This morning I dedicated my 7.5 mile run to Boston. Why I hear many ask? What about Texas, the earthquake in China, the many other tragedies this week I hear others ask. These comments got me thinking, why was I so affected by the Boston Marathon Bombings. I gave this some serious thought whilst I ran in the sunshine today and this is what I came up with...
Firstly I will say a little about my recent marathon experience, last Sunday I ran Brighton Marathon it was my sixth marathon so I knew what was coming, but it was a special marathon for me for several reasons, it was the first one my children, 18, 16 and 14 were with me at. It was the first one where I knew other people running. The day started early with breakfast at a friends and fellow runners house, 5 runners who met last year coming together to run a marathon, raise money and yet again push their bodies hard. I was excited and a little nervous, really wanted a new PB and that magical 4:30 marathon I'd yet to achieve.
Off to the start line my children went off to their thing and cheer me along the way, all this new technology meant they were able to track my progress.
The race went well for me I'm not going to bore you with every mile! Until 17.5 miles I was on target for that 4:30 finish but then I struggled for a few miles before giving myself a talking to and finishing with a reasonably strong final 3.5 miles, not 4:30 but 4:39 I got my new PB.
A marathon is tough, it hurts, but that marathon day is your 26.2 miles in the spotlight, the culmination of months of hard work. Training in all weathers, long runs, fartlek, hill training, boot camp you name it we marathon runners do it!
We neglect our friends and families, I turned down party invites, nights out so I was fresh and on top form for those long Sunday runs or events I was booked into as part of the training.
Then there's the fundraising so not only do you neglect your non running friends you also badger them constantly for sponsorship, and I have to say I have some extremely generous friends to whom I am grateful.
So I hear you ask what's all this got to do with Boston, well like I said Marathon day, especially those big city marathons, they are your day, a celebration of all your hard work, thousands of runners coming together. Not wanting to get morbid but my friends and family waited for me in that final stretch towards the finish line, seeing my children cheering me brought a tear to my eye! If the unthinkable had happened there, it could have been my children and friends injured or killed.
Runners are a tough bunch, the running community is strong and reaches every corner of the globe. The big city marathons do so much, they bring people together, they raise millions of pounds for charity. The supporters along the way shouting your name keep you going, they are what make a marathon special, complete strangers willing you to the finish, handing you sweets, children wanting a high five from a runner, that's what marathon day is about...
That moment you cross the finish line, the medal, the smiles...
So that's why I ran for Boston today, for those who will never run a marathon, an eight year old who won't grow up to follow in his Dads footsteps, for those who lost limbs. it's not because I don't care about the other tragedies that have happened this week...
But because I am a runner...
