Mondays are always busy days for me at work. I remember rushing around last year and trying to wrap meetings in time to watch some of the live feed and then the tragedy happened. My husband and I were glued to the TV for days.
The Saturday after the race, I ran my first race post-Boston. Seeing American flags out on the course and wearing ribbons for all those affected - our entire country - made quite an impact on me. I remember somewhere near the end of the 5K race just having tears streaming down my face thinking about the tragedy.
Running is something that many love and it's something that unites all of us that participate in the sport. Whether you're a sub 2:30 marathoner or a 30-minute 5K runner matters not; what shines through is your love of the sport. During my race last year, that's what I kept thinking about. I kept thinking about how blessed we are to be able to participate in this sport and how awesome it is that something that's so good for us is something that's loved by so many. And I thought about those who wouldn't ever be able to run again - or run the same - because of a senseless tragedy and at that, the tears welled. I was listening to my iPod during this race and while I don't remember what the song was (it was a praise and worship song sung by Chris Tomlin), I just felt this strength that made me remember that this thing we love that unites us was not going to fall. We are strong.
Yesterday was an incredible day. I turned the live feed on so I could hear what was going on as I was working and flipped back and forth as I had a chance, and thankfully, made it out of my Monday morning meeting to see Rita and Meb win the marathon. It was incredible to watch and again, my eyes swelled with tears at the thought of Boston being completed again. How significant it was that Meb, an American, won the first Boston after the tragedy. And Shalane ran an incredible race despite not winning. She raced her heart and soul out and I just want to be like her when I grow up.
Yesterday saw probably the strongest field of runners ever in Boston and they were all - regardless of nationality - running in tribute to the tragedy of the year before. And at the end of the day we proved that we are all Boston Strong.
Yes, we're all Boston Strong.
BAH when Meb won, I cried. Ugly tears too. This year was just so emotional. I lived in Flagstaff, AZ where runners train high altitude certain parts of the year, and always saw him running when I was out! It was surreal to see him take this victory after last year!
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