An open letter to the runners of the Boston Marathon,
Well, you did it. You crossed that iconic finish line. 26.2 miles of nothing to do but think, sweat and reflect on every choice that brought you here. How every choice, every decision, every sacrifice, was worth it. The hours put into your training made this possible. From your strength workouts, to your cross training days, to your long runs, to your even longer runs, to your active rest days, to your intensive research on proper nutrition, learning the best chaffing cream through unfortunate trial and errors, to shin splints, bruised toes, aches you never knew could exist - it all paid off. This moment here is made possible from the days, weeks, hours and minutes of training. Training mentally, physically, spiritually and emotionally.
A runner is made from determination; dedication; commitment; long miles and longer hours. A marathon runner is made from that and more. Grit. Fortitude. Humility. And yes, a touch of insanity. A marathon runner is made from the 5:00 AM runs in the dead of winter. The 9:00 PM runs in the middle of a summer vacation. The treadmill runs; the road runs; the trail runs; all have led you here.
You didn’t simply run the Boston Marathon. No, you conquered it. No matter your time when you cross that finish line, you crossed it. You CROSSED IT. 25,314 runners. 120 countries. All 50 states. You are one of them. You are part of history that only 25,314 can say they are a part of. You are #BostonStrong.
“We’re the lucky ones.” — Tommy Rivs
