I have always wanted to make a trip out to Boston.  As an added challenge in getting there, I told myself I couldn't go until I earned my trip there by by qualifying for the Boston Marathon.  With a tremendous disdain for running on treadmills, I spent the winter of 2007 running outside through the dark, chilling months of October, November, and December to try to qualify for Boston by running the Disney Marathon in January of 2007.  When i missed my target qualifying time by 14 minutes, I vowed to try again in another year.  After spending the horendously cold Milwaukee winter of 2008/9 working of my butt off by running through sleet, snow, un-shoveled student sidewalks, icy roadways, and dark streets, I ran the Sun Trust National Marathon in Washington DC last March.  I cut my time by 21 minutes, finishing in 3 hours 33 minutes, 7 minutes ahead of the Boston Qualifying mark! 

 Having now earned my way, I'm totally excited to make this "destination marathon" a trip to remember.  Not only do I hope to make the legendary 26.2 mile tour from Hopkin, Mass to Boston, but I also hope to take in all the sites Boston is famous for - Fenway Park,  The Freedom Trail, Quincy Market, Sam Adams Brewery, the Boston Harbor, and of coure Cheers!  What would make the trip even more amazing would be a free trip out there!  I can't wait to get there on a fresh, spring day in April and see it all!  While I have heard the Boston Marathon course is "wicked 'hod' (hard)," I am truley pumped to get out there and begin my tour.  I just hope I have enough energy for the race after exploring the city before the beg event even begins!