The following is a letter that my dear long time best girl Shauna asked me to write for her before her first Boston Marathon. I’ve stood by Shauna for years while she trained, attempted BQs, raised beautiful children, BQ’ed. I’ve excitedly stood by Shauna this winter while she prepared for the most magical of marathons, the big show, the Boston Marathon, with our Halifax Road Hammers. Shauna is looking fit, strong and confident and I can’t wait to watch her chase the unicorn on Monday, April 17 in Boston. Our tight little group of runners/mothers/best friends- Shauna, Erin, Tonya and Sarah were together on Saturday night to wish Shauna well and give her her letters. Tonya and Sarah encouraged me to post this for our fellow Boston-bound runners and Road Hammers.
This is for Shauna and is written with years of friendship behind us, but it may give you, Boston-bound runner runner, a 5-minute time out from taper tantrums, ha.
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Dear Shauna,
What you should be thinking of most is your race plan from Lee (Coach, Halifax Road Hammers). There might not be any more room in your head for other thoughts. But in case there is, here are a few, mostly to coincide with the timing mats on the course as they are always a cue for me to think of my loved ones.
About 2.5km in: In Ashland, the first town after Hopkinton, on your left you’ll see my first favorite landmark, a Harley Club called TJ’s Food and Spirits that will have a live band concert outside, all motorcycle babes and dudes in their leather gear, jamming it up just for you. Enjoy and smile wide, I’m smiling with you. Now calm the fuck down and stay on pace. It’s so easy. Behave. And do not weave on the course. Pick one side and stay there.
5km: you’re doing it! It’s ok if it doesn’t feel awesome yet. I’m here watching you with Sarah and Tonya and our 8 kids and we are so excited for this first split. Here’s what to think about. Parenthood doesn’t always feel easy, especially at the first (hello these 8 kids haven’t hit their stride yet either and, like talking on the phone, watching the Boston Marathon is making them more needy!) but with this race, like parenthood, the joy will come and overall, it’s the best joy ever.
10 km: Knocking off the towns and coming to the Train Station in Framingham on your left where there will be an incredibly loud party and DJ, likely blasting Shipping up to Boston by Dropkick Murphy’s. You are floating along and feel easy. Easy like a bottle of wine on a child-free evening
15km: You’re running this downhill perfectly, you’ve learned well. Isn’t it amazing how much Miles and Casey have learned at school this year- they are amazing. Now you are about to enter one of the only quiet parts of the course along Lake Cochituate- forest and water coming up. Hey, this is what’s next- it’s the secret Purcell’s Cove park, there are judgy mamas present and Tonya’s 2-year-old Kieran is about to come bombing out of the woods, naked, having shed both his clothes and the shoes that were duct taped to him. Smile! Now run some with Kieran’s perfect abandon.
20km: This is the NUMBER ONE MOMENT of the early part of the race. The scream tunnel at Wellesley. Those girls are representing Sarah, Tonya and I yelling for you. Your. Girls. Love. You! Now calm the fuck down and get back on pace.
25km: You are eating well, way to go nutrition! Enjoy your nutrition like the kids enjoy the awesome snacks that come out of Sarah’s purse.
27.5km (mile 17): Here is Newton-Wellesley Hospital is and where Cliff used to stand, in an open space (? field or parking lot) on the right. Tell him you love him and know that he loves you and wishes you well. Sometimes this is where I start to hit a lull while I wait for 32km to hammer/hurt box time. Cliff will help your lull.
30km: The Hills. You are strong on these hills, you have eaten Point Pleasant Drive for breakfast AND supper many times and Purcell’s Cove Road is your cooldown. You own that strength! I’m slapping your hill-killing ass on that timing mat.
35km: You are in urban Boston now. My first apartment was along this stretch and this is where I got my real start on loving running. 22-year-old Erin’s runner’s spirit is waiting for you on these sidewalks to help close the pain box shut and keep you focused. She will stand on the lid to your pain box. You are focusing well on this stretch where it’s all the same. Luckily you have run about 100 km on the same stretch of Marginal Road. Don’t count in miles (so confusing at this late stage, what does a mile even mean?!) but knock off those kilometers one at a time.
40km: The Citgo sign is coming closer. Look at all the families here. Your family loves you so much and is so proud of you!
Finish Line: Smile big at one of the race cameras after you get your medal. You’ll never get a do-over of this first Boston Marathon medal. It was many years in the making. Feel all the joy.
Here are my Boston Marathon Blog posts if you want to re-read them:
