Heartbroken

I am heartbroken for the people and runners in Boston today. 

Boston is a dream, a goal that a marathoner looks toward, trains for, and must qualify to even attempt to sign up.  As a new marathoner the look I get from people that heard I have finished a marathon is one similar that I give to those that say they have completed and or qualified for Boston. 

The early finishers often make their way to just before the finish line to cheer on the runners still going.  People will hang out at a finish line just to cheer for people they don't know.  Spectators and runners are some of the most special people in my world right now.  There were many nameless runners that cheered my on to my first 26.2.  My breath catches and heart aches to think these strangers that loved on me for a few minutes in January may be hurt or their world torn apart today. 

I went to Boston for the first time in college.  We were there for under 6 hours but the city has held my heart ever since.  Today it breaks with theirs.  My family lives there, I am scared for them.

Someone told me that I am now a part of the 1% of people that will ever finish a marathon.  These people today are part of my 1%, I will stand with them and pray for them in the days to come.  If I cross paths with a Boston 2013 participant, I will hug them, hold their hand, and tell them I am so glad they are safe and I will mean it with ever fiber of my being.

I Am No Longer That Girl

I love looking back at the photos of my race weekend.  They never cease to bring a tear to my eye.  I was laughing today because of my picture from the expo.  That poor girl had no clue what she was about to do.  She was scared nearly to death but excited to try.  Whenever someone asked her goals about the race her answer was "To not die.".

I am no longer that girl. As much as she will always be a part of me, I will never doubt I can finish a marathon, or anything else I want for that matter.  My body image is completely changed.  I am less discouraged at how my legs look, they are still scarred and larger than I would like but they carried me to a long standing dream.  I am much more forgiving of a little cellulite. I look in the mirror and see strength not weakness, there are no words for how freeing this is.

I know not every person will have a chance to run a marathon.  I want to share the video of me when I caught sight of the finish.  It was supposed to be a picture but the palm of my hand switched the camera to video.  Please excuse the slightly off key and overly exuberant singing, I had after all just completed 26.1 miles.  I was nearly there, joy and thankfulness was radiating out of every pore. This is what it looks like when a girl that was told she can't realizes she can and did.