Race #2 in the Distance Medley: #BAA10k

Bring on the 2014 Distance Medley!

I love The Boston Athletic Association and all races associated with them. For the most part, they are the most well-organized races I participate in.

For those that don't know, the Distance Medley includes the BAA 5k in April (recap),  the 10k in June and the Half Marathon in October. If you complete all three races, you get an extra special medal. Pictured to above on the right. Due to conflicts, I couldn't participate in 2013, but did for the inaugural Distance Medley in 2013. With nothing in my way this year, I signed up immediately in January.

June 22nd brought race #2 of the Medley: the BAA 10k.

The race began at 8am in Boston Common so we left the house just after 7. The wife was kind enough to drop me off so I could eat my wheat toast with peanut butter on the way there.

I was hoping to make it to the race by 7:15 to make the Team Run Disney photo and chat with friends before the race.

Always fun to stand around and chat with these folks! While hanging out, I even bumped into Slumbrew teammate Amy.

Time once again slipped away from me and 10 minutes before the race starts, I realized I hadn't used the port-o-potties. Ahhh! I went to get in line and they were just all too long to wait in. I took a gamble to hold it.

I jogged my way over to the Start corrals. Let me just say WAAYYY less crowded than on the day of the 5k. Thank you for limiting the entrants for the 10k - allowed for more control.

I decided to line up around the 8 min/mile pace, but couldn't find a sign for that. There was an opening around the 7 min/mile pace so I hovered around there so I could jump in when I found a gap.

I happened to come up next to Kate - another Slumbrew teammate. I wish I had taken a photo, but we were too busy talking.

Before I knew it the National Anthem was over and we were shuffling up to the Start Line. I wished Kate good luck and we split ways.

With the sore hamstring and the Rock And Run obstacle run the day before, I wanted to run smart and enjoy myself.

The temperature was reported as 62 degrees, but on the streets it felt warmer for sure. Thankfully we had some shade while running through the streets of Boston towards Boston University at the beginning of the race.

Mile 1: 8:09

As we ran past the start of the Boston University campus - it spans two miles of Commonwealth Avenue - the course started to come back to me. Again I ran it in 2012 so maybe I had blocked out what was coming up for us.

Mile 2: 7:57

This second mile might have been faster than the first as I was trying to escape a woman who had a very odd breathing pattern going on, while talking to herself. I wasn't sure if she was really okay or not. Someone else asked her and she snapped at him. Glad I didn't decide to ask her. But the breathing and talking was getting into my head. I was once again running without headphones for practice. Here was a test. What do you do when the breathing and annoyances around you start playing with your game plan?

On that day - I ran away from them. I sped up to lose her in the crowd.

After making our way around the backside of the first BU dorm, we took the right onto Comm Ave in all its sunny glory. That is right. That part of the course I blocked out? Oh that would be the miles on Comm Ave, where you have zero shade and a whole helluva lot of sun.

Plus a little incline. But there is a great way here to distract yourself. This is where the down and out starts so you have the pleasure of watching the wheelchair and elite athletes come blazing past!

I love this. It is so motivating and inspiring. I will never be as fast as these people, but they make me want to push myself to the best that I can be.

Not a bad photo while I was on the move in the opposite direction.

I was yelling and clapping for them.

I played the game smart and made sure to stop and walk through every water stop.

Mile 3: 8:21

The incline isn't horrible heading up Comm Ave, but it seems to go on forever. But as you push up you see the folks on the left coming towards you so you KNOW there is a downhill coming your way. :)

5k Mark: 26:08 (8:25 min/mile)

After my mid-run selfie, I took the pleasure in scanning the crowd of runners coming towards me for familiar faces. And I saw a ton!! Not sure if runners thought I was just shouting out random names or what, but most of the people I cheered for were too in the zone to wave back. I probably looked like a nutcase. ;)

It is always amazing to see so many friends out dominating the streets of Boston so early on a Sunday morning.

But with the turnaround came a downhill. YAY! Celebrate the downhill. Embrace the downhill.

Mile 4: 8:27

More importantly celebrate the shade, which we finally got once we made it through Kenmore Square heading back to the Commons.

Just before we reached the shade a spectator yelled to me: "Number One costume award today goes to you!" Awww yeah! Sparkle Athletic skirt for the win! ;)

Mile 5: 8:06 8k Mark: 41:38 (8:19 min/mile)

As we pushed towards the Finish, I kept repeating "less than 1 mile over and over." While also forcing myself to relive the Boston Marathon and how I felt on that day when running or rather run/walking down this same stretch. It helped put a little extra pep in my step.

We took a right onto Arlington Street to start our two left turns into the Finish shoot. Just after I took the right, I saw a mom and her son. I heard the mom say: "Look she's a super hero." O.M.G. That lady made my day. WIN for the Wonder Woman socks!!

That totally made me dig deep and pull whatever out I had left.

Mile 6: 8:01

Just after passing the Mile 6 marker, I heard my friend Haley yell for me! Ahh I love extra and unexpected cheers. As we were coming down the shoot, the volunteers were directing us all to the right lane. I couldn't tell why. Then just before the Finish Line I saw the medics working on a man. I tried to send out as many good vibes as I could his way.

Arms up! Finish line crossed! Water me!

But first - medal me.

I was so happy to pick a volunteer that was excited to put the medal around my neck. Her smile was infectious. :)

After grabbing my water, I headed to the Marathon Sports tent so I could get my free BAA 10k bumper sticker. Yeah I am a sucker for those things even if I don't actually stick them anywhere.

I took a few minutes to stretch and compare race stories with some friends before heading to get my Dunkin Donuts fix.

Be Good was actually giving out a free burger to each participant, but I don't eat hamburgers so I passed on the offer. If only the wife was there, she would've gladly eaten it for me. ;) But instead she was on her way to pick me up. I'm spoiled I know.

Overall, the race was well-organized, the water stops seemed plenty stocked with water and the post-race meeting space was spacious. Unfortunately BAA cannot control the weather or the lack of shade on Comm Ave so that is something out of their control and something participants just have to remember when devising their race strategies.

Personally, I was not the biggest fan of my results. I was two minutes slower than when I did the BAA 10k in 2012 and 4 minutes slower than my 10k PR. Grrr... I wanted more. I did have to put it in perspective - I have a sore hammy and I did an obstacle race the day before. But, I also have gotten away from focusing on speed and time recently so maybe I need to. It is a decision I have been going back and forth about - what am I trying to get out of my races? Speed? Fun? Time? Consistency? It's an ongoing discussion in my head in case you are wondering. ;)

But I would recommend the BAA races to everyone. Maybe you will want to join me in October for the BAA Half? Be ready! These races sell out quickly.

Now, the BAA races do not offer post-race beer so I had to go out and find my own. I chose the Pretty Things Meadowlark IPA at Mystic Station. See Pretty Things loves me too??

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Did you participate in the BAA 10k?

BAA 5k - 4/14/13 - 27:35 (8:54 min/mile)

Yes I ran a 5k the day before The Boston Marathon. But, here's why.

1) I love the race. I did it last year and was psyched that the race started/finished on The Boston Marathon Finish Line. Plus, last year they had chocolate chip bagels at the end - you had me there. :P (2012 Recap)

2) I needed to do a shakeout run the day before the marathon any way so why not get a medal for it. Right?

3) My BFF's birthday was Marathon Monday and I couldn't celebrate with her on the day of SO we I treated her to the 5k race as a birthday present.

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After a fun Saturday morning run with Runner's World and a Saturday afternoon with friends and teammates, Sunday started with a 6:15 wakeup call. Sarah was to arrive at my house by 7am - and she is usually pretty prompt. Thankfully the wife was going to give us a ride in town and with road closures for the Marathon, we headed out just after 7am for the 8am start time.

Yeah, it took us about 10 minutes to get there so we were niiiice and early. :P Well, better than getting there late, right?

Being there so early meant we could mull around the Marathon Finish Area and snap some good pics.

Just stepping on that Line gave me goosebumps for the following day.

I wanted to just jump in a time machine and fast forward the 26 hours til start time.

Can you see the excitement in my face? 

I am rocking my orange Pro Compression socks for the event.

We met a nice woman who was more than happy to take our pic. After grabbing this shot, she asked if she could get creative. She asked us to sit on the Finish Line and pose. I was game because I knew I wouldn't be able to do that the following day.

I can't believe now how much this picture now means to me after the explosions that followed the Boston Marathon.

It is a picture and a moment in time I will cherish forever.

Once we snapped some pics, the chill in the air started wearing on us so we had to get moving. There was still a good 30 minutes until the start of the race.

Why oh why do I make us get to races so early? ;)

But this did allow us plenty of time to people watch, hit the port-o-potties and get right where we wanted to in line.

Now, the other reason I needed Sarah there was to keep me on pace.

I have a hard time holding back - especially in a race - and Sarah is my voice of reason. The one that can get me to scale back.

Our goal was to run around 9ish min/mile pace. Much slower than my now normal 5k speed so it was going to be a mental exercise for me as well. Since we know I really needed to keep the energy for the following day - the BIG SHOW.

After a great rendition of the National Anthem it was time for the race to finally start.

I hit Start on the Garmin and it was go time.

And we immediately started out too fast.

We are just too darn speedy ... or so we told ourselves. ;)

But, we tailed it back to about a 9 min/mile pace.

It was comfortable. It was nice.

It was fun to just run with a friend and have a conversation without any sort of shortness of breathe.

Let me tell you when I started running back in 2005 and could barely handle a 12 min/mile pace - I never thought I would call 9 min/mile pace comfortable.

We were really able to enjoy the scenery and the time together.

Sarah is leaving me for Maine at the beginning of June so we are trying to make the most of our time together as we can.

As we ran along the Boston Commons and weaved ourselves through the streets of Boston, we noticed some pairings participating in a "Blindfold Challenge." One person wears a blindfold and their partner acts as their guide - it is an amazing concept.

But, as we took our left turn on to Boylston Street, we noticed a pair in front of us. Sarah and I looked at each other, locked eyes and at the same time made the comment that we couldn't let them beat us.

We had been great all race about keeping the pace down. BUT, we both decided that a little sprint at the end wouldn't hurt anyone. Right?

So we locked in and put in extra effort for the last 0.2 miles.

It was thrilling to run down Boylston Street and know that the following day it would be lined with fans and my family cheering me on. And when I crossed that same Finish Line the next day I would conquer the Boston Marathon - something I never thought possible when I topped the scales at 235 lbs.

We finished with a time of 27:35, which is a 8:54 min/mile pace. Again, a tad faster than we wanted BUT good for us.

My legs felt great afterwards and were ready for the next day.

I also got to FINALLY show off my Got Chocolate Milk Team Refuel singlet in an actual race. Doesn't it look good with my orange Pro Compression socks. :)

We grabbed our post-race goody bags (as you can see in the picture above), but where was my chocolate chip bagel?

NO WHERE!!

There weren't any bagels post-race. You've gotta be kidding me. I had my little heart set on a post-run chocolate chip bagel. Ouch! Boo! Wahhh!

I picked up the pieces of my little broken heart and Sarah and I headed to the T stop to head home.

We met Tori and headed to Dunkin Donuts so I could at least have my Iced Coffee. I mean I do Run On Dunkin.

After Sarah headed home, it was time for a RELAXING afternoon.

Putting the legs up was my Number One Priority for the afternoon.

But, eating was also important ... so the wife and I headed out for a quick lunch before it was back to the couch.

Yup nerves were starting to kick in!

I wanted a good night of sleep so I laid out my outfit for the following day, took a couple Tylenol PM and was asleep by 7pm.

Ready to ROCK the Boston Marathon...

Boston Marathon Expo

The Boston Marathon festivities kicked off with the Boston Marathon Expo.

I looove expos ... but my credit card doesn't! ;)

On Friday, April 12, my car was in the shop so my mom was my driver that day. ;) She picked me up from my final Weight Watchers meeting of the week at 12:20pm, we headed to grab a quick sandwich for lunch then she dropped me off at the Hynes Convention Center just before 2.

I figured the expo would be pretty empty at 2 since that is when it started.

BOY was I wrong.

I walked in the front door to meet my friend Sarah and her daughter Joanna - we were running the 5k together so she had to pick up her number too - and the line to enter the Expo wrapped down and around the corridor.

I was shocked. But, thankfully I had to get my 5k number first so the line to pick up my Marathon number was gone by the time I was done. :)

My 5k bib:

I had forgotten my BAA card with my Bib # on it to pick up my 5k bib so I had to wait in line to speak with Runner Services. I was so focused on remembering the necessary paperwork to pick up my Marathon Bib that I got lazy with the 5k info. Oops!

Thankfully the line was pretty short and the whole process was pretty painless.

Once, I had my bib I headed back out to meet Sarah so we could enter the Expo.

I had to keep this photo because I love the photo bum ... I mean photo bomb ... by the random gentleman.

There was a separate entrance for number pick-up so I headed to the right, while Sarah and the stroller headed into the Expo.

With over 27,000 runners participating in the 117th Boston Marathon, I should've expected long lines at the onset. I also should've known that it would be mainly people like me - local charity runners - getting the number pick-up out of the way early.

But once I walked down to my end of the pick-up area (22,000+ numbers), I saw that the longest line of them all had to be mine. The line for people with bibs 22,000-22,600 ... I was bib 22010. Yay - NOT! :P

I finally made it to the front, handed over my signed bib card and was handed my Boston Marathon bib.

Ahhh... it was such a surreal moment.

I was really going to be running in the Boston Marathon.

Still smile looking at this picture.

After securing the bib, it was time to pick up my official race shirt and head into the Expo. :)

It was awesome to walk into the Expo and see this right away:

I sure was All In For Boston.

The first place I had to stop was the New Balance booth. I was going to get a pair of the official Boston Marathon New Balance sneakers.

I mean hello, they glow in the dark! SOLD!

MINE! I got 'em. :)

Aren't they sweet?

Finally, Sarah and I connected at the New Balance booth and were able to walk around the Expo a little together before she had to get back to her car - damn running out of quarters.

Once Sarah left, I got myself to the front of the Expo and started with row 1 and did a run through the entire place. :)

The Rock 'n' Roll Marathon Series booth was right at the front of the Expo. I showed them the Rock 'n' Roll bag I was wearing and they gave me a free water bottle! Score!

There were guys jumping on a trampoline in skis to demonstrated that their brand of headphones really didn't fall out of your ears. I mean that was some marketing genius there. Granted I cannot remember the name of the headphones so maybe it wasn't that good. Haha.

I turned my head to the right and there was the Brooks booth. These mannequins at the top of the booth actually moved their arms/legs to make it look like they were all running. Pretty cool.

After spotting markers and the large Boston Marathon banner, I knew I had to sign it.

I wrote: "Dani Holmes-Kirk in honor of my grandparents! Go Tedy's Team!!"

I made my way into the Addidas official merchandise section of the Expo. Ooohhh everything was blue and yellow and shiny!

It was just before walking in there with help from a season pro like Robin that I found out you didn't automatically get the Boston Marathon jacket, but rather you had to buy it.

I tried one on. I walked around holding it. I kept texting my wife and parents about it. Should I spend the $100 on it? Was it worth it? Could we swing it? I mean I had just bought the New Balance shoes.

But they all said to go for it. This could be the ONE time I run the Boston Marathon so I should have the jacket as a reminder.

(Who would've known how important it would be for me to have that jacket in the next week?)

I almost bought this little guy for my friend Ellie, who loves unicorns - but once I looked at the price tag I just sent her a pic instead. ;)

How cute?

I loved the Marathon Sports signs all over the Expo.

So motivating!

I saw it and just kept telling myself that I would RUN every step of Heartbreak Hill on Marathon Monday! No matter what...

Once I had done a good once over of the Expo, I headed to the main booth I had to get to ... Sparkly Soul!

I have the honor of being a Sparkly Soul Ambassador, but since the company is based out of New York I have never met the two women behind the company ... until the Expo.

I knew Pamela would be there and we had tweeted/emailed so often it was like we already knew each other.

Sparkly Soul is a wonderful company created by Pamela's sister Dari (a marathon runner) and I am honored to be a small part of it.

Once I met Pamela, I had just one final thing on the Expo to-do list ... visit the KT Tape booth!

I had been experiencing some slight knee pain in the weeks leading up to the Marathon and didn't want to take any chances. KT Tape can be worn for up to a week and go through a shower without coming off. So I knew I could get it done Friday and it would still be in place for Sunday's 5k and Monday's Marathon.

The tape even matched my Saucony sneakers. :0)

It was about 4:30pm by the time I left the Expo and my mom was picking me up at 5pm (as a 30 year old rolls) so I had a beer at The Pour House across the street while I waited.

It was an amazing feeling being surrounded by so many talented runners both in the Expo and the bar after. I was getting super pumped for the rest of the weekend's festivities.

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What is your favorite part of a race Expo?