Running Through The Fear

I’ve been reading everyone’s posts about Boston: the accounts from people who were there, that send tears running down my face; the stories of the everyday heroes, that make my heart swell; the examples of others who “stand with Boston” and encourage a positive response to this horrible event. I am most inspired by the posts from people who were there and are eager to return next year. They will not let this act of terror write their story of the Boston Marathon, of the running community, of humanity.

During the stunning silence before the singing of the National Anthem at the Cherry Blossom 10 Miler, I was thinking about how fortunate we were to be able to be running a race with thousands of others on a glorious day in our Nation’s Capitol without fear. I thought of the soldiers running “shadow races” in Afghanistan who put their lives on the line every day so we can enjoy this privilege of safety, security, and freedom. I thought of runners from other countries who train in dangerous conditions, and of women who risk punishment and persecution for engaging in a physical sport. I was grateful. I felt blessed.

What will I be feeling when we sing the National Anthem before the GW Parkway Classic this weekend?

I will be feeling sad for the people who were hurt or killed in Boston. I will be feeling sad for their families and friends. I will be feeling grateful for the people who rushed to help in the immediate aftermath, and for the people who continued to offer support in the hours and days afterwards. I will be feeling proud of the overwhelming response of support from people from all over the country (and the world), runners and non-runners alike. I will be feeling fortunate that I can still line up at the starting line with thousands of other runners at the home of one of our Founding Fathers and know (logically, if not emotionally) that the biggest risk I will face at the finish line is my cranky ITB.

After 9/11, I was propelled forward by this quote from FDR’s inaugural speech.

Laura’s reflections on Boston reminded me how we are able to move forward.

I know that as I reach the final stretch of the race, where the road is lined with fencing and people are cheering, I will have a knot in my heart. But, I will be running through the fear, in honor of the spirit of those who trained and ran the Boston Marathon, of those who came out to support the runners, of those who rushed to their aid, of those who continue to remind me that the overwhelming majority of people are overwhelmingly good, kind, and generous.

Regardless of my time, no matter how cranky my ITB is, I will cross the finish line smiling.

(2010 GW Parkway Classic Finish Line Cheer)

If you want to help, the Red Cross has indicated that it does not need any more donations for its response, but Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick and Boston Mayor Tom Menino have announced the formation of The One Fund Boston, Inc. “to help the people most affected by the tragic events that occurred in Boston on April 15, 2013.”  (There are many other sites collection donations–be wary of scams!)