41 Days...

This journey is getting closer and closer to the end. I used to think that March was the longest month ever. I am now feeling the total opposite of that. I need more March! I need more days! Physically I feel great! I just need more days for the mental game. Can anyone loan me some days? 41 days is right around the corner and this is getting realer by the minute. It's crazy how excited I am. With every mile added I get more excited. And that's just about 22 miles of excitement. Just. About. 22. Miles! And that was an accident but that's okay! More on that later. 

This past Sunday was our most recent DFMC team run. I woke up feeling great. I was happy that it was in the 20's and sunshine was in the forecast. As I drove to meet Sandy I was staring at the gorgeous sunrise that I happen to be able to catch. The time change didn't effect me much at all. I was worried that it would. I had gone to bed thinking it was 10:30 when it was really 11:30 and while it made me nervous, it ended up being okay. 

It was a beautiful 30 degrees for most of our run. We set out from Watertown at the beautiful Mt. Auburn Health Club and had our hopes set on a 20 miler. The weekend before was 18.6 for me so I would have been happy with anywhere between 18-20. We ran through the streets of Watertown up some pretty tough hills through Brighton to Boston College in Newton. We ran down the famous Heartbreak Hill which I have gotten to know so well at this point in my training. As we were running down I couldn't help but think ahead to the fact that I would be running back up in an hour or two.

I ran with a pretty amazing crew. Always keeping each other inspired through chit chat and a few tunes that just had to be played out loud. "Don't Stop Believing" and "Shipping up to Boston" got us through a few tough miles. When we got close to the Newton firehouse we knew we would be seeing our beautiful friend Sandy at her water stop. It being opening day, what better appropriate attire than Red Sox gear and some beautiful pictures to honor her son Matty and his love of the Red Sox. This woman melts my heart daily. She has been such a source of inspiration. All 3 of these ladies have and I thank them with all of my heart. 

Kerry, Lauren & Sandy are a huge inspiration in my life.

Annnnnnd a much needed quick bathroom break at the famous Newton Firehouse let me score these pics. This is quite a landmark on the run. I love the Boston Strong pics they have hanging up.

Back on the course it was pretty decent weather. It stayed at about 30 degrees which is like spring compared to what we've been running in this winter. We headed back to Heartbreak Hill, knowing that in order to get in 20 miles we'd have to run to it again and then back down to the Firehouse before heading all the way back to Watertown. Is your head spinning yet? And I have no sense of direction. It's a lot. 

After accomplishing all of that we were once again back at the Firehouse and at just about mile 12. We knew (or at least we thought we knew) it would be 8 miles back through Newton, Brighton and Watertown back to the club. It actually ended up being almost 10 miles. Unless we went too far out the first time. No one really knows. At that point we were getting tired.

So 12+8 (but really almost 10) is almost 22. 

My Garmin died at 19.8 officially. After already dying once on the run. I need a knew Garmin. I don't know what its problem is. It just beeps. The entire time. Like girl, I am going to annoy the hell out of you until you run faster.

Running is a really emotionally draining activity. Yes, it's physically draining but emotionally, you have all this time to think. 

Let me breakdown for you.

Miles 1-3 I spent thinking about my friend Botto and what a fighter he is. He's this amazing guy, fighting the fight of his life and such an awesome dad, husband, teacher, coach, son, brother, friend. I felt really strong. Thanks Botto. You inspire me every day nevermind for 3 miles.

Miles 4-6 I spent thinking about my parents. Thinking of what I would do without them. Thinking of my beautiful friend who just lost her mom to lung cancer. I ran for Betsy. I ran hard. I teared up a little. I thought of Katie. I ran harder. No one should have to lose the ones they love after a fight like that.

Miles 7-9ish I thought of my Mum and my Aunts. 3 sisters. 3 different cancers. I thought of how unfair that was. Cancer is unfair. I thought of my beautiful cousin who just had a scare. Cancer is scary. Cancer is so many things. Cancer sucks. 

Miles 10-13 I was still feeling good. I felt like maybe I am more of a 1/2 marathoner but there's no turning back now and we were on the back end of our run. It was okay. "It's just running." ~Jonathan

My friend Jonathan kept saying that along the run and it's true. 

"It's just running." But it's a lot of it. I hope he puts it on a t shirt.

I was running with some really amazing, strong, inspiring people. They kept me going.

Miles 14-16 Why are we not done yet? I thought of Bri and the kids. Of how as the long runs get longer I am gone for longer and it's hard for me. It's not hard on them. They are awesome. It's hard on me as a mom. I feel bad missing out on family time but then I remember why I am here. 

Miles 17-19 I am pretty much done. Everything hurts. My legs feel like lead. It's snowing. I would like to cry but I don't. I just keep running. 

"Right foot. Left foot. Breathe." 

~ Robin Roberts via Kerry Donohoe.

We're practically trail running at this point because there are no sidewalks. Running up and down hills of mud, sand, gravel, snow, ice. I have the same song on repeat for this entire time. I keep thinking while I have no idea where I am, we have got to be close.

We're not.

Miles 19-21+ My Garmin quits at 19.8. Well it was 2.8 from the 17.00 that it originally quit at but I don't want to confuse anyone.

17.00 + 2.8 = 19.8 (I teach 2nd grade math, bam!) I too want to quit but I've come this far. It's all down hill from here. Everything hurts. I see a sign for Boston College even though we've already passed it and again I think of Shirl. My pony tail hits my shoulder and I think of Shelbie. It feels like someone is tapping me. We're somewhat unsure of where we are (or at least I am) but we kind of feel like we know we're going in the right direction and we spot Dana Farber cones. Thank god. Thank someone. It's cold. It's wet. Everything is dirty. I keep thinking where's the sun? Wasn't it supposed to be sunny? Don't Stop Believing comes on for the 3rd time and I think of Matty. And Sandy. And how hard they fought. And how hard she still fights every single day. As we round the corner back to the club, we decide to call it a day and walk off the stress of 20+ miles at that point. 21 miles? Almost 22 miles. We know it's just under 22 and for that we're so proud. Tired. Beat. Emotional. But so proud. Maybe a little delirious even.

This journey has been amazing. And when I say (every day) I have such awesome people in my life. It couldn't be more true. I sat in my car while it warmed up, changing out of wet shirts, trying to stretch while sitting (not that easy) just breathing and I looked at my phone. 

8 texts.

17 Facebook notifications.

3 missed calls.

Voicemails that made me tear up.

You guys are awesome.

I don't know where I would be without you on this journey.

On The Road To Boston

My Road to Boston.

So much love,

t

My beautiful friend who is always a few steps ahead of me with words of wisdom, inspiration and sometimes she doesn't even have to say anything at all...

The Johnny Kelley Statue

Which we've passed so many times on this journey.

And this.

Yes, this.

I can't wait to see you all on 3.20.15

I have lots of hugs to give.

I'm ready.

xo