Boston 2023… here begins the 7th trip that to be captured in a blog, This one is a bit different.
In the past we’ve been sharing the adventures of theGradyBunch to keep family up to date, with the bonus of creating a detailed record of each trip. This time it’s just me and Andrew – the girls become the audience rather than the actors. I guess this means it’s just ‘M and the Grady’ while the Bunch are at home!
It’s also a different type of trip. It’s the culmination and celebration of years of investment in my well-being. The opportunity to run the 127th Boston Marathon.
Why the Boston Marathon? It’s the oldest annual marathon in the world known for its amazing atmosphere and spectators. It’s iconic in the running community for it’s tough qualifying process – places are earned, with a ‘BQ’ the goal of many runners that is discussed in awe on many a long run. The nature of the course limits the number of participants, scarcity drives demand, and the qualifying times get faster and faster. There’s lots of history to this iconic race that I’m looking forward to sharing.
Qualifying was dream I never dared to dream, that slowly became a goal, and then a reality at the Sunshine Coast Marathon 2022. A lot of the credit probably lies with Covid. I made a decision as Covid was unfolding 1117 days ago to run/ walk every day to support my mental well-being. It’s got me through some unimaginably tough times and has delivered bonus PBs and a BQ along the way. It’s literally been a labour of love, smiles, and sunrises.
It’s been a long day of flights from Brisbane to San Francisco and towards New York. It gave me plenty of time to watch ‘Boston’ again (supposed to be a documentary, actually a tear jerker for me 😂) and enjoy my ‘MCG’s road to Boston 💙💛🦄’ playlist. It was created with suggestions from friends and family of songs that motivate, inspire, calm, remind them of me, or just make them smile to take me on the road trip and to the startline. Every one of the nearly 200 songs and over 13 hours reminds me of the person that contributed it and makes me smile – it’s an awesome memento!
We’re now in a hotel near Newark airport, ready start our road trip through New Jersey and New York State tomorrow. We’re then off to Niagara, before heading to Boston for the marathon and then back to New York City. We have our trusty Chevy Malibu, christened ‘Sandy’ – she’s bronze, beachy, and has a whole lot of Aussie in her.
Andrew has planned so many details and cool experiences along the way so I’m looking forward to seeing the trip unfold!
Love M and the Grady 🙂
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