So much has happened since my last (first) post.
I finished Insanity, and I don't think I've ever felt more accomplished about anything in my life. Maybe finishing my Master's thesis (ok, probably then). The last week was honestly the hardest, and really only because I was bored with the workouts. They were still really challenging because Shaun T expects you to always dig deeper, but I knew what was coming next and knew where I would be tired and where I would get breaks. His perfect abs get annoying sometimes, too.
Then I was in a stage of delirium putting off thinking about this new 26 in 26 goal. I ran both weekend days after I finished Insanity and felt really good to be back in my running shoes, but they were sort of casual, 3-4 mile runs. Then, I thought about the fact that I told all these people that I was going to run a marathon. And then, on Tuesday of that following week, I heard from a friend that the Disney registration had opened.
So on Wednesday, when I was sitting in my office finishing up work before going to dinner with dear friend, Sarah, I pulled up the website and clicked on the registration page. And I had it sitting there for a good 45 minutes while I did other things, contemplating if I was really ready to make that crazy commitment. And then I closed it and went to dinner. After discussing with Sarah for pretty much the entirety of our meal, I promptly went home and registered. And apparently I did a good enough job not only convincing myself to run it, but Sarah registered too!
Since then, we've discussed all the important pieces of running the Disney marathon, namely, the creation of an all-Disney playlist to listen to along the course. Top hits include songs from Mulan, Lion King, Aladdin, and Beauty & the Beast. We've also been working on our sales pitch to convince a few others to join us in January. I'll keep you all posted on how that goes (I know you're on the edge of your seats).
After less than a week of excitement/jitters, yesterday happened. One of the greatest races of all time was bombed, and the safe, comforting feeling that running provides for so many was taken from those people. I am still processing this turn of events. For a few reasons, this horrible act has hit me harder than those in the past. Boston is a place that I hold dear to my heart, because of the people, the teams, the memories. And then there's the marathon piece. I remember finishing my first half in Pittsburgh in 2011, and my dad and brother were right there, cheering my mom and I to the finish. Just like those families were doing yesterday. I remember feeling so fulfilled and accomplished, and after seeing the photos of the incredible runners who could not finish, I couldn't imagine how that must have felt. To run in Boston is a dream (far-fetched for most, me included) for any runner. To strip the city and the people of a day typically so filled with celebration and honor still seems unreal.
Today was my planned day off of running. But because I didn't know what else to do, I ran. I ran because there are people who could run yesterday, and who can't today. I ran because no matter how tired or frustrated or lazy I may be feeling, I cannot take my ability for granted. As I was heading out on one of my typical easy 4-mile loops (wearing one of my Red Sox hats, of course), I noticed that an entire street had hung American flags outside their homes. These flags weren't there yesterday, or the day before. These flags were there to show solidarity, to show support, for the city of Boston. We are all connected, united we stand.
If you are a runner (or even if you're not), log a mile or two for Boston. Last I checked, 1,301 people across the world had logged thousands of miles. There's no money connected, no donations. This is, again, showing solidarity and support for Boston.
Because as a runner, when I don't know what else to do, I run. And I will continue to do so.
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