A Heavy Heart for Boston...

I am greatly saddened by the awful events at the Boston Marathon yesterday. I
have never run an event as big as that and I never will. But I’ve done enough
races here in my little piece of the world to know that this will forever change
every single person involved with the marathon. The runners, spectators, family,
friends, loved ones…. Everyone.

Yesterday afternoon, I first heard of the explosions on Facebook. I follow a lot of runners and I am also friends with runners. Many who had friends in Boston for the marathon. I hope that everyone who knew someone there got word that their loved ones were okay.

This is really what I want to say…. There is no feeling like crossing a finish line after you’ve run your heart out. No matter the distance, if you worked hard to get there, you will relish that very moment. And if you’re lucky, you have family and friends there at that finish line waiting for you, waiting to celebrate with you, and cheer you on for your accomplishment. You are only focused on yourself and what you’ve done. It is a moment you will never forget. And that was taken away from so many yesterday.

Watching the news, I was in tears seeing the footage of people running, crying, in shock, and injured. And to hear bystander’s accounts of what happened….. So awful.

I am sad at the thought of the runners who were injured for crossing that finish line at the wrong time. I am sad for the runners who saw the explosion as they approached the finish line. I am sad for the family and friends who were injured for being at that finish line. I am sad for the runners who didn’t get to finish. I am sad for the people who lost their lives, including an 8 year old boy. I am sad for what this has taken away from the Boston Marathon, for turning a historical event into such a sad, heartbreaking, and frightening situation. I am sad for everyone involved.

Whoever did this, once again will prove that this will not stop this country of ours. It’s sad that this will change how these big races are held and overseen. But, what it will not do is stop runners from participating. It will not stop them from giving their all, heart and soul, into these races that they work so hard to get into. It will not stop runners from organizing races, and it will not stop them from being the welcoming and gracious community that they are.

My heart goes out to Boston and all those involved….