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Sherrie's Memories of Boston
I ran my first Boston Marathon in 2015. Shortly after my qualifying race in the fall of 2014, I tore my hamstring, a product of overtraining and under recovering.
Considering that I was running injured, I had decided that I was just going to run and enjoy and experience the race without the pressures of a time cut off, but in the back of my mind, I just wanted to run in under 4 hours. Even so, the experience was amazing and unforgettable.
Friends, the spectators at Boston are incredible. They make you feel like they showed up to watch just you and only you. My name was on my bib and I heard complete strangers yelling “Come on Sherrie, you can do it!” I felt like I wasn’t allowed to give up. Those blessed, beautiful strangers, buoyed me up and helped me move forward.
“There is something deep and spiritual about finishing a marathon, but it is transcendence to finish Boston.“
I ran the first 16 miles with my friends, Lauren and Toby. It was a 16 mile party in the rain! Once I hit the first of the rollers before Heartbreak Hill my hammy seized up and I had to slow down. The last thing I can remember was stopping to walk as a spectator gave me a piece of the most delicious watermelon I had ever tasted! And then I ventured onward up the hill. As I neared the final crest of Heartbreak Hill at mile 21, I searched the crowds for my friend, Carin, who had come on the trip to support me. Turns out she had gotten held up on the train and we didn’t find each other until the finish. I felt broken, alone and discouraged, and I let that get to me for a few miles. I think I remember making it to mile 22. I think. I remember turning a corner…maybe. Miles 22 thru 26 are a total blank. I do not remember seeing the Citgo sign. I think I was literally running numb, or maybe angels carried me thru those miles, but I cannot remember them. What I do remember is turning a corner, looking up and seeing the finish line. I experienced what can only be described as an awakening. I picked up my speed the best I could, and hobbled my way toward that beautiful finish line. Tears started streaming, mixing with the rain. My previous feelings of discouragement were replaced by indescribable joy. I was about to finish the Boston Freaking Marathon!
“I’m grateful for what I’ve learned about how the body can perform when the mind is determined, and a valuable lesson about recovery and overtraining.“
As I crossed the finish line, I burst into a fit of ugly, hysterical sobbing. A volunteer even asked me if I was ok. All I could choke out was “I just ran the Boston Marathon!” There is something deep and spiritual about finishing a marathon, but it is transcendence to finish Boston! I will never forget.
I’m grateful for the experiences I had leading up to Boston. I’m grateful for what I’ve learned about how the body can perform when the mind is determined, and a valuable lesson about recovery and overtraining. Since my Boston experience, I have run 6 Boston Qualifying marathons (8 in total), and have every intention to, someday, go back and run it again!
“I heard complete strangers yelling “Come on Sherrie, you can do it!” I felt like I wasn’t allowed to give up.“
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