Why I Ran – and Why I Will Continue to Run

Long before I was a mom, a wife, a physical therapist, an athletic trainer, a coach, a student – I was a runner.

I ran my first race at age 3 and have been hooked ever since. At times I was competitive, I ran to win. At other times I ran for fun. Sometimes I trained very hard – other times I was more lax. But though it all, year after year, I have been a runner. I have run in more states then most people have been to. I have run in other countries , on cruise ships, in the mountains , in the city, at the beach , on tracks , on roads, at dawn, at mid night, in minus 10,in 110, in rain, snow , sleet , sun, thunder, lightening, with 53 thousand others , by myself, with my dad , my mom, my husband , my kids, my grandfather , old friends and new friends. Running has just always been me.

As a lifelong runner the Boston Marathon was always in my dreams – to one day run it – then to go back – again and again.

After the bombing yesterday – I can say a piece of my heart is forever broken. Every Patriots Day as long as I can remember whether I had run Boston or not has been filled with happy phone calls, emails and texts from friends and clients. Reporting their day – asking about mine – talking about the amazing crowds – heartbreak hill – did the Red Sox win – how was the wind – was is hot – was it cold. The same conversations year after year – with always the same tone – a finish at Boston was a great day!!

Yesterday was just so horribly different – trying to locate clients and friends that had and hadn’t finished. Seeing the horror on a street I and so many thousands have so proudly run down and the sidewalks so many more thousands – including my friends and family have stood on cheering was just beyond belief. I am so grateful to have found all my clients and friends shaken, changed – but ok. Yet devastated for all those who can’t say the same.

It is so hard to explain what a community the world of runners is. In running there is no – better and fancier equipment – there are no haves and have not’s. 26.2 miles is the same for everyone and there truly seems to be a respect that is lacking in so many other sports for the effort everyone has made for their own achievements. We all just blend together.

For me road races are like a second home, as funny as that might sound. Each one – no matter how big or small has that same feel. There is a warm welcoming familiarity that makes a runner feel comfortable and at home. I can image that too many runners, just like me it is as if our own home had been attacked.

As much as part of me wants to run away and hide from the all to horrors of our world – the runner in me says – hell no – I care too much and work too hard to have some coward take away so much of my life.

I will choice to focus on all the amazing people who ran to help – not away to hide.

I will continue to take every chance I get to be a part of my running community and fill the rest of my heart with happy wonderful memories. One I plan to be – Boston 2014.