My 2021 Boston Marathon story starts off back in January and not because that’s when runners would normally be kicking off their training for our beloved Marathon Monday that’s typically scheduled in April. It’s because The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC) took a chance on some girl that sent them an email about her little plan to run 21 miles around the city visiting her students with Down syndrome on World Down Syndrome Day. They could have just said, “That’s cool.” or “Thanks for thinking of us.” but they didn’t. MDSC supported me and my plan every step of the way similarly to how they support their families from before children are born into their adulthood. Always there to answer my questions and also there to celebrate my achievements. I knew that after Ms. Shanley’s 3/21 run in March, I would always be connected to MDSC, but I had no idea what would come next only a few months later.
One day in late May, I opened up an email from MDSC saying they’d like me to join their marathon team. I felt that instant rush of excitement, but also concern that I would need to fundraise again. While there was no commitment to my March run, I was able to raise just over 9,000 for MDSC. Was I really going to be able to raise more so close to just asking people? Of course after talking it over with my two biggest cheerleaders, Mom and Dad it was a no brainer, we’d figure it out. And figure it out we did! I say we because most likely if you’re reading this you donated in one way or another to one or BOTH of my fundraisers for MDSC and I could never have done this without you. Thanks to all of you from March until now we raised over 15,000 dollars for MDSC. In a time when the world felt so dark or found people pitting themselves against each other for one thing or another, I saw a world where people still came together as one and made me truly believe that down in their core most people are good.
I will spare you all the details of the many sweaty training runs this summer and fast forward to Marathon weekend and get back to the title of this post, The Spirit of the Marathon. While of course a marathon is about running and I do obviously love to run, for me it’s about all the other things that happen along the way. I had the pleasure of having brunch at the Harvard Club the day before the marathon as a guest of MDSC and Charity Teams. Here, I not only got to sit with some of my teammates sharing our sleeping and eating patterns like only weirdo runners do, but I also had the chance to listen to and meet the 2014 Boston Marathon winner Meb Keflezighi and race director Dave McGillivray. It was at this brunch that Dave shared a story about trying to finish his second attempt at the Boston Marathon for his grandfather who passed away only to find himself broken down and ready to quit at mile 21.5. He looked around and realized he was at Evergreen Cemetery, where his grandfather was buried and knew he was watching and gave him the courage to just keep going. It’s that same cemetery where every training run I say a quiet hello to my Nana and Grandpa Shanley and somehow, I felt that his story was the sign I didn’t know I needed to calm my nerves and just take it all in, you’re people would be there for you.
And were my people there for me and then some. All weekend, there were the “Good luck.” and “You got this!” texts, videos sent from students past and present wishing me all the best, friends hosting delish pre race dinners that not only fueled my belly, but my heart as well, and my pals decorating both the inside and outside of my house so that I was sent off and welcomed like a champion upon my return home. And then there was race day.
I woke up a bit of a zombie as I unfortunately didn’t sleep from 1:30-5 am. I had a terrible headache. While sleeping doesn’t come easy for me and never does the night before the race, this was different. Thankfully, my sweet Georgia is staying with me for a few days and while she is self-admitted, “Not a morning person.”, she rallied for a quick walk to Starbucks to wake me up and hopefully see if that GTL caffeine could take the edge off the headache. I started to feel a little better on the bus ride out to Hopkinton. It was also another place I got to witness that spirit that I speak of. I watched the runner in front of me notice that one of the runners was huddled up shivering because all the windows had to be open and he took off his outer layer and gave it to her. Again showing me people are good.
This year the Marathon did a rolling start and while some people might have thought it to be anti-climactic, I thought it was perfect. You arrived, the bus doors opened and you immediately started your walk to the starting line. There were still all the volunteers pumping you up, the people in the houses cheering you on before you even start, and the booming of the announcer welcoming us all to Boston’s 125th running of the marathon. Within moments of stepping over that start line, I noticed a mom and what I assumed to be her daughter with Down syndrome noticing me and cheering “MDSC, thank you so much.”, this would not be the last time I welled up during the race. Another sign, I was meant to be here.
No matter how many times I say, “I always go out too fast.” I never seem to learn my lesson and right on cue, I went out too fast. I tried slowing down, but the adrenaline wasn’t having it. I knew I’d pay for it later and spoiler alert I did, but I just had to accept it was happening. I got my first boost of love and energy right at the 6K marker where just a few of my hype women (and one hype man) were cheering me on with signs and their loud voices. I couldn’t resist showing them some love and a lot of my sweat. My apologies for that ladies. For the next few miles I knew I’d be on my own, but got a sweet surprise at mile 8 from Ms. Shah, who had just a few days prior run her first marathon. I knew I wouldn’t see anyone I was expecting to see again until the halfway point so I settled into a pace closer to what I trained. I kept hearing people cheering for Mia and wondered if it was the Mia who I trained with and sure enough it was. We ran side by side for a few miles until she saw her grandma in Natick and needed to swing on over to the other side. I kept going with the thoughts that I too soon would see more of my people and hit that all too famous scream tunnel at Wellesley College!
At the halfway point, my friend Emily from Emerson was cheering on her fellow Big Heart teammates, but also me and gave me the best hug and push to keep going! Right after this is when the lack of sleep, the headache, and the going out too fast started to catch up with me. I decided to get some more fuel in me and as I’m doing so, I come upon one of my old students and his family. They saved me. Once again I remembered why I was there. A few minutes and a few fist bumps and fruit snacks later, I was back on the course.
Now this next part, I wish I could bottle up and save forever. Turning the corner in West Newton on my way to mile 18 where my students and MDSC would be, had me choking back the tears before I even saw them. You can see on my face how big my heart was feeling in that moment.
Just so excited
Most spots, I’d hug, high five, give a quick kiss and I love you and keep going, but I couldn’t just keep going without spending some time with my students who had been waiting for me with their signs and cheers. One student, stood there with her “Go Ms. Shanley” sign and said to me, “I’m so proud of you Ms. Shanley.” In this moment, the miles before this when I was spiraling and getting down on myself when I realized I wasn’t going to have the time I wanted, were all forgotten. She had made me feel like the most important runner out there. And she wasn’t alone, the hugs and smiles from my other students waiting filled my tank and heart to the limit. You see, my students don’t care if I’m a fast runner, they just care that I’m me and that’s always going to be enough (Now only if I could remember that) . The MDSC crew stocked me up on more fuel and some extra cheers and I was off to make my way up Heartbreak Hill to see my family.
“I’m so proud of you too little one” 
Hugs… 
and more hugs
En route up the hill before I was expecting to see my family I heard some very familiar voices calling my name and looked to my left to see my cousin Julie, Rob and little Julian. I noticed as I was running away after hugs and high fives, I’d left Julie with a wet shirt…again sorry about that.
hi-fives 
and some cheesin’ for the camera
I have to admit my vision has gotten pretty bad and I knew where my family would be standing, but once again I could hear them before I could see them. My mom, dad, brothers and cousins all screaming my name as I made it to the top of Heartbreak Hill. That day and in that moment there was not an ounce of heartbreak in sight, and more of a heart fixed. I could feel all of their love. But it wasn’t over yet and I had to keep going on down the hill to Evergreen Cemetery where I said hi to Nana and Grandpa, not only for me but for Nan too! After taking the turn at Cleveland Circle, I felt something change, I picked my pace back up (a little) and moved along to where Ms. Alicia was waiting for me with cheers and hugs and I love yous at The Golden Temple. Shortly after I heard someone calling my name, not expecting anyone I looked to see if it was someone else they were cheering for. Nope, it was an old SF friend who was now working in Boston telling me, “looking good.” Truth be told, I would have killed to hear him say that years ago when we were both in SF, so it definitely put a smile on my face. Believe me I know he meant my running and nothing else, but you do what ya gotta do in those last few miles;) One of my students that was at mile 18 had made it to another spot right before you turn on to Hereford and I could tell we were probably both exhausted from the day , yet here he was still cheering for me and of course me for him always. I remember turning on to Hereford, knowing that as soon as I turned on to Boylston it would be the longest ,yet shortest 600 meters of my life and to just enjoy it. My old neighbors and dear friends were cheering to my right and I could hear them above everyone else. A little bit further down the road were Georgia and Courtney, my finish line crew, and once again everything else seemed to drown out and I could hear only them. In just a few hundred feet, the announcer was saying, “Caitlin Shanley from Charlestown Massachusetts is finishing the 125th Boston Marathon.” Two things were going through my mind at the time, “I’m proud of you girl.” and “Oh man, don’t let the Townies find out that they said I was FROM Charlestown.”
And just like that, it was over. I walked through the finishers chute collecting my mylar, medal and chips and it was time to meet up with the girls to walk home. I had done what I had set out to do and yet couldn’t help but feel a little sad that I wasn’t doing it anymore. I know these waves will come and go over the next few days, but thankfully I have photos and memories to last me a lifetime. 10/10 would recommend you go out and either run or watch a marathon, your heart will thank you for it.
I did it! 
Photo Shoot #1 
Photo Shoot #2 
Photo Shoot #3 
Finish Line Crew
Thank you to all my donors, my training partners, Susan Hurley from Charity Teams and my PT, Rebeca Brown ,you are the Ace everyone needs up their sleeves, for getting me to the start line. An extra special thank you to MDSC, my students and their families and all my friends and family that got me to the finish. You are all the true Spirit of the Marathon! Until my next adventure! Love, Caitlin
