BMJFW – Carrots 'N' Cake

Monday, September 22, 2008 at 09:31 AM

BMJFW

The Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk (BMJFW) was such an amazing experience. It was great challenging myself both mentally and physically while, at the same time, helping others and supporting a great cause. My legs are still a little pooped, but every single step was worth it!

Here’s my team, “Kickin’ Cancer’s Keister,” before the walk began in Hopkinton. (The walk follows the same Boston Marathon route through Hopkinton to Boston.) L-r: Jenny, Pat, Lisa, me. 

On my way out the door (literally, the rug in the background is the apartment hallway), I snacked on a Van’s waffle with almond butter. It was 5:00 am, so I wasn’t able to make a “real” breakfast– I had to get to Copley by 5:15 to meet my team and take a bus out to Hopkinton. I also knew that there’d be breakfast at the start line of the walk, so I just made something quick and portable.  
 

Finagle a Bagel sponsored the start event in Hopinkton. They provided piping-hot coffee, bagels, cream cheese, and bananas. I ate my breakfast (a bagel and a cup of coffee) while our team “lubed-up” for the walk. To help prevent blisters, we slather our feet with vaseline. It sounds weird (and kind of gross), but it works great. By the end of the walk, I didn’t have a single blister! 

 

About an hour into the walk, I wanted more coffee. I don’t think I really needed it, but I knew I would enjoy the first few hours of the walk a lot more if I had some D&D iced coffee! We passed by a D&D, so I popped in and quickly purchased a small one.  
 

One of the best things about the BMJFW is that the organizers really take care of the walkers. “Refueling” stations are available every 2.5 – 3.5 miles. At the refueling stations, walkers can stretch, seek first aid, use the restroom, and refuel their bodies with water (or Gatorade) and plenty of snacks! The snack choices ranged from bananas, apples, and pears to raisins, nuts, and granola bars to cookies, chips, and candy. I rehydrated at every station with water, but only took snacks when I was hungry. 
 

Mid-morning, I grabbed an apple to snack on, somewhere around mile 8 or 9. 

At the midpoint of the walk (13.1 miles), walkers break for lunch at Wellesley High School. (Some walkers also start or finish the walk here. There’s the option to walk 13.1 miles from Hopkinton to Wellesley or from Wellesley to Boston or walk the whole 26.2 miles.) 

Outside and inside the lunch tent…

 

Inside the tent was at least 20 volunteers making making sandwiches for the walkers to eat for lunch. Choices included: turkey and cheese, ham and cheese, chicken salad, and peanut butter and jelly. I went with the turkey and cheese sandwich, but removed the cheese.  I also splurged on a Twix bar. I suppose if you walk 26.2 miles, you are allowed to splurge, right?  

 

We spent about 30 minutes at lunch– eating, drinking, resting, stretching, and re-lubing for the next 13.1 miles. 

Just after Heartbreak Hill (my buns were burning by the end!), around mile 20, I snacked on a box of raisins while I walked. It was nice to have a constant supply of snacks on the walk– my hunger was always unexpected yesterday. I was so focused on walking that I didn’t realize I should eat until my stomach was empty and growling like crazy! 

 

About 9 hours after starting the walk, our team crossed the finish line in Copley Square. We were tired, but much less exhausted than the year before. At the finish, we received medals! 
 

 

At the finish line was lots and lots of delicious food, which was free for the walkers. I was famished by the end, so I immediately dug into 2 slices of Pizza Hut cheese pizza. It was cold and stiff, but I didn’t care at all. My body wanted calories ASAP! I wasn’t crazy about the other food choices (clam chowder, hot dogs, Subway), so I decided to wait until I got home to eat something else. After 26.2 miles, I wanted to EAT! 
 

 

After eating a little something, Jenny, her boyfriend, Jarred, Mal and I decided to enjoy a celebratory drink at the Globe, which was right across from the finish line. (Jenny and I didn’t want to walk any farther than we needed to!) I ordered a glass of sauvignon blanc, which didn’t taste great, but relaxed me. It was also nice to finally sit. 

 

When I got home, I made myself a big bowl of honey Puffins, fiber sticks, banana slices, and vanilla hemp milk. Yum! At the time, my bowl of cereal filled me right up, but I woke up absolutely starving this morning– it was time to refuel again! 
 

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