Personal Training
Boston. You Are My Home.
Every Marathon Monday in Boston, I wake up with chills. It’s a feeling I can’t really describe. The energy in the city. The energy in the faces of people around you. Everywhere you turn, you can’t help but smile and breathe in the fresh air knowing that 26.2 miles will be graced by thousands of runners who have traveled from all over the world to run the Boston Marathon.
Over the weekend, the city started preparing places gates and barricades all throughout the city. It sounds silly, but it is one of the most exciting times of the year. Walking out of my apartment and off to work, looking around at all of the runners who are counting down the minutes until they begin their run at the starting line in Hopkington, Ma, some with tears in their eyes, the biggest smiles I have ever imagined brings chills to my skin. These runners pour their hearts and soul into this race. They have gone above and beyond to train for this one event. Race groups, nutrition talks, plane rides, family and friend support from around the globe. They all come to Boston to leave their mark on this beautiful City.
The morning of the Marathon could not have been more perfect. Cool and sunny, no wind, no rain in sight. I walked across Boylston street to get to work and it was more quiet than I had ever seen. Truly-the calm before the storm. This photo below was taken right on the corner of Boylston and Mass Ave where runners will have only about .4 miles from here until they cross the finish line. The excitement I have for the marathon is always present, but the one difference this year is that I am TRULY a Bostontian. I live about .6 miles away from the finish line, so I felt an extra deep seeded amount of pride knowing these runners will be grazing by my apartment in a matter of hours. I was there. This is home. This is MY home.
And to think…less than 24 hours earlier, my roommate and I were playing around the city, taking pictures at the finish line and wishing runners ‘good luck’ for the day ahead.
We spent Sunday afternoon exploring the city getting prepared for the 117th annual Boston Marathon. My roommate is from California so trying to put into words the excitement she will witness the following day was just something I kept telling her “you have to experience for yourself!” We visited the Hynes Convention Center to take a peek at the goodies inside for the runners and public alike.
In all my 27 years being a Bostonian, I have not once been to the expo center prior to Marathon Day! I could not have been happier playing the ‘tourist’ card in my own city.
We played, laughed, wished runners luck, strolled around and enjoyed the smiles, smells, expressions, emotions and tears of the hundreds of people around us.
The morning before the Marathon started, I headed to the gym for an early workout before the festivities began. I happen to be on a treadmill doing some sprints when the Marathon began and I couldn’t help but FEEL the energy even while I was running myself. Yes, I was on a treadmill and yes, I was far detached, but when you are this close to everything and truly know what this day is about, you feel it. Post workout, I ran home as fast as I could to shower, change and go to cheer on those runners!
The view from my apartment was not all that shabby. It is one of those times that I couldn’t be more proud listening to nothing but cheers and constant noise through my windows. We walked to Boylston Street to get a closer look at the runners. We staked out a spot a stone throws away from where the 2nd explosion took place. People were happy, the sun was shining. LIFE WAS GOOD.
After about 45 minutes of watching the runners from that one spot, we decided to walk home to get some food for lunch. We headed to our apartment-still in the midst of the marathon madness, TV on, windows down so we didn’t miss a split second of the energy! After finishing eating, we began walking down our 5 flights of stairs off onto the street when we heard it. We heard the bomb and looked at each other right away. In our heads we both figured this was a celebratory cannon which is the first thought that went through most people’s minds at the time. A bomb? No way. Not once did this cross my mind.
All of the sudden throngs of people began running in the opposite direction AWAY from the finish line. Crowds and crowds of people–runners, spectators, children. I am talking hundreds of people like I have never seen before in my life. I grabbed my roommate and we both grabbed four other young women who were on the street crying with nowhere to go.
What I witnessed shortly after the second explosion went off more was just how quickly, in my opinion, Boston truly went to work. Yes, police and security were beyond incredible and were THERE helping to calm everyone, but I am not just referring to police, security and volunteers. I witnessed a true pride beyond anything I have ever seen before. Strangers helping strangers. Bostonians working together, protecting one another, inviting strangers in, grabbing hands, holding bodies, staying together, not leaving one person behind. I saw a shop owner open up his shop for a slew of people who had no where to go, a man grabbed hold of a young girl who couldn’t find her family, pedestrians were directing runners in a safe direction away from the finish line. Yes, I saw fear. A huge sense of fear in every ones tear filled eyes, but I also saw pride like I have never seen before. “We will protect our city and protect each other” I have never been more proud to be a part of my city.
Within 10 minutes–nothing mattered. Everything just slowed down and making sure every family member, friend, loved one and client was accounted for was first priority. What happened from here on out for the next few hours was a daze. Life went forward and we remained on the couch watching replays of the events in disbelief. The emotions that were taking place were out of control. I was sad, angry, depressed, nauseous, sick to my stomach, horrified and terrified. Every siren, every ambulance, every noise we heard brought us to our feet. We were nothing but skittish and terrified, yet at the same time more connected to our neighboorhood than I ever have felt before.
The days that are following now are slowly passing. I work not only in the hub of Boston but about a half mile from the attacks and I couldn’t help but feel on edge walking into work for the first time post the incident. I hugged my clients, co-workers and without saying any words, we could just look at each other and know. We are Boston. We are Strong. We are resilient. We will stay together.
The city remains to be maze to get around. Streets are guarded and police are everywhere. I feel protected, safe, proud and so deeply unified with my fellow Bostonians and my city.
Last night was the first night that my neighboor began to look alive again. I had a haircut appointment down the street and chatted with my hairdresser (who is a friend of mine I have been seeing for a couple of years now) for about an hour longer about the past events. This seems to be the norm around here. Life has slowed down. No longer are people in a rush to get places fast or leave places early. We are all moving at our own pace and for once–it is okay to a little ‘checked out’ Strangers are smiling at eachother, holding doors, picking up trash, giving money to the homeless. We are now more than ever all becoming more aware of our surroundings realizing how precious life can be.
The walk to work is becoming all too familiar. It has become a zone of newscasters, photo-ops and tears.
Walking back home from work this evening, I took a moment to stand at the gates. I took a look at the hundreds of flower arrangements, signs, sneakers, candles and faces. I looked at the faces of my fellow friends. Tears came to my eyes just standing there looking around. All of these people are my family. We are all in this together and we are all grieving. Together. I saw a mother with two young children who kept asking her what was happening. The mother stayed silent with a small smile while holding her daughters hand in one hand and her sons hand in the other. She squeezed their hands a little tighter. and slowly walked away.
I will always be a Bostonian. I love this city more than anything. Now more than ever we will stay strong and be as one.
Thank you all for those who reached out and follow along. The support is beyond words. From the bottom of my heart, Thank you.
