It was 1 year ago, today, on April 15, 2013 that the lives of so many people were dramatically changed forever. In the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing 4 people had lost their lives, and many others were seriously injured including those that now have prosthetic limbs. While, I am grateful, that no one I knew personally was injured, I am still saddened deeply by the tragic events of that day on Boylston Street. This past year has provided the opportunity for many of us to grieve and to have some closure to those tragic events. My hope is that this year’s marathon will provide the opportunity for many of us to celebrate the Boston Marathon and to show to the world that we all are Boston Strong!
Today, several members of the Running for Rare Diseases Marathon Team organized tribute runs in recognition of today. These runs were organized to not only pay respect to those that lost their lives and were injured last April, but to also symbolize the theme for this year’s Boston Marathon, “We Run Together”. This theme is also very fitting for the Running for Rare Diseases Marathon Team. Members of the team are paired with patients of a variety of rare diseases, with over 20 different diseases that are represented. During the run along the Charles this morning , we were stopped by a video crew from Runners World and they asked why we were running today. Check out the video.
Boston Strong Run in Cambidge, MA
Boston Strong Run in Framingham, MA
My patient partner, Emma, lives in Germany and suffers from Gaucher disease. This marathon training season we have been truly “running together”. Every Tuesday morning Emma and I are virtual running buddies so to speak. As I complete the 5.5 mile loop from Central Square in Cambridge along the Charles river, she is also running in Germany. Only a few weeks ago, she ran in Germany while I participated in the annual “charity run,†the final long training run for many people who are running the Boston Marathon on behalf of a charity. Next week, on April 21st, Emma and I will be running together in the Boston Marathon as I complete the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston.
I am getting excited for this year’s Boston Marathon. With over 30 members of the marathon team running, we will all be running with and for different patients on April 21st. In one way or another, we will be running together as we make the journey from Hopkinton to Copley Square.
You guys are all looking so fit and ready to go in the pics! You should be proud. It’s a lot of effort to fit all that training in when it’s not your day job.
Also Jessi you did a great job speaking in the Runners World video.
*Andrew it means the world to me that we #runtogether. Every time I get out there I try to keep it top of mind that it’s a gift I can do this with you. Every step ahead matters. Thanks for the post of reflections.