Monday-Boston

3:20:34

Monday, got up bright and early to get ready to load a few different buses to the start. I made some arm sleeves just in case it was cold. After I cut out a hole for the thumbs, my sis-in-law asked why I did that. I didn't know why! So, they made me pose. Just a warning.....this is a vain post.....most of the pictures are of me. I guess that's what I get for running Boston all by myself :) The Boston Marathon was the most AMAZING experience ever. There were people lined up on the roads for the entire 26.2 miles. And the closer you got to Boston, the more people they were deep. It was sooo much fun having that kind of support. I so needed it. At mile 3 my legs felt fatigued (I think due to the excessive walking all day Saturday and Sunday). At mile 16, my stomach was not happy with the GU's, energy beans and Gatorade Endurance I was putting in it. The crowds cheering me on kept me going (well, them and the thoughts of all my family waiting for me at mile 20 and the finish).

Everyone got up early with me so they could tattoo my arms and legs. It was fun having my name on my arm because everyone cheered for you louder when they knew your name.

Scott was soooo wonderful through all of this. I couldn't have done it without his support during my training, getting to Boston and the morning of. He came down to the lobby with me to make sure I got on the right shuttle (which there were 3 and they escorted us to downtown to catch the other buses to the start).

Scott got some good shots of me at the finish. Thank goodness he wasn't a few yards earlier.....where my stomach had had enough and lost it all. But I managed to run through it and finish with bettering my time by 5 minutes. I guess I can't complain.

To the finish I go

Here's my parachute. Thank goodness the wind wasn't too horrible. There was a strong head wind a few times during the run, cups were flying off the table, but thank goodness it wasn't the entire race. I hear they can get some doozies at 25mph.

My #1 fan and supporter. What a trooper he was. And didn't mind touching me after all the sweat and vomit. Guess that's true love!

All my supporters. They were all great. My sister Becky and brother Dan went out to Heartbreak Hill at mile 20-21 and were a great support at a much needed point.

And another shot with Scott this time. They were troopers. They had to wait 3+ hours for me and no one ever complained. Thanks to you all!!!!!!

Mom and sister Becky. Finally getting some yummy fattening food. You deserve whatever you want after running for 3+ hrs.

Dan and Holley

Scott, me and sister Sarah
p.s.......sister Sarah was 36.5 wks pregnant going to Boston. She never complained about all the walking around or waiting or anything. Superstar!

Sunday-Boston

Sunday morning, we got up and got ready for church. Got on the train, walked a few blocks and found the church building. It was an old building (can't remember what it used to be used for). Didn't look much like your normal church building. It was really old and really cool. We got there to find out they were having stake conference so we got to stay for that. Good thing the Gospel is the same wherever you go. We then went back to the hotel, changed clothes then went back downtown to do more sight seeing.....(mistake #1 for running a marathon the next day).

We headed first to Faneuil Hall/Quincy Marketplace. Just a touristy outdoor shopping center with lots of eatery's. So much action. They had lots of street performers too.

Guess the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. I never wonder where I get my free spirited craziness :)

Cheer's Cafe'

Waiting for a table at "Dick's". The pre-pre race meal. Mistake #2 for a marathon.......think more about your meals the day before and the times you eat them

Sister Sarah and her husband Justin

Sister-in-law, Holley, mom and sister Becky.....still waiting for a table

This was a fun restaurant. It's called "Dick's" for a reason. They throw your "placemats" and silverware at you. They like to give random people silly hats to wear. Here is my brother Dan with his.

This is Scott's plate. Dig in!

Scott's lovely hat

and my Red Hot mama's hat.

Just sight seeing with the fam. What a great support group to have.

And the best supporter of them all!

We got on a ferry and went across the way to see some other stuff. This was a GSA building. I think Scott wishes he worked here.

The U.S.S. Constitution. They were closing down the tours so we only got to see the top. They still run this ship out in the water. Crazy they can make them last that long.

This was the battle ship. It was closed, so we didn't get to go on it, but still cool to see.

Finally, getting to rest our feet and take a little break before boarding the ferry again.

Boston- Saturday

We left for our trip on Thursday afternoon. Scott and my brother worked half a day. Loaded the van, dropped Foster off at my sisters in Roy, UT, then headed for Boise. We met my sis and her family there for dinner to do the Molly exchange in Nampa. Stayed the night at my mom and sisters on Thursday and got up early to catch a 6:30 flight Friday morning. Flew to Seattle then on to Boston. It was a loooooonnnnngggg flight. But nice to not have kids or layovers. My mom, brother and his wife, sister, sister and her husband and Scott all came too. Got into Boston, checked into our hotel then grabbed some dinner. Sat in the hot tub and I did a few running up and backs in the pool. Then bed.

Saturday we got up and headed downtown. We went to breakfast at Finagle a Bagel. They have the coolest bagel slicer.

Just zip it right through, it slices it and shoots it down to the workers to start making the sandwich. It was really cool.

There were tons of churches all around. It was pretty rainy and cold while walking around, so some nice hot cocoa to hold in our hands did the trick.

Way cool parks all over too. Right in the middle of streets. This was Boston Commons. The Freedom Trail goes right through it. Runners and walkers EVERYWHERE!

Another church

Not sure what this was. I need to do better at remembering what we took pictures of. Seemed like everything that had major historical background, had gold on the building.

Way cool buildings and houses. Could you imagine looking out your kitchen window and seeing the park like these? BEAUTIFUL!

Cool cobble stone sidewalks and streets. It kinda felt like we were in Europe. Trees and flowers were blossoming and only made everything prettier.

Someones front door

More park. This place was just gorgeous.

Another church

Finally found a store to buy some hats to protect us from the rain. Well, maybe we didn't get this hats, but we did buy umbrellas.

After browsing the city, we headed for the expo where I picked up my runners packet. Everyone was congratulating everyone on making it to Boston. What an amazing experience!

Next was lunch at "Steve's". Yummy Greek food. We were pretty crowded with the 8 of us at a table for 6.

Yup.....another church.

The engravings on these churches were amazing. Very cool.

Pick a bench....any bench

Not much land, but way cool place to live for a while.

Look close at the engravings at the top. I couldn't imagine how they did this way back when.

We got tickets Saturday night to see the Blue Man Group. It was a lot of fun. I'd never seen them and didn't really know what their show was like, but I would recommend it to anyone who has the opportunity. It helped that the tickets were half price too!

They wanted us to know it was paint on their faces.....so to prove it, they wiped some on my sister, Becky.