“We are one. We will run.”
~Henry Ford
Feeling like we’re part of something bigger than ourselves is a powerful thing. For me, the incredible unity of the running community has been that “something bigger” this week. On Monday, runners from every corner of the country gathered together in solidarity at local running stores to Run for Boston.
If you are looking for hope … if you are looking for inspiration … if you are looking for courage … if you just want to stop feeling numbness and sadness from last week’s events, look no further than the running community. Because in this moment of heartbreak, a unity stronger than any bomb has been ignited. Never have I seen so much love, caring and goodness mobilize so quickly around us.
On Monday evening, I felt that. I experienced it. I joined my local running store to Run for Boston. It wasn’t a fast run or a long run. But it was an incredibly meaningful run.
We ran 3.26 miles together. Friends I’ve run with for years. New friends I just met yesterday. All connected by an unspoken bond. There were no words that were really needed. We were all there for the same reason. To be part of something bigger than ourselves. To show our support. To give back. “We are one. We will run.”
Monday’s run was also special because I got to join forces with some awesome Atlanta-based running and fitness bloggers, including Elizabeth from Running for Bling, fellow Nuun Hood to Coast teammate Lindsay from Twisted Running (yes, she is as cute and awesome in person as she was in her Nuun application video!) and Melissa from My Peach Life. I got to learn more about their lives, and I got to see why these women are so special.
Alas, it was full of water and not Cherry Limeade Nuun. Boo!
I was so excited to get to this run and meet all my new friends, I forgot to put money in the parking meter and got one of these …
Today I am proud. Today I am thankful. Today I am full of joy for being part of the running community. We will not let fear hold us down. We will instead unleash the greatest weapon to fight back: to keep running and racing to honor those who can’t.
Did you participate in a run for Boston yesterday? If so, tell us about it.
Comments
Love seeing all of these runs! Our local running store hosted one as well and it was amazing to see the number of people come out from our little town, we were over 400!
This is so awesome! I wish there was a run for Boston run in my area! I would totally be in.
I attended the run at Big Peach in Decatur. Had a great time!
Glad that Decatur run was great, Erica. It is always so nice to meet a fellow Atlanta runner! xo
Awesome! Love the sea of blue and yellow. Almost as much as I love the cherry limeade nuun. It will be a sad day if they discontinue that flavor!
I love seeing all the running support in the blog world. What a cool idea to send a banner! That’s awesome.
I did participate in a Run for Boston yesterday! It was amazing! It was a 2.62 run and there was so much blue and yellow, it was great!
Do you think you could fight that ticket?! I hope that they’d understand charity and moral support!
Sounds like you also had an awesome run. I love that we were all united even though we weren’t all in the same place.
I can’t believe I just left my car without paying my fee. I seriously doubt I’d be able to fight it. Human error. That’s what I get for being so excited to see all my running friends and participate in the solidarity. 🙂
I participated in a Run for Boston on Saturday and it was so awesome and inspiring to see so many runners come together. There was another one last night that I wasn’t able to attend due to bad weather, but apparently over 100 runners came together and ran in the rain and HAIL. This is why I love running, the community is just so amazing.
I think you should be able to itemize that ticket as a donation, right?!? (Just kidding…wouldn’t want to you get audited or anything!) 😉 That is so something I would do, forget to pay the meter.
My girlfriend and I participated in Boston Strong San Diego last night. An impromptu event that drew over 1000 runners. It was inspiring to see so many runners, families, children, and even dogs showing up to show their support. An awesome experience. Here’s a news clip from the local TV station: http://fox5sandiego.com/2013/04/22/san-diego-runners-are-boston-strong/#axzz2RIkYRqfm
The run was amazing. So glad I got to come out, run for a cause, and meet other bloggers and runners.
It was SO awesome to finally meet you in person. Looking forward to getting together and running again soon! xo
So great to see all of these stores accross the country running for Boston. And raising money can only help aid the city of Boston in it’s healing. <3
loved Monday 🙂 so good to hang out IRL.
I did the run at WestStride, it was fun but would have been more fun with friends. I’m glad to be able to be part of such a meaningful event. I actually found out about the run from your post. Thx.
I’m so glad you went Amy. A good friend of mine was there too. Wish I could have introduced you. I’d love to run with you sometime. One weekend we need to pick a date and meet up! Perhaps after my race. Miss seeing you guys! Hope you are doing well.