boston.

4.15.2013


I had a different post already written and scheduled to publish.

It was going to be about how April is my running anniversary. About how in April 2010, I started training for my first half marathon and about how I will be running my very first marathon in less than two weeks.

It was about what I love about running and how my life has changed--how I've changed--since I signed up for that first race.

Then Boston happened.
And I cried.

In many ways it was similar to how I felt about the Connecticut shootings just a few short months ago. But in other ways it was so different.

This hit closer to home for me, and I feel personally violated. My blogger friend Lauren put it perfectly when she said that running is her safe space.

What I really love about running is that when you run, you don't lose. Ever. No matter how slow or fast, last place or first, you just don't lose. As Lauren said: If you can put your feet on the ground, you're in.

And there is NOTHING like the feeling you get when you cross that finish line.

Today, that victory was taken away as a blast went off just steps from the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

There are so many things that break my heart about what happened today. I can't imagine the joy of a lifetime accomplishment stolen by fear. Fear of those participating, fear of those watching.

I really don't know what else to say except that I'll be running the Oklahoma City marathon in two weeks. It's a race to remember the OKC bombing of April 1995 and the 168 lives lost. Now, this year, we will also remember the Boston Marathon.

“The reason we race isn't so much to beat each other... but to be with each other.” 
―Christopher McDougall (author of Born to Run)

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Niken said...

i read about it first from you and then i searched over the internet and it took my breath away. that's just terrible. i'm shocked by the act one can conduct to take others lives. i pray for all the people, to be strong in this difficult time

Jamie said...

Very well said! I'm not much of a runner, but my fiance is, and I know the events yesterday hit us both hard. It makes me mad that I'm going to be a nervous wreck the next time he races. I will never understand why people do things like that...

Lauren said...

If I can suggest an additional bib for your race, here's the running community's response... https://www.facebook.com/events/318199378309189/?ref=22

Cortney said...

My boyfriend is a runner and we were both horrified about yesterday's events. My first thought was to never let him run in a marathon again but then reading about people like you, running despite the bombings and even for the victims, made me realize we can't live our lives in fear because of sick individuals that harm innocent civilians. Good for you. Praying for Boston and all those effected.

Jena Roach said...

So appreciate all the runner posts today. Makes the OKC that much more special to run now, right?

Claire@MyDevising said...

Good words. It does feel like running should be one of the safest things we do. What a sad, sad day.

Katie said...

having run the chicago marathon and the feeling of the race and crossing the finish line I can't imagine something like this happening. i was mad when they made us walk because it was 95 degrees and the were out of water and ambulances. I can't imagine how mad and frustrated and scared I'd be if I had to not finish because of something like that. it is so sad!

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