My amazing Boston Marathon adventure - Day 1

My oldest shared some wise counsel with me and encouraged me to spend some time with all the medals I have earned over the past 6 years of racing, to look at each of the bibs I have saved and just reflect on everything it has taken to get me here.  To the runner's Superbowl - The Boston Marathon.

So I did exactly that.  The numbers add up like this since 2008:

5k's = 20
10k's = 10
1/2 marathon's = 16
full marathon's = 10
Century (100 mile) bike rides - 3
Triathlon - Sprint distance = 6
Triathlon - Olympic distance - 1
Relay's = 7
Miscellaneous races that don't fit the above criteria = 5

To be honest I thought it was much more.  I counted a total of 47 medals and two ribbons so clearly I have lost bibs or screwed up counts somewhere but the bottom line is I have done a lot of events.  For me anyway.  Others could put their list over the last 6 years and it could be much different, but for me, this is quite a list.  And I'm proud of it.  As I looked at the medals and each of the bibs I remembered specific things about that race.  The course, the friends, my feelings, challenges, and on occasion my successes.  Pretty sweet experience.

Corbin picked us up early and off to the airport we went!

Our first flight into Detroit wasn't too bad.  There were a couple of movies offered for free, so I got to watch Big and part of Ferris Buehler to pass the time.  I'm not used to packing a book since we have been spoiled with JetBlue and free TV.

We landed in Detroit.  A three hour layer over.  I think this about sums up my view.

(yes that is bird crap)

The great part was getting some food, hooking into the wifi and chatting up with some friends.  A dear, long time friend from back in the blogging days sent me a message that she would be at the airport to pick us up.  Wha???  Who comes into the city on a Friday night to shuttle a couple of people that you haven't even met in real life yet to their hotel?

Mary does that's who.  Holy Freakin Crap!  As we were walking towards the baggage claim, Splenda starts laughing and tells me to look ahead

Isn't she DARLING!?!!

Big hugs, grabbed our bag and then out to the curb where her husband was waiting with the car.  I have to say that the drive from Logan International to our hotel was the absolute highlight of my day.  Mae Rae and her hubby are serious GOOD PEOPLE!  The kind of people we could sit and hang out with all night long.  We were chatting away until the valet people at the hotel made us move along.

I cannot thank her enough for making such  a great effort and sacrifice on her part to make such a wonderful and memorable welcome for Splenda and me to Boston.  GAH!  I love her!  I love this city and I love the spirit of the marathon that is already here.

For a travel day, it ended up very nice.  Time to hit the sack and map out what needs to be done tomorrow.

Thanks Corb and the other kids for holding down the fort at home, thanks for the snaps of my yummy granddaughter, thanks for the all the kind comments of encouragement and THANKS to my friend Mary and her husband T for taking time out of their Friday night to take care of us.

I feel so freakin loved and not gonna lie, it feels pretty darn good!