RACE REVIEW:BOSTON MARATHON

 "Love. It's the only way you'll make it. Love will help you choose your project and drag you back on the bad days. Love will wake you up with deep yearning for the work, such that you're miserable when you're away from it. Whatever it is. You've got to love it."

~ Sam Robinson

On Monday, April 20th, I ran the Boston Marathon. It was my 39th marathon and my 13th Boston. I was more nervous than usual going into this one. For a couple reasons. First, the last time I raced Boston (recap here) I almost didn't make it to the finish. My body broke down in the heat and I ended up in the medical tent at mile 20. I finished, but it was a shit show. In general, I love this sport. But that day, I hated it. And I found myself wondering if perhaps I was done with marathons all together. All that work and so much heartbreak; it really did a number on me. Since then I have run six marathons so...yeah. Hard to stop doing what you love even when it beats you down. You know it and I know it. But, back to my reasons. Second, this winter just about killed me. It was so freaking cold and snowy in Boston. I did almost all of my hard workouts inside on the treadmill. And by the time I got outside in March, I just wasn't feeling like myself. I got most of the work done but the build just felt off and my body was not responding to training the way it usually did. Come April, my confidence was pretty low and my fear of another bad experience was high. I just couldn't go through that again. And because of that, I knew I was going to have to approach this one differently. I got on the phone with my coach and we made a plan. Without going into too much detail we agreed to run smart and in control, focusing more on how my body was feeling than my watch with the goal being to have enough in the tank to finish feeling good. I hung up feeling a little better about the situation and trying to be open to what was possible rather than fearing what could go wrong.

As usual, I got myself organized and turned in around 9:00 in preparation for my 5:00am wakeup. It's worth noting that it rained ALL day on Sunday before the race. The weather was forecasting chilly but dry for Monday but I couldn't help but feel a slight panic that things might unfold differently. Mother Nature is a feisty beast. I never trust her. If there are weather gods, I was praying hard to them that night.

When I woke up it was 35 degrees outside. Pretty atypical for mid-April. And while it was ridiculously cold, I was relieved that it was dry.  Jeff was going to drive me up to Methuen so I could meet up with my Whirlaway teammates and ride the van into Boston with them. I was supposed to be up there at 6:00am sharp and was right on schedule until we got out to the car and realized it was iced over and the windshield needed to be scraped off.  WHAT?  Panic ensued. I was going to be the one who would hold up the van and I was not happy about it. I texted my friends and our team manager to let them know what happened and then sat in the passenger seat and sweated profusely as we made our way north. We rolled into the parking lot five minutes late and I hopped out of our car as it was moving and frog jumped over to the van which took off immediately. This is not how I wanted to start my morning. Totally my fault. Not my best. We pulled into Hopkinton around 7:00 and set ourselves up in the local post office which we're allowed to use each year because one of our teammates has a friend who works there. We are very, very lucky. 

Sitting and waiting for anything that you're anxious about for any amount of time is nerve-wracking.  We had three hours to kill in this small locker room. So. Much. Time. But, thankfully, we were all together so we did our best to keep each other distracted with stories, pep talks and conversations about anything and everything. This. This is why I am on a team. Finally, around 9:40 we headed outside to leave our drop bags in the van and do some last minute strides and dynamics before walking over to the start. The temp was in the low forties and while it still felt pretty cold, the sun was out in full force and we now knew that we would be fine for the race itself. That was a huge relief. We walked to the corrals and waited for the volunteers to let us in for Wave 2. 

Katy and I were both Wave 2, Corral 1 and we'd now spent four very long hours together. I could have not have asked for a better wing woman. She was my rock all morning. We hugged each other just before the start and then got on the line to go. Ready or not.

THE RACE:

Miles 1-6 (6:43, 6:55, 6:56, 6:54, 7:09, 6:59)

My mantra for this race was WHAT IF. My dear friend CB had asked me this when I told her I was doubting myself during my training cycle. She was encouraging me to be curious and approach it with the mindset that anything was possible. She's also a big rock for me both in running and in life. At 10:15am we were off. The last few marathons I have raced I've been trying to break three hours so my goal pace was around 6:50. Given my goal for this day, which was to finish strong and happy, I was resolved to dial it back and run what felt good, no pace goal. Right off the gun I got excited and started cruising at my typical race pace. Based on experience, I knew that was not going to make for the day I had in mind, so I calibrated for the next few miles and settled into an effort that felt solid but manageable. The night before my friend, Samantha, had texted me and asked if I'd ever raced a marathon without a watch. I told her that I hadn't but that I'd always been tempted to try. Once I passed mile three, I made a conscious decision to stop looking at my watch for the rest of the race. If I wanted to feel good and finish smiling than I needed to let go of time and focus on how my body was handling things. If I was getting tired, I'd back off. If I felt good, I could pick it up. But time was no longer part of the equation. It was incredibly liberating.

Miles 7-14 (7:00, 7:10, 7:06, 7:11, 7:13, 7:08, 7:16, 7:13)

I took my first gel at mile six. I did a mental check from head to toe and made sure I was in tune with how I was feeling. So far so good. My friend and teammate, Lauren, told me she was going to be at mile fourteen with her family so that was my next benchmark. I think this part of any marathon is the hardest. You have to be focused and locked in but you are nowhere near the finish. And while you're working hard and trying to be in the moment, it's easy to zone out and get a little bored. This is usually when I tell myself that moving forward I'll probably just focus on shorter distances. You can laugh. I always do after the fact. I got through the Wellesley tunnel, easily the loudest part of the race, and then focused on finding Lauren and crew.

Miles 15-21 (7:16, 7:00, 7:20, 7:21, 7:01, 7:16, 7:31)

Success. I smiled and waved like a champ. It was so fun to see their familiar faces. I also felt like it was safe to quietly celebrate getting to this point. Not that I was making any assumptions on the rest of the race. I wasn't. I've learned that lesson the hard way. We probably all have. I was doing my damndest to smile at every single photographer I saw. You can see that I was doing a pretty good job with this. I rolled up and down the hills with gratitude and grit. I wasn't remotely concerned about my pace (I know I keep saying this, but it's such a foreign concept for me) as I climbed and descended. Heartbreak hill was my slowest split of the day but it didn't hurt nearly as bad as it usually does without the pressure of a goal time. Once I was up and over, I knew I had enough in me to finish strong. I've truly never felt like this with five miles to go. Ever. To say it was amazing is an understatement. 

Miles 22-26.2 (7:04, 7:08, 6:58, 7:00, 7:17, 6:59)

My legs and feet had started to feel heavy and tired just before the hills. Once I got past this section I was so mentally ecstatic to be finishing the last piece of this adventure that I forgot all about how beat up they'd been feeling. Joy was literally pouring into my body. Like, I could feel it. I was able to pick it up and start cruising. The crowd here is insane. Normally, I'm borderline dying or hobbling or throwing up and I don't notice this electric vibe of awesomeness. Not this time. I felt it all. Every person I locked eyes with; they would nod or cheer or scream & that is what propelled me to the finish line. That and the notion that I'd done what I'd set out to do. I had been smart. Stayed in control. Listened to my body. All of it. And because of this I was smiling ear to ear for the last few miles. What a gift.

Exhibit A - Arms up!!

Exhibit B - Clap it up!

Exhibit C - FUCK YEAH!

I crossed the line in 3:08.06. I was beyond thrilled. I texted my husband....BEST MARATHON!!!  I've run a lot of these babies. Many have been good. A few have been great. Most have been garbage. This one was easily taking a top spot on my list. Everything had unfolded the way I'd hoped and planned. The weather had been perfect. My stomach had agreed with me. And, because I wasn't a moron and ran the way I knew I needed to in order to have the day I wanted, my body had held up beautifully. I had such a bad taste in my mouth after my last Boston experience. I can now say the slate has been wiped clean and, once again, I am totally smitten.  Will I do it again? I honestly don't know. But all signs are pointing to probably. As far as what's next for me? I truly have no idea. I just want to bask in the glory of this feeling for a few more days. Recognizing, again, how much I love this sport and all that it gives me. Good. Bad. All of it. I tell my Lex athletes all the time....you have to KNOW YOUR WHY. I'd lost this a little bit over the last year or so. On Monday it all came flooding back in. So. Much. Love. Thank you, running. And thank you, Boston. You're glorious. Both of you.

Listen to this:

Euphoria by Talia Rae

Talia Rae · Euphoria

JUST WAIT UNTIL YOU'RE IN YOUR 50s

"When I was young

Whatever happened it would do me no wrong

As long as I could sing my favorite song

When I was young"

~ MØ

Halloween, 2009 (34 years old)

Back when I was in my 30s - a new mom, a marathoner, a high school cross country and track coach, a blogger - I was basically trying to prove to anyone and, even more so to myself, that I could do it all and do it all "relatively" well. I mean, weren't we all, though? That is not, in fact, what was happening, but bonus points to young Rebecca for believing in herself regardless. In my mid-30s I was typically running 80 miles a week and two marathons a year. I was on the advisory board at my daughters' school. I was picking up and dropping off my girls at their seven different activities with a large coffee and a smile on my face. I was also stocking the fridge, finding lost socks and helping with homework. I would scoff internally at those who would say just wait until you're in your 50s as they watched me try to juggle all the things while also physically and emotionally holding it all together. These were kind words of wisdom from friends, family, teammates, really anyone who had waded through these whirlwind decades and come out on the other side with a new perspective based on reality. And part of me "got it" but the other part of me wondered if maybe I'd be different. Perhaps I could work, train, write and be a good mom without all the typical changes that creep in as we age?  Alas, here I am, age 51. My girls are both in college, ages 19 and 21. My mom role has changed dramatically but it's wonderful. I'm still running, but nowhere near the level I was twenty years ago. I'm still working but feeling the side effects of stress and fatigue on a totally different level.  Don't get me wrong.  I still love it all. And I'm happy to be doing it. But, as all those wise women told me way back when, the pace of everything has slowed. I suppose I now realize there is simply no way to avoid it. Today, for me, life requires more time, patience and in some cases, quite a bit of letting go and saying no. It is still good. Very different. But really good.

50s VS 30s: A TOP 10 LIST

Parents weekend, 2025 (50 years old)

~ In my 30s I needed a minimum of 7 hours of sleep. 8 hours was a luxury.  Any more than that was unheard of. Today? I need a minimum of 8 hours to function.  9 is ideal.  More than 9 is a welcome treat.

~ In my 30s the colder New England winters didn't impact me that much. Temps in the 40s were warm-ish.  I'd easily be running in shorts and a t-shirt in 40 degrees.  Now, I'm legitimately not warm until summer. Fall, winter, spring...doesn't matter. I'm always cold.

~ Back in my 30s I was more social. I would go out with friends or with the hubs regularly.  And, sometimes if I stayed out a little longer I'd find myself asking, do I really need this second glass of wine?  Today, I ask the same question, but in the morning instead of night.  And I substitute wine with coffee. And the answer is always yes.

~ In my 30s I was always trying to go see live music.  I would constantly be on the lookout for fun bands or artists to go see.  Today, my search criteria is based solely on when the show starts and whether there is an opening band. Not many shows starting before 9pm these days.  I don't get out to see much live music anymore.

~ My 30s was all about texting.  Text me your number.  Text me when you're here. Today, I can't always remember where I leave my phone (in a closet, bag, my car) so I'd really prefer that you called me. Both to hear your voice and probably to help me find my phone.

~ In my 30s I would wake up and hit the ground running. Now?  I still get up and get moving.  For coffee.  But then for my next trick, well, let's just say it can sometimes take hours before I'm rolling.

~ In my 30s I would take every opportunity to travel and try new things. Time changes didn't phase me and I could sleep with my small children in a cot if it meant going to a new country. Last week I went to Spain to visit my daughter I'm still tired from the trip itself, the travel, the time change, all of it. Let's just say there won't be any more trips in the near future.

~ In my 30s, with little kids, I would constantly accumulate stuff. Toys, clothes, snacks, multiple bags full of crap that I thought I needed. Today I want nothing more than to eliminate the extra junk in my life. I'm all about the purge and find myself doing it regularly. Less is more.

~ In my 30s I could multitask like a boss. Put the groceries away, while texting, while feeding the dogs, yes. All of it.  Today if I do that I will likely drop something and break it or lose my balance and break myself.

Listen to this:
Sunday by Hannah Lew

Hannah Lew · Sunday

IT'S BEEN A MINUTE, HERE'S WHY

For the first time since I started this blog back in 2012 I haven't posted anything for over a month.  It's not a huge deal, obviously, but over the years I've been able to find something to write or talk about pretty regularly so when I realized this I was kind of surprised.  I'm going on 16 years here and I've definitely had lulls where my creative well has run a bit dry.  I've even had points along the way when I've wondered if keeping this blog going was even sustainable.  But, then I've always managed to bounce back with a music review or race review or interview or funny mom story that has nothing to do with running but that I felt was relatable and worth sharing.  But here we are.  My last post was in December of 2025 and we are halfway through February.  If I'm being honest, I have nothing notably new and/or monumental in my life that is keeping me from writing and posting as I usually do.  I was running a shit ton and regularly training for marathons when I started the blog.  Still doing that.  My daughters, Rosie and Grace, who were in grade school at the time, were obviously a big part of my daily life.  Yes, they are older now and in college and their problems and issues are different, but they are still a very prominent part of my daily life.  I had just started coaching cross country at Lexington High School.  Yep, still very much there.  Clearly things have happened that have upended my standard routine, some big, some small, some good and some bad.  Yet, I've always carved out a little time for RWM, an outlet that has become very important for my sanity, maintaining a sense of humor and enhancing my overall joy.  So, today I sat down and gave it some thought.  And here are a few of the legit (not so legit?) reasons I have not posted to date.  

REASONS WHY I HAVEN'T GOTTEN MY SH*T TOGETHER & POSTED IN 2026

~ It's been so f*&^ing cold these past couple months my brain capacity has shrunk and my motivation to express myself has dwindled.  No, not just 20s and 30s.  Arctic.  Single digits and sub-zero "feels like" temps.  Regularly.

~ I love to post about my races.  The one race I had lined up for February was canceled due to snow and the fact that it was going to be 1 degree at start time. ONE.  I cried tears of joy when they canceled it because I honestly didn't think my legs would move in that weather.  But I do enjoy sharing a good race experience, so that was a bummer.

~  I am currently obsessed with reading (see above for some of my favs so far this year).  More than ever in my life.  Like, when I start a book, I have a hard time putting it down.  So, lately I have been easily tempted to read over sitting down to write. Plus sometimes reading leads to napping and I love a good nap.

~ If I do have a little free time outside of work I am usually marathon training or getting ready for bed instead of writing blog posts.  I love getting ready for bed.  And then getting into bed.  Especially when I'm marathon training.

~ I have been writing quite a bit for Six Minute Mile, a running and fitness newsletter, and while I love this new gig I only have so much creativity in my cluttered, 51 year old brain.  And because I'm often on a deadline with them, they've been getting first dibs.

~ The Lex Indoor track and field team has had about 41 meets since January and between those and our practices and the admin I do in between, my time flies by.  Literally.  I'm up at 5:00am. I blink it's 3pm. I blink again, it's lights out.  Pun intended.  That's at 9pm.  Sometimes 8.   

~ My daughter, Grace, was home for most of January for a J-term.  So when I wasn't running, reading, coaching or sleeping, I was likely hanging out with Grace.  Turns out, the two of us were very good at wasting time together. 

~ My procrastination habits have gotten worse.  Or better.  Depending on how you look at it.  I used to wake up, knock out my morning routine like a boss, (coffee, dogs, run, coffee) and then have ample time to work on other stuff like blog posts.  I won't share all the shit I do to delay my daily tasks but the list is long and continues to get more and more creative as I get older.  

~ But also, everything feels like it takes longer to get done.  Like, a quick 45 minute run feels more like a solid hour and a half now.  Or a quick trip to the grocery store is just...well... unheard of.  Or maybe I'm just slower in general.  Or maybe I am slower and I procrastinate.  Probably that. 

Listen to this:

Long Gone by Silversun Pickups

Silversun Pickups · Long Gone

2025: A YEAR IN REVIEW

 

Dear RWM Readers,

I honestly can't believe we're here again. But, alas, it is so. Every year I wonder, will this one be my last?  Are blogs a thing of the past? But then I find enough stuff to ramble on about and then, boom, we're in December. So, to all of you who have continued to follow along, thank you.  It means a lot.  This was a huge year for our family. My youngest graduated from high school and in August Jeff and I became empty nesters. I won't lie to you. I am not a fan. I miss having my girls around. But, they're both happy and healthy so I can't be too upset. It was also a big year for the Lexington Women's track and XC teams. The girls won both the indoor and outdoor State Championships for track and then the XC team came back this fall and won both the Divisional and State titles, capping off the most successful year the LEX XCTF team has had since I started coaching at LHS back in 2011. And what an absolute privilege it was to be a part of that journey with them. Not that we're done. We're rolling right into indoor as we speak. Stay tuned. As far as my own running....I had fun? I ran two marathons. They didn't go as planned. But I guided two amazing athletes, Jared Broughton for Boston and Cindy Kuhn for NYC and it was such an honor to help them achieve their goals. I also did a bunch of racing with my Whirlaway teammates and those are always a blast regardless of the outcome. Again, I won't lie to you.  I was definitely hoping for more. But, all things considered I have zero complaints. I'm lucky. I'm grateful. I'm so full of joy for so many things.  And that, my friends, is more than enough.  To all of you, I hope you had a wonderful year and wish you all the best in 2026. Hopefully we'll still be sharing stories and laughing about all the craziness. There never seems to be a shortage of either. Thank goodness. 

All the best,

RUNNING WITH MUSIC 2025

JANUARY

Lex Girls Indoor Track take the Middlesex League & 

Div 1 MA State Title

SONG:CHANGE YOUR MIND - SCOUT

ALBUM:EVERYBODY NEED A HERO - ORLA GARTLAND

FEBRUARY

50th Birthday Celebration in Quebec

w/ the Zimmermans

SONG:WANNA START A BAND - SLEIGH BELLS

ALBUM:HALLUCINATING LOVE - MARIBOU STATE

MARCH

McKirdy Marathon - 3:02 (with a fall in mile 6)

SONG:FUNNY - BRONCHO

ALBUM:MICHIGANDER - MICHIGANDER

APRIL

Boston Marathon as a guide for Jared Broughton

SONG:COME CLEAN - TENDER

ALBUM:BUNKY BECKY BIRTHDAY BOYS - SLEIGH BELLS

MAY

Lex Girls Outdoor Track take the Middlesex League & 

MA State Titles

SONG:JUMP (FOR MY LOVE) - SYCCO

ALBUM:LUCIUS - LUCIUS

JUNE

Grace graduates from high school

SONG:BETWEEN FRIENDS - CHEVRON

ALBUM:THE CLEARING - WOLF ALICE

JULY

Trachsel family trip to France

SONG:HAMMER - LORDE

ALBUM:ALFO - BRONZE RADIO RETURN

AUGUST

1 MILE ROAD RACE with Whirlaway

SONG:BETWEEN FRIENDS - CHEVRON

ALBUM: THE CLEARING - WOLF ALICE

SEPTEMBER

Hall - Marks Wedding

SONG:WORDS - BIG THIEF

ALBUM:LIKE PLASTICINE - GORDI

OCTOBER

Lex Girls XC take the Middlesex League & 

MA Division 1 & State Titles

SONG:BONFIRE - LAANDS

ALBUM:TERRIBLE NEWS - MIDDLE KIDS

NOVEMBER

NYC Marathon as a guide for Cindy Kuhn

SONG:FREEDOM - CAMPTHEHILLS

ALBUM:BLINK BOB MOSES

DECEMBER    

And that's a wrap.  Putting 2025 behind us.  

Rollin' into 2026!

SONG: AVALANCHE - GRACE IVES

ALBUM:SHISH - PORTUGAL. THE MAN.

LISTEN TO THESE: SIX MINUTE MILE WEEKLY SONGS