Continuing to walk our Wicked Good readers through the soup-to-nuts experience of running in a Boston Marathon, it's Marathon Morning, time to hit the pavement!
First off, a smooch from Dad, a look of disgust from Big Bro, and we're off!
Big cheers for the best support system anyone can find along the 26.2 miles - Jackie! She's a pro at navigating in and out of the course. And this year, she added start shuttle service right to the waiting buses in Hopkinton to her expansive race resume. Made it as easy as pie for us to get to the start.
So for those not familiar with the set-up, before you can even get to the starting line in Hopkinton Center, you've got to bide your time in the Athletes' Village behind Hopkinton High School. There, more than 30,000 runners gather, waiting for their time to enter the starting corrals.
I can count on one hand the number of selfies I've ever taken. Not a big fan. However, when you're walking your daughter to her first Athletes' Village, there's always time to make an exception.
And there she is, about to enter the gallery
Once you get inside, you've got time to stretch out. Bring a blanket, bring pillows, or grab an abandoned piece of cardboard box to stretch out on. (We saw one man who brought an inflatable raft)
Around the yard, runners go through their pre-race rituals, which include eating bananas, granola bars, doing yoga, napping, and of course, one of the most critical pre-race requirements, the next photo. Hands down, the largest collection of Porta-Potties you will ever encounter ANYWHERE in your entire life. This pic shows less than a quarter of the total number. Hint: if you can hold it, wait until the earlier corrals get called to head to the start. The crowds winnow down and there's no waiting whatsoever.
Can I just continue to gush and say how damned cute and excited Heather is?
Here for the start, she'll be there for the finish too.
When our wave numbers were finally called, summoning us to start heading to the Starting Line, we began the long trek with the rest of the crowd.
And suddenly, a shriek pierced the Hopkinton air!
There was Heather's bud, Courtney Spence, in town taking official photographs for the Marathon!
The two of them practically knocked one another out giving a heartfelt bear hug
Yeah, they love each other a lot.
Two of the finest young women you'll find anywhere.
Picture perfect.
Yeah, if you pay attention, you'll see quite a few interesting sights along the way.
Like Forrest Gump.
Dead on re-creator, this is Robert Pope, 38, of Liverpool, England.
Pope has run over 5,000 miles in the last 7 months in order to retrace the route portrayed in the Tom Hanks 1994 movie. The insane marathon runner started in Mobile, Alabama in September, and ran all the way to the Santa Monica Pier in Los Angeles, California. Then, true to the original ping-pong hero, he turned around and started running back.
On this particular day, he was logging 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston, complete with old school Nikes.
And get this - HE RAN A 2:58:46 MARATHON!
Guess he just felt like running! Fast!
She's fired up.
50 years ago, Kathrine Switzer (in the background, center) was attacked as she tried to run the Boston Marathon, simply because she's a woman. This year, #261 returned to run it again.
And Heather got to thank her as she headed to her first starting line.
#TheyBothPersisted
One of the proudest moments of my life, not gonna lie.
(A moment about to be surpassed in about 26.2 miles)
Here she goes, her first Starting Line! And she's got Annie at her back giving her that extra little nudge for the rest of the way.
Go get 'em, Heather!
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