Most years I go out on Patriot's Day to cheer on the runners. I like the halfway point - 13.1 miles down, and oh-my-god-I-have-this-much-still-to-go? can be a rough place, so what the hell, I go out and hop up and down and cheer them on. It's hard, running.
But with the earlier start time the past few years, and a later work time for me, and just getting over a fever, well, I went home after work today instead. Figured I'd check for the results after I'd had some lunch.
But around 3:00, a strange post popped up on my Facebook newsfeed. "[Boyfriend] and I are fine," it said. "Nowhere near the blast." Blast? I thought. What blast? Then another one, from a friend who moved to NYC a few years ago but grew up here in Beantown. "BOSTON, CHECK IN!" read this one.
So I did what any sensible TV-less person would do and popped up a couple of local news sites on my laptop. Holy hell, did I regret that decision a few moments later. Bombs, blood and Boylston may be euphonious in their alliteration but they are NOT a happy combination of words. I quickly posted my own "I'm fine" message and started checking my own list of friends, especially runners. No one I know was involved, to my knowledge, and yet this is MY CITY, damnit, you don't go BLOWING UP RUNNERS, or LITTLE KIDS, and you sure as hell don't do it in front of the BOSTON PUBLIC LIBRARY!!!
Angry much? Oh yes, I'm angry. This weird holiday that we celebrate here in Massachusetts, this whole Patriot's Day - Lexington and Concord, anyone? The Boston Marathon is the oldest in the world - the first one was run in 1897, a year after the first modern marathon was held at the first Olympics in Athens - and you can't just sign up, you have to qualify for this thing. Inasmuch as this young country HAS history, well, this is it. And to the scumbag(s) who thought they'd blow some stuff up today, I have devised a lovely punishment for you.
All those runners who were forced to abandon the race after the detonations? The ones who'd been training for months and running for hours and didn't get to cross the finish line because of YOU? Well, when you're caught, all those runners should be allowed to complete the distance they were denied. Over your body. Wearing cleats.
This is Boston. We're not going to put up with this bullshit.
All was not gloom and horror today, though. On a personal level, it was rather reassuring to receive numerous texts, calls and messages from people wanting to find out if I was okay. And my 22-month-old nephew popped out his first sentence today (it was "Daddy, sit down" if you care - closely followed by "Auntie, get down" {yeah, all right, I was up a tree}). The sheer number of people volunteering to put up runners and family members displaced or stuck here due to the chaos. The outpouring of support from the rest of the world (even Yankees fans! You know it's big if they're on board).
But Marathon Monday will never be the same.
9 comments:
Just so glad to know that you're OK!! You were the first person I thought of when I heard, so I quickly checked your FB page and saw you were fine (and also staying away from FB). I'm so happy that none of your nearest and dearest were hurt! Very sad, though, about the victims. It's just a senseless pile of shit, it really is. Your punishment, while good, isn't nearly as punishing as they deserve.
*hugs*
To me Boston Marathon is where Kathrine Switzer proved that a woman's ovaries don't fall out if she runs a marathon. To me, it is where it all began for women long distance runners. And for most marathoners a BQ is the Holy Grail of Running (I know it is one I never even aspire to, because it is so beyond me).
And then they do THIS???? And a nine year old boy waiting for his father to complete!!!! No, just the runners who couldn't compete- let all the runners who couldn't qualify also run over them, even if many of them run barefoot or in minimals.
On another note, am I the only one who thinks US marathons are jinxed this year- NY was hit by the elements, Boston by people. Don't know which was worse.
It's a terrible tragedy that happened yesterday. I hope they catch those responsible and bring them to justice.
The main purpose of terror is to scare. It's apparently successful every time. It's not likely that you or me or any other individual will be victim to an act of terror. I hope the they'll catch the Boston.terrorists very soon.
Cold As Heaven
I'm still mad. One of my coworkers had to have shrapnel removed from his leg, but he was at work today anyway. Good man.
They're saying now it was ball bearings in pressure cookers. I seriously don't understand people.
I was horrified when I heard what happened. My thoughts and prayers go out to those in your city. I hope the catch and punish those responsible in the worst possible way.
A day later, it still doesn't make sense.
Living in India, I am not stranger to terror attacks (we had a couple of bombs go off pretty close to where my neighbour's parents stay just a month back).
And there have been all those times, when me or my hubby have "just escaped"- he, in fact, was at a traffic light less than 100 meters away from a car bomb that went off during the "famous" Mumbai Terror Attack of November 2008- but this still hits home very hard.
Because they were marathoners. A breed of people who know pain, who know how to keep fighting, who never ever give up. And this was Boston- the Holy Grail of marathons.
Why can't we all just live in peace?
*hugs*
I've had shotty internet and wasn't able to really catch up with you. Glad that you and your loved ones are well. *glomps*
Like the rest of the American and Canadian (me) people, I too was glued to the TV/laptop and checking sites on fb, and twitter for updates. Now it is over and I am sorry for you, and all the locals, runners and all involved. Hugs to you. For me and the others in my city in New Brunswick, you always were and will remain....Boston Strong!
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