April 21, 2014 - At the finish line, nothing left but pure joy and pride

Kelly Swan Taylor

Looking back at this year’s Boston Marathon, I can honestly say it was both the easiest and most difficult thing I have ever done. The love and support from the crowd, volunteers, and fellow runners, especially while approaching the Finish Line, certainly made this race easy. And at the same time, completing the Boston Marathon is truly a difficult endeavor.

This year’s race started out a little more organized and, much later in the morning thanks to our decision to drive to Hopkinton, instead of venturing into Boston for the long bus excursion to Athletes’ Village (allowing me more sleep and a good breakfast of a bagel and banana). The ride went pretty smoothly until we encountered an accident around Hopkinton, which cleared up fairly quickly. Unfortunately, by that time my marathon hydration preparation started to get to me and I had to stop by a bathroom. Of course, my family was more interested in finding parking and was totally ignoring my requests. I had to explain I certainly could not wait until Athletes’ Village, seeing I probably would have to wait another 45 minutes just for the port-a-potty line. But, we turned around and finally found a Dunkin’ Donuts (like that is a tough thing in Massachusetts!). The funny thing was that I still ended up waiting in line behind -you guessed it - six other runners!

April 19, 2010 - Rewarded by the Smile on the Face of my Biggest Fan

Amy Macon

My journey as a runner began in 2004, when a group of friends challenged my husband and me to train with them to run a half marathon. Until then, I had logged many miles as a race walker. Since I’m always up for a new challenge, the training began and I transitioned from being a race walker to a runner. The transition was easier than I thought it would be, and I quickly fell in love with running.

After that first half marathon, I began to sign up for race after race including 5k’s, 10k’s, 15k’s and halves. I never really considered 26.2 as a runner, although I had covered that distance twice as a race walker. In 2007 another group of friends formed a training group called the Northshore Running Club, and invited my husband and me to join the insanity of training for our first marathon. We accepted yet another running challenge and ran our first marathon in October 2007: the Marine Corps Marathon. My primary goal was to finish, and my secondary goal was to break four hours. The months of training paid off and I successfully met both of my goals! I ran my first marathon in 3:55:32 and finally became a marathon runner!

April 15, 2013 - An Ode to a City, and a Promise to Return…

Mikayla Rose

Thank you, Boston

I will never forget the moment, at about the 100-meter mark of the 117th Boston marathon, when I thought, with sun shiny clarity, “This is going to be the most amazing thing I ever do.” And I was right. Thanks to you.

The moment I stepped onto the platform at Back Bay Station, I could feel it. I describe it now as an embrace. You didn’t just make me feel welcome, you embraced me. I was a part of your tradition and was swept up in your pride. Light as a feather, a Boston marathon starter. What an honour to be your guest.

I tell people about that embrace and about how rightly proud you are of your beautiful town, your strong community, and your iconic run. I fell head over heels in love with you during those three days in April. I am giddy with joy just thinking about it.

April 15, 2013 - I angrily answered my phone: “What? I’m trying to run a marathon here!”

Kelly Swan Taylor

In Boston, No One Runs Alone

As a runner in the 2013 Boston Marathon, rather than a day of tragedy, I prefer to remember the experience as one of a special race, with generous people, starting on such a beautiful day. The city truly came together to help its own, and adopted all Boston Marathoners as family.

I started my day with very little sleep, and woke at 4 am. I live in Providence, so we had a long trip ahead of us to drive to the Rt. 128 MBTA commuter rail station, and then take the train into Boston to meet the buses to Hopkinton. All of my race gear was laid out the night before, as I diligently packed things to bring to Athletes’ Village, and then to carry with me along the run. I packed a million things and have no idea how I thought I could carry so much extra stuff, including an extra two pairs of socks. Clearly, I never will be a light packer for any trip. Also, I should have carb-loaded during that morning adventure, but was just too nervous and excited to eat too much. Of course, I would regret the lack of food and energy later, but it certainly is a lesson learned.

2013 - "I had just gotten out of the city, away from the devastation, and now my husband was heading directly into it."

Julie Benson

I woke up the morning of April 15 ^th, 2013, ready to conquer a marathon. Literally. I had trained for the past four months with every fiber of strength, passion, tears, and determination to run through eight cities totaling 26.2 miles.

The winter of 2013 was an unforgiving one. My long runs were constantly tested through blizzards, ice, and sub zero temperatures. Yet I persevered because I believed I could do it. That I was strong, that nothing could stop me. “Bring it on!” was my mantra. One particular weekend I had a 15-mile run scheduled, but Mother Nature dumped two feet of snow in my town. “No excuses,” I told myself. I went into my dank basement, growled at my treadmill, and ran for over two hours.

2013 - "There has been a bomb and I am all alone and scared to death..."

Misty Thompson

Jim and I left for Boston Saturday April 13, with much anticipation and excitement. We left the girls in the very capable hands of Gramsby and then Grandmommy. We traveled much of Saturday (with some flight complications), but arrived in Boston Saturday afternoon. As we were in the cab on the way to the hotel, I kept saying "this is amazing, beautiful, like nothing I have ever seen…"

The architecture was beautiful and old, and there were people walking everywhere. We quickly checked into the Sheraton and went to the Marathon Expo (which was connected to our hotel). This was also unbelievable. There were die-hard runners everywhere (me being the very least of these). We purchased official Boston Marathon 2013 goodies and happies for the girls. Seeing everything took several hours to get through. We then went to dinner at Legal Seafood with a group from the North Mississippi/ Tennessee area, an event organized by Kenneth Williams (who was such a Godsend during the whole experience). It was great to get to meet and visit with these families (most of whom we met for the first time in Boston). We visited there for several hours before retiring to our room.

2013 - "No, We Won't Be Shaken..."

Tanya Collum

I was able to finish the race. I quickly moved through the finish line, because I do not like crowds. I grabbed my medal and some food and then started making my way to the buses to get my checked bag.

As soon as I got my bag I called my husband Adam. He had been tracking me and knew I'd finished. I then called my Mom who was waiting on me in the hotel room.

I answered a few text messages from friends and began to make my way to my hotel. I stopped and asked a volunteer which way to my hotel, because I have a horrible sense of direction. I was going in the correct direction, though. A few minutes passed and then I heard a very loud noise from behind me. I thought to myself, "That doesn't sound good." I kept moving and then heard another loud noise. I knew at that point it had to be a bomb, a horrible sound I hope I never hear again.

2013 - "OK, this guy says I can do it, so I guess I better run!"

Heather Duley

When I was in high school, my family went skiing in Colorado. At the top of the snow covered mountains, the view was breathtaking! We took rolls and rolls of film (this was so long ago, cameras had film!) so we could share the experience with friends. When we got home and got our pictures developed, the pictures were pretty, but it was sort of a letdown... Our pictures did not come close to conveying the beauty and magnitude of the mountains. In many ways, the Boston Marathon is like those mountain top pictures: one of those experiences hard to adequately convey. But I will try!

First, I want to give you some facts I think help explain why Boston is such a big deal to runners. Most of the following bullet points are taken from Bill Rogers's book, Marathon Man. We actually got to hear him speak about some of his Boston experiences the night before the marathon!

2012 – Foregoing the race, and embracing the experience

Kristy Campbell

I truly believe anything is possible, if you want it badly enough. For me, qualifying for (and running!) the Boston Marathon was a big dream for many, many years. I’m sure people thought I was crazy talking about BQ’ing when I was still hours (yes, hours) away from my BQ time. But Boston was always in the back of my mind during every marathon.

It took me nine marathons to qualify for Boston. I ran my first marathon, the 2004 Marine Corps Marathon, in 5:12. Over the next seven years, I chipped away at my marathon finish time, slowly, and with lots of hard work, determination, and a little luck. In September 2011, after an incredible training cycle, I knew I could BQ. I ran the Lehigh Valley Marathon and crossed the finish line in 3:43:46. I was finally a Boston Qualifier! I had dreamed about this day for years, and the dream had finally come true.

2012 - "I was too dehydrated to even cry..."

Amy Ballard

For years I wanted to just qualify for Boston. Unlike some novice runners who say they have never heard of the race, running Boston has been my strong desire ever since my first marathon back in 2006.

After taking nearly three years off from marathons to have my two babies, I resumed my qualifying efforts, and was fortunate enough to become eligible on my next three tries. But then came the change in the registration process, and I was very uncertain if a four minute cushion would be enough. Luckily, and by God’s grace, it was!

While on vacation, I received news that Boston notifications had been sent. However, having no cell phone signal brought even longer suspense, while we drove out of the mountains waiting to get cell phone reception. Finally, I received the long awaited news: I had gotten into the 2012 Boston Marathon! Training schedules were made and travel plans set. I was going to Boston.

Little did I know that a heat wave would hit Boston on April 16th.

2011: “With God as my DJ, the songs I needed came on as if on cue.”

Beth Allen

Marathoning is like a solitary journey into the deepest depths of a runner’s soul. When you are out on a course, it is just you and the road that lies ahead. The only resources you have are your body and your soul. You hope your mind will carry your body through the 26.2 miles you face. You pray your body will not give out before the finish line. And lastly, you hold the dream way down deep in your soul that all your hard work to get where you are is not wasted and you will indeed succeed.

For me, marathoning is not about being the fastest or the best against the other women in my field. It is a personal challenge I make each and every time I sign up and enter a marathon. It is a race where Beth competes with Beth. The idea of working hard and training for a goal appeals to me, and is ultimately what drives me to run 26.2 miles. And eventually will drive me to run the more extreme distances of an ultra marathon. The satisfaction obtained from crossing the finish line is the ultimate for a marathoner.

2011 - "The sheer exhilaration I felt at the finish line will never be topped"

Amy Cole

Running, for the longest time, was a casual thing for me: a hobby really, and nothing I thought would ever amount to much in my life. Certainly not something that would eventually lead me to a great city in the Northeast where accomplished runners gather every year for the most celebrated marathon in the world.

My Boston journey began back in 2009. Actually, if you want to go back even further, my running career began back in 2002 with my first 5Ks after a few months of goofing around on treadmills at the gym.

I built up stamina enough to run the local Komen Race for the Cure and actually got a finisher’s medal which was awarded to the first 400 finishers (our race is usually 40,000 strong). Once they put that medal around my neck at the finish line – and I managed to NOT throw up on the volunteer - I was HOOKED. This ‘exercise’ thing was a new venture for me, having spent much of my life as a couch potato (albeit a skinny one).

2010 - From a "Two Packs A Day" Smoker to a Boston "Rock Star"

Bridgett Jolly

Seven years ago I could have never pictured myself as a runner. Probably because seven years ago I was a "two packs a day" smoker. I put cigarettes down on August 21, 2006 and I haven't had one since.

Six months after I quit, I was going nuts, and had to find something to do. There were a couple of ladies in my neighborhood who ran. And they looked amazing. And I wanted to look like them. So I started running.

Ok, maybe not running, but trying to run. I would run to a mailbox, then walk. Then run a little further. And before I knew it I was up to running three miles straight! I signed up for my first race: the St. Jude half marathon. I ran that race in December of 2007, and when I crossed the finish line, I knew I was a runner! There was such a sense of accomplishment. To think that God had not only given me the strength to quit smoking, but he also let me run 13.1 miles straight!