SGEM#33: Boston 2013

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Date: April 21, 2013

Everyone has a story to tell. Their own perspective on the recent tragic events in Boston. It will impact us all in a unique way. Here is my way of remembering, honoring, saying thanks and trying to understand what happened. It is told through words, music, pictures and video.Boston 2013-Medium

As of today they have caught one person and killed another thought to be responsible for this horrific attack. We do not know what their motives or goals were.

I am absolutely sure their goals were not to make me feel closer to my best friend Rick who drove to Boston, ran the marathon and shared the experience. Not to strengthen my relationship with my beautiful wife Barb. And definitely not to cherish my children Ethan, Sage and Zoe more.

The event has also pulled me closer to all of you who were worried, tried to contact me and offered support.

I had the privilege of sharing the experience with an amazing group of runner from London, Ontario. They welcomed Rick and I into their world even if it was only for a brief time. Each one of these guys showed kindness and good hearted banter. It is easy to see why our friend Steve Beasley (Beaser) goes back year after year to run Heart Break Hill with these wonderful guys.

It was my first marathon. I was in the third wave of the last coral of the charity runners. Surrounded by people not driven by the clock but motivated by caring. Running for the memory of those lost to illness or trying to cure or prevent illness.

It was four hours of positive energy moving forward in a wave of resolute enthusiasm. I ran through all the little towns, did not kiss any girls from Wellesley College and survived the four big hills.

At mile 23 the Captain Kilometre cape came out to help me fly into the finish line. Beasley was there to cheer me on for the final 3 miles. Hugs, kisses and encouragement came from the cousins stationed at Mile 24. The same family who the day before played a game of soccer with me,went to Target to get poster boards for decoration and shared a large pasta dinner before the race. I made it into Boston feeling well at Mile 25. The roar of the crowd chanting “one more mile” was deafening. So deafening I did not hear the bombs explode…

The police stopped me at a barricade before I could turn right on Hereford and left on Boylston. My Garmin GPS watch said 480m to the finish line. It was not chaos. The first responders were amazing. The paramedics, police and fire fighters all ran towards the danger. They did what they were trained to do, put the lives of others before their own. The same courage was shown by the BAA volunteers and spectators who put themselves at risk to help strangers in need.

It will go on record officially as a DNF (did not finish)…No glory, no celebrating just somber reflection. I did however get a medal. This was from a very generous man who finished his 20th Boston Marathon. He said as far as he was concerned I completed the run, earned the recognition and he gave me his medal.

Our hearts may be breaking over the loss of life and those who survived with physical and mental injuries. However, the spirit of the many will not be broken by the horrible acts of a few.

It is good to be back home safe. Happy to have been a witness to history rather than a victim of history.

Will I be back next year to complete the 26.2 miles – I don’t know.

Will I forget – The Boston Marathon Bombing on April 15th, 2013 – Never.

Keener Contest: Last weeks winner was Dirk Chisholm from Calgary. He knew Boston was called beantown as baked beans were a staple in the diet of residents. They were baked in molasses due to a surplus caused by industries in Boston.

There will be no Keener Kontest this week. Be sure to listen to next weeks podcast for another chance to a cool skeptical prize.

Thank you for letting me share my experience from Boston with you.

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