26.2 Reasons I Will Cry At Some Point During The Boston Marathon

I’m feeling emotional today. I don’t know why, but I’m finding it easy to tear up about any little thing. Like this morning, when I saw Brian’s Boston Maraton race package. Even though I haven’t received mine in the mail yet (it’s being re-routed from my NYC address… get on that, USPS!), seeing his race booklet made it really sink in for the first time for me.

I’m running The 2010 Boston Marathon. Boston Marathon #114. In less than 3 weeks.

Tears.

Tears of joy, gratitude, nerves, love… just tears.

I know the same thing is going to happen on race day (and probably a few days before, too, when we go up to Boston for the Expo and I see everything set up for the race). Here are 26.2 reasons (one reason for each mile… plus that last 2/10 of a mile) that race day will likely open the floodgates:

1) Because if someone had told me two years ago that I would be able to run a marathon, I wouldn’t have believed them

2) Because, in fact, two years ago at this time, I could hardly even run 2 miles, much less 26.2

3) Because I not only have run a marathon already… I ran two last year

4) Because I qualified for The Boston Marathon in both of those marathons

5) Because I am running this race alongside my brother, Keith, who is running his first marathon

6) Because Keith is running for an incredibly worthy cause, Children’s Hospital Boston (he’s still looking to reach his goal of $5,000 if you’d be willing to help!)

7) Because I’m also running alonside Brian, who inspires and encourages me not only in running, but in life

8 ) Because it will be 26.2 miles of approximately 500,000 people – many of whom don’t even know anyone running – cheering, screaming, clapping, smiling and supporting

9) Because I’ll be running alongside nearly 40,000 other runners who set goals to get there, too. I’m just one of many with a dream, and that humbles me

10) Because this will look so nice:

11) Because at some point one or all of the following will be screaming at me: my shins, my IT band, my knee, my ankle… take yer pick

12) Because the race has such a rich history – it began in 1897

13) Because I am a woman, and it was once believed that women couldn’t – or shouldn’t – run marathons

14) Because, to this point, in 1967, Kathrine Switzer had to register for the Boston Marathon as “K. V. Switzer” just to get a race number (which a race official attempted to rip off, trying to eject her from the race)

15) Because it’s in Boston, which is one of the greatest cities in the world, one which I have wonderful memories of from childhood into adulthood

16) Because in the past year, I have met so many wonderful people in the Rhode Island Road Runners group who I never would have met had I not started running. And many of them will be running the marathon, too (for the first, second, third, fourth + time)

17) Because I (think and hope I have matured enough to) have learned that there is always another race… so while of course I want to run a PR for this marathon, if I don’t, well… there is always another race

18) Because I know that if I don’t PR, and if I don’t qualify for The 2011 Boston Marathon during this race, despite the above-mentioned maturity, it will light a fire in me to train better, run better, do better

19) Because I know the day after the race will be torture for my poor thighs

20) Because I am simply grateful I have the ability to run

21) Because when I’m tired and don’t think I can take one more step, I will be thinking of my late dog Bismarck, who loved more than anything to run, and is running after tennis balls and squirrels and little white dogs pain-free in heaven

22) Because watching me run was one of the inspirations behind my mom realizing that she could train for – and kick butt in – a half marathon

23) Because the same goes for my sister, too

24) Because so many people in my life have encouraged and supported me and lifted me back up whenever any self-doubts have crept in (like Keith during our 20 mile training run last week, when I just wanted to die the last few miles)

25) Because sometimes it’s the little things that get you through the tough times. During one race I ran, an old lady was sitting on her front lawn saying, “Inch by inch, it’s a cinch” as we runners went by. And that little phrase from that little old lady has gotten me through more races and training runs – even when I really wanted to give up – than she’ll ever know. I know I’ll be saying it to myself more than once on April 19

26) Because my parents will be there. Because they wouldn’t miss it for the world. Because they will be proud of me. Because they would be proud of me even if I never ran a marathon. 

26.2) Because I’LL BE RUNNING THE BOSTON FREAKING MARATHON!

About Audrey

Audrey McClelland has been a digital influencer since 2005. She’s a mom of 5 and shares tips on her three favorite things: parenting, fashion and beauty. She’s also a Contemporary Romance Author.

Sign Up To The Ultimate Style Newsletter for Moms

Categories

ShopStyle “List” Of all Things I Like and Blog About

Pinterest

14 Comments

  1. 3.31.10
    admin said:

    TEARS of happiness, joy, love,inspiration and PRIDE are falling right now. The pride I feel for both you and Keith is beyond my capacity for words. Dad and I will be at every mile we can possibly push ourselves into… cheering wildly for the runners… for YOU… for KEITH… with our hearts beating with JOY! I love you, Honey. It is so awesome that the very streets that your great-great- grandparents arrived to and walked upon will feel YOUR footsteps at this most historic race on this wonderful day in April. It is INCREDIBLE!!

  2. 3.31.10
    Eve said:

    Jane, I’m running a Ragnar Relay in July, we have a team of 12 girls, and the team captain told me she didn’t think I could do it. It’s true my first and only race (a sprint triathlon) was run before I had children 10 years ago.
    But I’m determined to run, and run well and show these ladies. I think of you when I train and wonder how you got to this point. Maybe you can do a post on how you started? What foods fuel you? ETC? Because right now, I’ll be honest…I barely run 2 miles, and I just can’t believe my body will ever stop fighting me on this.
    Sorry for the paragraph.
    E

  3. 3.31.10

    LOVE THIS. You’re such an inspiration Jane!

  4. 3.31.10

    Wow. This is a wonderful piece. Thanks so much for sharing this!! Like you, I am also realizing a life-long dream of running the 114th Boston Marathon. I happen to work at New Balance (a running shoe/gear company based here in Boston), and everyone here (even those who have run many other races) tells me that the Boston Marathon experience is like no other.

    But, explaining to others what makes this event THAT special can be tough – especially to those who don’t run. Yet, the honesty of your blog struck me; it’s as if you spent the morning in my head! It made me realize how universal the sheer thrill, unending anticipation and deeply rewarding sense of accomplishment preparing for this race is and running it will prove to be.

    Thanks for this!

  5. 3.31.10
    Jane said:

    @Mom – That IS pretty incredible, isn’t it? I love you! P.S. Brian wants to know where his mention is in your comment 😉

    @Eve – You. Can. Do. It. It’s so funny because I remember when I was training for my first triathlon last year, I was inspired by YOU because I remembered you had said you’d trained for one. I will definitely write a post about how I started, etc. – it has actually been in the back of my mind to write one on that!

    @Christine – Right back atcha, my dear!!

    @Runner’s High – Well. I think YOU said it much more eloquently than I possibly could have with this: “It made me realize how universal the sheer thrill, unending anticipation and deeply rewarding sense of accomplishment preparing for this race is and running it will prove to be.” I, too, have been told that nothing compares to Boston, and I hope my experience proves that to be true! Very best of luck to you!!

  6. 3.31.10
    Sarahviz said:

    You are truly an inspiration!!! I will be cheering for you!

  7. 3.31.10
    Dan Leone said:

    I have run Boston 3 times (only as a renegade…and LONG before I became fat) and I think I literally cried at various stages of the course. Whether it was due to the fact that my legs felt like splintered balsa wood on Heartbreak Hill or that Team Hoyt passed me or when navigating the onslaught of cheering coeds at Wellesley College or when I crossed the finish line, 8 million hours after starting, this event never failed to move me.

    I have read about your running adventures with great interest. I hope one day to use your motivation to at least get to weekend-warrior status.

    Also, one piece of unsolicited advice…DO NOT listen to everyone on the Hill telling you that “you are almost there!” That was the only time I HATED the crowd. You are NEVER EVER almost there, until you take the left on Boylston Street.

    Cheering you on!

  8. 3.31.10
    admin said:

    Janie… I guess I was thinking FIRST timers and the challenges, both physical and mental, that go into that FIRST Boston Marathon!! Brian is most certainly in my top 3 to cheer for on that glorious April day!! You know how my heart feels for BriGuy!! Love you all!! Mom

  9. 3.31.10

    Such an awesome post Jane! What a huge accomplishment and what a joyous day it will be for you all. I can’t wait to hear all about it and see picts 🙂

  10. 3.31.10
    Dad said:

    Jet…I guess that sometimes a parent does get to live vicariously through his children. Running in the Boston Marathon was always a dream of mine. Not that I ever really seriously considered training for it but I always thought that it would be a cool thing to do. In 1968, I was living in Boston when New England’s Amby Burfoot won the marathon. I was smoking a pack a day back then and the sprints that went along with basketball and soccer were enough for me to handle, never mind running that could be described as “distance running.”

    So, here we are…42 years later and I’ll be in Boston again on Patriot’s Day. But this time I will be running…kinda. I’ll be running every step with you and your brother. The same way that I swam every stroke, ran every step, swung every bat, shot every basket and pitched every pitch with you and Keith while you were both growing up…in my heart.

    Give it all you’ve got Sweetheart! I love you and guess what?
    I’M PROUD OF YOU.

  11. 4.1.10
    Dawn said:

    You, Keith & Brian are crazy.

    🙂

  12. 4.1.10
    Dawn said:

    But seriously, Jane, I can’t say it enough – you really are inspiring. *NOT* inspiring enough to actually start running, of course – but … some of us run, some of us watch the runners 😀

  13. 4.1.10
    Jane said:

    @sarahviz – You, and more specifically, the posts you wrote about running, helped inspire me to get off my butt a few years ago and get back to running!

    @Dan – Oh, Dan, you never fail to bring me to tears of LAUGHTER. I hope to see you and the Baby Goats out there during the marathon!

    @Mom – Haha! As you know, we were just giving you a hard time. We both love you so much. xxoo <3 <3 <3

    @Jen – Hopefully the pics will be of me smiling and not struggling!!

    @Dad – Didn't you read that I was ALREADY emotional!?!? You are the best. xxoo

    Dawn – Oh, come on, you know you want to do it!!

Comments are closed.