Some Thoughts on Boston

Last Monday I woke up wishing so bad that I was in Boston for the marathon. Next year, I had to remind myself. I've been planning our next Boston trip ever since I crossed the finish line there in 2010. Since I didn't run a marathon last year because of my pregnancy I wasn't qualified for this year's race.  Little did I know the events that would unfold that day in Boston. I had a busy morning but kept checking on the leader board and tracking friends on my phone. I felt a twinge of disappointment when the top American finished 4th in both the women's and men's race.  Another year without an American winning Boston...

Then I was at the grocery store and my phone started ringing. "Have you heard about Boston?" I stood in utter disbelief as the stories came to me about explosions at the finish line. Suddenly finishing times and place were meaningless.  My first thought was of friends that were in Boston.  I was relieved to hear back quickly from them that they were unharmed.  Then came the thoughts of what if.  What if I hadn't had a baby last year?  If everything in my life had worked out the way I timed it, I would have been there.  And even worse my kids might have been standing at the finish line watching.  I was of course grateful that we were safe at home but I was devastated thinking about those that were in Boston this year.  So many times the questions ran through my mind.  How could this happen?  Why would anyone do this?

So many people work so hard just to qualify and get the opportunity to run Boston.  Many people have much more inspiring stories of overcoming obstacles to get there than me. My Boston experience was what every runner dreams for.  The people of Boston welcomed me, as they do all the runners, with open arms and treated me as a celebrity.  I couldn't go anywhere in town with my marathon gear without being swarmed with congratulations. The people in Boston love hosting the most prestigious marathon in the world and they come out by the hundreds of thousands to cheer on the runners over the 26 mile course.  For a recreational runner like me, it's the only place to feel as if you are an elite athlete.  There is really nothing like coming down Boylston street to the finish line.  The sense of accomplishment and achievement is like nothing else I've ever done before.

Here I am in 2010 at the spot where the bombing occurred last week.

My heart aches for those who were hurt in this tragedy.  Although I feel helpless I hope those whose lives have forever been changed will take some comfort in knowing that countless people are praying for them.  So many others walked away from the race "safe" yet all of their dreams were shattered by the senseless act of violence.  Instead of the feeling of celebration and accomplishment they were surrounded by terror.  And while we will never forget that day and those who were hurt, I hope we don't let Boston become defined by such a terrible act.  This poster hangs on my wall and I think it really sums up how I feel about Boston.

I've heard a lot of comments the last week like, marathons will never be the same, or would you ever go back?  But if we have that attitude I think we have let the terrorists have a victory.  The Boston Marathon is all about pushing yourself harder than you ever thought you could.  Every marathon runner knows you only get better by working through hard things.  The race will go on and only get better.  After all, noyhing says better, better than Boston.