Today was the 118th annual Boston Marathon. This race is always a big deal for the city of Boston, but even more so after the events of last year's race.
People say that their will be certain events in history that you will never forget. Last year's Boston Marathon will be something I will never forget. I was in class all morning last year, but was able to stream the race on my phone. I was able to watch the very first moments of the race all the way to the elite athletes crossing the finish line. I was glued to the action. I wasn't following any particular athletes, more watching to see the emotion, passion and determination to give this race their all. I had just sat down in my last class when a tweet popped up on my feed: there was trouble at the finish line. My heart sank. I felt sick.
Last year, I was just a college girl with marathon dreams. This year I am a marathoner. I know the hours and miles it takes to even get to the start line. The early mornings, turning down late night party invitations and planning every minute of your week to make sure you can carve out time for a long run. I am very lucky to be able to be able to focus on school right now and not have to worry about working to put myself through school. Running has turned into my outlet for bad days and even celebrating the good days. It's something I do solely for myself.
When I crossed the start line, I knew I wouldn't be the same person when I crossed the finish line. I promise you if you asked a group of people why they trained for a marathon, their answers who all vary. Walking up to the start line can be a terrifying task. I don't think my mind fully knew what was about to go down in the next few hours to follow. It's a feeling that's hard to explain, but to those people who are crazy enough to complete the 26.2 miles.
My mom tagged me in this photo on Facebook: Source
People say that their will be certain events in history that you will never forget. Last year's Boston Marathon will be something I will never forget. I was in class all morning last year, but was able to stream the race on my phone. I was able to watch the very first moments of the race all the way to the elite athletes crossing the finish line. I was glued to the action. I wasn't following any particular athletes, more watching to see the emotion, passion and determination to give this race their all. I had just sat down in my last class when a tweet popped up on my feed: there was trouble at the finish line. My heart sank. I felt sick.
Last year, I was just a college girl with marathon dreams. This year I am a marathoner. I know the hours and miles it takes to even get to the start line. The early mornings, turning down late night party invitations and planning every minute of your week to make sure you can carve out time for a long run. I am very lucky to be able to be able to focus on school right now and not have to worry about working to put myself through school. Running has turned into my outlet for bad days and even celebrating the good days. It's something I do solely for myself.
When I crossed the start line, I knew I wouldn't be the same person when I crossed the finish line. I promise you if you asked a group of people why they trained for a marathon, their answers who all vary. Walking up to the start line can be a terrifying task. I don't think my mind fully knew what was about to go down in the next few hours to follow. It's a feeling that's hard to explain, but to those people who are crazy enough to complete the 26.2 miles.
My mom tagged me in this photo on Facebook: Source
In some weird way, I think this makes perfect sense. I realize that running 26.2 miles is slightly crazy and people ask me all the time why I like to run so much. I run because it makes me happy. It's as simple as that.
Shout out to Meb for running a 2:08:37 marathon today and being the first American to win the Boston title since 1983. This was a very emotional win for him and the city of Boston. "When the bomb exploded, every day since I've wanted to come back and win it. When the Red Sox won it and put the trophy right there," he said, pointing to the finish line, "I wanted to win it for the people of Boston. It's beyond words. The laurel wreath, the trophy." You can read the rest of the article from USA Today on his historic win.
Shout out to Meb for running a 2:08:37 marathon today and being the first American to win the Boston title since 1983. This was a very emotional win for him and the city of Boston. "When the bomb exploded, every day since I've wanted to come back and win it. When the Red Sox won it and put the trophy right there," he said, pointing to the finish line, "I wanted to win it for the people of Boston. It's beyond words. The laurel wreath, the trophy." You can read the rest of the article from USA Today on his historic win.
Photo: Greg M. Cooper, USA TODAY Sports
The people of Boston really rallied together to show the world how much this race really meant to them. The support of this town is unheard of. I have a long term goal of someday being able to run Boston, but for now I will read the articles and stories of athletes making their dreams come true, one step at a time.