A Reminder

I don't feel like this blog can just be done - especially after the momentum of my last adventure, but sadly, I don't have any new running adventures on my near horizon. And, of course, this blog is sacred to all things running and must be preserved from my new (future) life of diapers and strollersize (just kidding on the strollersize - this running mom will not be doing four-wheeled-lunges - because in my third trimester - I can still squat my body weight, and that includes my new body weight). But its hardly been over a month from my medal worthy Boston appearance and I hope that the blogging world hasn't forgotten about it... Much too soon to be put on the back burner for Winnie the Pooh!

As for a brief life update (however, secondary to the important stuff... to come) - I am officially a working girl, no more student title, no more internship, no more co-signatures. As I was told, I now have my own license to lose (that's reassuring). Some days I feel total confidence, like I can make medical decisions and intervention from my far reaching depths of knowledge, and other days I can be found in fetal position somewhere between ICU 1 and 2 in a panic-like-trance contemplating my own hospital admission. I walk across the Jubilee Auditorium stage this Friday, robed in gold (actually blue), exactly 10 years, to the week, that I did the same to recieve my High School Diploma. Funny how I've been a student the whole time.... In the baby department - I started trimester #3 this week at 27 weeks. Somehow I blinked my eyes and I was 2/3rds of the way done! I'm one of the lucky few women who literally (seriously, literally) has nothing to complain about, so yah for me (and apologizes to all of my new found enemies). Considering I have nothing to compare this pregnancy to, I don't know what my belly growth is in relation to the norm, but I've appreciated that there is nothing (well, considering) hindering me from my normal sanity-maintaining-activities. The down side, I have not been able to "blame it on the baby" nor recieve "pregnancy sympathy" in any way. I also get a moderate amount of sympathy looks, in which I can literally predict, are other women saying in their heads "poor girl, she's getting chubby - wasn't she the runner? Happens to the best of us". Oh well, if there is one thing worth giving up my sculped abs for (the abs I at least dreamt about), than this far exceeds it.

But, the only true reason to stumble across this 500 (+/-) word exert from my otherwise average life is to celebrate all things running. I think a disgusting amount of daily minutes and cyber space is wasted on blogs that are mere personal diaries - because, let's all be honest, who really cares what I ate for dinner or what I put in my coffee. The only part of my day that is worthy for public recognition were the 13 kms that I logged on my running shoes (1 hour 4 minutes, only 1 pee break, which is a record in itself). And of course, this is not to celebrate my personal accomplishment, but time well spent, by myself as well as the others who chose to celebrate with me (to name one, my 6 am running partner Zoe). With all that said, Boston was such a short time ago, and I feel it slowly decreasing in importance as my waistband is increasing. This blog posting is to put that to an end. I may not have a new and amazing training plan going on right now, something to out-do Boston, or Ironman Canada... but these legs are still a runnin' and will continue to do so (at the expense of bladder control). Aside from the obvious (LOVE it), I feel that I owe this to the sacred Boston Athletic Association, in the name of good sportmanship, in honor of my Ironman tatoo... and mostly to my 2011 Boston Marathon Finisher baby. So as per usual running report, last week I ran 20 km in 1:52, the distance remains to be my strength (I always feel like I could run further), however I feel that the pace is slowing with each run. Of course, I will gladly run any pace, as long as the trails are calling my name....

In one final blog "shout out", my bro-in-law completed his first triathlon this past weekend, doing great! We dusted off my original road bike for him, and I'm so thrilled to see that bike back out in action, cause it really served me well - but has hardly seen the roads since I got my tri bike. Stay tuned for a Jacquelyn/Leon head to head 1/2 ironman next summer.... (eat my dust...)

The Big Day in Pictures

So hard to believe that the race was already two weeks ago! Since I last wrote on here - I've run the most elite marathon in the world, finished 10 years of post secondary education, and driven up the hill for the last time to the Foothills Hospital (old job). It would appear that I like to cram everything together - but the truth is, it's almost been too much all at once. Would have been nice to enjoy each moment a bit more, if it would have been within my control. Oh well.... I start my Respiratory Therapist job on Monday, May 9th, although my week off is timely and much needed, I am incredibly excited to start up again next week - not just everyone in the world gets to work their dream job - so I will gladly be apart of the few who have total job satisfaction (remind me of this at 2 am when there is a code blue situation happening).

Enough about all of this other unimportant business though - there are far better things to talk about!!! As expected, Boston was spectacular in every way that I imagined! The city, the food, the race, the jacket - it was total perfection for me. Below is a pictor-o-blog of heaven on earth...

Arriving in Boston, the city welcomed athletes with open arms. I read somewhere that Boston brings in equivalent income from Marathon weekend as does Superbowl weekend (so they better welcome us with open arms...):

Some of the famous landmarks that I read about ahead of time, and took note of along the race route:

First things first, the food. So. Good:

Real Boston Pizza:

At the race expo, which was the best one I've ever been at (x 20 previous marathon race expo's), picking up number 13872. It was organized quite well considering I have never run in a race such as this where there are 10's of thousands of athletes. It was quite busy, but we went early on Saturday, so there was still lots of energy and goodies. Unlike a lot of other races that I participated in, I was very surprised at the level of athletes that were surrounding us! I suppose when you are having a 10 km race and a half marathon and full marathon, you can attract all shapes, sizes, ages, etc. But for this race, it really appeared that it was reserved for the best of the best, just by all of the people that were flocking through the doors of the expo (ahem... this included me of course):

The finish line, two days before the race. Glad I got a close and personal look at it cause it was pretty crazy on race day:

Fearless travel partners! This was at Boston Common, it was the first day we were in Boston, the wind was so chilly, but still sunny and beautiful. The next couple of days were ideal weather, couldn't have asked for warmer or sunnier. The backpack I'm wearing was soon filled with race expo goodies, lugging it around for the rest of the day and an entire walking tour of the city proved to be an ironman in itself! By the end of the day, it was refered to as the effin' backpack. Amoung things like Boston Common, the Financial District and the Race Expo, we also walked to the markets, through the North side and spent quite a bit of time in Harvard Square (probably our favorite for shops and food). It really was spectacular, the city has amazing history and architecture, but it helps that Alison and my interests were very similar (markets, food, shops, etc):

I took my phone with me on the run for the camera, but just didn't want to pull it out much as that competitive runner in me just couldn't succumb. I did get this picture though, at the top of Heartbreak hill, between mile 20 and 21 at Boston College. I think I'm quite a strong hill runner, I didn't feel that the Newton hills were half as bad as "they" say, HOWEVER, the down hills were killer on the knees, as "they" warned:

And of course, the famous Citgo sign, entering Boston, 1 mile left. Kind of decieving as you can see it for about 2 miles before you reach it, but was cool nontheless. I actually saw it as we were flying in to Logan International two days earlier, I didn't realize how large it really was. As you can see, many people were out cheering like maniacs, this was another pretty amazing I've never experience, 26.2 miles of complete fan coverage! I was deafened by screech tunnel (Wellesley Girls College, Mile 13), and to be honest, almost exhausted by the constant cheering (weird, I know). I will say though, running the Boston marathon is the best way to feel like a million bucks, cause it felt to me like there were literally millions of people on that course cheering just for me (nevermind the other 27000 or so runners). Kinda makes you run with your head just a little higher:

And of course, the final moments...

But... I can't seem to do anything without some kind of additional challenge. So I conquered the world's most elite road race with a baby on the way. 5 and a half months pregnant... It took me 28 years to fulfill this dream, and now my first born has completed the Boston Marathon at 22 weeks gestation. Lucky boy! Anyways, this can also be my disclaimer for a final time of 4 hours 35. I've had a perfect pregnancy and I would have given up running Boston with no hesitation if it would have been necessary - HOWEVER - please stay tuned for my sub 3:30 marathon redemption in early 2012:

Overall, this trip was amazing, I am so happy that I was able to participate in and complete the Boston Marathon. Considering that this was my #1 life-long goal, I suppose it would be safe to say that there are many emotions to process after an experience to this extent. In the past, I've even had some cases of post race blues. But it's funny how things change when becoming a parent is on your horizon. My goals and accomplishments suddenly matter far less, because I may have dreamed of running Boston, or completing an Ironman - But more significantly I always knew that I would have kids one day, it sort of seems like lifes ultimate gift... How does a medal (or 21...) mean much when in a few shorts months I'll learn a whole new meaning of love - if not already. So when I crossed the 115th Boston Marathon Finish line on April 18, 2011, I had a wonderful moment of self satisfaction, but when I meet my son on August 25th - I think then is when I really start to live.

With all that said, I HIGHLY doubt that there are any other parents in my generation who can brag about their child completing the Boston marathon. Well... I can. And... I will.