I am a Runner

Today has been one of those days.  All morning, as soon as preschool time was done, I had the Boston Marathon streaming on my laptop and would watch, checking in on the elites and cheering for the start of the rest of the field.  I marveled at the sheer amount of people and the runner in me wished so badly that I was there.  Just to feel that rush, the adrenaline, even for a moment that the runners on the screen had.  I guess my excitement must have been contagious, because I was quickly joined by 6 little faces, all craning for a better look.  They asked questions about the wheelchair finish, and cheered as runners overtook other runners and asked me if these were my friends.  I guess they know I'm a runner, and figured I must run with people like Kara Goucher on a regular basis.  I love kids.  I tried to explain, but in the end, I think they thought I would be hanging up there in the front, ready to win, and there wasn't much I could do to dissuade that line of thought.  So, we sat, watching and enjoying it until it was time for lunch, and then naps and they forgot all about the people running for the moment.

I got a few glances in from time to time but had to take my hubby to the sports doctor mid afternoon for a running injury.  Ironic, huh?  So, while my daughter watched the kids, I was sitting in a doctor's office and not knowing that a whole different kind of excitement had overtaken Boston.  I wasn't getting feed updates on my phone any longer and I just assumed it was overloaded.  Until I got home and my daughter asked if I'd heard about the explosions.  My hubby instantly went to the tv away from the daycare kids to see what was going on and I checked my facebook feed, my heart growing heavier and heavier with each post.  I was angry, confused and scared for every person that was there, whether I knew them or not.  I was able to sit down and watch the coverage after the last child left and just couldn't believe what I saw.  I didn't even want to see it.  We turned it off, watched Food Network and I made dinner.  I won't say I didn't revisit Facebook throughout the evening, but somehow that made me feel better.  The news coverage just felt so impersonal, but reading the updates from other blogs, from friends and even shared updates from people I don't know, reminded me that I am part of one of the most awesome communities ever.  Runners are just amazing people.  They're welcoming, helpful, do anything for others type of people, and I think that was represented today.  We're mad as hell that anyone would do this to what is supposed to be a joyous celebration of a runner's hard work and dedication, but we will stand strong and together to show this won't stop us either.  I am prouder than ever to be a runner, to be part of that community, and show my support any way I can.

Tomorrow I will be wearing a race shirt, something to show my support for every runner who was on the course yesterday, whether they finished or not, and to celebrate all of the volunteers, the emergency workers, the family and friends cheering the runners on and to Boston and the BAA for everything they stand for to the running community.  You are all awesome.  Thank you.