Sunday, April 21, 2013

Boston - Oh sweet Boston.....how we LOVE you!


Oh how I have missed you!!  I can't even express how much I have missed writing and being a part of the unique and amazing running and blogging community.  I have been "itching"to start blogging again for quite some time and have held back for one reason or another.  Whether it be finding the time to do it or feeling like I needed to get completely past my injury and my training/running needing to be "blog worthy"...........it has just simply been too long. I have realized, especially in this last week, how important our stories are and how sharing our inspirations, our ups & downs, our LOVE of running & of life.........that it has value.  I think this week we have all been reminded of things that we could certainly value more.  My blog is called "Inspired Miles of a Mom"..... there are a lot of things that inspire me, running included.  This week I was heart broken & inspired by a many things, but mostly touched by seeing people step up and show God's love to each other.  This post is dedicated to the 4 lives that were lost this week in Boston and to the city of Boston and the people of America that were effected by an ugly act of hate!

2 years ago in 2011, I had the amazing privilege of pounding the pavement in the Boston Marathon.  There is truly nothing like the experience of that race. The details of that day will be something I forever treasure.

I have always had a weird hang up about wearing my Boston Marathon garb.  Maybe feeling like people would think I was "bragging". But since Monday, it has been different.  I have rocked my Boston gear and wore it proud!!  Feeling almost ashamed that I didn't take more pride in it before.  I will wear it from now on being fully aware that it took a LOT of work for me to arrive at that start line 2 years ago and that it took a LOT of work for the runners last week to get there.......and some of them didn't even get to experience crossing the infamous blue finish line.  A finish line that stays with you forever.  I will wear it knowing Boylston Street to me, was that corner I turned and suddenly  had my ears and eyes locked into the finish line....the place that I would soon look over & see see my family cheering and smiling.......the street that meant I was almost there.  That I had just ran the Boston Marathon!  Now Boylston Street holds a lot more than that.  It's the street where two cowards decided to take their hate out on others  - innocent people there to show love & support to their family members & friends that had also earned the privilege to stomp that same pavement for 26.2 miles.

ME ON BOYLSTON

MY SWEET FAMILY

MY BIGGEST FAN....MY HUBBY



A FINISH LINE I WILL ALWAYS HOLD DEAR
As I have tried to process the attack on the Boston Marathon this last week, I have had a lot of things go through my mind.  But more than ever I have been reminded of how loving, supportive and strong our little running community is.  It has been amazing to see an even bigger picture of how Americans can choose to let LOVE prevail over anger and fear!!  I will forever be grateful for my memories and experience of the Boston Marathon.  And I hope that one day I can return and face the course again, for me, for the whole running community, for those lost this week, for Boston and for America! I know it would hold more meaning than ever.  That I can turn that corner on Boylston Street and face it without fear, but with an even deeper respect and pride.


Let's not let them have our love of racing.  Lets not let them have our love of cheering for those we admire and love.  Let's not let them have our fear. Let's not let them have Boylston Street!!  

Like I said.....I HAVE MISSED YOU!!  I was honored to experience the love this week in our city and the running community through a few runs honoring Boston. This was a great week to plug back in and share a little of my INSPIRING week:

THIS HAS ALWAYS BEEN MY FAVORITE BOSTON TEE

MY FINISHER'S SHIRT...I WORE IT PROUD THIS WEEK!!

EVENT I ATTENDED IN HONOR OF BOSTON HELD
BY VANCOUVER USA MARATHON WEDNESDAY NIGHT WHAT?? RUNS

WE WORE THESE FOR BOTH TRIBUTE RUNS THIS WEEK

NATIONAL ANTHEM......WAS PRETTY COOL!!
I LOVE THAT THE RACE DIRECTOR SAID A PRAYER TOO!!


MY DAD & I AT THE WEDNESDAY NIGHT TRIBUTE

OUR LITTLE SUNDAY MORNING TRIBUTE RUN FOR OUR FRIENDS
ORGANIZED BY JULIE (MY BFF & BEST RUNNING BUDDY)
WAS SO GREAT TO RUN WITH THESE GIRLS!!!
THE BOYS DIDN'T WANT TO JOIN THE PIC

ANYONE THAT KNOWS ME WELL KNOWS THAT I LOVE '"TREATS"!
GAVE "FORGET ME NOT" SEEDS SO THAT WE DON'T FORGET
BOSTON IN OUR MILES AHEAD!! 
As far as my training/running.....my injury is holding up well & I have a half on the calendar with my dad on Father's Day.  But more about all that later :)
Thanks for letting me share my Inspired Miles!!