Marathon Monday!

Good Morning! It's Patriot's Day here in Massachusetts, and for some even more importantly, it's MARATHON MONDAY!!

The city truly comes alive today, as if spring has finally arrived! So much energy, support and spirit abound for the runners. On top of that there is also a Red Sox game going on! To say the city is full of people is an understatement. Everywhere you look you either see fluorescent yellow marathon attire or Red Sox garb - it really is a fun day to be a Bostonian!

A few years back, prior to my body building days, I had it in my head that someday I would run the Boston Marathon. This was when I thought I was a fairly decent runner. I could hold my own at a steady 8 minute mile, but topped out at a distance of about 7 miles. After that I hit a brick wall and no matter how much I tried, there was no getting past it! I succumbed to the idea that maybe, even though I loved it so much, running just wasn't for me. This past November I decided to re-commit myself to my running and started slowly but surely getting back into a regular routine. Just before I found out I was pregnant I was back to running 4 miles at an 8 minute pace! Felt great to have my running legs again. Since I finding out I am pregnant I have backed off (once again) so as to do what's right for my body and the nugget. I am still jogging (or as my sister likes to call it - yogging!) three times a week but I'm doing so indoors on a treadmill (level ground as I refer to it), and maxing out at a 10 minute pace and only doing about 2.5 miles.

Watching the marathon each year inspires me so much, to the point of tears. To watch these runners from all over the world trek through our streets, sometimes in extreme heat (2012), other times in torrential rain (2007) and one year in the snow (1967), is really an amazing experience. This year many are saying the weather is "perfect running weather" ... it's sunny and mid-50's with a slight breeze off the harbor. What a gorgeous day for a jaunt!

One of the most inspiring stories is that of Dick and Richard Hoyt. They are literally local heroes and were honored today with a bronze statue at the starting line in Hopkinton. Read their story here: Team Hoyt

It's people like this, among the thousands of others (27,000 this year) that make you realize you truly can do anything you put your mind to! At 5am this morning a group of local marines donned their full combat gear, including packs and headed out on a walk that would take them the full 26.2 miles into the heart of Boston. They do this every year and as they pass by the spectators you can just sense the pride they have for what they do, and people are yelling "God Bless America" and thanking them for their service with high-fives and cheers as they trudge their way to the finish line.

There are so many stories of faith and hope in the city today and while many view the marathon as "just a race", for those running and the people of Boston it truly is a very special day!

Although I'm spending this Marathon Monday working and unable to attend in person as I've done for many of the years past, I am filled with admiration and pride for each of the 27,000 brave folks pounding the pavement today! Run a mile for me will ya!