The alarms went off at 3:45am. Ruth Anne and I said at the same time, "It's here!"
In an almost meditative state, we went through the race day check list while taking deep breaths. I felt emotions bubbling up from deep inside me knowing all that Ruth Anne had overcome to get to the starting line. I knew I had to keep them in check so I could be calm and steady for Ruth Anne. Ruth Anne's marathon shoes were dry! Christian, staff member of the Fairmont with whom we became fast friends was there to greet us. He told us to be careful out there. They did not have the street closed off to traffic in front of the hotel and moved the buses a few blocks down. I tried to remain calm but once we got outside I said, "They're on the other side?" Ruth Anne said, "It's okay mom!" And it was. There was a line of policemen in front of the shuttle buses saying, "Show us your bibs." Ruth Anne lifted up her Boston College sweatshirt, received a wrist band and with a quick hug she was off to the start.
Christian was there to greet me when I returned to the hotel. He said she was going to do great today. I shed tears of gratitude with him. He said, "This has been the trip of a lifetime, hasn't it?"
"Are you going back to sleep?" although he knew the answer before I said I couldn't. He asked me how I would spend the time. "I've got to get us organized for when we leave on Tuesday, call my husband, have some breakfast and head to the finish line." He was leaving at 11:00am and would be off the next two days but we exchanged hugs. He said he would keep Ruth Anne in his prayers.
I talked with Tom (it was 7:30am in Boston) and told him my plan for the day. We both agreed that Ruth Anne was going to have the best day of her life.
I got a text while we were on the phone. The hospitality tent had hot water for her oatmeal, peanut butter (since her jar had been confiscated by TSA in Boston since it was considered a liquid - who knew?) and this spread:
The Hospitality Tent was heated and she had plenty of time to eat and digest her breakfast, go to the bathroom (iykyk) and get in the zone for her 26.2 mile journey.
I was able to calm my pre-race jitters by organizing the room, saying prayers and giving thanks that we arrived at this moment in our lives. At 6:30, I went downstairs to have breakfast at Lumiere.
Ruth Anne texted me two photos of her in the tent and at the start:
I heard the Star Spangled Banner play on the TV in Lumiere. I turned around to watch it and this beautiful display of butterflies was right behind me!
I debated whether or not I should return to the room to brush my teeth and hang out by the pool but this very strong feeling overtook me and I instinctively started walking to the finish line with my runner's back pack that had fueling for me and of course a cowbell. I saw a very long line of people and initially thought I should have gotten there earlier. I started talking with a man {and there may have been some tears involved} letting him know I was hoping to get a seat in the bleachers. He said, "You stick with her. She's first in line and will get you in!" Needless to say I was very confused but felt God's presence and guidance. At 7:30, the long line of spectators moved through to the area of the finish line to the left. We were whisked through security. There was even a railing so I did not have to try to climb up the bleachers without support which would have been extremely challenging for me!
This beautiful kind-hearted woman and I settled in bringing up the tracking app. I took photos:
The conversation easily flowed (along with my tears) as Kim and I got to know one another. Her husband is a Boston qualifier and they will be coming to Boston in a few weeks. This was his 2nd LA Marathon so she knew all the 'ropes' for navigating the finish line but she was quick to tell me that it was the kindness of a stranger last year that helped her. I told her that I would be her resource for all things Boston!
Ruth Anne texted me to let me know that there was a long line for the porta-potties and not to worry that her pace slowed! I sent out a quick post on social media but wanted to preserve my phone battery. Kim told me to not worry about it; she had a charger I could use! We talked about how the tracker can be both a wonderful tool but also be nerve wracking when it takes a long time to update. We cheered for her husband when he was at the turnaround passing by the finish line. The tracker stopped giving updates. She knew approximately when to look for her husband to finish. I had to relax and trust that Ruth Anne was having the time of her life making her way to the finish line. I enjoyed seeing the elite athletes and wheelchair athletes come into the finish and receive their awards across from where we were seated.
Kim and I commented about how blessed we were to have a picture perfect day in LA for the marathon!
Kim and I exchanged information, gave hugs and high fives after her husband crossed the finish line. I told her to text me with any questions about Boston and the marathon!
After Kim left, there was no tracking updates AND I lost cell service. The crowd had grown exponentially. Feeling Spirit move me, I walked back to the hotel. Everyone at the hotel asked me how she was doing. There was still no tracking updates but my cell service was restored.
"Almost there," Ruth Anne texted just as I returned to our home away from home.
"Where? I eagerly asked. The tracker is down!"
"19.26. Brilliant run. Gotta go get the bling now."
I headed back to the finish line hoping I could see her come into the finish line. The crowds swelled. There was no cell service and I couldn't get anywhere near the finish line. I went back to the hotel and sat in the lobby soaking up the festive marathon atmosphere.
"Last 10K..."
"3.5 to go..."
"2.7 miles to go..."
"Did you make it to the finish?"
"I couldn't cuz it's packed with people and no service. I so wanted to."
"Got it."
"Thanks. Almost there! I'm gonna run now. See you at the finish."
"1.15 miles to go..."
"And done!"
The streets were filled with celebration as the music from the finish festival filled the air. Despite the throngs of runners and spectators, Ruth Anne and I found each other! She was warmly welcomed back to the Fairmont with congratulations and joy!
We had a celebratory dinner at the California Pizza Kitchen:
When we returned to the Fairmont, Jen spotted us across the lobby. "You look better than you did last night Ruth Anne. How was it?" Ruth Anne said that she had the best run of her life! She introduced us to Brian McCourt, the legend behind The McCourt Foundation. Ruth Anne sang the praises of the entire day.
"When I didn't receive a text from either one of you, I figured everything went well this morning." Ruth Anne shared her hospitality tent experience and I shared the serendipitous meeting with Kim. Jen reminded us about the Boston Waterfront 5K happening in June that Ruth Anne and I said we would love to volunteer for durirng our conversation the night before. We expressed our heartfelt gratitude to Jen and to Brian for a perfect day enhanced by the fact that proceeds of the race and the fundraisers go to research into neurological diseases!
We went to the pool to witness a magnificent sunset:
We were treated to another beautiful sunrise on Monday morning:
Ruth Anne went to Santa Monica to celebrate her 26.2 mile victory with her favorite yoga teachers and took this photo of her medal by Santa Monica Beach:
We spent the afternoon together and went swimming soaking up the spectacular California sunshine. Our last dinner was back at Capri. We had a magnificent view from our table right next to the lemon tree!
We were treated to one last LA sunset before we'd leave on Tuesday:
Ruth Anne and I woke up without an alarm at 5:00am. We packed up the room and ordered our breakfast to enjoy on the balcony. Rosalina was a ray of sunshine who started our day by blessing us and saying that God is good! How could we possibly be sad about our vacation ending with such a beautiful person serving our breakfast with such care and joy!
What a blessing to bear witness to the dawn of a new day and feel our hearts overflow with gratitude for the magic of the Los Angeles Marathon Weekend:
Enjoy these photos that Ruth Anne took while out on the course:
In health and wellness,
Mary
My books that pack powerful messages of healing, hope and possibilities are available on Amazon
Thank you to Mike Reilly for featuring my story on Stories From the Finish Line Sponsored by CURAD Performance Series to inspire others.
Be sure to subscribe to the On The Runs podcast for stories of individuals who are fierce and determined to overcome challenges, set goals and crush them. Here is the link to my Episode 56.
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Be sure to download and subscribe to the AdaptX podcast. Here's the link to my wonderful conversation with host Brendan Aylward sharing my journey of transformation and healing in the wake of polio, Post-Polio syndrome and trauma.
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