BOSTON!!

What a beautiful city Boston is! I was there once before when Jason's brother got married to the wonderful Pam, but we weren't in the city much. I love the history of the city and the character the old buildings have. I arrived Sunday around noon after flying "red eye" and not getting much sleep...but...

My parents and brother and sis-in-law and 2 nieces were there to greet me at the airport - I was SO excited to see my parent!!!! I haven't seen them since January.
We had a delicious lunch Sunday, then headed to the hotel. It was a bit outside the city so we had to take a few subways and a train to get there, followed by a walk. I seriously love public transportation. You can get anywhere around that city on the subway. I wish we had that here.
Monday morning bright and early, we were up with coffee. My dad and I were escorting Mom to the city to catch the shuttle to the starting line...

Mom and Dad - early morning! Angela made these shirts for us : "Go Nannie Go!" We all wore them on race day

In the subway station...

So excited for my mom

We waited with my mom until she was about to get on the bus. I was COLD in the 40's! The guy in front of us in line said it was a little warm for him - he's used to running with snow. We are spoiled here in CA!

Grace and I - she calls me "aunt kiwi"

Leah and Angela

We saw my mom at mile 17, but I only took a video. This course is HARD and my mom did great on it!! We also got to see her in the last mile or so - right before she finished. There were SO many spectators (read: CROWDED SUBWAYS!) and the excitement was tangible in the air. Bells ringing, spectators yelling, runners struggling to finish...it was SO inspiring.

Finished!

Jason and Mom

"I missed you Nannie" - Grace missed Nannie!

We are so proud of you Mom!! You did awesome and I'm so glad I got to be there to cheer you on!!

I have thought about my desire to run Boston for several years but have never really set it as a real goal. I kind of tried a few years ago, but finished with a time that was 6 min too slow. Next year the registration process is changing so even though the time I need is 3:40, I most likely need to do better than that if I really want to get in before the space is gone. I'm going to do my best this year. I've got a goal set, 19 weeks to train and am going to run a race at the end of Aug in hopes of qualifying. I know I have to work really hard for this, but I love running and to run Boston would be a dream...so even if its not next year...it will happen one year. So off I go to run 10 miles with 2 kids in a stroller... :)