Patience; the new endurance sport.

Boston Marathon

Recent EntriesHomeJoin Fast Running Blog Community!PredictorHealthy RecipesLuzylew's RacesFind BlogsMileage BoardTop Ten Excuses for Missing a RunTop Ten Training MistakesDiscussion ForumRace Reports Send A Private MessageWeek ViewMonth ViewYear View
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
200720082009201020112012201320142015
15% off for Fast Running Blog members at St. George Running Center!

Location:

UT,

Member Since:

Dec 31, 2007

Gender:

Female

Goal Type:

Marathon Finish

Running Accomplishments:

I ran my first marathon as a teenager in 1981 with my Dad (The Coronado Marathon). Since then I've run St, George (3x) Utah Valley (3x) Ogden (1 full, 2 halves) Park City (1 x) Boston Marathon (1x) Washington DC (1x) Moab Half Marathon (6x) ,Ye Old Freedom Festival 5 & 10K (a million x) and many others.

But I'm all done with that now.  I'm officially a jogger.

Short-Term Running Goals:

My running goal is to keep on keepin' on.

 

Long-Term Running Goals:

Jog into the sunset.

Personal:

I like being outside.

Favorite Blogs:

Click to donate
to Ukraine's Armed Forces
Miles:This week: 0.00 Month: 0.00 Year: 0.00
Saucony ProGrid V Lifetime Miles: 479.51
Saucony Ride Lifetime Miles: 841.34
Saucony Tangent Lifetime Miles: 150.93
Saucony Ride Lifetime Miles: 307.50
Race: Boston Marathon (26.2 Miles) 03:56:01, Place overall: 14109, Place in age division: 976
Slow milesFast milesTotal Distance
0.0026.2026.20

5K-26:19/10K-52:49(26.30)/15K-1:19(26.51)/20K-1:47 (28)/ Half-1:53/25K 2:14 (27)/30K-2:44(30)/35K-3:13(29)/40K 3:42(29)

Spent the night in Hopkington with my friend from high school.  Slept better, and for more hours than I ever have before a race.  I was totally at peace with whatever was going to happen. I got dropped me off at the shuttle at 8:30 not too far from her house. Got to the Athelete's Village, and never saw so many port a potties in my life.  Ran into Kathie from the blog and her friend Marcie.  We looked all over for  Smooth.  We heard the National Anthem, saw & heard the fighter jets go overhead, and heard the gun go off for the first wave. Had the regular experience of standing at the start line, nervously chatting with other runners, trying to decide how much of your clothes to throw away and when (I had old painted on sweats my friend had given me).  Finally the race started on across the line, heading downhill.  By mile 3 I knew I was going to fast, but couldn't help myself.  It's downhill, and there are crowds on either side of the road cheering, it makes it hard to think or keep your adrenaline under control--ran that way for 7 miles looking at the little towns and hearing everyone's warning voices in my head "Don't start out too fast!" (8:43/8:19/8:24/8:13/8:30/8:31/8:20).  I hadn't really trained the way I'd wanted, and complained about it the whole past 4 months, so I figured I'd be tired at the end anyway so what the hay--I gave it a good go for a while.  They were supposed to time you every 5K and text the times.  So I decided I'd take the race by 5K's and concentrate on getting to the next timing mats one at a time. Mile 7 is when I was really thinking about how those hills at 16-21 were going to be 'my race'.  I just wanted to get there and get to work.  I was anxious and just wanted to get there, but I started to slow down to save a little gas.  The rolling hills at the beginning of the course were much more uphill than I'd expected, but those few downhills felt nice to relax and go with it.  I loved the road side rapper "You here cause you got the juice, now let your Boston Marathon loose!  If you not sure next what to do, don't forget to eat up some GU! Make Gatorade your drink --then run and run and try not to think!" or something like that.  I loved the group of really tall transvestites dressed to the nines in their stilettos and feather boas, cowboy chaps, boots, hats and blond dolly Parton Wigs.  That made me laugh.  I also almost forgot the Elvis Impersonator singing Love Me Tender while I ran by.  Those things kept my mind at ease and made me laugh.  Getting in to Wellsley, there were tons of people, lots of cheering.  Going past the college, of course were the Wellsley screaming tunnel.  To my surprise, there was a group holding a sign that said "Go Luz Lewis!!  I was so shocked, I ran over to them and asked where they got my name-- my friend, who I'd stayed the night with was a Wellsley Alum, and she'd arranged it.  I took a picture of the sign and had someone take a picture of me with the group.  It made me smile for the next 3 miles(8:44/8:35/8:31/8:53/8:38/8:41).  All I could think about next was getting to the Newton Hills to take on the beast (8:55/8:53/8:52). That first hill between 16-17 was pretty long.  It was a gentle uphill, but I could feel my calves and hamstrings.  I just put down my head, ignored everyone on the sides of the road and shuffled up hill.  Of course, there are 4 total hills, one every mile for 4 miles.  It kept the course interesting, and it was nice to get to the top and breath a deep sigh of relief after each one.  It was in fact easier to catch a breath here than in Utah once you were at the top.  On that third hill, there was a girl next to me who began to whimper a little so I just looked over at her and I said 'come on sister, let's kick this thing's a..."  She laughed and picked it up and we ran up it together.  That last one was tough because it curves at the top, and has one extra little hump. But by the top there were so many people cheering that it took my mind off it for a second.  That plus the downhill after was great.  I just remembered reading how they said "don't try to make up for the lost time on that downhill or you'll trash your quads and wreck the rest of the race.  I didn't take that advice and just took the downhill like I felt like it. (9:55/9:56/9:11/9:07/9:59/8:44).  My whole goal in my mind was to get to mile 23.  Once I got to 23 I relaxed and started slapping the hands of the little kids along the side of the road.  I knew the race was in the bag, but I was really beat.  I knew my body was doing exactly what I'd trained it to do, and I couldn't expect more-- and since I lacked another 20 miler and quality speed work--I couldn't expect more.  That said, I still felt pretty strong--I was just going way slow even though I felt my pace was equal effort to the 8's I'd been running at the start.  Running into the city was an absolute experience.  The streets were lined with drunk Boston College students,  people getting onto and off of the trains, and lined 4 deep along the sides of the road.  I did my best not to look at that huge Citgo sign you can see for 2 miles.  It does give one the sense of doom.  You never reach it and you know it's only 1 mile from the finish.  The chute got smaller, and as I approached the city on Commonwealth ave.  I had a lot of trouble with people running slowly in front of me, particularly runners running side by side.  I was too tired to speed up, say excuse me to get into the middle, or run around them.  So I just did what I could without being heroic.  Going down the ramp and having to make that one last up hill and two 90 degree turns, was not as nearly tough as turning the last corner onto Boylston and seeing .2 miles to the finish chute. It seemed really far away.  I always say, .2 is the cruelest distance.  I closed my eyes, ignoring everyone around me, and prayed for the end.  When it was through, and I could walk--I turned to the person next to me and said "Is it true?  Are we done?" He said "No kidding, that was tough." (9:27/9:04/9:09/9:55/9:55).  The walking to get the mylar blankest, the drinks, the bags and then wait at the last name was a lot of walking in that cold wind--but it was exactly what I needed to do.  It felt great.  My family (kids) and my best friends in the world who live in Salem were all there.  They had been about 1 mile from the finish and had seen me go by.  My son was so proud of me, he hooked his arm through mine and wanted to walk with me to show he was with me.  My daughter was beaming and kept hugging me.  I was so happy I'd made them proud.  We waited for about 15 minutes in the "L" section because I wanted to find Susanna, but I was tired and wanted desperately to get on the train and get home.  Todd bought me a hot chocolate for the train ride home and I sat with my kids one on either side thrilled I'd just finished the Boston Marathon.  I was satisfied with the Sub 4, even though had I done a few things differently (like not stopped to drink every single 2 miles); I could have finished more like 3:50.  It would have been great to say I qualified for Boston at Boston--but I really am satisfied with the overall experience. Once at home, my friends made me homemade whole wheat pizza piled high with spinich, broccoli, bell peppers, fresh tomatoes & mushrooms.  It was heavenly.  I don't know how tomorrow will be, but I'm only marginally tired--although my biceps are sore (?) and I'm totally going to lose at least 3 toenails.  I had a huge blood blister that popped in my shoe too--didn't even feel it.  And that, my friends was my Boston Marathon!

Comments
From KP on Tue, Apr 20, 2010 at 00:25:19 from 98.67.110.134

That is awesome about the Wellsley sign! I would've totally stopped and gotten a picture too. Congrats on a great race!

From RAD on Tue, Apr 20, 2010 at 00:35:08 from 67.172.229.125

WOW - SO much I want to comment on!! You did great, and ran a beautiful race. How neat to have the Wellsley sign, family at the end and YUMMY dinner! You are such an inspiration - I bet that girl will never forget "c'mon sister let's kick this things a..." I can just imagine how much that would push me and put a smile on my face! CONGRATS!! Now enjoy the rest of your visit!

From marion on Tue, Apr 20, 2010 at 00:54:22 from 71.213.114.98

Oh baby Luz! I am SO happy for you!! You did your Boston! What a perfect race! Seriously, it was a good thing :) I can't wait to see you next week. when do you come home? Oh, and you've got to describe the crowds for me. I can't even imagine that many people!

From Bonnie on Tue, Apr 20, 2010 at 01:48:12 from 64.119.33.134

WOOOHOOO. Awesome Luzy! Great race! You PR'd at Boston! you rock big time! I am so very happy for you!

From LuzyLew on Tue, Apr 20, 2010 at 09:51:05 from 24.61.171.37

Thanks so much you guys for all your encouragement and kindness. I've been a real baby about this whole experience. Maybe I was just nervous....In the end, it was a reasonable effort and I'm glad I did it. Today (day after) I don't feel as sore as I thought I would. I actually felt more sore after the Utah Valley Marathon last June. Anyway--thanks so much for being so positive and supportive. It was the experience of a life time (especially now that it's over :)

From MichelleL on Wed, Apr 21, 2010 at 17:40:35 from 67.41.226.109

What an experience! The lost toenails should be kept and put in your scrapbook! Thanks for describing it to me on the phone, even though I am sure you've had to repeat it for lots of others and on the blog. I look forward to seeing you and talking more about it. Maybe we should a post-Boston debriefing lunch? Anyway, you are tough and so kind to encourage that other runner. Nice job doing a sub 4:00 on this tougher course.

From MarcE on Thu, Apr 22, 2010 at 15:09:48 from 206.225.68.1

Congrats on your first Boston! Great report. Glad to have met you at dinner Saturday night (I was the quiet one to the right of Susanna and Larry. :)

From Kathie on Thu, Apr 22, 2010 at 16:19:59 from 63.248.105.188

Hey you only came in 10 seconds ahead of me! Yet I never saw you! I could have used you during those last few miles. You ROCKED it!

From LuzyLew on Thu, Apr 22, 2010 at 16:58:53 from 208.187.197.42

Kathie!!!! I am so glad you remembered me! It was so great to start out the race together! I get stressed. I'm so happy you met your goal. I just wanted to Sub 4, but didn't have a time in mind. Now that I'm not so freaked out by the course, I see that I totally could have BQ'd (for me, that would have been 3:50). I was so glad to hang out with you guys before the race. It really helped. I also--for some crazy reason could not remember your name! So now I will know you, and add you to my blog list! Was that other friend a blogger too? I'm sad to have missed Smooth, and some of the 'after' party. But I was staying with friends who had bent over backwards to make my stay fantastic, so I couldn't ever make it back. I hope we meet up again on the JRP or some other marathon!

From Rhett on Thu, Apr 22, 2010 at 18:32:47 from 74.41.249.102

That was a great report. I love reliving it all through everyone's reports. You ran a great race. It was good to meet you and your kids Saturday night. Congrats. You should be proud.

From Smooth on Sun, Apr 25, 2010 at 22:42:15 from 174.23.172.155

Luz! I LOVE your report! Felt like I was there running with you. One of my huge regrets is not meeting up with you at the start to run it WITH you! We could have pulled each other along the rough spots. When I found out you and Kathie were only 10 sec. different, I thought you ran together. O well, it really stinks that my plan to run with the grannies and you and Lowell did not pan out.

What an AWESOME Boston Debut! You're a WONDERFUL mother. I am so impressed with your children. They are so well behave and so very very positive and pure. I can tell they are so very proud of their momma.

EXCELLENT race! WAY to run sub-4 on a tough tough Boston course. You have great mental toughness and positive attitude! Nice of you to encourage that girl on the hills.

I miss you already!

From Sasha Pachev on Tue, May 11, 2010 at 11:50:29 from 192.168.1.1

Quality-wise it was fairly close to your St. George performance. Which is much better than what the average Utah Boston Qualifier does at Boston. Most bomb terribly due to the stress of the trip and the lack of winter preparation. So it is good that you were able to run sub-4:00 on a more than honest course.

From LuzyLew on Tue, May 11, 2010 at 18:28:28 from 208.187.197.42

You just made my day Sasha. If I ever get to run this course again, I'll do even better than the first time (weather & health permitting). Thank you for your positive feed back.

From Bonnie on Tue, May 11, 2010 at 18:32:30 from 128.196.228.134

Yes, but when you DO run it again, you will have to get under 3:56 to get a new Boston PR (remember, you PR'd Boston this year). You are getting stronger all the time LuzyLew!

From Smooth on Tue, May 11, 2010 at 18:35:26 from 174.23.172.155

That's good to hear. I am one of those Utah Boston Qualifiers. I ran Boston'10 in 5 min & change slower than SGM'09. However, my first Boston (in '08) was 6 min faster than the previous SGM (in '07) where I ran the qualifying time.

Luz, you will run Boston again, won't you? It is great motivation to keep training through the winter. You did it in grand style!

Add Your Comment.
  • Keep it family-safe. No vulgar or profane language. To discourage anonymous comments of cowardly nature, your IP address will be logged and posted next to your comment.
  • Do not respond to another person's comment out of context. If he made the original comment on another page/blog entry, go to that entry and respond there.
  • If all you want to do is contact the blogger and your comment is not connected with this entry and has no relevance to others, send a private message instead.
Only registered users with public blogs are allowed to post comments. Log in with your username and password or create an account and set up a blog.
Debt Reduction Calculator
Featured Announcements
Recent Comments: