Marathon Monday

Happy Marathon Monday to all!  I woke up at 5:30 am in order to caffeinate properly before the Boston feed went live at 6:30 am.  This was especially tough after going to bed very late due to the Blazer playoff game going into overtime.  Way tougher than actually running 26.2.  I am all hopped up on sports and emotions.  I just want to run around and talk with whoever will listen about Shalane, Meb, Team Hoyt, the runners who carried the man across the finish, the beauty that is the Boston Marathon and taking back the finish.

Today's outfit (thanks So Cal travel, my skin is no longer translucent)

Instead of creeping everyone out by doing that, I've instead decided to take a look at my week ahead.  I am finally back in town (until Sat) and need to log some miles on the spin bike and hours on the yoga mat if I am going to beat my March totals.  I should also be tapering since I am running Big Sur Marathon on Sunday. No big deal.  It just sorta snuck up on me.  I've had a very lazy relaxed approach to this marathon, only doing two double digit runs since Napa and not mentally preparing at all.  It hit me this morning while watching others cross the finish line that I am also running a marathon this week and that is in fact a big deal.

The good news is every person I mention the race to has the exact same response: "don't push for a PR on this course, just take your time and soak in the scenery."  So that's my plan.  I am going to let Leslie set the pace and I'll try and stay steady and have fun.  And maybe even take a picture or two; first time for everything. The weather is predicted to be low 60's, cloudy and a 20% chance of rain.  Should make for great conditions if that holds true.

Excited to see these views

I am not going to "taper" since I don't have anything to taper down from.  I'll do a few very short runs this week + yoga and spin.  This lackadaisical approach will be coming to an end soon.  I've got some ambitious goals for my running over the next few months.  Many of which were spurred by watching Boston this morning.  I always find it mind-blowing when runners say, "even if I qualified I wouldn't want to do Boston." I just don't understand that mindset.  How could you not want to experience THE race and be part of that community?  I may not get there until I am in my 50's but I know someday I'll be there and I will look forward to and strive for that moment with every step I run.

A huge CONGRATULATIONS to my Nuun Hood To Coast teammates: Jenny, Meghan B. and Megan H. who ran some seriously speedy marathons.  These girls are legit runners and people who inspire me daily. Congrats to all three of you and everyone else who ran Boston today.

Someday I'll capture the unicorn

Boston

There is nothing that I can say that hasn't already been said.  I am shocked, heartbroken, pissed and in total disbelief.  This one hits too close to home.  As a runner you feel like this could have been any one of us or our family members.  In a sense you feel like it was your family members.  I woke up early on Monday to watch Kara & Shalane before heading into work.

I was on a runners high all day just from feeling the Boston excitement that is so palpable you can feel it through electronic media.  It was a USA TODAY "breaking news update" on my phone that alerted me to the explosions and the next few hours/days have been a blur.  I don't really feel like I can say much since I wasn't there and thankfully all of my friends who were are okay.  I can't even begin to grasp what those who were not as fortunate are going through.  Instead some thoughts from others -

I thought Emily said this perfectly:
We don’t yet know why this attack happened. But at face value, this tragedy is so shocking and so disturbing because it was a senseless attack on an event that is not inherently divisive. The beauty of our sport is that it is one of positivity, strength, perseverance and shared accomplishment. Running offers something different to everyone but it is always something that is fueled by good. People use miles to achieve goals they once thought impossible, to reach personal bests, for good health, to help overcome or cope with life-threatening illness, to celebrate the lives of loved ones lost, to raise funds for countless charities close to their hearts, or for the pure joy of spending time with friends who also love lacing up and hitting the road. Running is a sport where competitors are friends and respect one another. 

And I loved Sarah's note about the community: 
The outpouring of support, love, and fiery resilience from the running community has been astounding. I’m so proud to be part of this peculiar connected-in-miles-but-otherwise-completely-unrelated group people. High fives to all of you being awesome and finding the good in this face of evil.

I've been so impressed with the quick reaction of everyone to come together and do something to help and honor.  I was feeling beyond helpless to do something useful at this time of need.  I've gone through all kinds of scenarios in the past 48 hours.  Anywhere from getting on a plane (I have no idea what my plan would be upon landing), to organizing a run, to sending money (which I've done but seems so insignificant), to signing up for the Chicago Marathon and raising money for Red Cross (still debating this one) etc...

For now, I am running 26.2 miles this week in honor of those who can't and just continuing to move forward.  Runners are the wrong group to target; we'll only get stronger, faster and more resilient.  I finally started to feel better last night when I set out on my own for a 15 mile run along the Bay.  There was an unspoken sense of community with every runner you saw and the silent nods of everyone in there race shirts feeling the need to carry on.  I think a lot of people had the same reaction of, what can I possibly do?  I guess I'll go for a run.

15 Miles (of 26.2)

My friend Adam said it well:
Inspired me to register for the Portland Marathon again, despite saying I was never going to run a full marathon again. I was inspired to do so because I will not let the bombing in Boston change what for many people is the accomplishment of a lifetime. I will not let this change what is for so many an inspiration to better themselves, and in turn inspire others. If you have ever thought you might want to challenge yourself to push yourself to run a marathon I encourage you to make this the year. Better yourself and let the person or people responsible for this horrible atrocity know that they cannot beat the human spirit.
  
I am so far from qualifying from Boston but this week lit a fire that tells me someday and somehow I will get there.  We owe it to those who no longer have that choice.