Unicorn Magic - Boston Marathon 2025 - Part 1

 If only every day was like the energy surrounding the Boston Marathon.

The celebration of the Boston Marathon started with Ruth Anne revealing her singlet from Spaulding Rehab in social media on April 13th. To temper taper madness, we drove the course but first stop was at Mile 10 at our dear friend's store, Paper Fiesta. She had the store ready for Monday's Boston Marathon on 4/21. I was touched that she had two of my books on the book display.

 We love supporting Paula and shopping small especially in today's economic climate. Wearing her Race for Rehab jacket, we took a photo of Ruth Anne with her Boston Marathon souvenirs and Easter gifts for her twin brother Autumn and wife Michelle. Paula wished Ruth Anne an amazing Marathon Monday and said she was honored that we asked her to have orange slices and pretzels on hand for when Ruth Anne arrived at Mile 10. Big hugs all around with wishes of Happy Easter happening the day before the Marathon on 4/20 and a safe and joyful Marathon Monday. When you visit Paper Fiesta's website visit the "About" tab and follow it to why the Mile 10 location is so meaningful to Paula and her husband, Walter.

 

We drove to Hopkinton and reminisced about all of Ruth Anne's training runs during this training cycle sprinkling in some memories from when we ran Boston in 2009. We got to Boylston Street and saw the scaffolding for the finish line being constructed.

I texted the photo to our dear friend Kim Sutton whose husband Tim qualified for Boston for the 2nd year in a row. I met Kim at the starting line of the LA Marathon in March of last year. We shared in the excitement and energy of all that is the Boston Marathon.

We went out for dinner at Bertucci's since the day had gotten away from us in being home in time to cook dinner. When we got home, Ruth Anne announced, "Well it's time for me to put together my clothes for gear drop off at the Mandarin Hotel for next Saturday."

 

 

On Monday, we headed out for a dress rehearsal shake out run. Ruth Anne knew she needed to run in her singlet before the big day. It was a warm, sunny day and gave her an opportunity to try out her outfit. She decided that she wouldn't need a shirt underneath the singlet and needed a lighter hat for race day.

 

 

 

As a Boston College graduate student, Ruth Anne had been invited to the Mile 21 spaghetti dinner at Boston College. What a magical event where Ruth Anne met fellow BC runners. The pasta dishes were delicious as borne out by Ruth Anne eating two bowls of pasta. They had a beautifully decorated cake, and gifts of towels and pom poms. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 4/15 is One Boston Day. We were fortunate to manifest a parking space near Copley Square to both commemorate the horrific events of 4/15/2013 and to celebrate the resilience and strength of Boston Strong. We reflected on Ruth Anne's journey and got pumped up for Marathon Monday. The energy was electric and everyone smiled at everyone as the unique energy of the Boston Marathon filled the air.

 

 

We made our traditional pre-marathon stop at Marathon Sports where we were treated to hearing people conversing in many different languages. Smiles and are you running were the universal language in Boston as the City prepared to run again. Kindness was evident at every turn. One family asked us to take a photo in front of the Unicorn and countdown clock. They asked if we were running. When Ruth Anne said she was, their little boy about 10 years old asked her for her bib number! He said he wanted to track her and his mom said he loves watching the Marathon even though they weren't runners. He shook Ruth Anne's hand and wished her good luck! Running Boston changes you and Boston Is My Victory fueled Ruth Anne's mental preparation for Monday.

 On Thursday, Ruth Anne had an appointment with her acupuncturist, George Leung of East/West Sports Acupuncture & Orthopaedics. He used a spray to ensure that the taping would last through Marathon Monday. He gave her a boost of confidence along with his incredible treatment.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Friday had finally arrived! We got up early to head in town to attend the Expo, Bib pick up and a meet and greet with Bill Rodgers. For the 2nd time, we found a parking space near the Convention Center. Goosebumps and tears flowed remembering our 2009 Boston Marathon and being excited for Ruth Anne's 2nd Boston Marathon.  

We 'just happened' to run into one of our dear running friends, Amanda McCann just outside the Expo:

 

We bought #allthegear except for the finisher's jacket at the Expo. We were just a little "stitous" (IYKYK - The Office). We knew that Ruth Anne was going to finish. Even if something happened on race day, she earned all the swag given how hard she worked during the training cycle.

 

 

 

I texted with our friends Kim and Tim who came in on the Red Eye from California. Tim wanted to head straight to the Expo to get his bib.  But how would we ever find each other among the throngs of runners through the maze of escalators and rope lines one travels through to get to Bib pick up and the Expo? 

 

As happens with Unicorn Magic, we found the perfect spot at the top of the escalator right before bib pick up. The volunteer was so kind to let us hang out there until we saw them coming up the escalator. Ruth Anne spotted Kim despite never having met her in person. 

What a wonderful reunion for me with Kim. Ruth Anne felt as though she knew Kim and I felt as though I knew Tim. Tim went off to get his bib and to explore the Expo with Kim as well as take a much needed nap. We went to Newbury Street to Central Perk Coffee to have lunch and a meet and greet with Bill Rodgers.

It was a glorious sunny day and all of Boston was beginning to bloom. I met Bill's niece Emilie who I had been in contact with on social media. She is now doing Bill's website and social media. We bought Boston Billy's teas for Ruth Anne's final gift giveaways as part of her fundraising campaign, another autographed book and a poster of "Let's Run Forever" for Team McManus. Bill gave Ruth Anne race day advice!

 

 

 

 

 

 

There was one more moment that could only have been orchestrated by Unicorn Magic. As we were leaving our parking space there was bumper to bumper traffic.Ruth Anne yells out "Nat. Look there's Nat from Bermuda." "Who's that calling me?" she asked her friend. "Over there - Mary and Ruth Anne." Nat and her friend jump into traffic to get a selfie:

 Nat waved to the truck driver and said, "Thank you". We waved and smiled feeling deeply blessed and grateful for a perfect day. We know Natalie Price from our trips to Bermuda for race weekends.

On Saturday, we found yet another parking space close to the Mandarin Hotel where we dropped off Ruth Anne's change of clothes for after she ran the Marathon. Ruth Anne saw a few of her teammates and the Team Leaders. Amanda gave us hugs and a map telling us we should practice getting back to the Mandarin after crossing the finish line. Because of heightened security, runners and spectators could not double back on Boylston Street to go to the Mandarin as we had done in 2009.

We tried to follow the map and make our way through the crowds but decided we would trust that Ruth Anne would find her way on Monday. Ruth Anne needed to get off of her feet and rest up for race day. 

Easter Sunday was mental preparation, fuel, rest and hydrate day as texts and messages came in to wish Ruth Anne a wonderful day on Monday. 

To be continued...

From my heart to yours--

In health and wellness - Mary

Visit my website to learn how poetry, optimism, gratitude and the mind/body connection helped me to transform my life. After having been told in December 2006 that I should prepare to spend the rest of my life in a wheelchair, I went on to cross the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and have many adventures as runnergirl 1953. Be sure to visit the recently updated News and Events Page for links to podcast interviews, speaking engagements and where you can find my incredibly inspirational story.

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