Tag: bostonmarathon

International Women’s Day: Nevertheless, She Persisted

We celebrate holidays because they allow us to celebrate our values and achievements. Consider Fourth of July. This is a pretty big deal for Americans, given our values of independence and freedom. It’s a time to commemorate those values – and to watch fireworks and eat barbecue, of course. For over 100 years, March 8 has been marked as International Women’s Day to commemorate the value and celebrate the benefit that women bring to our lived experiences. Why? Because we value women and the contributions they make to society. We realize that the success of any society – of any world …

We will always run

6

On the afternoon of the Boston Marathon, I had planned to publish a post about how to qualify for Boston. For me, qualifying for and running the Boston Marathon several years ago was a triumph, a celebration of hard work. I wanted to help others experience that same joy, that same extraordinary experience. Instead, just as I was preparing the final touches on the post, I heard the news. Stolen was the triumph. Unfulfilled was the celebration. The extraordinary joy of Boston became a violent tragedy in just one moment. Since the bombings, I’ve struggled with what to write about …

The Aftermath

5

“This hurt worse than the Ironman,” I said to Carole as she and I waited in line for a free massage just moments after finishing the Boston Marathon. Ironman veterans had said the same to me before I finished my first Ironman: A marathon hurts worse than an Ironman. “You’ve got to be kidding,” Carole replied incredulously, much the same way I did when someone first said the same to me. “How could that be true?” I don’t know how it could be true, but it is.  Ironman Lake Placid did not hurt as much–during or after–as running the Boston …

Blessings in Boston

8

A little over three years ago, I committed to running my first marathon. I’ve beening running since I was 13 (I’m 37 now), and the marathon seemed the logical progression of my love of the sport. My first understanding of Boston was that it was a marathon runner’s promised land, the mecca, the big daddy, the superbowl of marathons. (Insert your favorite corny cliched metaphor here.) But, in early 2008, I hadn’t even completed my first marathon, and the thought of running the Boston Marathon with its daunting qualifying times seemed a tremendous longshot. Then, I finished my first marathon …

Feeling Boston by way of Arlington

3

When I travel, I like to “collect” runs as souvenirs. I’m convinced it’s the best way to get to know a place. The latest addition to my collection is Arlington, VA, where I visited for the Eastern Communication Conference. While running in a new place is always a special treat, this run was extra special. It finally kicked in. “It” is the feeling of excitement mixed with fluttery nervousness that comes when race day is imminent. In this case, the mother of all marathons: Boston. The day I’ve been dreaming about since I started training for my first marathon in …

Lessons from the Boston Marathon: Adjusting to the growing popularity of running

7

 Registration for the Boston Marathon is almost as difficult as qualifying for it.   Last year, I dragged my feet in registering for Boston, and missed out when the race closed in early October. Having learned my lesson, I was on the computer, ready to register at 8:58 a.m. on Monday, October 18.    And, I’m glad I did. The race closed just 8 hours after it opened, leaving many who had qualified without an entry slot in the race.  Ouch. I’m feeling their pain. I remember very well my disappointment of last year .  But, what can we learn from this? For one, it looks …