This morning I found out that my name has been drawn to run
the Chevron Houston Marathon. I’ll write
more on this once I can digest, accept, and come to terms with the idea of
running another 26.2 miles. But today,
with the marathon on my mind, I find myself thinking a lot about Boston on April
15, 2013.
Just like the rest of the country, I was shocked and
horrified at the evil that overtook what should have been a triumphant and
inspiring moment. But having run
and finished 26.2 miles myself, I felt especially stung by the events. This was personal. I felt as if the people that did this
tarnished something that for me was about so much more than just running. I didn’t know what to do. Of course, I could and did make my donations
to the Red Cross in the hopes of helping out those directly affected. But I longed for something more. I needed a connection. So, the next day my husband and I joined some
friends and a running group and we took off pounding the pavement in honor of
the Boston Marathon. It might sound like
a small contribution, and it was, but it was not insignificant. Later in the day, I found out that runs in
support of Boston were organized all over the city, state, and country. There was the connection I was longing
for. We runners (and non-runners) in one
day came together and did all we knew how to do. We ran.
It was a reminder of the bond that we all share. It was a symbolic showing that we are all in
this long run together and when we fall we will join together and rise up
and keep running.
Following the bombing, a friend of mine sent me this
article. http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/wonkblog/wp/2013/04/15/if-you-are-losing-faith-in-human-nature-go-out-and-watch-a-marathon/
I will forever be struck by the line, “If you are losing
faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon.” That’s exactly it. A marathon embodies the good in people. First, there are the runners who put themselves
through a grueling 26.2 miles for the pure joy of accomplishing a goal they set
for themselves. Let’s face it, most of
us are not out there to set world records or make an Olympic team. Most of us are out there because something
inside of us burns for the challenge and for the accomplishment. Second, there are the volunteers. These people get up very early in the morning
to watch a bunch of strangers running by while holding out water/Gatorade or by
calling out our pace or to set up medical centers or anything else we could
possibly need. Lastly, and I swear the
most important group of all, the wonderful and generous crowds. Those who show up with signs, and bells, and
music, and mostly just with their voices to cheer us along. If you have never experienced it, let me tell
you, these race day cheerleaders are the sole reason half of us make it across
that finish line. Human nature at its
finest.
That afternoon in the rain and humidity, I left my earphones
in the car and I used the 3+ miles to reflect on what my marathon experience
had meant to me and what had been taken from those in Boston. The only fear I faced while running was of
not reaching my goal pace. I never had
to fear for my safety or for the safety of my loved ones gathering to cheer me
on. I cried several times during my
marathon, but only tears of relief and release, nothing compared to the tears
of loss those runners must have cried in Boston. My marathon run was a shining example of all
that is good in humanity and the 2013 Boston Marathon will forever be tarnished
by what can be so wrong with humanity. What
I realized while we ran that day was that I had never been truly grateful for
the 26.2 miles I had run. Now I am.
And now, as I face the idea of running it again, I ask of
you these two things:
2.
Do not let evil win. Be the proof that humanity wins, always. Participate in a marathon. Run, volunteer, or cheer. God knows I will need you along for the run.
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