I love watching a city wake up as the sun rises. This morning I headed out for an early short run and found Boylston St empty and the finish line to myself. An unexpected opportunity to quietly contemplate my journey, remember those who were killed and injured in 2013, and capture rare photos of a clear street.
This years theme is ‘One Boston’ to recognise the 10th anniversary of the bombing. I spoke with a lady who completed 25.7miles that year. We both shed a few tears as she shared her story.
As I continued my run I came across the setup for today’s 5k event. I spotted Race Director Dave McGillivray as he features heavily in the Boston documentary. I took the opportunity to personally share my gratitude for everything he has done to make this dream become reality for me. Possibly the most special and emotional moment of the week.
The 5k event reminded me what it is to be a supporter. The fast people are incredibly graceful, the wheelchair athletes so strong and determined, and the thousands of other runners were just out to celebrate Boston. I had positioned myself near the marathon finish line – midway through the 5k course yet so many people paused to take a photo as they passed by. I love that every runner has a story and is inspirational whatever their reason for being there.
As I ran the streets I took in the little signs of Boston embracing the marathon. Even the flowers have got a distinctive blue and yellow theme.
By the time I got home I was filled with so much gratitude for the opportunity to immerse in this experience. What an absolute privilege to be here and meet the people that make it such a special event. My heart is filled with blue and yellow…💙💛🦄
There is actually more to Boston than the marathon (who knew! 😂) so this afternoon we headed out to join a guided tour of the Freedom Trail. Its played a huge part in American history, particularly in the Declaration of Independence from Britain.
Our tour started in Boston Common with an outline of how the land mass of Boston has changed over time. Between 1630-1880 massive areas of Beacon Hill were used as landfill to grow Boston from the peninsula shown in red, to the area including the grey – huge! From 1880 onwards the blue area has been constructed… that’s one way to make a city 🤷🏼♀️
The first major stop was at the Granary Burial Ground, Bostons’s third oldest cemetery, established in 1660. There are 2345 grave markers although it’s estimated that over 5000 people are buried in the small space. It’s the resting place of some of Bostons most notable early patriots – John Hancock, Samuel Adams and Paul Revere. John (a businessperson) and Samuel (politician) were two early rebel leaders in the late 1700s and signatories to the Declaration of Independence.
Paul was a craftsmen, who was immortalised for his ‘midnight ride’ to warn of the approaching British forces before the battles of Lexington and Concord in 1875 – the battles that are remembered on Patriot’s Day. Both Paul and Samuel played a key role in publicising the Boston massacre – where 9 British troops fired upon a large crowd and killed 5 people on the site of the Old State House.
The current King’s Chapel was built in 1754 during the reign of King James II on the public burying ground. At the time no resident would sell land to a church that was not Congregationalist, so he took over part of the burial ground for the site of the Christian chapel.
Behind it is the site of the original Boston Latin School and a statue of Benjamin Franklin. He was born in Boston but ran away to Philadelphia at 16 to escape the puritans and working as a servant in his brothers printing business. He went on to set up his own printing business, and amassed an amazing knowledge – self taught through type setting.
The Boston Tea Party was a protest against Britains tax on tea determined by the Tea Act. After months of stand off with Britain regarding ‘no taxation without representation’, demonstrators boarded ships and threw tea chests into the harbour. It ultimately escalated to the American Revolution.
The Old State House is the oldest surfing public building in Boston. It was originally the site of the Massachusetts General Court, and the balcony is the location of the first reading of the Declaration of Independence. Each year, the reading is repeated on the balcony on 4 July.
After grabbing coffee and pastries from the guide-recommended Italian end of town, we wandered back through Boston Common. It’s so lovely to have a big open space in the middle of a city that is well used. The tulips and the cherry blossom are a great bonus to our trip 🙂
My Boston training partner, Kim, and another running friend Peter arrived in town this evening… great to catch up to enjoy the atmosphere. I am refusing to cross the finish line until the 42.2 km is complete though 🙂
Excitement and crowds for the marathon are building everywhere! Time to think about putting my feet up!
Love M & theGrady x
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