WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, all of my training, blood, sweat, and tears came to an end yesterday after running 26.2 miles in 5 hours, 10 minutes, and 29 seconds! I can't even begin to describe to you what the day was like. It was truly an AMAZING experience. I was so mentally ready for the day, as I headed to the starting corral at about 10am and then finally crossed the starting line at about 11AM. The sight of thousands of people waiting for that gun to sound was unbelievable. I tried to enjoy the moment as I ran through Hopkington into Ashland and onto Natick and Framingham and before you know it I was in Wellesley at the 1/2 marathon mark. At that point I was making such great time I shocked myself. I then lost a little steam as I headed into the Newton Hills and hit a mental block at miles 17, 18, and 19 but I quickly regrouped as I knew that the MGH family was at mile 20 and of course that handsome boy named LIAM was there waiting for me with open arms as I ran to him and gave him the biggest hug ever. That gave me the momentum that I needed to tackle the next challenge....."Heartbreak Hill". Once I crested at the top I physically hit a wall and for the next two miles (mile 21 and 22), my knees were not moving. I did all I could to run to the Mile 23 marker where Owen, Jack, and Troy were waiting for us...that again gave me a little boost to get to the end. At that point I made the decision to run the next 3 miles and not stop......and we did just that and when I took that final RIGHT onto HEREFORD street and LEFT on BOYLSTON, and when I turned and saw that finished line, I had chills all over my body. The sight of that blue finish mat that I was about to run over as I raised my hands and smiled for the camera........again it was an AMAZING day. The help that I got from a variety of people all day long was a HUGE help to me and Meg did awesome the last 6.2 miles as she took me to that finish line. Wow, what a day!!!!!!!