The Big Day Arrives April 19, 2010: Hopkinton to Boston

I was thinking about this in retrospect, as I now stood at the DFMC Refuge at Hopkinton, pounding bottles of Poland Springs and cups of gatorade, and bagels spread with peanut butter. A little past 5AM, I had headed out my door this morning, to my friend Gerry's house where his mom and dad, in their early 70's had come from NH to drive us to the Hopkinton start. Surveying the town from the Town Common as the sun came up after walking to the start, I was struck of memories of days gone by, of carefree youth growing up in this rural town, and marathons experienced - riding bikes and playing football on the common as TV towers were set up, climbing elm trees at the start for the best view, and the time we decided as 12 year olds to just jump in at the end and follow the marathoners - running about 10 miles, and have to call one of the parents to come get us -- "You're WHERE?? Why you stupid.... stay right there and don't move..".

Heading to the DFMC Refuge, hosted at St. John's, I thought of the irony of beginnings and conclusions, I was baptized and had first communion in this church, and a little over a year ago I had eulogized my Mom in the same place, after she had died from the cancer I was running against today.

As I surveyed the room, I was taken by the strong convivial spirit and support given to first timers like me. Bouncing around like a fall Saturday before a big game, I had 2 full bags of crap, manuals, folders, etc. and I sort of saw people kind of looking at me and smiling, shaking their head. Gerry calmed me down and we had a couple good photos and seeing my good friend Helen Morey-Gallo and Froggie Ted at the medical table with some last minute advice helped a lot.

At 9:30, we went outside for a group photo and we were less than an hour to start. We heard the wheelchair and elite start and microphones over the loudspeakers. I stretched and tried to get ready as best I could, I felt really good. Of course, I went to the bathroom no less than 5 times.

Time arrives and we get escorted down to our corrals (basically pen like structures where you are put in with people in your Number sequence - 22500 - 23000 Charity and other non qualifiers). 10:27, and I'm jumping up and down now, staying loose and of course a bit nervous. It was an eternal 3 minutes and the gun goes off. We have to walk for a while up Main Street (it is a chip timed race, not that I'm worried what 5 or 10 minutes does to my time). Surrounded by DFMC runners with inspirational messages on the backs of their singlets and Large Letters with your name on the Front, I felt at home. As we crossed the starting line just off the common, we wished each other "Good Luck!" and "Good Run" and we were off. I stayed to the left. My high school classmate Chris Graham was having a party at her house and made signs for me. I wasn't sure where it was and I almost passed it, but got to look up and catch them just as I passed the view. Big signs and cheers. Thanks to Chris family and friends for the great sendoff!!

The roads heading down the hill to Ashland from Hopkinton I found to be some of the hardest. The road crowns badly which means you are running at an awkward angle on the side. Felt a couple twinges I didnt like, but no problem as I headed into Ashland and the 5K sign to grab a quick Gatorade and water. I'm hitting 9:30's and moving right along. Coming out of Framingham Center, my right calf began tightening and I felt a slight pull. Stop to stretch, fans screaming "TOOOOMMMMMMMM!!" Love these people. Felt better and hit Mile 9 and I was being careful to run striking my heel and pointing toes up to keep the calf straight (same one I injured in training). I was really looking forward to Natick and seeing the Flynns on course (Kevin and Amy and their boys Conor and Nolan). There they were just like they said in front of the Library. Quick high fives. Great to see the boys!!.

I'm off and hit Mile 11 and then it happened, a very severe calf pull and I felt the muscle fibers pull badly and a sharp pain. I pull up and I cannot put full weight on my right foot normally. I try to stretch it out and it's throbbing. Damn. What to do now?? I walked it for 75 yards and I tried the foot at different angles. As I angled my ankle so I was running on the outside edge of my foot, the pain went away almost completely. I basically would run this way, club foot style, for the next 10 miles. My left quad hurt a bit but I felt pretty good, I was glad I did the long run like this in my training, it certainly helped now. I was soon to enter one of the more inspirational parts of the course: the "Scream Tunnel" at Wellesley College. Basically think of an entire campus of super hyped female coeds with signs and loud voices screaming and you have it. I leaned through to get a couple kisses on the cheek (to my wife: it's part of the experience hon!!) and I have to say the college kids amazed me with their support here, at BC and Northeastern through the day. Heading out of Wellesley a bit of a blur, I made sure to take water and Gatorade at every stop and I had a couple of GU (chocolate frosting with glycogen) packets every 8-10 miles. I thought of my Mom and Ruth Sullivan cheering me on from heaven, got a little choked up a few times, it was very spiritual.

All I could think of now was getting to Newton and Mile 17.5 and seeing my family. As I turned down Route 16, I saw my son Stevie up ahead. He jumped up and down and ran a little ahead to scream I was coming. I made my best to look as fresh as I could, my feet and quads were starting to hurt pretty bad now, but as I lumbered up, all I hear are horns and cowbells and 2 signs "Way to Go Daddy" (Taylor) and "Your Family Is So Proud of You". Made my day and I ran in to give everyone a hug. My daughter buried her head in my stomach and hugged me for a full minute, as I drank a gatorade. "How you doin?" "Oh Great, I am having problems with the calf, though" I said and left it at that.

Stopping for the 2 minutes was good for the soul, but bad for the muscles. I was a bit tight, but I head off, lumbering and limping a little more now as I head up the Newton Hills. We practiced here a lot during the long runs so I think I'm ready. The first one is a little tough and legs are really sore now. I ran up the second one and started a brief walk and I saw the O'Brien's from Billerica - Gene and Shelley and their sons Danny and Steven(?). Couple pats on the back and I was energized a bit. Don't let em see you walking, I said and I gamely plodded on, got a big lift from them and the crowd as I made my way up Heartbreak Hill to the highest point on course. I felt some measure of victory as I hit Mile 21, but running this way had taken its toll.

They say there is a point where you really have to overcome or get divine inspiration, this where I got something, as I started my "survival shuffle" from here on out, oddly through some of the easiest part of the course. Mile 22, a blur, and drunken college students at BC, but lots of encouragement. Giant Hamburger and Hot Dog pass me, Ha Funny, A Juggler (oh the humility), and a guy in a hideous dress with a green wig. More partying college students. Wish I was with you, I'm thinking trying to conjure my 22 year old self. Lots of shouting and the miles are taking very long now, as I'm basically striding slowly. We are on a down incline and I can barely move, my muscles have had it, but I am determined to keep going. I see a few people go to medical tents and I just keep on trucking. I think of what Gerry Farrell (Regina's cousin's husband) told me "Do Whatever You Can To Finish The Race". It was my mantra for 5 plus miles as my body fatigued and locked up. I thought of my Mom and the struggles of my pediatric partner Aaron and what pain he goes through with weekly chemo treatments at Dana Farber and all the positive experiences and support and how lucky I was to have good family and friends. The montage kept my feet moving and constant yells of my name, "You Can Do it", "You've Got This", the crowd willing me to keep going. Mile 24 and 25 passed, but I knew I would make it. I just kept going.

Finally, running into downtown Boston. The crowd is thicker and I pick up a little more stride knowing I am within reach. I hit Hereford Street the one that narrows into Boylston and lots of cheering and then I make my turn onto Boylston. I hear my wife and sons screaming "There He Is.. TOM!!". I cannot begin to describe what an awesome feeling running those last 400 yards were. My sons Kenny and Steve were let out on course with their cousin Danny. They gave me a hug and we ran in together. The most awesome experience of my life. Announcer yells "Tom Fitzpatrick #22656 from Billerica Mass. Running for Dana Farber". Yes, I AM... We cross and are ushered through the gates, a BAA Mylar wrap is draped over my shoulders and it comes in handy as chills begin to get my body convulsing a bit. All I can think about as I'm walking (like a bad Frankenstein impersonation) is those last couple hundred yards and all the good things. I will sleep well tonight, and I hope all the Moms and Dads who have gone before us do too, and little Aaron, who deserves it. My marathon experience now complete. MY HONOR ROLL OF DONORS IN THE FINAL STRETCH WILL FOLLOW THIS POST. THANK YOU TO ALL!!