Strava Marathon (Wellesley, MA)
Finish Time: 4:04
Pace: 9:20
Temp: 70
Conditions: Sunny and Warm
Run For: Burke
Recap:
Today’s marathon was run on Marathon Monday, the day of the Boston Marathon. However, I did not actually run the Boston Marathon, instead I drove to Wellesley College around mile 12 on the course and got in some miles prior to the start of the marathon itself.
There is a feeling in the air on this day every Patriots Day in April in the city. You can just feel it, the atmosphere is different. In Wellesley, there is an excitement, an anticipation of what’s to come. There was also a calmness before the chaos of what was going to be tens of thousands of runners that would soon be swarming the roads. Empty lawn chairs were already set up on the sidewalks, roads were being closed and what seemed like an endless line of tables were being set up with volunteers filling a ridiculous number of cups with water. It was real and something big, something special in the running community was happening on this day.
Speaking of all that water, it was going to be needed because the temperature was already getting pretty high at 8:00 in the morning. It wasn’t record breaking heat but after training during the cooler winter season for months, runners just aren’t used to running in 70° temperatures yet. After only 5 miles into my marathon, I was feeling it and wishing there was even a slight breeze to cool me off a little. I knew it’d be a tough day for the runners and those water stops were going to be busy.
I ran out and back along the marathon course and got to experience having the entire marathon course all by myself. I guess this is what it would feel like to be leading the Boston Marathon, minus the crowds lining the streets as you go by. This quickly started to change and what I soon found out was that as we got closer to runners showing up the overall number of people increased immensely. Soon I was running against the grain and trying my best to weave around the crowded sidewalks to make my way back up the course. My pace slowed significantly and I was just happy to be covering some distance at that point. This marathon was not going to be my fastest but that’s ok.
The second half of this marathon consisted of running along the Boston Marathon course as well as some side roads in and around the Wellesley College campus. It’s a beautiful place and it was a pretty spectacular backdrop on such a lovely spring day. Not that I have minded the treadmill lately, but this definitely tops the scenery from inside my basement. It was a great change in many ways. I also got to see some friends volunteering and of course many friends who ran the actual marathon itself.
I can honestly say that I’m really stiff and sore today. It turns out standing around in one spot for a couple hours after running 26.2 miles isn’t ideal for recovery. However, I’ll recover and I’ll be ready to run the next one when it’s time to lace up my sneakers again.
I ran this marathon for my friend Burke. We first met when she signed up to ride her first time with the cycle crew for Team Challenge a few years back. Since then, she has been a staple on the team and continually rides and raises money for the foundation each year. It has been a joy to get to know Burke and ride with her each year, seeing her feeling healthy and having the determination and drive to do all she can for those just like her.
It was announced just a few weeks ago that Burke was named the honored hero for this year’s Team Challenge “Race in Orange” team. The honored hero is someone nominated who is seen as someone who is admired or idealized for their courage and a reason why we do what we do for cures for Crohn’s Disease and ulcerative colitis. The “Race in Orange” program is when you choose any activity and set goals for yourself as you raise money for the Foundation. Unfortunately, Burke is not able to participate with the cycle team this year when we will travel to Minnesota to ride together in August. However, she is determined to still ride and raise money so she is going to be participating in another ride with another teammate and friend Rhonda. They will both be riding in the Spellbound Century ride in New Jersey riding the 100-mile route. This will be Burke’s very first full century ride! I know she will do great and I’m excited to see her achieve this incredible accomplishment.
As you can see, Burke is a rockstar and being able to run for her and share her story with 26.2 For You just makes sense. I’m continuously inspired by so many and knowing Burke and hearing her story I’m thankful she is so willing to share her journey. Running in the heat and through the crowds of people was tough, but it’s not as tough as dealing with IBD on a daily basis. Thank you Burke for showing everyone what it means to be a true IBD hero. This 26.2 was for you!
26.2 FOR YOU 