I thought I'd skip writing this week....then it happened.  Boston. 4/15/13.The word "Boston" has a whole different meaning as a runner.  Yes.  It's an amazing city- full of energy and history and culture.  But to any distance runner, the word "Boston" is on par with the Super Bowl or the World Series.  The one word "Boston" everyone understands.  The pinnacle of success.  But unlike those events, to gain entry into Boston one must INDIVIDUALLY succeed in his/her running events.  Earning an entry into this race takes more than talent, it is literally hundreds of hours and months and months of training to even get to the starting line.I've been there twice.  As a spectator.  While my marathon times aren't fast enough to earn an entry (yet) and I often chuckle when others ask if I've ever run Boston, I have been there two times to cheer on my husband and a few friends.Not unlike other marathons, the entire city turns out to cheer on runners and celebrate in the great event.  The energy is palatable.  I've watched elite runners sprint it out at the end of a race only to be beat at the last second by a fellow competitor.  I've seen far too many people puking on the side of a race, learning a valuable lesson of the importance of alternating between water and Gatorade and the effects of too much Gu (if you don't know what GU is....see last blog).  I've watched countless runners seize up in cramps literally 100 meters from the finish, able to re-start on hobble towards the finish line only by their sheer will and the support of the roaring crowds cheering "you're almost there!"  I've made fast friends with others standing on the side of the race course, all there to support someone, all there suddenly to support your family member or friend too.At other races, I've also been on the other side.  I know the power of having someone say to me "You're doing great! Keep it up!" When I feel like I can no longer run one more step.  I know the feeling of hearing the roar of a crowd as you approach a finish line.  I know the pride of crossing a finish line, knowing all the months of hard work and sacrifice have paid off.If you haven't been to a race, it is hard to understand the camaraderie that exists on course.  Whether you're running or spectating, there is an understanding that the efforts are something positive. That feeling that exists makes the tragedy that occurred even more insulting to me.I understand to many it is "just running" and I'm not ignoring the larger picture of the tragedy, rather stunned at how someone can take what is such a positive event and taint it with his/her/their senseless act of terror.I'm running a race in less than 2 weeks, how will this impact that race?  Will runners be less likely to enter races for fear that there is someone on the course set on doing harm to the runners?  Will spectators be less likely to come out to support for fear that will have something tragic happen as they cheer on the runners?  Will changes happen that limit who can be on the course to cheer on the runners altogether?  Is that what our world has come to now?That angers me.  The people who were cheering on runners or participating in the race yesterday all sacrificed in someway to be there.  And in a moment, all of that was altered forever by the evil of another/others.For a few moments, I didn't know if my friend Erin was ok.  While I tracked her during the race online, there were a few moments I wasn't sure what was going on and she didn't have access to her cell phone.  And then, had no cell service.  Tears streamed down my face.  Terror filled my heart.  Running is something we share in our friendship, something that connects us even though we lives hours apart.  Never did I think I'd have to worry that she'd be safe from terrorists at the end of a race, and now....I can't say that won't be on any of our minds.But this is how I look at tragedy, always, and how I explained it to my oldest son last night.  To stop living our life is what the terrorist want.  That means they've won.  Giving up on what we value as Americans (and runners) is what terrorists want.  That means they've won.  Consuming oneself with grief and sorrow and giving up on life is what the terrorists want.  It means they've won.  Living in fear is what the terrorists want.  It means they've won.I REFUSE TO LET THEM WIN.Americans and Runners are incredibly resilient and strong people.  I will run this week and next weekend in honor of those whose lives are permanently and profoundly changed by Boston, and I will be one person who shows those who attempt to crush our spirits as a people, that I am stronger than the fear they attempt to instill in me.Quote for the day...."Courage is not the absence of fear, but rather the judgement that something else is more important than fear." Ambrose RedmoonOn a side note, both our friends Erin and Bill finished the race.  I am grateful they will go on to finish many more.Peace and God Bless you all this week and always.