Introduction

Twelve years ago when I ran my first marathon I had this dream. I wanted to qualify and run the most prestigious race in the world, "The Boston Marathon". I came close to qualifying twice, missing it only by 1 minute and 10 seconds and 2 minutes and 47 seconds. Both were heartbreaking runs. Watching my Boston dream disappear as I finished those races was hard, but it taught me some valuable lessons about myself and in a lot of ways, humbled me. Each marathon I have run has it's own story. From my very first Chicago where I posed with my daughter each of us holding up one finger indicating my first race, to running on the Silverado Trail in Napa Valley CA and pulling my daughter out of the crowd to cross the finish line with me, to running in Ohio pregnant with my son Ian, to finishing a marathon with John at the 50 yard line of Notre Dame's football field and having a picnic afterwards, to raising money for two kids with Cystic Fibrosis and then giving them our marathon medals after the race. Eight of the thirteen marathons I ran with my husband John of 18 years. He is the love of my life and I can't wait to see him at the finish line in Boston. Each race was a journey with lots of memories. I am honored to become a part of the history of the Boston Marathon.

This post was first written last year before I ran the 114th Boston Marathon. After reviewing all of my running logs, I decided to write a book about the training and other races I finished prior to completing my first Boston. I ran approximately 8,133 miles to qualify for this prestigious race and captured many thoughts along the way. I felt that putting a book together with all this information would be a great way to preserve the "dream that became a reality" . Writing of this book has already begun and I am hoping to one day have it published. Finally, all of the entries from my running logs will be put to good use.

So, what happened after my first Boston? Well, I originally ran the race with the intention that it would be my last marathon. I was going to cross the finish line and leave my shoes behind. After running fourteen marathons in five different states, I figured that my appetite for marathons had been satisfied. Well...things don't always work out as planned. 26.2 miles later, with tears in my eyes and outstretched arms, I crossed the finish line at Boston. I knelt down and kissed the ground where so many great runners had crossed before me. I looked around at all of the people celebrating their personal victories and thought to myself, "Boston, this is the start of a beautiful relationship". "I'll see you next year."

After all those miles.  After all those races, I finally understood the saying, "Its not about the destination, its about the journey."  So far the journey has been unbelievable.  I've met so many great people along the way that I don't want it to end.  And I won't let it.  I'm not sure how many more marathons I will run, but I do know that I can share my love of this sport and the spirit of competitiveness with those around me.   


I started my running journal for the 115th Boston Marathon back on October 10, 2010.  I have written in it every day.  Since there are too many pages to enter here, I thought that I would post some of the most memorable entries including this years trip to Boston and the running of the race.  So come along on my adventure and let me share with you the ups and downs, joys and sorrows of one wonderful ride to Boston. Enjoy!