Happy Sunday!
What a crazy week this was! Things were hectic at work and my youngest son had spring break – throw in week 2 with the new puppy and suffice it to say it was a constant juggle.
There was also volunteering at the Boston Marathon – definitely the week’s high point!
Monday was my 4th year volunteering at Boston and all I can say is it never gets old! There really are no words to do justice to the energy of the finish area of any marathon, much less Boston! My first two years I was working in Hopkinton at the Athlete’s Village and then I scored an assignment in finish area last year. I was happy to be invited back to join the water team again this year.
Our team set up thousands of cases of water, making sure to unscrew the top of every bottle so runners don’t have to struggle after finishing 26.2. With the water ready and covered we got the chance to cheer the wheelchair finishers and some of the elites before taking a spot at the table to start greeting runners. While a gorgeous day to spectate, it was a little too hot to be running. We could see the toll the weather was having — unfortunately there were many who needed medical help and the waves of runners coming in later in the day were notably more than the previous year.
But on the whole most runners were in good spirits. I cheered and congratulated runners until my voice was almost gone. Some stopped to share their stories – whether it was their first or, in one case, her 25th! There were some hugging, consoling those in tears, and more high-fives and primal screams than I can count! It was also awesome how many runners stopped to thank us for volunteering. I tried my best to keep an eye out for friends who I knew were running, and was psyched to see Dani, from Weight Off My Shoulders – one of the best hug of the day 🙂
I was sore and tired by the time I headed to my car and loved every minute of it! While I do miss seeing the runners out on the course, being in the finish area is a special experience!
This week marked week 7 of Run to Remember training so let me quickly recap this week’s workouts:
Monday: 6 hrs on my feet
Tuesday: 3-mile easy run
Wednesday: Yoga
Thursday: 800-meter repeats
Friday: Lower body strength work
Saturday: 4-mile run
Sunday: Rest
As always, I’m linking up with Holly and Tricia for the #WeeklyWrap. Please be sure to head on over and check out all of the great ladies participating in this fun link-up! 
No puppy pictures?
I think it would be almost as much fun volunteering at Boston as it would be running it! I love that you did it. Did you see the elites come in?
Wendy@Taking the Long Way Home recently posted…Doing the Opposite
OK total blogger fail on the puppy pics 😉 The only bummer about where we were is we don’t get to see the elites until after they’ve crossed. Still a pretty good gig though!
I bet volunteering at Boston is such a great experience – and that your work was SO appreciated! I can’t imagine 25 years of marathon running!
Coco recently posted…My Best-Paced GW Parkway Classic Race Recap
I really love volunteering at races and Boston is just so special!
Aww, how amazing that you got to volunteer at the Boston Marathon! I volunteered at the Disney world marathon once and was just overwhelmed with how emotional it can be (in a good way)!
Oh how fun to volunteer at Disney! I bet that was quite an experience!
I love that you volunteered at the Boston Marathon. What an awesome experience and its great that you got to see Dani! There’s just something about volunteering at a race that makes me fall more in love with running
Kimberly recently posted…Airbnb Brooklyn Half Marathon Training Recap – Week 8
I know what you mean – I’ve been struggling with my running lately, but being there just re-inspired me!
What stories the runner who has run 25 marathons must have to tell! Wow that is amazing! What a great experience to volunteer at the Boston Marathon. I would say “six hours on my feet” definitely counts as a really good workout! 🙂
Shathiso recently posted…Diacore 10k Training Recap: Week 6
I cannot even imagine running that many marathons – just amazing!
I’d say you had the best “non seat” in the house in Boston! I love that you volunteer and how cool to spot Dani! How fun the runners were sharing stories with you.
Marcia recently posted…The Power of More
It really was just the best experience from start to finish!
Volunteering at Boston sounds incredible. I bet there were so many amazing stories! Glad to hear your workouts went well last week!
Janelle @ Run With No Regrets recently posted…Buffalo Half Marathon Training Week 4 Recap
Definitely a great experience! Can’t wait to go back for 2018!
How awesome you were able to volunteer at the Boston Marathon for your 4th year in a row! It is my dream to run there one day!! Hope you have another great week!
Sounds like you had a blast in Boston again. I would love to spectate there sometime
Deborah @ Confessions of a mother runner recently posted…Portobello, Spinach and Feta Veggie Burgers Meatless Monday
If you get the chance to spectate do it – it’s a great atmosphere!
Volunteering at Boston sounds like such an amazing experience! Love this recap 🙂
Thanks Rachel 🙂
Being at the finish line of the Boston Marathon has got to be an incredible experience. To be able to see up close and personal the runner’s triumph as they cross the line. I bet you got a lot of goose bumps. I’ve never thought about unscrewing the water bottle tops — but what a nice gesture! My hands don’t work well during or after a long run. Thanks for linking, Michelle!
Leave it to the BAA to think of unscrewing the caps – they really do an amazing job managing that race!
That must be the best race to volunteer at!
Absolutely! I’m hoping to do it again next year!
That sounds like such a wonderful experience! Way to go for serving as a volunteer!
Michelle Rogers recently posted…VIDEO: How to pick strawberries, plus three scrumptious strawberry recipes
Thanks Michelle!
Wow! I am SOOO jealous! A spot at the finish line would be amazing! I have found, though, the people I truly LOVE seeing at the finish line area are the ones who may be towards the back of the pack…they are the ones who totally have me in tears. They are usually so overcome with emotion, and that feeling of triumph in overcoming any doubts they may have had about finishing. What a great experience you must have had 😉
Kimberly Hatting recently posted…Nonstop Running…Literally and Figuratively
Exactly! It was the mid to back of the packers that really had me going – I was crying with and hugging perfect strangers! You just get so caught up in their reactions to the accomplishment!
How cool to be a part of such a storied event! And what a busy week you had. You had me at “new puppy,” but then there were all those other things. I’m glad you were able to juggle it all!
Mary recently posted…Kavring
It’s been busy, but a lot of fun 🙂
That is just SO awesome that you volunteered at boston. I bet the experience can’t be beat! It’s always a goal of mine to BQ someday. But, yet it seems so out of reach! 🙂 It’s the little things – like unscrewing bottle caps that makes volunteers so amazing!
Gina recently posted…Shin Splints, Stress Reaction, OR Overly Cautious – that IS the question?!!
The whole bottle cap thing is something I would have never thought of! But the BAA does such an amazing job with the marathon – they really think of everything!
I am so jealous! I would love to volunteer at Boston one year- I can’t imagine all the excitement in the air!!!!!
Mary Beth Jackson recently posted…It’s not Spring, it is Sprummer! Weekly wrap
Oh MB it really was just the best!
Honestly, I can’t think of anything that would be more awesome than being at the finish line as those Boston marathoners crossed that line! (well, maybe crossing it myself …but that will never happen!) Glad you have the opportunity to do this each year! Good luck on your training!
Teresa recently posted…Challenges Pave the Way for Breakthrough
Crossing would be amazing, but I’m thinking this is as close as I’ll ever get 😉
Volunteers make the race happen! What a fantastic way to experience the race. And unscrewing the bottles beforehand – that’s special treatment. I can’t even remember from when I ran Boston almost a decade ago if I had to unscrew a water bottle after I crossed the finish line. But that’s definitely going beyond what’s expected.
The unscrewed bottle caps was certainly a big hit with the runners!
Wow, I can only imagine how powerful it was to volunteer at the Boston Marathon. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed each of my volunteer experiences at races. Races definitely aren’t possible without all of the volunteers!
Kathryn @ Dancing to Running recently posted…Loudoun Half Marathon Training Log – Week 6
I really think every runner should volunteer at a race – gives you a whole new appreciation for all that goes into races and it’s so inspiring to see people out there giving it their all towards a goal.