Hello everyone my name is Tucker S. Gaye, and I ran the Boston Athletic Association’s 116th Boston Marathon on April 16th 2012!
The DREAM Program and the office of District 7 City Councilor Tito Jackson developed a marathon-training program that prepared me. Training was thorough and extensive and time management was key. Time management was especially hard while coaching track and field, committing to Urbano Project’s “SPEAK OUT. ACT UP. MOVE FORWARD” program about trust, protest, and making your voice heard, attending Youth on Board steering committees and running miles with L Street, and my running partners, Miguel and Seth, early on Sunday Mornings. During the whole preparation for the marathon, I was constantly on the move being challenged both mentally and physically.
THE DAY OF THE MARATHON!
On racing day the air was hot humid with the temperature hitting the mid 80‘s. I ran wearing my blue marathon shirt which contained the “DREAM” logo which I decorated with black permanent marker signatures of friends and supporters and words of inspiration. I ran as a Boston Latin Academy student representing Youth Design, Boston Student Advisory Council, Urbano Project, Brian J. Honan Fellowship, Teen Empowerment, Young Africa, A.I.B Lesley, Write Boston, ICA Teen Art Council, Twelfth Baptist Church, and many more of Boston’s youth enrichment programs. Ironically, I was running as a minority for a majority of what the great City of Boston has to offer, and that in truth, was the motivational push I needed to get to the finish line! Yes, I finished, with a half marathon time of 1:57:23, and a finish time of 4:52:41.
THE EXPERIENCE!
It’s funny; before all of this I hated running. I ran my turf around Roxbury, Dorchester and Mattapan. I ran nonstop at track practice, and again at L Street. After track season was over, my legs were exhausted. I could barely walk! The L Street runs were becoming a burden and strain on my health. There were days I took breaks just to ice and stretch. Then, I started healing. The Reggie Lewis Center, White stadium and the Tobin Community Center gym all became places of comfort, and recovery. The L street runs gradually became easier, and I started to understand my body more. I became so mentally relaxed, and confident that as the race was nearing, I couldn’t help but focus on the present and smile at the great task ahead.
The Day of the marathon, I was given the go-ahead to leave without my running partners, Seth and Miguel. At 5:45 my mentor Torli Krua picked me up and took me to Park Street where runners and buses waited. I saw no one in my age group. There was an enormous racial gap between all participants; the majority of the runners were White. I automatically stood out. Laughing to myself I knew my “DREAM” logo shirt kind of said it all. To my relief, I met my schoolteacher, Ms. Gentile, and we wished each other luck. Then, our numbers were called and we were on the move.
During the race, my mind was running as fast as my feet. I ran 15 miles nonstop and then cramped up in pain. I stood as still as possible, looked down at my “DREAM” shirt and read my family and friend’s messages, “Go Tucker!” …”You can do it!”… “Si se puede!” … “We’re so proud!” After reading my shirt, I made up my mind that quitting was not an option. After ten minutes of stretching and recovery, I started running. Yes, Charlie horses ran the rest of the miles with me, but Charlie was ignored till I crossed the finish line.
Wesley Korir from Kenya pulls away from Levy Matebo to win the 2012 Boston Marathon.
I was running for my life, those I represent and the cheering crowd of supporters. There’s a quote I heard from Life Togetherness that says, “When you go alone, you go much quicker, but when you go together you get much farther.” I made it beyond the 26.2mile finish line because of my supporters.
The Lesson!
I’m grateful for those who support The Dream Program, the City Councilor’s office, Youth Design and urban youth. With support, mentorship and guidance, Boston’s urban youth can accomplish anything. Keep up the Dream!!
Tucker S. Gaye
Browse Timeline
- « Youth Design Meets the SESC Brazilian Delegation
- » Korn Design Selected as a Finalist for the 16th Annual Rosoff Awards in Honor of its Work with Youth Design