Let me begin by saying this is not the post marathon blog
I had envisioned writing after completing the 117th Boston Marathon.
I am happy to say that my family and I are all safe but still processing the
events that happened that day. Due to
the horrible events, I was stopped at mile 25.8 which will forever be
documented in Sports Illustrated (see page 12 in the April 22 issue). My family was at mile 26 almost directly
across from the second blast.
The race up until that point had been a fabulous run. It was a perfect day for a marathon, sunny
but not hot with a slight breeze. I had
mentally broken the race into 4 segments and had been executing on that plan. Segment one was from the beginning of the
race until mile 9 when I would meet my family for the first time. As I approached my family in the chaos of the
crowds all I could see was their exuberant smiles. I stopped for a few hugs and kisses then
moved on to the second segment which was from that point to the hills of
Newton. The highlight of this segment
was the “scream mile” of Wellesley College, women that cannot adequately be
described! The third segment was the
dreaded hills of Newton. Through them I
felt strong and after the last hill I knew I was going to finish the race. The final segment was from the hills to the
finish which I had planned on taking mile by mile and hopefully enjoying the
moment. During this segment I ran
through Boston College which was by far the loudest part of the course with
students on both sides of the street, then on to mile 25 which is where DFMC
has a cheering section. After that I had
planned on seeing my family close to the finish line and having my son run the
final distance with me and get our medal.
The last part was delayed due to tragic events but I did take my son with
me to receive my medal the day after the marathon which I think helped both of
us heal a little.
Running the Boston marathon for DFMC was one of the greatest
challenges I have ever taken on and I am proud to say that I not only finished
the race but raised over $10,000 for the Barr Program. I am still roughly $500 short of my goal
amount and hope a few more donations will trickle in to push me over my goal of
$13,100. Those of you who have donated
and cheered me on in spirit and in person I humbly thank you. While it is not a sure thing, look for me to
run the Boston Marathon again next year for DFMC.
Again thank you for everything and keep running!
Ray
