April 15th, 2014th marked the one year anniversary from last year's Boston Marathon bombings. A year ago I was not heavily invested in running. I was very aware of what happened, but it didn't impact me on a deeper level. I was very saddened for the people who were affected and was certainly angered by yet another terrorist act in my country; but I don't think I truly felt the sadness that was waving through the running community.
A year later, I have deeply invested in my running and have now broadened my own community to incorporate more runners. It is a deep passion of mine and I can't imagine not ever running. On April 15th, 2014 I was at Planet Fitness, enjoying my new membership, warming up on the elliptical; a warm up I had decided on to nurture and heal an ankle injury I have been dealing with for almost 5 months. There were a line of tv's in front of me, all playing various networks from music to sitcoms and news. One tv caught my eye that was showing footage from last year's bombings. All of the sudden, I began to cry. I imagined that happening at one of my races. Imagining the terror and fear that everyone felt. The worry of the observers looking for their loved ones, the confusion of those who had just finished the 26.2 miles, the children.
But most of all, I thought of the survivors. Those who lost limbs. Whose running lives would be impacted forever. At first this deeply saddened me. In reflecting in dealing with my ankle injury the last few months and how that emotionally and physically affected me, I suddenly became overrun with saddened feelings for those who completely lost their legs and are avid and/or professional runners. People who run Boston don't do it as a hobby. They've qualified because running is their life. So to lose the very source that helps move their passion forward must be incredibly devastating.
However, the survivors (or at least the ones featured in the media) are beyond exceptional. Take Celeste Corcoran. She lost both of her legs in the bombings, yet she is running it again this year in prosthetics! In less than a year she has had to lose her legs, deal with the emotional scars of this event, get prosthetics, learn how to use them, and train for a marathon. IN LESS THAN A YEAR. That is crazy. There are people who lose limbs who spend a lifetime trying to get pass what happened to them. I have no idea what she is going through emotionally, but I think it says a lot that she's getting her ass moving and running that dang marathon again. I can only imagine the cathartic experience it will be for all in attendance last year to be a part of this year. I so badly wish I could go experience it all.
Even though I won't be in Boston, I have been and will continue to follow as much coverage about the survivors and the newcomers to the race this year. I feel so much more deeply connected to the running community now that it feels blasphemous to not stay tuned. On top of which, these people are what help keep me moving as I train for my next half marathon. If they can experience what they did and still run, than so can I. The survivors of the Boston bombings taught me that someone might be able to take away your physical being, but they can not take away your passion, and that is what helps you cross the finish line.
If you're interested in learning more about Celeste and other survivors, check out this great photo exhibition. http://rw.runnersworld.com/dearworld/slide_06.html
