I was hoping my next blogpost was going to be on the "Maximize Your Life" with Jillian Michaels tour that I attended, but I have to vent out my thoughts/emotions on the Boston Bombing yesterday...
I truly cannot fathom what those runners/bystanders must have gone through, but I can only imagine. I really took this personally, not only because I am (along with the rest of America) devastated about the sickening act that occurred yesterday, but I know what it's like to wake up in the morning, mentally and physically prepare yourself for a run, and then peacefully take on your course.
You're doing this for you and not anyone else. This is your time to relieve stress, kill time, get energized, and get healthy. You mentally set goals for yourself to not give up, whether it be a tree 500 ft. away, or a stop sign not far from you. You breathe in inspiration and breathe out frustration. Temporarily, you don't remember how much debt you're in, how you're going to manage rent this month, or why things didn't work out with that one person. You are completely tuned into your own little world, listening to music, and pretending you're the star of that music video. You are superman/woman sprinting to save someone. You see a mirage of loved ones that passed away and scrambling with every breath you have to get to them. You are unstoppable and not a single thing or person can touch you. You are a runner.
This is your life, challenging yourself day by day to beat your previous mileage, and build up your endurance. The countdown to the marathon becomes this loud, overbearing "tick-tock, tick-tock" that plays repetitively in your head from the moment you start your run to the moment you end. You've been training every day, rest days included, for this moment... your moment.
And then you hear a "BOOM!" and people are hurt and dying. Some have crossed the finish line and now feel guilty for doing so, some aren't even near the finish line and won't be able to finish what they've started and trained for, and some will never be able to run again.
Why? Why does this happen for people that just want to simply and innocently enjoy their lives? Why do bad things happen to good people? Why are people killed when they are minding their own business? I will never know. No one will ever know why there is so much ugliness in the world. But there is one thing I do know; we will not let this defeat us. We WILL come out stronger than we were before. We WILL become better people filled with compassion and be there to help our fallen friends. We WILL still see the beauty and good in this world, and not be succumbed to the toxicity of it. Boston Marathon runners, after completing 26.2 miles continued to run till they reached hospitals to donate their blood to those who needed it. People that work for Google and American Red Cross took the time in helping people find their loved ones. Donations are coming in from all across the world. Prayers are being prayed, help is coming in from all directions, and the people are standing together, not alone.
In my eyes, whoever was behind the attack LOST. Their names need not to be named, but all of those people behind these hate crimes within the past couple of years have lost. We are all standing strong and will continue to stand strong. We WILL overcome these horrendous acts and be the good the world needs. Start with random acts of kindness. An anonymous Starbucks drink for the car behind you. A smile to a person that appears bitter. Opening the door for a stranger. These small, diminutive things can make a person have a different outlook on their day, so don't stop doing them, even if they seem meaningless. I am not saying this is what it will take to make bad things not happen anymore, but it is what it will take for people to remember there is still good in the world.
My deepest condolences and prayers go out to every single person affected. Pretty soon, I will be able to start running again, and get back on track with my marathon training. I will run for Boston, as I'm sure many others will be doing from here on out, too. I will cross that finish line in October with honor for all of those that could not. Let's stand together and be the good this world needs. Moreover, never complain or dread a workout, because at least you CAN workout.
Stay positive
-C
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