!) and really enjoy the experience instead of worrying about my time.  I'll make a point of doing that more often from now on (and in life in general) . Just for the record, both Janice and I ran up Heartbreak Hill!!

Highlights of the day include the panicked run at 7:30am to catch our bus in the pouring rain and gale winds (we were soaked before the day even started!);  walking through fields of mud and water up to our ankles to try to find a dry place to wait for the race to start;  finding Janice again around mile 21 after we'd split up at mile 10; getting messages from Rico enroute; seeing Paige at Mile 10 with her big Canadian flag and seeing my brother and Guy along the way - and finally, crossing the finish line to see Janice waiting for me and receiving our medals!!!

Thanks so much to you ALL for your unbelievable support and encouragement these past months.  It's been so much fun and I really hope you all have a chance to experience something like it in your lifetime.  As we flew home last night with about 6 other weary marathoners, we commented on the 'high' of the accomplishment and how important and exhilarating it is to set goals for yourself that seem unattainable and then challenge yourself to make them happen - whatever they might be.  What a great way to live your life!

For the record - We're already planning our next adventure!

cheers, Christine.

Update: 11/04/07:       Did you know:

SECOND LARGEST SINGLE DAY SPORTING EVENT: In terms of on-site media coverage, the Boston Marathon ranks behind only the Super Bowl as the largest single day sporting event in the world. More than 1,100 media members, representing more than 250 outlets, receive credentials annually.

Update: 10/04/07:

Leaving for Boston on Saturday morning and just putting the finishing touches on our plans for hydration, carb-loading, tapering, pacing and running outfits.  We're both nursing a few aches and pains so we're also figuring out our "pain treatment" plans for the race on Monday.  Janice still has a sore back and my IT band is NOT co-operating unfortunately. 

Hoping to visit the Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club over the weekend and get a tour of the facilities.  Suggested this to a friend in the Boston area who warned me not to even consider it given that they've had 2-3 shootings in the area over the past month!  Can you imagine the stress of having to raise children in those conditions? Of course, this has just made me want to visit even more.  Our group in total has raised over $43,000 so far and I believe that this money is so needed and will be put to such great use at the Boys and Girls club!!  Thanks to you all again for your wonderful support.   Colonel Daniel Marr Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester : “The Positive Place For Kids".

We'll post some pictures from the race when we get back home!

Update:  03/04/07:

Had a scare on Sunday when at mile 14 of an easy long run I felt my ITBand go! I panicked as 4 months of hard labour flashed before my eyes.  I needed help to get down the stairs yesterday morning - I'm NOT kidding!!  An hour and a half of physio, ultrasound, massage, icing and a double dose of Aleve later - and I'm feeling no pain!!  I may not be running again before Boston but I'll be there - regardless!!  Many thanks to Cheryl and Pauline at Competitive Edge  for putting me back together again.

On a cheerier note, we're registered for the 6th Annual Boston Tea Party - Team Canada Brunch on Sunday the 15th and getting VERY excited!  Alot of our running friends will be there. The emails are coming almost daily from the BAA about various race related things and it's getting tougher to think about other things.  I'm wishing now that my whole family could come!

A special thanks to my great friend Paige Brodie who mailed me a copy of the book "26 miles to Boston" as inspiration before my race!! - she'll be cheering for us at Mile 10 outside Natick on Race Day.  Can't wait to see her waiving her Canadian Flag.

We're planning to visit the Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club on the weekend before the race and we'll bring back pictures of all your donations hard at work.  Many thanks again to those of you who have already sponsored us! 

Cheers,  Christine

Update:  27/03/07:

The weather gods were good to us, and we had a great day on Sunday with both of us accomplishing our goals.  Congratulate Criss who had a personal best 'Around the Bay ', coming in at 2:14!  Pretty incredible - and a 5th place finish in her very competitive age category - and top 2% of all women runners!!!

For me it was a long training run, running fairly aggressively and feeling strong on the hills, so it was a great confidence booster!  I was very emotional at the finish line knowing that the next finish line I cross will be in Boston.

So Criss is recovering from her superwoman effort, and for both of us the hard work is done and tapering has begun.  For the next 3 weeks it's about staying healthy and fit (physically and mentally!) so don't invite us for any heavy partying until April 17th.

Be well.  Janice

Update:  22/03/07: 

Well - we're in the closing weeks now after MANY months of training including yoga/stretching, physio, massages, swimming, xtraining, etc. and we're both getting excited (and a bit nervous!).  We'll be running our last official "long run" at the ATB 30K this Sunday to gauge our fitness levels and at this point we're just thrilled to be injury-free (touch wood) and over the worst of our winter training!  We've trained through snowstorms, ice, -30 degree windchills and too many pre-dawn runs to remember.   Fingers crossed for sunshine on Sunday and then we start our taper for Boston.  We'll keep you posted!  It's not too late to sponsor us still - any support is greatly appreciated!!

 

To our friends and Family!

Thank you for visiting our very first Personal Fundraising Page. I'm thrilled to be able to run the Boston Marathon this year in support of both my running partner and great friend Janice (who worked so hard to qualify for this prestigious race)  AND a wonderful charity like Colonel Daniel Marr Boys and Girls Club. I've been very fortunate to be able to run many great races over the years and I feel truly blessed to be able to do something I love while giving back to the local communities that come out and cheer us all on race day.  YOu can check out the great work being done at the club at:    Colonel Daniel Marr Boys & Girls Club of Dorchester : “The Positive Place For Kids".

Donating through this fundraising site is simple, fast and totally secure.  Many thanks to all of you who have already given and to our friends and family for your support  - it really is appreciated.  Please forward this to anyone else who you think might want to donate too!  See you in Boston on Monday April 16th.

cheers,

Christine (and Janice)