Boston Strong!

Patriot's Day. Better known as Marathon Monday. 

This year was even more special; the 118th running of the marathon was going to be better and stronger and ever. However, another big part of Marathon Monday is the 11am Red Sox game. I was able to go this year (!) since a friend scored tickets! 

The energy was amazing. The city and stadium felt alive. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown out by someone who survived the bombing last year, he was the last survivor to leave the rehab hospital. Talk about strong and resilient! 

This jersey was created right after the marathon last year by Jonny Gomes - it hung in the dug out all last year, it even went on every road trip - now, it has a special place in Fenway. The vibe was just amazing; marathon day puts a super charge in the city, and today, it was super charged. Usually every fan is in a Red Sox shirt of some kind: today it was a mix of marathon garb, Sox shirts, and Boston Strong t's. Even I didn't know which to put on!

Let's just say the Sox were late to show up, by the 4th it was 6-0, Orioles...but still, Fenway + Red Sox.

In between innings they kept showing marathon highlights. When this flashed the crowd went nuts. First time in 31 years an American had won the marathon and he did it this year. Even the players on the field were applauding. 

Suddenly, we had a ball game too. The Sox bats came alive and the energy in the stadium was beyond amazing. It's a miracle I still had a voice from shouting so loud! It was high five-city every few minutes, but sadly, the rally fell short and they lost 7-6. Not a win, but a great game, and it's was a serious win to be at the Marathon Monday game.

After the game, the focus switched to the real main event of the day. Fenway is right around 1 mile from the finish line. And about 3.5 hours into the race tons of people were still streaming towards Boylston St. 

One of the things that makes this marathon so special is the crowd. People cheer for compete strangers and nothing is better than seeing a runner pick up the pace when they hear a random stranger shout their name.

His shirt says it all: we're back. It was a perfect day: the stories of survivors walking across the finish line, the camaraderie, the tears of joy, the record number of runners.

What a year it's been, what a city I call home. Boston Strong!

Under the lights

After a hard day on Friday, on a whim, I bought a ticket to the next night's Sox game. I needed some time in one of my happy places! And boy, I sure picked a great night to go: perfect weather and more!

It was "honor the local Olympians" night! Oh yes, I was this close to Aly Reisman and other olympians, like Kayla Harrison the gold medal Judo athlete!

 The whole lot standing for the anthem and then throwing out the first pitch! Massachusetts produces some good athletes. They did better than the Sox have been doing...

I had gotten a great seat, along the third base line, my favorite side. But I of course moved down a bunch into even better seats, about 17 rows from the field!

After a slow start (letting in 3 runs in the first inning) the Sox bats game to life and the defense got its game face on.

They knocked in 9 runs in the next few innings and were actually playing like a good team!

They were stealing bases, smacking the ball towards the Green Monster, and keeping the crowd on our feet. And then...came the top of the 7th. In which they let in 6 runs, tying the game. It went into extra innings, but eventually the Sox fell to the Royals in the 12th. At least I got some extra baseball...that I technically didn't pay for!

And we Sox fans are pretty amazing. A season that has been a disaster (to put it mildly) and the stadium was still packed, even after 11.5 innings!

Better luck next season?

Fenway Open House

So, for Thursday of my Spring Stay-cation, I had planned on just having a quiet, at home day. I had just planned to do some grocery shopping, get some more work done, putter around the apartment, etc etc. Then I woke up, checked twitter and saw that the Red Sox were hosting an "Open House" - the park was open to the public all day. For free. Yes please! 

 I met up with Emily in the mid-afternoon (along with most of Boston) and we had a nice time wandering about the ball park.

One of the amazing once in a lifetime opportunities was a chance to walk on the warning track. We didn't walk all the way round, since it was insane, but we did go out of the tunnel and stand there for a bit of time!

 Seriously, I died and went to baseball heaven. On the track. Next to the field. Amazing.

 Proof we were there! An aside, I am loving the sun flares in most of these pictures!

We passed up the waiting in line to walk all the way round to the Green Monster, but seriously, just being this close is amazing!

Hello, gorgeous! It's kind of crazy to realize, that although the park was packed, the number of people there didn't hold a candle to the number of people there during a game!

The most famous seats in baseball! This particular section is one of my favorite spots in the park, between home plate and third base.

It was such a fun afternoon! I've taken an official tour of the park before, but being able to walk around on my own, was just the icing on top of a great and relaxing spring break!

Fly Eagles Fly

Look out! The Eagles are flying towards victory!