Congrats to all the runners in the Boston Marathon today! I can imagine all the excitement for the runners and their families to be a part of one of the greatest races in the country. I was fortunate to be able to run in it last year and experience it for myself. This race by far was always on my bucket list (as I'm sure it is for every runner).
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| In the corral waiting to start the Boston Marathon |
People train their whole running career just to be able to run their dream race here. I couldn't believe that I was actually fortunate enough to be here. I was at the starting line of the Boston Marathon and it was a dream come true! At the start of the race I told myself I wasn't trying to go for time since I knew it was a hard course. I didn't want to have to stress out about anything but to just enjoy myself and experience the Marathon. And that is just what I did! I have never been to a race that had so many cheering spectators along the sidelines during the ENTIRE race! This gave me much motivation when the going got tough during the course. There were even children high fiving you and giving out Swedish fish and gummy bears. Who could pass that up? I finished the race feeling a sense of accomplishment. I was now able to check one more (big thing) off of my bucket list!
I no sooner got through the finish line chute and that's when I heard the first bomb that went off. My friend and I had no idea what had happened. We took a quick picture and headed back to the hotel to find out the extent of the tragedy that had just occurred. My sense of pride quickly changed to a sense of sorrow. My friend said it best when he said "What a tragedy for many when it should have been a triumph for all". I couldn't agree more. The finish line experience was much different than the starting line experience.
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| Just after receiving my medal for completing the Boston marathon. This is when we heard the first bomb. I noticed from this picture that the smoke had started to form in the background. |
I no sooner got through the finish line chute and that's when I heard the first bomb that went off. My friend and I had no idea what had happened. We took a quick picture and headed back to the hotel to find out the extent of the tragedy that had just occurred. My sense of pride quickly changed to a sense of sorrow. My friend said it best when he said "What a tragedy for many when it should have been a triumph for all". I couldn't agree more. The finish line experience was much different than the starting line experience.
Congrats to everyone running the Boston Marathon today! We hope everyone has a fantastic journey and a safe finish!
Do you know anyone running Boston today?
Wow....that photo is really spooky Lacey. You have such a beautiful big smile, yet the smoke in the background.... I know loads of people running including two coaches from my running group. Of course my television will be on and I will be closely following the race today!
ReplyDeleteThank you! Yes, this sure is an odd picture to have as a souvenir! I don't know how I feel about it.
DeleteWhat a hard experience to process. The triumph is yours forever though, congratulations and I'm so glad you were able to finish safely. Best of luck to all the Boston runners today!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I am hoping everyone has a triumphant finish today!
DeleteI echo everyone's sentiments and am glad that you were able to come home safely. I'm following some of the coverage of this year's marathon and it is so emotional.
ReplyDeleteYes, it is so emotional yet it is so exciting! I am so excited for those who are running it for the first time!
DeleteWow Lacey! The smoke in your picture is eerie. So glad you were safe and sound! I have to teach my preschoolers today so I will be unable to watch but I will be there in spirit! I have several runners' tracking coming to my phone too!
ReplyDeleteI hope you get a glimpse of the race today or get to watch pieces of it tonight on the Sports channels. I know ESPN will be playing some recaps tonight!
DeleteI know two people running today, and I was a little emotional this morning.
ReplyDeleteI hope your friends have a glorious race Lesley!
DeleteWhat an incredible picture Lacey. Who knew at that split moment in time when you were celebrating your finish how the events in Boston would unfold. So glad that you were safe and unharmed last year!
ReplyDeleteYes, I was glad to finish but unfortunately it wasn't much of a celebration after that.
DeleteIt makes me so sad to hear that a day that would have been a day of triumph for all turned into a mournful day. I hope this year is different, and everyone has a fun and safe Boston Marathon experience!
ReplyDeleteMe too Lauren! I hope everyone has a triumphant race today!
DeleteI too agree with what everyone else has said, I am glad you were safe and sad you and all the others weren't able to celebrate the triumph you all deserved!
ReplyDeleteThis was one of the races I've always wanted to run and I pictured it being such a happy event at the end. Maybe one day I will do it again!
DeleteWow what a quote. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading Lindsay!
DeleteThank you for sharing your experience. I can't imagine your mixed emotions as you reflect on that day.
ReplyDeleteHere's hoping that today's event and all future events are safe and triumphant for all involved.
This race certainly does have emotions attached to it but I was very excited to watch the runners this morning as they all gathered at Hopkinton waiting for their chance to run!
DeleteThank you for sharing, someone was watching over you making sure you made it across that finish line safely! It's so great to see the resilience and high spirits while watching the marathon today.
ReplyDeleteLauren
Yes, I loved seeing and hearing the excitement this year!
DeleteCongrats on completing the Boston Marathon last year! I'm glad that you finished safely!
ReplyDeleteThank you Tina! I hope everyone has a great race this year!
DeleteWow! You are so blessed to have had that experience--and a safe one at that! Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteThanks for reading Jasmine! I am very glad to have had the experience of running the Boston Marathon. That is one thing that will never be taken away from me.
DeleteThat picture is crazy how the smoke is right there... thank God there is distance ...
ReplyDeleteI've been anxious all day for all the runners. Everyone is so brave crossing that finish line anyday - but even more today.
I was so excited for everyone too! Crossing the finish line of the Boston Marathon is a feeling like no other!
DeleteOMG you were so close. Even though I haven't run it since 2010, I still think of where all of my friends and kids were standing near that finish line. Chilling. I have about 100 friends running today, one of which pulled off a 2:57 a little bit ago. So darn proud of her and everyone running. It truly is an amazing city and an amazing race!
ReplyDeleteThen you can certainly related to the feeling of crossing that finish line at Boston! It is truly amazing! I hope your friends all have a fabulous race. The weather looked beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhen I first looked at this post on my phone the picture at the top just showed you from the neck up, and it looked like your face was printed on that guy's shirt. Funny.
ReplyDeleteI can't believe how close you were last year, that must have been a crazy/scary experience!
Yeah, that guy is super tall in the pic and I'm so darn short. Yes, I was very close. I'm just glad I wasn't hurt. It will be an experience I will never forget!
DeleteIt's crazy how random life can be. There must not have been much noise from it though. Nobody looks like they're looking in that direction. Crazy.
ReplyDeleteIt actually was very loud. I remember looking around wondering what was going on. I thought it was cannons going off since it was Patriots Day. Of course the smoke came a few minutes later. I don't think anyone was really paying attention or thought such a tragedy was happening.
DeleteNOW THAT is terrifying! I am so glad you were not hurt!!!!!!! That is definitely a race you will never forget!
ReplyDeleteI was happy to have finished just in time and was not hurt! I don't think that memory will ever be out of my mind.
ReplyDeleteI had just met up with my family. My nephew said the heard it, but just thought it was a garbage dumpster or something. Then we heard a police officer on a golf cart, tell another that was standing there.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad that this year went well, and everybody was safe.