I laced my running shoes with a heavy heart this morning. As I got ready for my run I couldn't help but think of all the Boston Marathon runners, the families and the volunteers who were all there yesterday. The Boston Marathon is the heart of all marathons in the United States. It is the opening day for our season and our Super Bowl all in one. Only the best of the best get into this event with qualifying times, while a few lucky ones get selected out of the lottery and some get in with raising funds for charity.
As I walked out the door, I imaged those runners doing the same thing. They probably were all excited, worried and amazed that this day has finally approached. Months of training, early mornings long runs and many sore muscles got them to this very day. I know that they were all worried about weather, if they had enough fuel and if that fuel would carry them to the finish line. I know most of them probably worried of about hitting the wall, what their time would be and if they would cross the finish line. What they didn't worry about was their safety and the safety of their families.
As I stretched out my legs, I started to think of the 23,000 runners doing the same thing. I started to think about how their hearts pounded as they heard the Nation Anthem. How their heart probably skipped a beat as they crossed the finish line. This was their dream and they were all finally about to accomplish it.
This morning the air was peaceful but I was mad and very angry. I am so upset that someone felt the need to hurt the one thing that takes all my hurt and pain away. Running is my release, my therapy and the one thing that completely allows me to be me. All runners run for different reasons but I know most runners run because of little moments. Moments when you can hear the crickets, the birds and watch the sunrise. Moments when you can hear the stillness of the world and the laughter of children. Moments when they felt it wasn't possible but kept going because their heart whispers CAN.
When I finished my 4.09 mile run this morning, I sat by my car in silence. I told myself whom ever did this messed with the wrong community. I am sure they want all of us to be scared but we will never allow someone to take our passion away. What they did was awaken a fire in my soul and I am sure awaken a lot of runners souls. The running community will come together and be stronger than ever. We will support our running family that has been harmed in Boston and we will all run in their honor. We will continue to do what we do because runners are unique. We have a bond that no one can break. We are family.
If you have never been to a marathon I highly suggest you go. You will understand why this passion is so deep inside me and millions of other runners. It isn't because we enjoy the pain and logging in long hours on our feet. It is because of that moment when you cross the finish line you believe that anything is possible. You can never stop a runner from chasing their dreams...and you will never stop us from moving forward.
God Bless Boston and my running family.
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