“[We promised] that fear would not control us, and that the spirit of Boston would win over hate and terrorism. Why am I running Boston? How could I not?” -Julia R
It’s been quite a training season getting ready for Boston. I’m ecstatic to be running on Monday. So many emotions come into play. This isn’t just another marathon. This one is special. I’ve earned my way into it and I couldn’t be happier to be there this year to help Boston heal and to celebrate all that they’re overcome. I want to honor victims, the first responders, the strangers that are now bonded for life. I want to celebrate them.
As with all training seasons I have, I’ve had a lot of ups and downs. There’s been a lot of personal changes in my life and I’ve had to work running around all of that. I resigned from my job in NJ, rented out my house, took a job in MD, and moved to MD. All within two months. And that was the start of my training season. I was coming back from a busted fall training season where I had a DNS for Marine Corps Marathon because of a few broken ribs. I was slow to get back into it. I took my time and told myself to be patient. Eventually, the speed started to come back. The endurance started to show up. It took quite a bit. And I had trouble fathoming running a few 20 plus mile runs this time around. It seemed impossible. But it wasn’t. I had to relearn how to work running into my new life. With all the kinks in my new schedule, I did the best I could do. And that is what I’ll be working with on Monday and the most I can ask of myself. But the Boston Marathon isn’t about me – it’s about the people and the city. I am honored to be a part of helping Boston heal.
Girls Just Want to Run 