I recently read a book that started from the end and then worked it’s way back to the beginning and I thought I’d start this post a little like that. I haven’t posted on here since the Summer of Shanley tour ended in August of 2016, but Monday felt like Summer and it was quite the adventure. As I raced or at least what felt like racing after 25.5 miles of running, down Boylston to the Finish I looked up and there it was…the finish. As I had the end in sight, I didn’t think my usual, “thank god it’s over.” instead I thought, “Oh no it’s all coming to an end and why is Boylston so short?” I may have felt like I was losing it a mile or so back, but at this point, I wanted more. More steps, more cheers, more time out on the course…anything! But as the saying goes, “All good things must come to an end”, and so did my race, but not before I took with me some incredible memories.
The morning of the race I arrived at the shuttles that would take me to the start in Hopkinton and there were rows and rows of porta-potties along the Common. I thought well “Shit is getting real.” As we drove along the Pike to get to Hopkinton, I watched videos that my friends had put together for me for like the 5th time. If you haven’t seen it, go check it out on my page. Further along in the drive, I received a text from a friend in California saying that on their morning commute they heard a shout out to “Ms. Shanley who was running the Boston Marathon” on the Sarah and Vinnie show .If you go and listen scroll ahead to the 30 min mark. What a sweet and unexpected treat from Mrs. Vattuone. When we arrived at the Village in Hopkinton my heart was pumping and I had just a few minutes before we were walking to the starting line. You have to hand it to the Hopkinton residents that come out to cheer you on before the race even starts. They are out on their lawns with signs that say only “26.4 miles from here”, free coffee and sunscreen and lots of cheers.
When the race began there were moments from miles 1-3 that I had to keep checking in and reminding myself where the heck I was!!! I had made it. It was quite the sunny sweat sesh as the temps reached into the 70’s, but at that point what was a little sweat amongst 30,000 of my newest running buddies. Just past the 6K marker, I spotted the first of my Runtourage, Sara, Jackie, Evan, Liv and Gracie. It was some sweaty hugs and off I went. As the temperatures continued to rise, I began taking ice from any kid who put their hand out. I also noticed along the course in those quieter first few miles there were young girls sitting out on their lawns on their own cheering. I loved that they came out to cheer us all on. I especially loved the young girl cheering with her two tins of Pringles. I felt as if she got me. My friend Liz told me to make sure I stopped and smelled the roses during the race and while I didn’t see any roses, I sure made time for all the high fives and acknowledged the people who cheered my name. Some of my favorite signs along the way said, “Go Stranger, you’ve got this.” Or the gentleman holding the sign saying “New England 3, Atlanta 28 with 2:12 to go in the 3rd. “ If that wasn’t a reminder that you are never quite out of something, I don’t know what is. Until I reached the next spot that my family and friends were watching, I found myself relying on these strangers to keep me going. As I passed some guys I got a “Caitlin, you look amazing.” My first thought was, do I though? And my second was, “Hmmm I wonder if he’s single” but alas I needed the energy to go forward not back so we will never know the answer to either of those thoughts.
The music blaring from people’s lawns and businesses was quite the selection from Party in the USA and Gangsters Paradise to Rocky and Juju On that Beat. I somehow missed my friends at mile 13 and I think it threw me for a loop. Not that I had a specific time in mind, but I could slowly see my secret goal time slipping away after that. I hit the wall so much earlier than expected. It could have been the heat or me just in my head, but I did not like where I was headed. Surprisingly, I got a second wind when I hit the hills after Lower Newton Falls leading up to the infamous Heartbreak Hill. As I mentioned, people cheer and call your name throughout the whole race and most times I just take it in with a quick smile or thumbs up, but when someone yelled “Caitlin Shanley” as I was working my way up one of the hills around mile 19, I realized I must know them and turned to see a friendly face in my friend Sean.
Coming up on the last part of Heartbreak hill I could hear them before I could see them. My family!!! My cousins Joey and Renee hosted what looked like one fabulous Marathon Party and seeing my parents, brothers, aunts, cousins and family friends made that hill totally worth it. I thought they would have let me stay a little longer but with a quick dump of the ice down the sports bra, some sweaty hugs, a handoff of a letter and some high fives, they were all kicking me out of the party. It’s cool guys I’ve been kicked out of better places;) From there I knew I had a few miles of solo time before I’d see another friend, but the crowds after Cleveland Circle were phenomenal and got me out of my head. The last Marathon I ran, I ran with two friends and while we didn’t say much to each other in those last few miles, having them there was a game changer. I know that even more now. As much as I love the spectators, I must say knowing when to say “you’re almost there.” was not something they were good at. Heading through Brookline you get your first glimpse of the Citgo sign and once you see that sign in all it’s glory you know you’re really “Almost there.” The crowds outside of Fenway as you approach Mile 25 were rocking. My good pal Kim was there for more sweaty hugs, some encouraging words and some silly snaps. One of the Police Officers in Kenmore Square yelled to me and I realized I knew him too. I didn’t have a whole lot left but seeing another familiar face, got me excited so I shouted, “Hey Robo, how ahh ya?” Oddly enough he didn’t respond and it actually made me laugh because I’m pretty sure that was what it was like years and years ago…me reaching out and him radio silence;) Right before you take that famous right on Hereford left on Boylston I saw my pals Derek and Stacy cheering wildly for me. I’m pretty sure Julian Edelman was also cheering for me when I was running down Boylston. So glad he could return the favor after all the times I’ve cheered for him! After I crossed the finish line, I got the treat of receiving my medal from my friend and multiple Boston Marathon finisher, Angela. Having the friendly face at the finish definitely helped my feelings of sadness that it had ended. And then, of course, Sara found her way back from mile 4 to the finish and was waiting for me “by the bananas” per her text. She was ready to take this slow moving walker back through the Common and up to Beacon Hill. I had time for a quick shower and a soda before we needed to get to the post party meet up, so I figured why not do both at the same time. Efficiency at it’s best. We planned to meet my family and some friends at the local restaurant in Everett and it couldn’t have been more perfect. They sat and ate and I stood and paced while watching them eat (I’m never hungry after a race). It was a day and a moment filled with so much joy and love that I know I will never forget it.
As I type this I’m strategically trying to find a position in bed that my chafed skin isn’t rubbing against my clothes, my toenails aren’t hitting the sheets (Just in case they decide to come off) and that my back is squarely on the heating pad. Even with all this and not having the best race, I’d do it all again in a heartbeat or I guess in a heartbreak would be more appropriate.
Thank you to everyone who made this journey what it was. Until we meet again Boston, keep doing your thing!
