As we get closer and closer to the Boston Marathon (26 days!), I thought it would be fun to recruit a few of my favorite Boston veteran bloggers to write guest posts about their first Boston Marathon experience or to share some advice for other first timers (like me!). I will be featuring one a week up until the race! Their posts sure get me pumped up for April 18th, so I hope they do the same for you.
Hello, Runner’s Rambles Readers! I’m Susan, and I blog over at Nurse on the Run! As I’m sure you’re all well aware of, Aron is running her first BOSTON MARATHON in less than a month! Having followed her training and journey to qualifying for Boston for the past few years, I am so excited for her to realize her dream and run Boston! I had the opportunity to run my first Boston Marathon last year in 2010, and it was one of the best experiences of my life! I had such an amazing time and can’t wait for Aron (and others!!) to experience it themselves.
Like most runners, I was obsessive about reading about Boston and the course and all the traditions that go along with it. Knowing the course and seeing some of the sights while I was running was really awesome and I kept thinking to myself, “Am I really here?? Am I really running Boston??” With that being said, I would like to share some of my “must see” and “must do” activities and sights along the course to maximize the Boston experience for first time runners!
The Expo
It’s official now!
As with most major marathons, Boston puts on a huge expo with many vendors and appearances from famous people. Of course, to most non-runners, the famous people could easily be passed by, but I had a great time dragging my family around to meet Josh Cox, Andy Baldwin, and Dane Rauschenberg at the expo last year. My family just smiled and nodded as I freaked out about meeting these runners. While you don’t want to waste all your energy hunting down the elites, try to find out when your favorite runners will be there so you can meet them. Kara Goucher is running, and I definitely wouldn’t want to miss her!
Don’t forget…to buy your marathon jacket, if you haven’t already. 
Key picture to get: Make sure someone snaps a million pictures of you picking up your bib number!
Marathon Morning
Tweeting my race outfit!
Although the race doesn’t start until 10 (or 10:30!) in the morning, the buses start pulling away from the Boston Common bright and early at 6am. It’s a long bus trip out to Hopkinton, but you’ll be surrounded by the excitement of other runners. If you can, try to meet up with people you know so you can chat on the bus ride out, or at least make friends with your seat buddy. If you’re meeting up with people, make sure you have a very specific meeting location otherwise you’ll never find them in the sea of thousands of runners!
Don’t forget…to tweet your marathon outfit so all the spectators know what to look for, including any last minute changes!
Hot tip: It takes at least an hour to get out to Hopkinton, so watch your fluid intake…my bus pulled over twice for men to hop out and, um, relieve themselves!
The Race Start
Smile, it’s BOSTON!
Not going to lie…it was a bit unnerving to line up for the marathon and think, “Everyone in front of me has run FASTER than me.” But how inspiring is that?? I was at the back of the first corral, and the excitement was booming when we started to run. The spectators are second to none the entire way, and people were offering runners cups of water before we even got to the starting line! Once you get going, be sure to listen out for everyone yelling, “You’re running BOSTON!” and all the kids handing out high fives. If you’re going for a PR, don’t get too caught up in the excitement because you could easily waste all your energy, but if you’re there to enjoy and experience the race, then high five your little heart out! The towns are super cute in the beginning, so be sure to look around as well.
Don’t forget…to smile!! The excitement is contagious and the beginning of the course is downhill, so smile because you’re running Boston!
Say my name: Boston spectators are experts in their field, so they know if you put your name on your shirt, you want them to yell it! Write your name on your shirt with pride and enjoy everyone cheering for you!
Kiss the Girl
Give them what they ask for!
If you’re a fan of The Little Mermaid, you may be singing the tune to yourself, but DO IT. The Wellesley girls are out in full force, and they all have signs that say, “Kiss me I’m a freshman!” or “Kiss me I’m from California!” They scream like nuts and it’s probably the fastest part of the course. This part of the course is legendary and it wouldn’t be Boston if you missed out on this memorable event!
Don’t forget…to kiss a girl with a sign that says, “Kiss Me…it’s my first Boston!” Run right up to her, say, “Me too!” and smooch that cheek of hers.
Halfway high fives: This is also home to the halfway point, and if kissing isn’t your thing, then you can nab a million high fives from the girls along the way!
Read Those Signs
This should read: Beware, the HILLS!
If you’ve stalked the marathon course enough (as I’m sure you have), you’re probably quite familiar with the town names along the way…Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley, Newton…Boston! One of my favorite parts of the running was seeing all the signs along the way since I knew them so well from my incessant stalking. Keep an eye out for those signs and run yourself into Boston.
Don’t forget…to NOT freak out when you get to Newton simply because you know the hills are in Newton! Instead, start singing to yourself, “The HILLLLLLS are aliiiive, with the Sound of Muuuusic!” (Okay, maybe that’s just me.)
This is How a Heart Breaks
Don’t let it break you!
If you know ONE thing about the Boston course, it’s probably Heartbreak Hill. While not nearly as devastating as I thought it would be, it’s still quite the hill and is the big finale to the rolling hills of Newton. Spectator after spectator line up here to offer you extra support, so power up that hill and listen for the guy who yells, “Five downhill miles to go!” and hear your quads yell back at you.
Don’t forget…why it’s really called Heartbreak! Not because it “breaks” people, but because of this: The nickname "Heartbreak Hill" originated with an event in the 1936 race. On this stretch, defending champion John A. Kelley caught race leader Ellison "Tarzan" Brown, giving Brown a consolatory pat on the shoulder as he passed. His competitive drive apparently stoked by this gesture, Tarzan Brown rallied, pulled away from Kelley, and went on to win—in the words of Boston Globe reporter Jerry Nason, "breaking Kelley’s heart.” Thanks, Wikipedia!
This Place is CROWDED
Oh college, I miss you.
Any marathoner will tell you that those last few miles are always rough. However, with over 500,000 spectators along the course, you are NEVER by yourself. Once you crest Heartbreak, you will be greeted with more and more spectators the closer you get to the finish. Not an empty spot is to be seen, and if that’s not motivation, then I have no idea what is! Your legs will want you to stop, you may wonder why you don’t stick to half marathons, but high five some spectators and keep that chin up!
Don’t forget…to look out for the students of Boston College. They’ve been drinking all day and are certainly in a good mood if you need a pick me up!
The Silent Bridge
Somewhere around mile 25-ish, you go under a little overpass. Spectators are before it and after it, but not really by the underpass. Right before I got to this point, a runner next to me (obviously a seasoned Boston marathoner!) said to the runners around him, “This is my favorite part…savor the silence.” And he was so right! It was so quiet as we passed under the overpass…gives you a few seconds to yourself before the crazy crowds pick up again.
Don’t forget…to take a few seconds and think about what this marathon means to YOU. Is this a lifelong goal of yours? How hard have you worked to get here?
The Citgo Sign
You got this!!
ONE MILE TO GO!! Who doesn’t love that sign in a marathon? In Boston, it’s clearly laid out for you in the form of the giant Citgo sign…can’t beat that!
Don’t forget…to give that “One mile to go!” cheer that we all know and love.
The Turn onto Boylston Street
Give it all you’ve got!
Nothing, and I mean NOTHING, comes close to the turn onto Boylston St, where the finish of the marathon is. You’ve been waiting for this moment for a long time, and it’s all you’ve been training for. The crowds will be screaming for you (four people deep on both sides!), so kick it with all you have left and listen to the crowds greet you as a Boston Marathoner. Throw those hands up, do a little dance, smile with all you’ve got!
Don’t forget…THIS IS BOSTON! You rock. 
Post Marathon Bliss
Boston Marathoner!
Get that medal (don’t forget to show your bib, they’ll ask you for it!) and hobble to find your family and friends. Snap those first pictures of you as a BOSTON MARATHONER. Throw on that Boston jacket you’ve kept in the wrapping until this very moment (here’s looking at you, Aron!). Grab a Gatorade beer and celebrate!
Don’t forget…a picture with your medal and space blanket….of course!
Less than ONE MONTH to go!
So close!
I hope this helped the future Boston Marathoners to give you even more to look forward to! I can’t wait to hear all your weekend recaps and race reports. Boston was such a great experience for me last year, and I love hearing about other people’s first experiences. Good luck with those final long runs and keeping away the taper madness. Good luck from Hopkinton to Boylston, and maybe I’ll even see you up there!
Thanks to Aron for giving me the opportunity to share my memories with you all! I’ve been reading her blog for a couple years now and I can’t wait to meet her in person and hear all about Boston!
Happy running everyone!
Fantastic idea, Aron! And HI SUSAN! Awesome post. I have goosebumps and I am more excited than ever for all of my friends going to Boston. Save me a spot… one day.
I love this post!! Susan did such an awesome job prepping people for the madness that is Boston! I do think that the silent bridge is after the Citgo sign and RIGHT before you turn onto Herreford st, I remember helping a friend through the last leg of Boston a couple years ago and she said “this is my least favorite part!”. It’s a bit of a hill, so just be ready! Also, watch out for the pot holes, one of my best friends ran it last year (which was after a fairly mild winter) and complained about the state of the roads, particularly in the first 8 miles. I hope public works for each of the towns repairs the roads after this winter because it’s been especially long and hard for all of us! Pot holes are not something someone running 26.2 miles should have to worry about! I’m going to check out Susan’s blog now. Love this idea, Aron!
Great idea, Aron and great post, Susan! I got goosebumps reading this – so exciting that Boston is so close. You are going to kick some ass, Aron! Really, this post is great motivation to get my ass in gear and qualify SOON. I’ll be in Boston marathon weekend to spectate this year, but hopefully soon enough I’ll be running too
Wow, this post was great – thanks for sharing this!
I love Boston – I’ve never run it, but I am there every year cheering on the runners. It’s an amazing thing to be part of, even if you’re just on the sidelines.
awesome, awesome post! ive never run boston, but im a spectator at mile 26!!! its sooooo awesome to see the looks on everyones face as the come down boylston with the finish line in sight!!! this post gave me goosebumps!!! rock it aron!!!
I love, love, LOVE this post! I ran Boston last year and this brought back so many great memories. Only thing I would note is that for a while, I didn’t know which hill was Heartbreak Hill – there wasn’t a sign (or at least I didn’t see one), and the hill itself is no worse than any of the others (none of which are really bad at all). It wasn’t until I asked another runner that I knew it was officially Heartbreak Hill! I ran up it without any problems (no walking) – Aron, I’m sure you will do the same
I was confused as well and it wasn’t until I was halfway up Heartbreak that I figured out that that’s the hill I was climbing! Definitely not as bad as people say it is
GREAT POST!!
I’m a beginner runner and I have my first 5K in less than 2 months.
This post got me all excited for Boston! One day, my friends, one day.
Thanks for sharing the great info!
This post gave me chills! I would love to BQ someday just to experience everything that was mentioned!
I can’t wait to read about your experience with it!
This is a wonderful idea!
I got goosebumps reading this post. My best friend, my dad and I are all running Boston for the first time this year. Can’t wait to experience it!
What a great idea and an awesome recap! Looking forward to reading many more!
Well written and fun read.
Oh my! This is a WONDERFUL post! I seriously got choked up a little bit! I too will be running my first Boston, after SOOOO many failed attempts at trying. I am beyond excited, I could literally explode!!!
So very cool!!!
what a great story!!! 
What a great post! I used to live in Boston and while I’ve never run the Boston marathon (I’m too slow!), this brought back many memories of my years in Beantown. Best of luck to all the Boston runners!!
What an awesome post!!! I’m going to reference it later this week!
FUN! Really enjoyed this post! Great idea! As someone who has run Boston 5 times and lives in Boston, it’s always fun to compare my thoughts with others! I’m posting something to my blog now that will definitely get you pumped up so check it out!
This was AWESOME! I love reading people’s race reports and it brought me right back there!! Wow, I’m excited for you. You are just gonna have a blast! Unbelievable experience, I promise!!!
Oh my goodness Aron!!!!!!!!!!!!
To say this makes me more excited about your first Boston is a HUGE understatement!!!! In fact I may be getting misty eyed just thinking about it!
What with following your blog since the Eugene attempt, I feel like you’ve brought me along on the ride. I still remember crying happy tears for you when you qualified!
Oh I can’t wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
THANK YOU! This post was exactly what I needed!
I am probably one of the only runners in the world who has no desire to run Boston (not that I would ever qualify or anything) but this post was amazing and made me all teary eyed and excited for all of you who have worked so hard and who have always dreamed of going to Boston!!! Good luck, Aron, from what Susan says it will be an amazing experience that you will never forget!!
Susan, your tips gave me chills! What an exciting race!
Aron, I am so excited for you girl
What a great idea!!! Seriously I will never forget the feeling of turning the corner and seeing the finish line! It will always give me goosebumps!!! Those Welsey girls are awesome too!!!
This was an amazing post! I had chills the entire time.