Sunday morning started out nuts. You see, my son had an 8am baseball game to get to and I was the “snack Mom” at the game, not to mention the fact that it was my Mom’s birthday and I had planned a nice dinner and party at the house for her later that evening. It did not feel like a lazy Sunday but rather crazy school morning, rushing around, getting kids fed, dressed and packing a cooler full of Gatorade and Orange slices. The last thing on my mind was getting the email I have so anxiously been waiting for. Last March, I qualified for the famous Boston Marathon. Qualifying is one thing, getting in is another story. Only the fastest times get in and since I qualified with only 1 minute to spare, I figured my chances were pretty slim.
Upon returning from my sons game I checked my email and received this…
I can’t explain what happened next. I started to cry and my kids were jumping up and down saying “Mommy WON the Boston Marathon” After I got myself together I explained that “No, I did not win, I’m just running, most likely in the very last wave.” No, really, they were so adorable and even made up a “Boston Marathon” song for me at the dinner table. The best part was when my son said to me, “Mom, dreams really do come true, don’t they?” Yes, they do and I explain to all three of my children how if you:
- Find what you are passionate about.
- Commit yourself to that love.
- Don’t give up when you get tired.
- Work hard and, often times, for many years.
- Do not allow the jealousy and negativity of others to get into your head.
- Do not ever compare yourself to others.
- Surround yourself with people who will support you and rid yourself of those who do not.
- your dreams WILL come true.
A dream of mine came true one ordinary Sunday afternoon.
I’m running in the 117th Boston Marathon. I’m running in the 117th Boston Marathon! I’m running in the 117th BOSTON MARATHON! I’m RUNNING in the 117th BOSTON MARATHON! I’M RUNNING IN THE 117TH BOSTON MARATHON!
What is your one of your dreams?
About Lisa
So exciting, congrats to you! I’m hoping to come to Boston to cheer everyone on.
Thank you Paulette!
You go girl!! I’m so proud of you! Way to make your dreams come true!!
Thank you Erin!
I am beyond happy for you my friend. I can only dream of even qualifying. I am so excited to cheer you on. xoxo
Awesome, congrats! I lived in Boston for 2 years and loved watching the race..although I am no where near qualifying time, I enjoyed running the San Diego marathon. I am also a mom to 3 under 6 and an Army wife.
What a happy and sweet story.. so glad I read this post.
You are going to run the 117th Boston Marathon! I will be cheering you on!
Chills!!! Congrats! Dreams really do come true with hard word. It couldn’t have happened to a better person. I’m might be running with a charity in 2013 or at least I’ll be on the sidelines cheering you on. Go get it girl!!!
Hooooooray!! This is so exciting!! I love the story of how excited your children were for you when you discovered this dream was coming true! So sweet. Oh Lisa I CANNOT WAIT to see you in Boston!!!!!!!!! Congratulations my friend!!!
Congrats!!! That is awesome!!! It will be a race you will NEVER forget!!
ahhhhh that is so exciting lisa!!! How totally freaking cool! So so sosososoooo happy and proud for/of you!!
You will have the day of a life time in the spring. stoked for you
SOOOO EXCITED FOR YOU!
SO proud of you!!!! you deserve it! ps…you’ll be running on my birthday, so there’s that
Congratulations!!!!! This is a big deal and hope that you enjoy the ride between now and April
Boom went the dynamite! =) This is awesome!!
That is AMAZING!!!! Congratulations times a million! No matter what, you’ve already won the marathon in your kids’ eyes. So win-win-win-win situation.
I’m so excited for you! You will love, love, love the experience!! I only wish I was going this year, too, so that we could enjoy it together.
This is absolutely FABULOUS!!!!! So excited for you, Lisa!!! I can’t wait to read about the journey to the start AND finish line, and I LOVE the bit on how you explained dreams coming true to your kids. You’re 100% right! Congratulations!!!
Congratulations! I received the email yesterday and was equally excited. I love that your kids thought you won Boston. I guess I have been talking about it so much that when I left for my marathon in Utah this weekend, my son said “good luck in Boston!” LOL
That is so awesome! Congrats! I love your son’s statement about dreams really coming true. That almost made me cry.
Enjoy the run!
So awesome, Lisa!! I wish I was gonna be there to cheer you on! I’m hoping to qualify for Boston this year, if I do the Houston full… I’m also chewing on some other long-term goals/dreams lately (not necessarily running related)… love your advice about dreaming big and working hard!
This post made me cry. Literally!! Thank you for this. I needed to read it. This year I let too much get in my head, including the hammy injury I had. I erased Boston off my list because in my head I thought I would never be fast enough or would just get injured again as soon as my speed was up there. Now I read your post and have chatted with a few others running Boston and they all said the same thing………….it takes time for most people to get in Boston. I have been back at running for 3 1/2 years. I am not competitive against anyone but myself. I want to prove to myself that my hard work can get me there. So thank you for this post. You, along with others, have made me put Boston back on my list and next year I will be working towards that dream. CONGRATS!!!!
So incredibly happy for you and seflishly, for me too because I get to run WITH you!
OMG, I’m sitting in my office and have tears in my eyes. I’m so happy for you!! And your kids are adorable!!!
Congrats!!
congratulations! You (and others) are honestly so inspirational for me (just starting out running). The reaction of you and your kids made me cry. Congrats!!!
Congratulations!!! I’m so excited for you!
I got my Boston email yesterday too and I was so excited. You are going to love running Boston. My first was last this past year and I am so excited to get another shot at it.
Yeeee!!!! Congratulations!!!!!! So excited for you!!!
YAY!!!! That is SO exciting!!!!
wow Lisa I am so happy for you!! Congrats!!!! It takes a lot of hard work, a little luck, and lots of waiting to get into the Boston Marathon and YOU did it!!!!!
wooo!!!
I just totally welled up with tears!! I want in the worst way to qualify but have so much self-doubt in my ability to do it….I know it’s there inside somewhere but then I get in my head and failure and the fear of not succeeding get to me. I am inspired by this and hope to BQ one day….leave it all out there and be proud of my attempt. Dreams do come true….this has reignited my desire and given me faith to know it will happen one day!!
This post made me cry a little (admittedly I didn’t sleep much last night, but still!). I love how sweet your kids are! Dreams do come true!
awww this is so sweet!!! congrats!!! Will they be there on race day singing and dancing?
CONGRATS! seriously amazing.
That is fantastic! Congratulations … it’s amazing when all that hard work pays off
What a beautiful post! I love how you teach your children from a young age to dream and believe
Congratulations! What a HUGE accomplishment! Hard work does pay off PROOF! I always write down my goals and imagine them actually happening and usually by the time the last day of the month rolls around I feel like I can check most goals off! GREAT FEELING Love and Shine CourtStar
Congratulations!!! I am a new reader to your blog and absolutely loved this post, especially the part about your kids making up a Boston marathon song! So sweet and they are obviously so proud of their mom.
I love all the advice you gave them but especially the part about not ever comparing ourselves to others. As runners (and also as women and moms), I think we tend to do that way too often and get discouraged.
I will be running the Boston Marathon as well (also for the first time) next spring!