I had an entirely different topic to post on today. However, when you wait to post until later in the day, things change. The entire running community, as well as many others, have been shaken by the news coming out of Boston today. This was supposed to be a glorious day for those runners and spectators at the most prestigious marathon in the United States…the Boston Marathon. It’s a race that people work hard just to qualify to enter. For some it’s something that takes many years. So, I can just imagine what those runners were thinking as they woke up this morning to run in this race that is the holy grail of running. Excited…nervous…and everything in between.

From what I’ve read, the weather was perfect for a marathon. Since I live out on the west coast, I only got to see some of the conclusion of the coverage of the elite runners. In February, I joined a Facebook group of runDisney enthusiasts. There were a few people in that group who were running today. So, it made me far more interested in this race.

Anyways, much to my shock, a few hours after the race had finished, a co-worker saw the news that a bomb had gone off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. I couldn’t believe it. Why would someone want to set off a bomb at a marathon? So, I went online to see what was going on and saw the story on CNN.com. I also went to Facebook and saw the posts coming in from my group. We did learn that our runDisney people were all safe which was great news. However, they were the lucky ones. As of 3pm PDT, 51 people were injured in the two blasts, 8-11 of them critically, and two people had passed away. Sadness doesn’t even begin to describe how I feel as I type this. My heart is heavy in a way that surprises me. After all, I don’t know anyone personally who was even there. However, I have become part of the running community. So, it’s like I did know people who were hurt.

Imagine being a spectator who came to watch someone you know run in this race. You would know just how special this race is for a runner. You came to watch your friend, co-worker, or relative, complete something they’ve worked so hard for. Also, you know that you’re going to get to watch one of the most legendary races in the country. It’s got to be pretty exciting…and that’s just for the spectators. Running in this race would be the ultimate thrill. To think about what this day started off as and what it came out as being makes this even more tragic to me. I know those hopes and dreams. To have them dashed in such a violent manner makes this even more horrific.

My thoughts and prayers go out to those who lost a loved one today…to those that lost limbs as a result of the blast…to those that are suffering from injuries…and to those that know and love them. I pray that God would bring peace and comfort to all of those effected by this senseless act.

Something that is circulating around Facebook is a call for runners, or anyone who has ever participated in a running event, to wear a race shirt tomorrow as a sign of solidarity. I plan on doing this and hope anyone reading this post will do the same. Feel free to post your pictures here to show your solidarity.

Also, Tonight (4/15/13) on MouseWorldRadio
Live Mickey Miles Call-in Podcast
9 PM ET
Subject: Today’s Boston Marathon
Call us at: 407 278 5939

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