Making Lemonade
| October 20, 2010 | Posted by Lauren under Marathon Training, Running |
On Monday, a mere 8 hours after it opened, registration for the 115th Boston Marathon closed.
This was the fastest the marathon has ever filled up since the start of the race. I’ll be honest — when I went to the website and saw this page, my heart dropped, my jaw opened and I stood for a minute in speechless silence. And then I stepped away from my computer, sat down on the floor, and cried. Yes, I cried. I realize this is extremely melodramatic, since I technically haven’t even qualified yet. But these were tears of frustration — frustration at being locked out of this event for the second year in a row, frustration that this year, I wasn’t even going to get the chance to try, frustration that the goal I’d been working toward all summer had suddenly disappeared…and finally, frustration that registering for “The” marathon has now become nearly as impossible as getting tickets for a Red Sox vs. Yankees game.
That frustration lasted throughout the night. I even planned on writing a “letter to the race director” type post about all the injustices of this registration system. An angry rant of things that I think should change and how I think this whole mess, if not avoidable, could at least have been handled better. How it just doesn’t seem right that so many runners who actually did qualify already but weren’t able to get to a computer between 9am and 5pm yesterday were left out. Basically, I wanted to rant about how it just isn’t fair.
But, as is often the case, sleep provided a little perspective. When I woke up, I found some of the frustration had faded, and was replaced instead with a renewed energy to tackle my last significant run of marathon training: 14 miles. The early October morning air was cool and crisp, so I put on my bright yellow 2009 Boston Marathon long-sleeved shirt and hit the road. For 14 therapeutic miles, I wore that shirt with pride. As I pounded out any remaining frustration, the world shifted back into perspective again. I ran and I reflected on all my training this past summer that has led me to this moment. I felt strong, and realized that instead of feeling angry and lost without a goal, I had so many things to be thankful for. And suddenly my run became about all those things.
I thought about how thankful I am that after my miserable and unsuccessful marathon training last spring, I have pretty much made it through my marathon training plan. This was actually the original goal I had set when I started training again, and I’m thankful to at least have made it this far.
I thought about how Boston filling up so fast may actually be a blessing in disguise because now, instead of only 1 shot at qualifying, if I plan it right I may actually have 3.
I reminded myself how thankful I am to have even had the chance to run the Boston Marathon in the past, a dream that I know many are still working hard to realize.
I thought about how all those months of tough training for the Bay State (my qualifying marathon) — running every 20-miler in the rain that fall, pounding out extra miles each week, and wondering how I ever was going to balance all this running with grad school — all became worth it on marathon day.
How the moment I realized I had knocked 20 minutes off my previous marathon time and qualified for Boston was one of the happiest moments of my entire life.
How I somehow balanced classes, a part-time job, studying, paper-writing, and all my thesis-craziness with training for Boston, because I had been dreaming about this since I was 14 years old.
How I finally made it through all the stress, and my excited parents drove all the way up to Boston to watch me run in this race that was so special to me…and special to my dad.
How the night before the marathon, I was a bundle of nerves, not only because of the race but also because it was the first time EC would be meeting my parents.
How later that night, EC told me that he loved me for the first time. (I think that gave me wings to run extra fast the next day 
)
How I woke up the next morning, thinking I might just die of nervousness.
How running the Boston Marathon was extremely emotional — from the meaning of the race to all the crowds that lined the streets, supporting you every step of the way.
And how I pushed myself through that course and ran my 3rd marathon in 3:33:03 (pretty cool, huh?).
Each of those thoughts became my focus during my 1 hour 48 minute therapy session and for the first time in a long time, I ran that entire run completely happy. I enjoyed each and every one of those 14 miles — a great reminder of how awesome it is that after so many months of training, 14 miles can be relaxing (and not torture).
My marathon is a week and a half away. I am tired, my joints ache, and my arches are sore. I know my body needs a rest, but I also know it can hang in there for 12 more days. And Boston or no Boston, come Halloween morning, I plan on leaving everything I’ve got out on those streets of Cape Cod. No matter what happens.
If they end up lowering the qualifying times for the 2012 marathon, I’ll be stressed, but it just means I’ll have a new goal to work toward this next year. And regardless of whether I ever qualify again, I’m not going to stop running, and I’m definitely not going to stop racing marathons. Because there is more to marathoning than Boston.
And a whole lot more to life than marathoning…
I’m so sorry to hear you won’t be running Boston! You have the right attitude, though. It sounds like your 14-miler went really well though, so I’m sure you’ll do amazing on Halloween!!
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You are amazing – and make me cry. When I saw that Boston was full, I gasped. I immediately thought of you. I almost called, but I didn’t. I knew you would need some time to think about things. You certainly did think and your perspective is so positive! You are one of the strongest and most accomplished runners I know. That will never go away, whether you’re running in Boston, Providence, or the Cape.
When I saw that Boston closed so fast, I also thought of myself. I realized that qualifying for Boston may never happen for me. I also realized that I was completely OK with that, too. I will run marathons, enjoy 26.2 miles of craziness, and feel proud of each and every step.
As we hear so often, one race cannot define the runner.
I am super excited for your marathon!
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eight hours. oh, my god. i am so sorry but yet i want to say… you are amazing. for looking on the bright side, for being so mature and honest and optimistic about all this. you’ll get to boston. and you’ll kick its bootay when you do.
STANDING OVATION! What a great post!!! WOOO HOOO! This is just such a terrific viewpoint that I wish others could see as well. How inspiring! It’s not one race, you’re right on so many different points.
You are going to crush it on Halloween. Even the best athletes say that if you are ever 100% healthy, something is wrong with you. Keep this positivity up. LOVE THIS!
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I am sitting in my office with tears in my eyes. Seriously, no joke. Lets hope no one walks by….
There is definitely more to running then Boston and honestly, I’ve never missed a Boston marathon (pretty much lived on the route my whole life except college) and I think the best part of Boston, is watching. So lets gather all the bloggers together and watch it in 2011. It will be worth it : )
I do agree that its unfair… especially that the worlds biggest marathon (NY) is no longer a Boston qualifier for 2011. But its life and there is more to running then one race, just like you said. 12 more days- I’m so excited for you!
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That’s an awesome idea!! I’ve watched many more Bostons than I’ve run, and I love going every year. It would be super fun to get a bunch of people together and go cheer! Thanks for making me feel better
Remember when I was going to watch the boston marathon with you? How about run it together instead? Okay. I’m going to bed. enough blog stalking for one night.
What a great post. I understand that Boston is the uber marathon, but take this for what it’s worth: As a non-marathoner, I am no more impressed by someone that runs 26.2M through Boston than I am with someone that runs the same distance through Cape Cod or Newport or New Hampshire, etc, etc. They hold the same weight in my book, girl.
It really is so lame that it closed so fast but you know you will have more chances in the future! You are so inspiring lady! I dream of running boston one day! Oh, and you are going to rock that cape cod marathon on halloween!
I was so upset for you when I heard Boston closed. It’s not fair. At all. I hate it for you, so much.
I also hate it for me. I know they’re going to lower Boston qualifying standards, and that’s not OK with me… right now. BQing was only realistic to me because a 3:40 marathon seemed to be my high end of achievable. But anything lower than that is stretching it. Then I realized, 3:40 can still be an awesome goal for me to reach. Regardlessif it gets me into Boston or not.
Your attitude is so amazing though, Lauren. I know for a fact you will run Boston again! I also know you’ll kick your marathon’s booty next weekend. I am so excited for you!
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Do you think they’ll lower them before next year?? I feel like since the qualifying window for next year has technically already started (Sept 2010), it might be too late. They can’t change the standards in the middle — can they?? (don’t answer that, since obviously they can do whatever they want haha). Which means that hopefully we have 1 more year to qualify at 3:40. At least that’s what I’m telling myself…
And regardless of whether they change them or not, one day I will be on that Boston starting line with you by my side. Mark my words. It’ll happen.
Wow, 3 marathons?!
I like how you conclude this because I would definitely be bummed too but it sounds like you gained some perspective on it. There will ALWAYS be another opportunity!!
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WHAT!! that sucks!!! i definitely have to say sorry that u cant enter, but maybe it just means theres better opportunities and events to come. what a great thing to challenge urself for tho!! uve always inspired me with ur running and ur fitness <3 <3
Lauren: As usual you write wonderful. It is well thought out and from the heart. Thanks for commenting about your parents
Concerning Boston, you only have yourself to blame. Well, you and millions of other women. The “strides” woman have made in marathoning over the past 15 years is incredible. The gap between top male and top female has closed dramatically. Women are running great and still improving.
The current standards just are not fare. A 50 year male needs to run the same as a 30 year old female to qualify.
The other problem, too many non-qualifying runners. This has taken away the mystique of the race and needs to change. if you do not qualify for Boston, you should not run the race.
I love this post.
There IS more to marathoning than Boston, although it’s extremely frustrating to think of that when you’re locked out of registering. And I think all the the 3s in your 3rd marathon is really really cool 
I think your attitude is great. It’s awesome that you’ve run Boston and want to again, but I agree with you, there is more to running marathons than just Boston. You could set new marathon goals- like one in each state or something like that to keep the goals alive! Good luck with your upcoming marathon!
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What a wonderful, wonderful post, Lauren. You are such an inspiration for turning this disappointment into a metaphor for how there’s so much more to life than what is right in front of us. And there’s certainly more to marathoning than Boston! I loved reading about your precious experience at the Marathon: how nervous you were and how everyone buoyed you up. And, I have to admit, I let out a little “squee” when you said that EC told you he loved you. So sweet
Enjoy running and enjoy life – I think you’ve got it down pat
wow! my heart just broke for you! your attitude is amazing and your spirit is so strong.
i totally admire that you were able to run boston that fast!!!! 3:33? wowza. i’m still trying to decide how to train for it. i might need your expert opinion on how to incorporate hills and how to mentally prepare for the race.
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