The past few weeks I have had some pretty amazing long distance training runs and some pretty sweet short runs. I ran 15.5 in Syracuse. It was a great day for a run, a little chilly but it was a nice sunny day. I was directed to take a somewhat hilly route. Hills, hills, hills and a valley. It was a good run followed by an afternoon of celebrations-Moira's baptism and Jen and Pat's engagement party.
Last week I was running along the river when I noticed a large dark figure on the other side. It was a moose-pretty cool. I tried to get some pictures but it was 7:00pm and the sun was setting so I couldn't get a good pic. I have a love hate relationship with that route. I love that it parallels the river and I kind of love that it
includes Bear Hill. Bear Hill is a long and winding hill. Just about a mile long. I often think that it would be a good short distance race challenge. The view includes farms, old homes, and beautiful sunsets at night. That particular night I saw a moose, 2 deer, cows (I love cows), and a bird that at first glance looked like an eagle. Its the little things that keep me going. When I take on bear hill I chant in my head-"Kill the hill" and "be strong, run strong". Sometimes I find that running on the flat ground is almost harder than running hills. I like how my leg muscles feel heading up and I can feel my body working, my running seems to be pretty smooth going up. The flats feel l like more work for me for some reason. Ever feel like that?
I also was excited this past Saturday when I ran on the trails for the first time this season. Snow, ice, mud, and standing water-It was a great run!
Yesterday I had the pleasure to participate in the 26.4.26 marathon relay. Educators supporting educators-A run to show our support and heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims of the Sandy Hook Elementary tragedy. It was a moving experience. The day started with a heart warming and tear producing, story of a stepdaughter who lost her step mother (principal) in the Sandy Hook tragedy. I had tears in my eyes and had to fight from "losing it". It brought back my initial feelings about the tragedy- that could happen to me, to my students. I couldn't bear it if anything happened to my students.
Onto the run... it was not a race.
There were 6 of us running for HDES. Our abilities ranged from not running to avid runner. I ran 2 legs of the race totaling a little over 7 miles. I added another 10 to make for a 17 mile training run. I ran strong. I felt strong. I ran with 26 angels watching over me. I finished the race high on life. It was such a great feeling to be running with 1,000+ educators, running to support a great cause. My co-workers were amazing and all pushed themselves to run beyond what they thought they could do. Congrats to them! Sadly, that runners high was short lived.
I received a text today around 4pm. As I unlocked my phone to receive my text two news flashes came across the screen-explosion at Boston marathon. My heart sank. My text was from my close friend and running partner-"Thank god you didn't run Boston this year". I immediately thought of a new running friend who was celebrating her Boston marathon debut today. The power of facebook allowed me to find her safe and sound and I learned she had a fast race (3:30something)! Unfortunately for her and many other runner's, their accomplishment was overshadowed by a horrible tragedy. My runners high from yesterdays run was deflated. How could somebody do this? The running community is full of some of the kindest, happiest people I know. What point could this be making? Senseless. As one friend commented- Unacceptable.
I wasn't going to run tonight but I did. I ran 4.09 miles. I had noticed that at the time of the first blast it was 4:09 into the marathon. I normally don't get overly invested into tragedies but for some reason this one really hit home. Maybe its because I am a runner and we runners are a close community. Maybe its because I have been contemplating trying to qualify for Boston next year. Maybe its because I was toying with the idea of taking the day off to show support for the runners and had I not had a day full of meetings, I would have been there. Maybe its because I am now a New Englander. These type of things do not happen to us, when they do, it affects all of us. Whatever it is, I feel a need to continue to be a strong runner, stronger than ever.
We will keep running, we will run with the angel's that have been taken too soon. We will run united.
Runners United to Remember:
https://www.facebook.com/events/318199378309189/
A powerful quote recognizing todays tragedy...
I remember, when 9/11 went down, my reaction was, "Well, I've had it with humanity."
But I was wrong. I don't know what's going to be revealed to be behind all of this mayhem. One human insect or a poisonous mass of broken sociopaths.
But here's what I DO know. If it's one person or a HUNDRED people, that number is not even a fraction of a fraction of a fraction of a percent of the population on... this planet. You watch the videos of the carnage and there are people running TOWARDS the destruction to help out. This is a giant planet and we're lucky to live on it but there are prices and penalties incurred for the daily miracle of existence. One of them is, every once in awhile, the wiring of a tiny sliver of the species gets snarled and they're pointed towards darkness.
But the vast majority stands against that darkness and, like white blood cells attacking a virus, they dilute and weaken and eventually wash away the evil doers and, more importantly, the damage they wreak. This is beyond religion or creed or nation. We would not be here if humanity were inherently evil. We'd have eaten ourselves alive long ago.
So when you spot violence, or bigotry, or intolerance or fear or just garden-variety misogyny, hatred or ignorance, just look it in the eye and think, "The good outnumber you, and we always will."
- Patton Oswalt
