Boston Strong

It’s been a whirlwind of a week.  Just last week several of our Agonites were pounding Route 135 and Cleveland Circle and Beacon Streets. 

Then an event that would forever change the race happened. 

Two individuals out of stupidity, cowardice and ignorance bombed the finish line area at the Boston Marathon. 

The act of running is one thing where a person can feel true freedom.  Freedom from daily stress, chores, pain, responsibilities.  When you run, it’s just you, air and the road.  You only worry about yourself and nothing else.  You are freed from everything else that hold you down.  Unfortunately, this will change.  Every race you will now be reminded of the terror attacks.  You will be forced to go through scrutiny of the police/security teams.  Even while you run, you will be forever concerned about "that guy" with a suspicious bag along the course.  We will forced to be vigilant of spectators and items as we run.

Words cannot express the anger of millions of runners.  We will never be the same.

Yet.  We still can run.  We still have both of our legs.  We are still healthy.  There are over 100 individuals who were hurt by the attacks last week.  Out of which 14 people will now have prosthetics.  They will have to learn to walk all over again and run all over again.  It’s a long road to recovery for many. 

One individual, Jeff Bauman, whose horrific injury became one of the iconic images of the incident is without health insurance.  He lost both of his legs.  Yet, when he woke up from his medically induced coma, he was the first person to identify one of the attackers.  His identification led the authorities to the now famous mug shots and images of the two casually walking along the finish area.  We pray that Jeff will be able to run again…

If you are looking for a place to donate, this post has several links to different charities that’s been set up on behalf of the victims. 

We will return to our normal tongue and cheek post next week, but for this week, let’s be thankful that we can still run and pray that for those who cannot run, be a temporary set back.  Runners are a strong bunch.  Boston Strong.