Tuesday, April 16, 2013

On Boston

I don't really have anything to add other than agreeing to what's already been said, but I'm just going to say something anyway because it feels better to do it than to not.

I have never run the Boston Marathon, I've never really had a real drive to want to run the Boston Marathon, and I've never been nor have I made plans to go to Boston. But I am a runner, I know what runners put into our sport, and I know what runners especially put in to run Boston, whether it's qualifying or raising enough money for a coveted charity slot. And because I can relate to everyone at that finish line yesterday -- runner, spectator, family member, volunteer -- I feel like I, and the sport I participate in & the way I choose to live my life, was attacked yesterday.

I don't follow sports at all, but from what I can tell, this is one of the few sports that don't "boo" the "other team." It's a sport that has a constant stream of clapping and cheering and cowbells and high-5s and hugs and celebratory beers. It's an individual sport in that all runners I know are really just trying to better themselves. And it's a team sport in that we all cheer one another on through good days & bad. We don't kick each other when we are down, but instead try to boost one another back up to see the better days ahead. We pick up stragglers along the way and help them to finish. Runners are a driven, determined, and extremely passionate crew who are always moving forward. And races are our hours to show off our hard work, perseverance, and triumph. Races are a celebration of our lifestyle.

Because of all the good I see in running, I cannot wrap my mind around why someone would want to bomb a marathon. I cannot wrap my mind around why someone would want to destroy people who are there to better themselves or celebrate people who want better themselves.

Perhaps I'm seeming a bit dispassionate because I haven't addressed other bombings or murders or tragic events, which I know are just as senseless. I generally try to stray away from offering my opinion there because stories always change, facts are always released, and one too many times I've opened my mouth before I should have. But I think it's safe to say I'm really angry & upset about the attack at Boston. My heart aches for the spectators that were hurt & killed, because I so appreciate spectators who come out to cheer me on. I feel protective about my friends who were running & cheering at Boston yesterday, & I'm so, sooo mad that someone wanted to harm them. 

These are my people. 

This is my life.

I don't really have any other words to express that will change anything, past or future, and nothing I can say will ever be enough anyway. But runners & the whole race community is the most supportive family ever, and I am doing my best to find the positive stories & acts of heroism coming out of this.

And in the present, I can keep going out there, doing what I love & giving right back to this community that gives so much to me.

We run a little harder today.

10 comments:

  1. Love what you said. Runners are the best people out there.

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  2. Well said. <3

    My first thought was of of the spectators and volunteers and the friends and family that support our crazy running dreams and our community. the whole thing is so senseless and horrifying to me. but the strength showed from the runners, the volunteers and other spectators to help the wounded pushes me harder to honor them with each mile I run.

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  3. This expresses exactly how I feel. Even though I'm on a different continent I feel connected to these people through our shared love of running. Marathons are life-affirming for those who run and those who support them, so it's just totally impossible to even try to comprehend why somebody would do this. Here in London all the runners will be wearing black ribbons in the marathon this Sunday.

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  4. Agree completely. I just don't understand what kind of sick person would destroy an event that symbolizes hard work, celebration, encouragement and support. And go out of his/her way to time the bombs so that they could hurt the most people possible. It's just awful and disgusting.

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  5. 'We run a little harder today'. I love that. I did that, this morning. No moaning, no procrastinating, just running. For all of them.

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  6. "These are my people."

    Yes. Whether you were in Boston on Monday or not, this attack felt personal and hit us all close to home. We have all been the runner and the spectator at marathons around the country. We've all stood where these innocent families stood on Monday, hoping to get a glimpse of our loved ones. They attacked our community. It's devastating, and I don't know what to say or do to make it better. I just hope that despite the violation, runners will continue to bond together and that our community will stay strong...and never stop running.

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  7. agree with the people above me. well said.

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