Sunrise again… I padded gingerly down the stairs to check out the legs and the day. The clear blue skies above Newbury St seemed a cruel contrast to yesterday’s rain. Other than slightly tight calves everything felt great!
Tuesday… 
Marathon Monday…
One of the best recovery options is to walk… and today we did! I started the morning in a queue to have my medal engraved and in conversation with a runner from Winnepeg and London learned of another way to remember the Boston Marathon… a mother mallard and her ducklings were always going to suck me in 😊
One of our US friends based in Brisbane had recommended a trip to the Boston Public Library. The old section of the Central Library on Copley Square was opened in 1895, and is considered a National Historic Landmark for both the architecture and arts within it. It’s designer, Charles Follen McKim aptly described it as a ‘Palace for the People’.
Bates Hall is the main reading room and has to be one of the most stunning places to study in the world…
The Boylston St extension was opened in 1972. It connects to the old buildings, and is follows the same roofline. It’s a beautiful example of old and new designed to coexist on over 1 million square feet, making it one of the largest libraries in the US. I love that they have the modern student in mind… if you look like you’ve fallen asleep they will wake you for a welfare check 🙂
Alongside American history and the marathon, Boston is known for its universities. It’s home to Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and Harvard University – the oldest and most prestigious Uni in the US. When I came to Harvard Business School in 2011 I didn’t get a chance to seethe main university so we couldn’t leave without having a look around.
Harvard was established in 1636, named after benefactor John Harvard. The central and oldest area is known as Harvard Yard, and houses freshman dormitories, the library, and the University president. Massachusetts Hall is the oldest surviving building, built in 1720 and now housing dormitories and the University president’s offices. This is followed by Wadsworth House, built in 1726 and the home to presidents until 1849.
Other buildings in Harvard square show the development over time… Memorial Hall is a gothic building from the 1870s honouring the sacrifices of Harvard alumni in the civil war, and Memorial Church honouring women who died in World War I. The science centre built in 1973 looks incredibly modern alongside all the historical buildings!
One of the other features of Harvard Yard is the 27 gates. We passed through Dexter Gate ‘Enter to Glory of Wisdom’, and didn’t pass through Johnston Gate as it’s said that only students pass through it twice… once when starting, and again when graduating.
the final notable landmark was the statue of John Harvard, nicknamed ‘the statue of three lies’ for inaccuracies. Apparently it isn’t John Harvard, he was the benefactor not the founder, and the date inscribed of 1638 is two years late. Ironic when the Harvard motto is ‘Truth’…
We finished the day with dinner at the Union Oyster House (facing fears after a 2011 food poisoning incident) and with a final walk through Boston Common to enjoy this little oasis in the middle of the city. Nice to see the squirrels enjoying their evening meal as well!
And our final walk down Newbury St. It’s been the best place to stay to make the most of every opportunity for the marathon… so close to the Common, the Finish Line, the Expo, memorials, and most importantly… all the people who make this event so special.
It’s truly been a memorable week 💙💛🦄
love M and theGrady x
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