6 AB

In the wake of all the sad Boston news I wanted to revisit our Boston Marathon experience from 2007-  or as I like to call it.... "6 years after-Boston"...

I think of it often because it was definitely a turning point in our story....

Dale was one of those crazy runners.  You know the type...  one of those "running is my life and the only real form of challenging exercise" people....  In 2006 he decided to run '6 in '06" - basically 6 marathons throughout the year so that he could qualify to run the Boston in '07.  He had to run a qualifying race at 3:20, which he did, no problemo- remember... he's crazy.  He ran his qualifier in 3:06- yahoo!

Next step... he began training to run Boston.  He really wanted to run it sub 3.  Two weeks away from race day he saddled up the kids in the double jogger and headed out for a short run.  Something crazy happened and he hurt himself- it was deep hip pain.  He was hurt as in, cannot even walk.  After seeing 2 different docs and having x-rays and an MRI he was told NOT to run.  Somehow he knew that if he didn't run Boston then he would never be able to do it again.  So he took a few days off, did some rehab and took some advil.

Boston weekend arrives...  Dale's parents shuttled all of us out there for a long race weekend.  It was FREEZING but we had a fun time.  Dale was on meds and doing ok.  He was ready to run.  The night before the race there was severe weather.  It was a nor'easter!  Hundreds of people were dropping out.  Dale decided to run anyway.  Amidst terrible weather conditions and a severe injury he ran through the streets of Boston.  It was not his best time but it was his most accomplished!  I am so proud of his 3:49:45 and his determination.

That is the last time he has run (not true, this year he ran around the block a few times).  His last "real" running steps were across the finish line.  It has been a long road since (including 2 reconstructive surgeries) but the whole running race has taught us many things.  Mostly that we are Dale is not invincible.  We should not take our days for granted....

the Beachy group- we even made t-shirts...

it really was freezing- we wore long underwear, coats and trash bags!

see him raising his hands (on the left)?!

we saw all the sites!

the Freedom Trail should be on your bucket list.  it was very cool...

the kids got t-shirts to prove it!