Tuesday, April 16, 2013

My Boston Marathon 2013

I ran the 2013 Boston Marathon and it made me realize how many caring people there are in the world. It seems that almost every person who is even remotely connected to me, contacted me to check on my well-being while I was in Boston. The only thing I can compare it to was feeling like George Bailey at the end of "It's a Wonderful Life" when he realizes how many people care about him and how truly fortunate he is. I am also grateful to all of the people in the running blogger community who sent me well-wishes. I consider all of you my friends, even though I haven't even met some of you. We are bonded by our love for running and when a tragedy happens that friendship is made even more evident. I am truly fortunate to have found a place where I can share the joys and the pitfalls of our sport.

I also want to say how incredible each and every person in Boston and in the towns along the marathon route was. I have never experienced such support, from every friendly volunteer to all of the random people handing out aid and encouragement along the 26.2 route. To think that some of those strangers lined up along the home stretch shouting my name at the top of their lungs were gone or in hospital rooms a handful of minutes later is something I can't even grasp.

I am safely home now, and will post a Boston Marathon race recap soon. 

4/13/2013

10 comments:

  1. Good job!! Glad you got home safely.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Glad you're okay Pete! Couldn't believe it when I saw it online. But I def can't wait to read about your experience. Get some rest :)

    ReplyDelete
  3. I am glad to know that you got to experience the thrill and joy of the Boston Marathon in full before this tragedy. I sat in shock at my desk in Chicago after "watching" my friends online all morning when I received the first terrible picture. I also had a stream of calls, emails and FB posts from people that I have known since I did Boston in 1998. I was their connection.

    I take some solace in the strength of the running community. I lived in NYC after 9/11 and I feel like we are now shell shocked like New York but will will persevere - one step at a time and beside our running family.

    Be well. I am glad that you made it home safely.

    ReplyDelete
  4. You are loved. Runners are a special breed, and I am so thankful to have virtually met you. Thank goodness you are safe. xoxo

    ReplyDelete
  5. Way to go, George Bailey. And glad to hear you're okay and back home safe.

    ReplyDelete
  6. I'm glad you're okay and back in Chicago!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thank heavens you are safely home. Boston is an amazing city filled with amazing, caring people.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Happy to hear you made it home safely and experienced the love of your fellow runner/spectator/man there... and here! I love that about this community - we do care about each other.

    ReplyDelete
  9. I'm so glad you're back! Can't wait to read your race report!

    ReplyDelete