Wednesday, April 17, 2013

In Response to the Boston Marathon Tragedy

April 15 will always be a special date for me; it's the anniversary of my first full marathon.  This year, April 15 was also the day of the infamous Boston Marathon.


Anybody who has ever run a marathon has at least entertained the thought of running Boston.  Breezing through Newbury street, Ashland Park, and then finally attacking Heartbreak Hill.  Qualifying for Boston is a great achievement, but the event celebrates much more than just human strength and success.  



The Boston Marathon attracts runners from all corners of our country, as well as runners from nearly 100 other countries.  You must run a previous marathon within a certain time limit to qualify for Boston, making it a supremely prestigious event. (The current qualifying time for a male ages 18-34 is 3 hours and 5 minutes. For those of you keeping track, that's about a 7 min/mile pace... for 26.2 miles.)  There is an exception to having the minimum time requirement to run the event-- Runners who pledge to fund-raise for a cause can also participate.  Due to these strict requirements, what you have at Boston is really special: About 30,000 athletes who are all celebrating life and the pursuit of constant improvement and achievement for humanity.  



So of course people would flock to an event such as this.  I myself would love the opportunity to spectate Boston (I'm not even dreaming of running it anytime soon... but maybe one day).  It was this deep admiration of everything that the Boston Marathon stands for, and my proud devotion to the running community, that broke my heart at the first knowledge of the bombings on Monday.  

Terror was not just instilled in the mass of a crowd, it was instilled at one of the world's most inspiring events.  Personally, I will pray for Boston, donate blood, and go for a memorial run.  Those are the easy courses of action.  But what I really hope to do in remembrance of the Boston Marathon bombings is to promote some of the ideas that the Boston Marathon champions.  I will not allow terror to block these ideals of inspiration in my life, or my desire for others to experience them as well.

You should never be afraid to be inspired. 

Hope






Belief





Passion & Dedication




Love Towards Humanity





1 comment:

  1. I feel like you should include the Winner's Creed (see below):

    If you think you are beaten,
    you are;
    If you think you dare not,
    you don't;
    but think you can't,
    It's almost a cinch you won't.

    If you think you'll lose,
    you're lost;
    For out in the world we find
    sucess begins with a person's faith;
    It's all in the state of mind.

    Life's battles
    don't always go to the stronger or faster hand;
    They go to the one who trusts in God
    and always think "I can."



    Additionally you should include the following quote:

    If there was never any darkness, then we wouldn't see the fireflies :)

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