I am on the plane en route to San Diego. It is the day after the Boston Marathon, and I am still trying to collect my thoughts after such a surreal experience. I realize my race experience is incredibly insignificant. However, I feel the need to share it because it fully exemplifies the spirit of the running community. In the aftermath of such tragedy, I find it even more important to remember that people are truly good at heart.
My "Marathon Monday" started off with a lot of laughter at the Athlete's Village when I had a wardrobe debacle. Upon stepping off the bus after our 26 mile ride, I quickly realized I was wearing pants with an enormous hole in the butt. Thank you very much, Holly.
My dog has a serious obsession with eating my underwear and pants.
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| My ass-less chaps |
Clearly I got dressed half asleep in the dark. While everyone was quick to laugh at my disastrous situation, everyone was also willing to help.
Kristen began walking around the village with me asking random runners if they had extra pants or shorts to donate to my bare ass. We found a woman who gladly gave me the tights right off of her body. The very tights that were keeping her warm while we sat for hours in the cold. That is typical of a runner. Runners support one another even if they've never met. I was incredibly grateful for this woman's generosity but not at all surprised that I found someone in a crowd of marathoners willing to help out a stranger. Runners are supportive, kind and generous human beings.
My anxiety was put at bay once I covered my bare ass, and the race began. I immediately knew it was going to be a tough day. I felt like I had nothing to give. My legs were heavy and ridiculously tight. Normally, if my body was feeling this bad, I would have stopped and walked numerous times during a race. But this wasn't any race. This was BOSTON. There were hundreds of thousands of spectators lining the streets. I put my music on at mile 5 and could still hear the roar of the crowd. I got choked up multiple times along the way. I high fived every person I possibly could and smiled for miles. I was certain my cheeks would hurt by the end of the race.
The hills nearly destroyed me, but I didn't stop once. At mile 22, I should have felt incapable of moving, but I started cheering and shouting along with the crowds. Their energy was overwhelmingly contagious. I started high fiving people, once again, and screaming like a lunatic. It was incredible. Again, I got all choked up by the smiling, cheering crowds. It was surreal. That is the only word I can use to describe it.
I can't tell you how many times I thought to myself, "Man! People are awesome!" as I smiled and ran. I painstakingly looked for an old college friend along the course, but sadly, missed her and this fabulous sign.
I crossed the finish line and found
Teresa who also had a painful race. We bitched and complained about our sore bodies and made a pact to become 5k runners after this. Our complaints were quickly shut down when we heard the two loud explosions. We looked at each other with a knowing glance. We didn't want to say it, but we knew it wasn't good. I finally said it, "I think that was a bomb," but we refused to believe that was the case. We parted ways and I called my ride so I could get the hell out of there. Ambulances and police cars started speeding down the street and officials began shouting at us to go the opposite direction. I smelled smoke and saw some people crying and moving quickly. I got in the car and the news quickly told me what I knew was true.
my texts to my mom
It was such a crazy experience. As soon as I heard that two people died, I broke into tears, as I'm sure we all did. I was glued to the TV for the rest of the evening watching the video of the explosions on repeat.
My point in sharing this experience is to not let this act of violence take away from such a beautiful community and from the spirit of the marathon. Runners are a special breed of people. We are strong, determined, united and unstoppable. The running community is a beautiful one that I am insanely proud to be part of.
My friend in Boston told me that a group of Bostonians are planning to run the last 5 miles of the marathon this Friday. I am sure it will be an emotional experience for everyone involved but an inspiring one for sure.
Smiles of excitement one day before it all happened in this very spot.
Yesterday was an emotionally taxing day for all. My thoughts are with everyone affected by yesterday's tragedy. I can't get it out of my mind and I wish everyone an eventual deliverance of peace. I am so incredibly grateful that everyone I know is safe and sound. I have never been more appreciative of life and love than in this moment.