Welcome to Hopkinton

I decided today to do something that I had debated for awhile: drive the marathon route from Hopkinton into Boston. Chet agreed to take the journey with me and drove the Mini out to Hopkinton. The weather was sprinkling, windy, and cold when we left, but as we got on the Pike (the Mass Pike-route 90) a sliver of sunshine looked down on the car. I looked around for a rainbow but could not find one. As we were driving out to Hopkinton, I felt as if maybe we were not supposed to take the trip: there was an accident on the exit ramp we needed to take, Chet and I kept arguing about stupid things (sorry to air our dirty laundry), and the weather was not cooperating. Somehow we made it out there, in one piece, and we began our journey.

The Boston Marathon start line is the smallest start line of any marathon: 39 feet across. When Chet and I drove up to it, I had to ask is this really it? I looked around at the sites of Hopkinton: the cemetery to the left, One Ash Street ahead, and the World War 1 memorial on the right. We began our journey.

We looked for spots that would be easy for my family friends to watch me run. I noticed that there is a hill about 1 mile after you start. Chet noticed the mile markers on the roads (on the median lines) and even some water stop signs. I found out the Framingham is a little bit more industrial than I expected. I was struck by how cute downtown Natick is. We drove through the "tunnel of love" (Wellesley College). We stopped and had lunch in Wellesley at Rosie's Bakery. We drove past the Woodland T-stop and I finally got my bearings. I finally had a chance to figure out where the JOhnny Kelly Statue is.

Through this all I had a small sense of anxiety, but more excitement. I wasn't overwhelmed but more noticing what I would need to do. Surprisingly, Chet stated he wanted to run the hills with me. I definitely accepted the offer.

We decided that my friends Marisa and Susan (who are flying all the way out from California!!) should meet me at the Haunted Mile to run the rest of the way in. As Chet and I turned the corner to head towards Cleveland Circle, he asked whether or not I wanted to drive all the way to the finish line. I did not hesitate with my answer. I want the first time I cross that line to be on marathon day. Yes, I have run parallel to it when I've mentioned crossing it, but never "ACROSS" it. I want that to my first experience. I want it to be memorable. I want it to be the best experience ever.

Chet and I arrived home after a long drive and I laced up my running shoes. AS I got ready to do one of my last runs before the marathon, I noticed the sun shining brightly through our windows. Despite the cold and the wind. I ran 6 miles. It wasn't perfect and was honestly a little hard. I'm ok with that because in a week, I will have the most amazing run of my life. No matter what my finish time or if I finish, it will be the most amazing run of my life.