Six days later, the eyes of the world focussed on London. The running world had united in a show of solidarity that no other sport is capable of achieving. It was athlete's 'Arms Around the World' in a spectacle that glistened with respect, courage and maybe even defiance. There were no oceans, mountains or borders on Sunday in London. We were running for Boston, if that is possible? I say we and I wasn't even running, but WE were! And the people that lined the streets were cheering and clapping for Boston? They didn't stay at home 'just in case'...they brought their friends and families along by all accounts. The Marathon is often a very personal thing, a battle that is faced alone. The true goals of a marathon are often only known to the runner, set by them, for them. A time, an amount for charity, a promise made, a health challenge or a dare. This list goes on but this week there was something that connected every single athlete/runner/jogger/plodder/walker/cartoon character and it was symbolised by a simple ribbon, worn with pride on the chest. Do you know what, good on you all! Every single one of you. You did it...you made your difference and you showed the world! I am a runner, thank you for having me.
Tuesday, 23 April 2013
A Tale of Two Cities
I am a runner. And, I have been a runner more over the past week than I have ever been before. I've managed one 5 mile run this week, it was ok. Didn't break a record, didn't break a bone...a rather uninteresting week of running in my shoes. But like I said, this week I have never felt more part of running, and running a part of me. The act of violence towards an illegitimate target during one of the longest standing and celebrated institutions in our sport shook me to the core. I don't know why the Boston Marathon was chosen as a target of terrorism. I don't know the motives behind the people responsible, in fact, I don't know much about the people responsible. I have purposely chosen not to read, watch, or listen to too much reportage about the event or the suspects. I don't need to process the media's diatribe about the people responsible in order to feel grief and sorrow. I wasn't there and will never fully appreciate the horror of what happened, but to me it feels like someone, with no good intentions, entered my clubhouse and ripped the soul from some of our members. I haven't been able to bring myself to read about the innocent victims. For this I am feeling uneasy with myself. I know why it is, I am protecting myself. I am a father and might as well be a husband, and I have grown increasingly affected by news of family tragedy. For the families who lost loved ones at Boston, for the lives that changed forever at Boston, for those who view the world differently due to the events at Boston, my thoughts are with you. They can't win, they won't win.
Six days later, the eyes of the world focussed on London. The running world had united in a show of solidarity that no other sport is capable of achieving. It was athlete's 'Arms Around the World' in a spectacle that glistened with respect, courage and maybe even defiance. There were no oceans, mountains or borders on Sunday in London. We were running for Boston, if that is possible? I say we and I wasn't even running, but WE were! And the people that lined the streets were cheering and clapping for Boston? They didn't stay at home 'just in case'...they brought their friends and families along by all accounts. The Marathon is often a very personal thing, a battle that is faced alone. The true goals of a marathon are often only known to the runner, set by them, for them. A time, an amount for charity, a promise made, a health challenge or a dare. This list goes on but this week there was something that connected every single athlete/runner/jogger/plodder/walker/cartoon character and it was symbolised by a simple ribbon, worn with pride on the chest. Do you know what, good on you all! Every single one of you. You did it...you made your difference and you showed the world! I am a runner, thank you for having me.
Six days later, the eyes of the world focussed on London. The running world had united in a show of solidarity that no other sport is capable of achieving. It was athlete's 'Arms Around the World' in a spectacle that glistened with respect, courage and maybe even defiance. There were no oceans, mountains or borders on Sunday in London. We were running for Boston, if that is possible? I say we and I wasn't even running, but WE were! And the people that lined the streets were cheering and clapping for Boston? They didn't stay at home 'just in case'...they brought their friends and families along by all accounts. The Marathon is often a very personal thing, a battle that is faced alone. The true goals of a marathon are often only known to the runner, set by them, for them. A time, an amount for charity, a promise made, a health challenge or a dare. This list goes on but this week there was something that connected every single athlete/runner/jogger/plodder/walker/cartoon character and it was symbolised by a simple ribbon, worn with pride on the chest. Do you know what, good on you all! Every single one of you. You did it...you made your difference and you showed the world! I am a runner, thank you for having me.
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Beautifully said. I'm feeling all emotional now.
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