the helpers.

i've written a few times on here about how i started running and what it means to me. almost nine years ago (wow, has it really been that long?) i was given a gift by a friend who left this world too early. he inspired me to run and today i am happier, fitter and more confident because of it.

finishing my first half marathon was an indescribable sense of pride and joy unparalleled by any other experience in my life so far. i can't even imagine what it'll be like to finish a full marathon. after yesterday, it will have even more meaning.

to many a runner, boston is the holy grail. the majority of the participants had to run a challenging qualifying time in a previous race. the rest had to raise thousands of dollars for charity. each of these paths to boston takes hard work, dedication and determination. to line up at the start in boston is a feat in itself.

so yesterday my heart broke for those runners crossing the finish line when the explosions happened. it broke for those unable to run that last point two. it broke for those friends and family waiting to see their runner cross that line. they were all robbed of their joy. their pride was stolen from them and replaced with chaos and devastation.

yet, i do not want to focus too long on why it happened or who did it. the important people are working on that. if the rest of us talk about it too much and live our lives in fear, "he" wins. instead i will do as mr. rogers says and "look for the helpers."

so many people ran towards the victims. towards the area where at any moment, another explosion might have occurred. i only pray that i'd have had the courage to do the same.

my heart bursts with pride when i hear of runners continuing past the finish to the hospital so they could donate blood; for the police doggies who used their gift of smell to ensure the safety of the area; for the veterans who saw these scenes in combat and put aside their own trauma to help; for the volunteers, first responders and hand holders.

i'm so proud of my fellow citizens, northeasteners and runners who helped the victims, carried them to safety, opened their homes and businesses to each other; who picked up that poor old man and helped him across the finish line. that is humanity.

there is so much good in this world.

and so today i ran for boston. i didn't run 26.2 miles. it wasn't my best run. i wasn't even full of joy the entire three miles. but i showed up. i prayed for the victims. i looked for the helpers.

it was the very least i could do.