I remember when I qualified for the Boston Marathon. It was February 2012 and I had been very diligent in my training for the Austin Livestrong Marathon. I remember getting back from school and running 10 plus miles. I would wake up early and run in the snow and rain. Training for a marathon is hard on your body, but while it is hard on your body it is hard on your mind. The training is more mental than physical. Can I seriously go another 6 miles after running 20? It is commitment and that is why only a handful of people do them. After I found out I qualified for Boston I thought, I have to do it! Unfortunately I was injured at my "prime running time" for Boston. I cross trained but really didn't even run a 20 miler. I had what is called runner's knee that is usually affected by a tight IT Band. I continued to train and it only got worse. So I thought maybe I can't run the marathon? After staying off it for weeks I decided I was not going to run, instead cross train: bike, elliptical, swim, walk etc. So that is how I trained for the Boston Marathon.
The time I was in Boston was amazing. I had the support of my family- my mom came out from Utah, my husband took time off work, and my brother and sister in law Stacey and Justin were there to cheer me on. I felt so special and that I am accomplishing something so big that will go down in history. I didn't know I would be a part of something that would literally go down infamously.
There are over 500,000 spectators to watch the Boston marathon and 26,895 runners.By local residents the Boston Marathon is aka Marathon Monday because it falls every year on a monday and it is Patriots Day in Boston. People take time off work to see the best runners in the world. I met people from China, Portugal, Kenya, Brazil, Japan, Catalan and many many more. It is almost like this ubiquitous feeling of unity. That we are all brought together by something we love to do, run.
Heartbreak Hill- that is what they call mile 20-21. Though Heartbreak Hill itself rises only 88 feet vertically from an elevation of 148 feet it comes in the portion of a marathon distance where muscle glycogen stores are most likely to be depleted—a phenomenon referred to by marathoners as "hitting the wall". This is where I saw Stacey, Justin, and Chris supporting me with signs! They were my cute cheering section and although I only had a moment with them, it meant the world to me that they were there.
As I managed to make my way 6 more miles to go to finish it was the hardest 6 miles of my life. My muscles were cramping and saying WHY ARE YOU DOING THIS TO ME! I could hardly lift my leg let alone bend it because of my injury. Something came to me and said you can do this don't stop. So I kept going. As bad as I wanted to walk and give my legs a rest, I honestly didn't know if I would be able to run after walking. So I trudged on. Making my way through the Boston College crowds and spectators that lined the fences.
The finish line was in sight, I had made it! My mom told me she would be right at the finish line. I looked around for her but there were thousands of spectators. I didn't see her. She saw me though! I made my last step and had finished the Boston Marathon. What an accomplishment, that was not what I was thinking at the time. My legs felt like jello, and someone basically could push me and I would fall over, I had no balance whatsoever.
A woman put the medal around my neck and said Congratulations. I then made my way to the baggage area a quarter of a mile from the finish line. I couldn't wait to put on my jacket and warm sweat pants. I was freezing and the wind did not help also my body temperature fell dramatically when I stopped running, it was about 52 degrees.
I was taking off my socks and putting on clean compression socks when I heard the first bomb. I looked at the woman next to me and said what was that? The man handing me the bag said they think something had collapsed like benches or some type of equipment. But 10 seconds after another BOOM! Smoke was everywhere and then everyone started to panic. Without thinking I put my socks on over my gross sweaty socks and grabbed whatever was on the floor that I had and ran to someone with a phone. People were making their way towards the buses crying and on their cell phones. My heart stopped and I remembered my mom said she would be right by the finish line.
Honestly, my reaction to this horrible event was that I felt like I was in a movie. I didn't know if there was going to be another explosion and where it would be. A complete stranger let me use their cell phone-- but all the lines were down, communication was completely blocked in the city. I could only hope that my mom was safe. I knew Chris, Justin, and Stacey were safe because I saw them earlier and I didn't think they would be at the finish line to see me finish. I finally got a hold of my mom after asking 3-4 people to use their cell phone. No one knew what was going on. People in other states knew before we did!
The family meeting area at the S spot was blocked off with ambulances. I thought another bomb went off over there because someone had said a third bomb went off. It was a controlled bomb by the police but we didn't know. I finally got a hold of my mom and told her I would meet her my this restaurant and told her the corner it was on. I was so glad she was safe. I was shaking and cold at this point and I knew I needed to be inside. I was scared and everyone around me was in hysterics. People were crying, ambulances were coming 6 at a time every few minutes. The scariest thing was, was that I didn't know if there was going to be another bomb. I didn't want to be outside, I didn't want to go anywhere.
I saw Chris first and he was running towards me. He took off his sweatshirt and had sweat pants for me to wear. I didn't know how bad I was shaking but it must have been pretty bad. I then saw my mom not too far from him and she gave me a hug. I was so incredibly relieved that they were safe. Justin and Stacey I saw next and gave them a hug. I was in complete shock of what I just saw, I didn't know the extent of the damage.
We went inside a hotel to watch the news. We had found out at that time there were two killed and over 70+ injured. Later that number went up to 178+ injured and three killed. We learned that there were two other bombs that the police detonated and a fire that randomly was started at JFK Library. No one knows if that had to do with the bombs or not.
I had finished 10 min. before the bombing occurred. I just keep replaying in my mind what if I had walked just a little bit. Would my mom still be in that area? Would Justin and Stacey had time to watch me finish at the finish line? Would I have been injured? My heart goes out to all those who were affected by the bombings. I have to say it is all so surreal, I can't believe I was a part of something that has made history. It makes me sad that those who wanted to support their friends and family were grievously injured. I hope we all keep them in our prayers. It truly is a miracle that I am safe. Thank you so much for everyone's support. I know one day I will be back to Boston, it only makes me want to do it again and support those who were greatly affected.
Cameryn Smith
The day before the marathon!
Picking up my bib and expo bag. Biggest running expo I have ever been to!
After I finished and saw on the news
During the bombing
Stopping to kiss my husband!
Funny story, Chris left this poster on the train. Someone took it and wrote Rob. Stacey found it later 6 miles down from where Chris left it. Can't believe she found the poster!!!
Mother and Daughter :)
My support squad!
Outside Harvard
USS Constitution
The British are coming the British are coming!
Paul Revere's House
