# @emmajanelbates on Instagram

- **Type:** Image
- **Original URL:** https://www.instagram.com/p/DKamVHWRSSl
- **Gondola URL:** https://gondola.cc/posts/31281123-emmajanelbates-instagram
- **Thumbnail:** https://img.gondola.cc/tr:w-,h-,fo-auto/postThumbnails/5e432f2575.jpg
- **Posted:** 2025-06-02T22:43:49.000+00:00
- **Account Owner:** Emma Bates (@emmajanelbates) — https://gondola.cc/emmajanelbates

## Caption

Boston Marathon Race Recap, Part 5:

I was not cool with that mile. 5:02 was much too fast much too soon for me. The field wasn’t slowing down either. The race continued to press. I knew that if I kept up that pace I would be toast.

I made a decision. One that is never easy to do in any race: to let the front pack go.
I hate these moments because you don’t know if you are truly making the right decision.
In 2023 for instance, I went with the surge and found myself in the Top 5 the rest of the way. If I hadn’t made that move, I wouldn’t have been able to compete for the win.
That’s what I was thinking about when making my choice. 

💭These are different circumstances than 2023 though, Emma. If you go with this move any longer you are 100% going to implode. Listen to your body.

As I was having this inner monologue, I heard:

🗯️Run smart, run your race

💭Was that me? Am I thinking out loud??

It was not my mind speaking truths, but sarahall3 speaking to callirianne 

💭You’re right Sara, you are absolutely right 
(I mean, of course she is, she’s Sara Hall)

I eased off the gas and let a gap form between myself and the front pack. I need to do this if I want to stay in this race.
The front pack consisted of 12 runners. TWELVE WOMEN that can run 2:12 pace right now. 

💭Is that the entire field? Am I going to have to run this thing alone?

As these thoughts entered my mind, so did two runners into my vision on the right.

jesstonn and sarahall3 

💭Oh thank god!

📸1,3: runninphotog 
📸2: thomasdanieri

#bostonmarathon bostonmarathon #bostonmarathon2025 #marathonrunning

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## Tags

marathonrunning, bostonmarathon, bostonmarathon2025

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