Boston Cheers 1

My first Boston. What a race! I did it, and I've recovered relatively quickly. Does that mean I didn't push enough?

The numbers of people running was mind boggling to me. I'd never been in a race this big. As we moved to the corrals we were just a mass movement of sneakered feet. Once the race began it took me 8 minutes before my body crossed the starting pad. At any given time another person (or many) were 10 feet (or less) away from me. I rubbed elbows and jostled shoulders with others at each water stop.

Crowd support for this race was incredible. There were people cheering every inch of the way. Not only were people cheering, partying, and barbecuing ... there were various musical groups: the country-western group, the roof top orchestra, the two teen-agers in their driveway, one on guitar, one on drums. And the lone man with his accordion. Not to mention the many boom boxes with music blaring.

Between mile 3 and 4 I got a surprise cheer all my own. Uncle Albert and cousin Chris had decided to meet the traffic challenge and give me early support. The adrenaline rush was a little much and I had to remind myself that sprinting now wasn't good strategy.

Diane Sherrer had told me that I might cry when I saw the finish line. Nope. For me it happened at mile 13. The Wellesley Women. I had read an article the day before saying that they make sure there are women cheering from the beginning of the race to the very end. Their enthusiasm is infectious and you can't help but feel as though they are cheering especially for YOU.

My next goal was to see my family. Aunt Joan had said that they would be after Wellesley College. As I hit the crest of the hill I could see my daughter, Myriah, on lookout. I waved and she turned to yell to everyone. This wasn't just my run. This was an excuse for my East Coast family to once again band together. Sixteen of them showed up. Aunt Barbara and Uncle Dick had driven down from Maine that morning. Uncle Albert and cousin Chris had made it back from mile 4. Aunt Marian was snapping pictures. My son, Zachary, was manning the video camera. Don, my husband, was snapping pictures with camera #2. I stopped and hugged Aunt Nita, Aunt Barbara, Cousins Liz and Tom. Uncle Chandler, my sister Star and nieces Chynna and Sam were in there somewhere. Yup, almost lost it again in the emotions department. With that amount of support, the blisters on my foot didn't hurt quite as much. I felt like I glided through the next couple miles.

Now to make the dreaded Heatbreak Hill. Ithacans, if you train on any of the hills here you are ready for The Hill. There was cheering support all the way and at the top a nondescript woman was sitting in a lawn chair holding a small sign reading, "You have now made it up Heartbreak Hill."

Tired, I was searching for the Citgo sign. Finally I sighted it and kept up my mantra of "smooth and steady, smooth and steady". After passing the sign I knew there was one mile to go. Right near the finish I heard my name screamed and turning spotted a high school friend! Then my family's screams. A smaller group had made the train ride in from mile 14 to see me at the end. After the slow journey through the finishing chute I was reunited with my group. After lots of hugs (Uncle Albert couldn't stop!) and pictures, we made our way back to Aunt Joan's house.

Boston was a great race. Well organized with wonderful cheering crowds. And, with the support of our running community and my wonderfully over the top family, my first Boston was awesome!

-- Sandy Fitterer