We runners, particularly marathon runners, are a quirky bunch. We are all odd in our own way. How else could you explain the desire to punish our bodies with a 26.2 mile run. It doesn’t matter whether we are sub-3:00 marathoners or 6:00+ marathoners, we are willing to put ourselves through a tremendous amount of physical and emotional stress to achieve the marathon distance through relentless forward motion.
Despite that, or more likely BECAUSE of that, marathoners for the most part are a very friendly, supportive and welcoming group. If you are a marathoner, we welcome you as a brother or sister. The camaraderie we feel for each other is genuine.
Which is why the events of yesterday are so confusing and devastating to me. Marathon runners, and by extension their families and friends out cheering for them have no agenda other than celebrating the human spirit and the triumph of will over adversity. On the ground level there are no politics in the marathon, no religion other than the occasional personal pleas for help to get through Heartbreak Hill.
The attack yesterday simply felt…senseless.
There are no words, nothing that I can write that will ease the pain, the fear, the anger. We will all deal with this in our own way.
Last night I left my house and ran hard and fast toward the Marathon Course, determined to run several miles on it in honor of the Marathon and those who suffered earlier in the day. Instead, when I reached the Course, I broke down and cried uncontrollably for a full five minutes. I collapsed on a bench weeping, sobbing. After pulling myself together I realized I barely had the strength to get myself home, much less run several more miles on the course and I stumbled back home.
It’s time to Hammer Down Boston! We will get through this. We will run again.
***
Runners Unite – its going around the various blogs and running sites – if you are able, please wear a racing shirt today in support of my home marathon and those hurt (both physically and psychologically) by yesterday’s bombings.
Run Luau Run 
Thanks Luau, I’m struggling with this and you put it beautifully. This was an attack on our race and our family, and it feels really personal.
As a member of the human family and someone who hopes to someday be part of the marathon family, my heart hurts so much for Boston and everyone at the marathon and in the city. I hope you all feel the love coming your way from millions of us.
I have no words…only tears…..your marathon…your city….your fellows runners….your family and friends who cheer you on every year…..we hold all of you….we weep with you…..on bended knee we sit with you……with clenched fists we ask why……and we dig through our drawers for an old race t-shirt…..if there is no shirt then we wear our running shoes today…..for those who lost their lives….for those who were injured……for those who lost someone they love……for those sitting in a hospital room besides a loved ones bed..for your city….our country…..today we run for you…in support of you….and some of us may run and others may walk……but we will win…..with tear stained cheeks we will run…..and we will cross that line for you…in honor of you…..today we run for you.
I can nothing as well as cheairs said it!
Love you,
Mom
I can say nothing…
No words but I hope you know how much support is being sent Boston’s way.
I am just gutted. I remember being there two years ago, standing in that very spot and watching Blaise finish. All I could think yesterday was about all the moms and dads standing their with their children cheering mommy and daddy on. This is heart wrenching.
I wish I was close enough to have ran to the course last night. I cant wait till next year, Boston is going to be epid, and we will show the world that nothing can stop out running family.
gentle hugs from north Jersey
[…] “On the ground level there are no politics in the marathon, no religion other than the occasional personal pleas for help to get through Heartbreak Hill.” – Devastated – Boston […]
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Matt:
Heartfelt post and response. I crossed perhaps 40 minutes before the blasts and went from numb on marathon day to shock and sadness yesterday. Unfortunately, these cowards picked the wrong fight on three fronts; you dont mess with “uncle sam,” you dont mess with Boston, and you dont mess with marathon runners. You throw anything at us and we will come back even stronger. Run on and run safe. Ty
All I can say is “I’m with you.” 100% If I could have left work, I would have. And I would have done the same thing. All I wanted to do was take my partner, jump in the ambulance and get down there. But, the decision was made to go to full coverage in case the attacks kept coming and/or extended outside of Boston.