One of the best parts of the Boston Marathon is right before the halfway point: Wellesley College. It’s an all-women’s college, and on Marathon Monday, I think EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM comes out to the race and screams at the very tippy top of their lungs. It. Is. Awesome. And it gives me goosebumps every year. You can hear them from about 1/4 of a mile away, somewhere between miles 12 and 13. Not only are they infamous for the noise level and screams, they are also famous for generously offering kisses to the marathon runners. They have all made signs that say “Kiss Me…” It could be:
“Kiss me, I’m Irish.”
“Free Kisses”
“Kiss me I’m southern”
“Kiss me I’m Sweet”
“Kiss me I go both Ways” (not kidding, have seen that)
This year I really got a huge, huge boost from the women of Wellesley. Their screaming enthusiasm really lifted me up. They are out there by the hundreds, if not thousands and must stretch about a 1/2 mile long of girls screaming. I totally teared up at the love and support from the girls. No, I did NOT get a kiss though.
My favorite sign this year was: “Keep Calm and Kiss Me,” with the crown and all. The sign was very recognizable to me. Have you ever seen this?
I love that. Keep Calm and Carry On. Well, don’t you know Wikipedia is the answer to the universe. This is what I’ve recently learned about “Keep Calm and Carry On.” So very interesting, and now I love it even more, given I’ve just read a FANTASTIC book on WWII:
Keep Calm and Carry On was a propaganda poster produced by the British government in 1939 during the beginning of the Second World War, intended to raise the morale of the British public in the event of invasion. Seeing only limited distribution, it was little known. The poster was rediscovered in 2000 and has been re-issued by a number of private companies, and used as the decorative theme for a range of other products. There were only two known surviving examples of the poster outside government archives[1] until a collection of about 20 originals was brought in to the Antiques Roadshow in 2012 by the daughter of an ex-Royal Observer Corps member.
Here’s a like to a Youtube video of a marathoner running through Wellesley in 2010. I swear there were even more out there this year. Why wouldn’t there be with 80+ degree temps??? At least you can get a taste of what it’s like to run through Wellesley:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ezX89IwZ6Hw&feature=related
So friends, Keep Calm and Carry On with your beautiful day today. And if you’re looking for a book to read, try “Unbroken” by Laura Hillenbrand. It’s goosebump-worthy and every American should read it!
Thank you wonderful women of Wellesley College for supporting us on race day! The boost you gave to the runners was priceless!
Keeping Calm and Prepping for a Run,
Caryn
