Running for Boston- Afterthoughts

Our Local Event

Monday night, like many places around the country, one of our local running stores organized a "Run for Boston" event.  I was pretty excited to participate.  The weather cooperated, so I flew home after work to change, and headed out.

The local news stations reported about 200 runners/walkers participated. 

People were encouraged to either wear Boston Marathon colors, or a race shirt.  As you can see from the photo, there were Boston marathoners in the crowd. Several were wearing 2013 finisher shirts.  I felt like I was running with celebrities. 

How crazy to knowingly rub elbows with Boston marathoners! 

Of course, they seemed like normal, cool runners, but woah.  These people deserve some extra respect.  Not just the ones who lived through last week's madness, but anyone who could qualify and then accomplish the frigging Boston Marathon!


Beyond my Worship and Awe

The run went from a local park, over the highway, and onto the Apple Creek Trail.  Apple Creek is a sweet trail that runs north of our main highway here.  It is paved, somewhat curvy, and winds past marshy land.  Its fairly wide open and windy, but one of my favorite places to run.  Back up over the highway (more wind) and into town to the park again, we ran and walked our own paces.  No police blocking streets... just us on sidewalks and trails. 

Cars honked as we ran across the highway overpass, and most yielded to our big crowd as me moved across fairly busy intersections.  Some runners had flags, some had strollers, some were in groups, and some were alone.  It was a great run.  In spite of the wind and the hills (which I have not been running lately), I had my fastest pace since I started back up running almost a year ago.  That's inspiration for ya'!



My Highlight

At one point, I was passed by a dad running with his daughter on his shoulders.  ok... So as at peace as I am with my nice slow pace, being passed by a kid on a guy's shoulders would normally bum me out.  I mean, gee whiz.  But not this dad.  This dad wore a Boston finisher shirt.

As fast as I could, I whipped my iPhone sleeve off and tried to snap a photo of them.  Unfortunately, even that awesomely athletic dad could only hold that not-so-tiny girl up there for so long.  So, please humor me, and picture what a neat sight that was.




Later That Night

After I got home, showered, and hung out with the BF for a bit, we decided to make a quick run for ice cream.  Nothing like eating the calories just burned, right?  Yum!
I have to point out that I got the frozen yogurt, so I wasn't totally glutunous.  I highly recommend Cold Stone's Banana Bread Batter frozen yogurt... with graham cracker crust.  Love it!

sheesh!  I look tired!  (but happy :)

 

 

 



 

Did you partipate in a "Run for Boston" this week?

 

 

 

Thanks for reading.

 

 

Running for Boston

One Week Later

Our local Fleet Feet store http://www.fleetfeetfoxvalley.com/ is organizing a run/walk in honor of Boston this evening.  As of right now, there's only a 30% chance of rain, and it's predicted to be in the 50s.  Wow!  Fingers crossed for no rain.  I love running when it's in the 50s, but rain... not so much.

I'm planning on running.  I was going to run tonight anyway, so why not join others for such a great reason?


Are you running tonight, too?


Stay tuned for a post-event post.  :)

My First Marathon... Supporting Boston?

I'm Registered!

Ok, we are registered.  I'm on a relay team to run the Green Bay Cellcom Marathon next month.  As I've mentioned in my past post, this is the first relay for all five of us.  I'm excited to share the accomplishment of a marathon with four really great people.  I finally picked a not-very-thought-out team name, and registered us for the May 19th race.

What a great way to get a marathon medal!  ;)

  www.cellcomgreenbaymarathon.com

A relay marathon is still a marathon, right?  :)



Fear

I'll be honest: in the wake of the Boston sadness, I briefly debated backing out of this marathon.  While Green Bay is not likely high on a terrorist's target list, it's the copy cats that are a possibility everywhere.  I feel a loss of that sense of safety I've always taken for granted.

I am overwhelmed with the thought that just under a month ago I stood at the start line in Washington D.C., and I have no recollection of much security at all.  I didn't notice if there was any, because that was the last thing on my mind.

 

I thought about potential injury, exhaustion, the BF, my goals, my medal... but not my safety.  Looking around at the huge amount of runners and supporters, I was thrilled with the idea of being part of something so big.  I soaked up energy that buzzed off that crowd of people, and bounced it right back at them.  A potential enemy among them was never a thought in my mind.

 

While that won't be something I take for granted again, fear will not stop me from achieving my goals.  I will still run this relay with great people.  I will still go to Chicago and cheer on the BF as he runs his first marathon (second, if you count the relay ;).   I will still set bigger and better running goals. 

 

 

Supporting Boston? 



Like many in the running community, I wore a race shirt to work yesterday.

 

 

No one else in the office did, but no one called me out on breaking dress code, either.  I think it led to some conversations with people, and we all had a chance to process things together.  That was a benefit, of course, but I'm not sure it helped any of the victims.

 

I'm not sure awareness of the event is anything anyone is lacking, so wearing my shirt wasn't for that.  I didn't donate money to a charity in order to be able to wear it, like I would for a denim Friday.  I suppose maybe the knowledge victims may have had of runners wearing their shirts might have given them some comfort...

 

But honestly, I think wearing that race shirt was more for me.  Somehow it gave me a sense of standing with the victims and their families.  It was a way for me to...mourn? ...heal? ...cope?   I'm not sure, but somehow it made me feel better.

 

Right now, until I can choose some better way...(maybe a fund to donate to, an organization to join, etc.)  I think I can best support those affected by the Boston bombing by running.  Running all the races I have been intending to run.  Supporting the races I've been intending to support.  Not letting this tragedy slow me down or prevent me from doing anything I had planned to do.  I'll show my support by not being deterred.

 

And by running.  For myself, and for those who cannot.