El Camino – First Stop

The oldest and mightiest!

Boston is simply, THE MARATHON!

It is the oldest marathon, and by far the one any runner who has participated in it feels proud to have ran it, and to make sure other people know they ran it! You can see it on the streets, every runner wearing the Marathon’s Medal, or the Six-Star, or simply the jacket! Running Boston comes with bragging rights, and that is just magical!

Chad Finn wrote on The (Boston) Globe: “No place can beat this city’s Patriots Day”, but I would add, no marathon can beat this city’s marathon. The whole event is part of the city’s mystique and Bostonians are as proud of it as runners are of their milestone. There is no place to run a marathon like Boston, any where in the world.

Although I qualified to run this year, I was ineligible to run after the 5:46 time cut due to the high number of applications. It was the highest number of applications in the Boston Marathon history, surpassing the previous record of 30,458 qualifier entries for the 2019 event. Alas, I qualified, but got short on the cut-off time. But this did not prevented me from getting there, run the 5K on Saturday and enjoy the marathon at the Mile 18 marker (around there), where I saw Marcel Hug flying towards Heartbreak Hill, the steadiness of Sisay Lemma, and the brutal performance of Hellen Obiri while she was still in the pack of leading women. An experience that cannot be beaten!

The Boston days, the Boston WAY!

Saturday morning was cool, sunny and bright. It was the perfect day for a great city run! The good vibes started when I picked up my shirt and I asked for an additional one for my son, and they gave it to me! That was nice from the people at the shirt tent. I returned the favor, by supporting and helping runners get their gear checked, taking pictures (instead of selfies) and pointing them in the right direction when they were looking for something. 

I ran the 5K, (RAN”) with my wife and my sister. We had fun, and we felt the magical energy of the event in every kilometer. We collected our medals and went back home to enjoy a fantastic brunch prepared by my sister’s husband. It was a wonderful meal and a way to close on a high note his journey.

Later on, around 17:00, we had an appointment with a man who defeated cancer, a man who inspires and educates, the one and only Tommy Rivs! I had the opportunity to meet him around mile 2 or 3 while running the 126th Boston Marathon (2022). You can see me flashing a Mexican flag on the back around minute 16 of his Boston Marathon 2022 Series, Part 1. This time, I had the chance to talk to him in Spanish and English about his newest Series in Guatemala, and he also shared some of his experiences in Mexico with me. Thanks, Tommy!! You are an inspiration!

And so, with cool wind blowing from Canada, sunny skies and a 40 year-old smoker, a Weber and few beers, the weekend went by like the breeze from the harbor, between Cowboy steaks, ribs and cheese trays, life turned to be a peaceful micro-eternity taking asylum in our souls. A nice, marathon-pace 10K on Sunday completed my training for the London Marathon, where I will get my Sixth Star. 

I went for a run around Jamaica Pond and Olmsted Park, closing the loop arond the pond to get the 10K mark in my garmin. The weather was around 8ºC (48ºF) with sunny skies and a great circuit that  reminded me of the days running around London’s Hyde Park Serpentine. Each park has it charm and secret turns and hidden ways. What’s not to love?

Thanks to Val & Taylor; we had a great time. We are looking forward to seeing you again! Every time we spend with you is full of great food, pleasant stories, great memories, and the best company. I keep learning from every visit, this time we spoke about the 101 Things I Learned in Culinary School. Not to forget the ancient secrets of brewing sake, setting the smoker to perfection, or sharing Sweet Cream JP Licks treasures while watching the Golf Masters. 

AS for our outdoors experiences, nothing like walking the harbor, as the quiet and cool breeze plays with our faces, and we walk from one landmark to another following the liberty path. Sitting down to enjoy a capuccino, and to enjoy the smells of the butchery, the cafes, and the pastries as we made our way to the sea. 

Good Voyage

There is no better place for us to resume our journey than the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Voyage. Located at the Boston Waterfront, this Chapel, also known as The Seaport Shrine, is a Roman Catholic church that was built to serve the fisherman and dockworkers in what was then an industrial neighborhood.

Here, we stopped for some minutes, to pray and to ask for a safe journey ahead. With Her blessing we embark onto the second stop of our journey; London! Where we will have new memories with friends and family. A marathon to complete my Six Star Challenge.

We are blessed to have such wonderful by our side, cheering us up, supporting us, sharing smiles and moments, and recipes, stories… Life at its best! And for that we are thankful!

This adventure is not just about me; it’s about making a difference. I invite you to join me in the fight against diabetes by contributing to the fundraising campaign. Every donation, no matter how small, brings us closer to a world without the challenges posed by diabetes. Over 80% of all the funds will be donated to the ADA (American Diabetes Association), for some of the funds will be used to pay some of the expenses incurred along the way. AND for every dollar donated to the ADA, my employer will MATCH IT!

Stay tuned for more updates as I embark on this life-changing journey. Your support means the world to me, and together, we can make strides towards a healthier and happier future. Buen Camino!

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