Everyone warned me to go out slow, so I did. The first mile was an 8:23 or so; and I stood in awe at all of the people running and all of the people cheering.
The weather was perfect, the crowds were fantastic and mile by mile, I continued to be awed by the unending screams, cheers, posters, high fives and offers of cold beer from the people of Boston. I stopped watching the watch, and started soaking the experience right up.
I wove from side to side on the course high fiving little kids on the sideline, I found new friends to talk to, I talked to old friends I bumped into on the course (not kidding), I bantered with people holding humorous posters, I stopped to kiss a girl in Wellesley, and suddenly I was halfway there, running my 5k splits between 8:11 and 8:16.
Sheila McDaniel
Aliso Viejo, California
April 15, 2013
Age – 31
Bib # 15072
3:37:52
Sheila McDaniel’s running career began in kindergarten with a 100 yard dash win at the ripe old age of five. After some time away, she is once again in a serious relationship with running. During her time off, she collected “three amazing, ridiculously silly and always active boys” and jumped back into her career full-time. Her blog “Striding Mom/ Taking each day one stride at a time!” examines the artistry of balancing parenting, working and running. Her full story of her 2013 Boston may be found there.