When L Street posted that they needed support crew for the Fall Marathon training long runs, I raised my hand ahem I clicked my mouse and said I'd be delighted to be support crew again for marathon training.
What a difference being support crew in the summertime. Three bags of ice and coolers along with plenty of water and Gatorade are on the supply list. We had a lobster pot that we've never cooked lobsters in but made for a great way to keep beverages cold.
Our water stop was just as runners exited the beautiful Emerald Necklace and were going to cross over Park Drive to Boston University and continue their run along the Charles River.
I always bring the cue sheet for the run because there is always at least one person who needs to take a look at the directions.
We arrived early and set up our table:
We sat back and relaxed in the beautiful morning sun while waiting for the first runners to arrive.
I love being there to ask runners how their run is going, what they need for fueling and to stay cool and to talk about what they are training for.
Many of us know each other but we don't have to know each other or each other's names. There is a universal language and sense of community among runners.
I love when I am out on the race course feeling the thrill of running for a PR as I did a few weeks ago at the Bill Rodgers 5K Run/Walk for Prostate Cancer but I also love serving runners, supporting runners on their quest to be their best; setting and attaining goals.
A small group of runners approached the table. I made eye contact with one of the runners and we looked into each other's eyes.
"Hey didn't I meet you at the Cambridge 5 Miler?"
It was Leo Foseca from Stephi's who was wearing a survivor shirt and just happened to be standing by our car after the Marathon Sports Cambridge 5 Miler. He joined L Street but this was his first long run with the club. He is training for the NYC Marathon. We went to Stephi's after visiting the Boston Marathon Memorial shortly before the running of the 2014 Boston Marathon.
"Team MR8 asked me if I would run for them. How could I say no."
Even though the events of 4/15/13 are now a distant memory, we still feel its echoes whenever we run and gather together. On the back of my L Street Club t shirt there is the Boston Strong ribbon with the words We Run As One.
We heal together. We run together. We celebrate sparkly Sweaty Bands and support our fellow runners when they are having a slog run. We offer cold water and ice, pretzels and swedish fish along with a high five, a fist pump, a warm smile and words of encouragement. We appreciate each other now more than ever. It is always an honor for me to be support crew whether we are huddled together in winter's polar vortex or helping runners to stay cool at the height of summer. We are and will always be Boston Strong and L Street Strong.
"Wait, I have one more goal," Mary McManus told her personal trainer in February of 2008 shortly after coming out of her toe up leg brace. "I want to run the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab Hospital." Mary traded in her polio shoes for running shoes and embarked on the journey of a lifetime. Mary McManus was at the height of her career as a VA social worker when she was told by her team at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital’s International Rehab Center for Polio in December of 2006 that she needed to quit her job if she had any hope of preventing the progression of post polio syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease. In “Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility” Mary takes you on her seven year healing odyssey as a survivor of paralytic polio and trauma from her diagnosis, to taking a leap of faith to leave her award winning career at the VA to heal her life and follow her passion as a poet and writer. You’ll experience her trials, tribulations and triumphs as she trains for and crosses the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and discovers the opportunity for healing in the wake of new trauma: the suicide of her nephew in 2011, and the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. This is Mary's journey of coming home to her human form free from the influences of the ghastly ghostly invaders who had invaded her sacred earthly home. Her memoir includes journals and blog posts from her seven year healing odyssey. This is her journey of transformation and her message of healing, hope and possibility.
I donate 50% of royalty payments through on line sales to The One Fund to help Boston Marathon survivors and their families. Copies are also available at Brookline Marathon Sports. $5 of each book sold at Marathon Sports is donated to The One Fund.
It takes incredible courage to start a race knowing that you will probably finish last. I don't know many people who would step out and step up to the challenge running by themselves to claim a 6.1 mile course not knowing if the water stops or the finish line would be there when you arrived. But I do know one such person - Melissa Gleaton who blogs about her journey in Learning to Walk Again.
I was blessed to meet Melissa when Tom and I went to train for the Feaster Five last November. She was so supportive of my return to the roads and reassured us that we couldn't get lost during our training run. We enjoyed sharing journeys over a cup of tea after the training run. We saw each other again at the Feaster Five starting line. She told us that she would plug into her iPod and tune into her own running rhythm. She preferred to run her own race.
We stay in touch via Facebook and messages.
I saw that she was going to run her first 10K today.
I told my husband and daughter about the race and my daughter said she'd love to run it.
The weather forecast was dreary given that the first hurricane of the season, Hurricane Arthur was making his way up the East Coast. They rescheduled the Fourth of July Boston Pops concert to July 3rd because of the forecast.
Tom and I woke up at 10:45 pm with the house shaking and rattling with thunder, lightning and wind gusts but awoke to clear and calm skies this morning at 5:30 am.
We always arrive early to a race because we don't know what traffic and parking will be like. Our daughter picked up her bib and shirt and took this selfie before the race:
The race announcer was incredibly energetic, setting a festive tone for the day celebrating the sport of running and the spirit of July 4th. Tom went to the car to get our jackets as the skies were beginning to turn grey. When he returned he said, "You're not going to believe who is doing the announcing," and showed me this picture of Steve Cooper from Channel 7 News who we met when I spoke at a Merrimack Valley Striders Meeting a few years ago:
Steve said, "And you never know who you might see here. You might just see the Race Director for the Boston Marathon. Dave McGillivray is here."
Milling around before the race began, I was stopped by this elderly couple. The man was wearing a race bib and a hat that told me he must be a veteran. "Excuse me. Where's Tom Licciardello?" he asked and "who is announcing the race? Tom used to announce this race and he did such a great job." Fortunately I'd done my homework and was able to give him a brief race history and then told him that Steve Cooper was doing the announcing, 'You know the guy from channel 7 news.' He went over to see him and turned to his wife who is also named Mary - they are Joseph and Mary you know like from Bethlehem he told me and said, "Oh Mary - we know him. That's Grace's nephew." I asked him if he was a veteran. "World War II - Navy." He smiled. I thanked him for his service and our gift of freedom. I told him I worked at the VA for many years. He told me he was going to run the 5K and hoped for a placement in his age group proudly telling me he was 81 years old. I checked the results on Cool Running. Joseph Diprima - 81 - 37:44 - first in his age group indeed!
We gathered with our friends from the Merrimack Valley Striders:
Our friend Paul Hudson was sporting the MVS shirt that was designed with the Boston Strong ribbon logo after 4/15/13. It says:
We run to grieve.
We run to cope.
We run to heal.
We run for Boston.
It was time for the Kids Race. Steve Cooper said that these kids trained through the grueling New England winter with their parents to get ready for today. They had their sights set on July 4th all year long. There were over 150 kids participating in the kids race today:
I found Melissa to wish her well on her run and snapped this pic of her:
The runners were off. I found an Andover Policeman on a bike and asked him if they keep the finish line open until the last runner has crossed. I let him know that this was Melissa's first 10K and she might finish last. He asked me what her number was and what she was wearing. He went out on the course and checked with the event organizers, and looked for me when he returned. He assured me that they wouldn't leave anyone out on the course and the finish line would stay open until the last runner was in. I remember how important it was to feel support when we ran the Father Bullock Road Race and that the last runner is not abandoned on the road.
Steve Cooper announced as many names and numbers as he could making sure that everyone felt like a winner. As our daughter came down the chute, my husband called out to Steve to tell him her name. He announced her name and told her to wave to the crowd. What a moment of joy. We were so caught up in enjoying the moment that we didn't take a photo of her. She ran about a 10 minute mile and had a wonderful race telling us the sense of camaraderie and the runner's code of conduct at its best that was out on the course today.
I saw Dave McGillivray cross the finish line and said hi to him after the race. He shook my hand, smiled broadly and asked me how everything was.
Runners crossed. Steve Cooper made his way to the awards ceremony. The crowds dispersed.
I spoke to the timing officials and let them know that there was still one more runner out there. He told me that they needed to start breaking down and packing up the mats but would keep the clock running. A woman walked over to the finish line and I asked if she had someone she was waiting for. She said, "Yes, it's me Lin," and I realized she was there to cheer on Melissa as well. We met on Facebook. She also wanted to make sure that Melissa had a finish line to cross.
At 1:39 gun time, he turned off the finisher's clock. I asked him what he was doing that there was still one more runner on her way in. It was her first 10K. He apologized. He thought that everyone had crossed. He reset the clock and told us that he would also enter her results manually to ensure that her results appeared on Cool Running.
We were all feeling a little anxious as the finish line was being broken down. Other members of the Striders came over to the finish line. One Strider, Adrienne, said she would go out on the course to run her in. But we all had total faith that Melissa would finish in under two hours; the time when the course officially closed. She trained well and she trained hard. She was determined! The rain held off. There were a few sprinkles, some sun but mostly cloud cover for the race.
Lin spotted her in the distance with Adrienne. She was power walking when Adrienne found her. She gave her that boost to let her know she was almost finished and then stepped aside as Melissa finished strong with a run to the finish.
Members of the Event Staff came over to the finish line and I told them that this is what the sport is all about. I told them that we needed to cheer Melissa on to the finish. I remembered the scene in Dave McGillivray's book, "The Last Pick," when he had received instructions to divert a runner in the Olympics so that they could set up the stadium for the closing ceremonies. Dave ignored the instructions and made sure that the runner had the same experience as the winner because ultimately the time did not matter. It was the effort put forth by the runner.
We screamed as Melissa came down the finish chute. Everyone clapped, whistled and I screamed. The timing official moved one of the trucks so Lin could get the photo of her finishing the race.
Melissa is the embodiment of perseverance and courage. She was out there running her race at her pace and went the distance today. She also took off 1:30 from her training run two weeks ago.
No one can run our race for us. We all have to dig deep, find the courage and the perseverance to run the race set before us with endurance as Melissa did today.
Yet there is great comfort in knowing that when we are out there, we are never alone. We run together.
My memoir, "Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility" is now available on Amazon.
"Wait, I have one more goal," Mary McManus told her personal trainer in February of 2008 shortly after coming out of her toe up leg brace. "I want to run the Boston Marathon for Spaulding Rehab Hospital." Mary traded in her polio shoes for running shoes and embarked on the journey of a lifetime. Mary McManus was at the height of her career as a VA social worker when she was told by her team at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital’s International Rehab Center for Polio in December of 2006 that she needed to quit her job if she had any hope of preventing the progression of post polio syndrome, a progressive neuromuscular disease. In “Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility” Mary takes you on her seven year healing odyssey as a survivor of paralytic polio and trauma from her diagnosis, to taking a leap of faith to leave her award winning career at the VA to heal her life and follow her passion as a poet and writer. You’ll experience her trials, tribulations and triumphs as she trains for and crosses the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and discovers the opportunity for healing in the wake of new trauma: the suicide of her nephew in 2011, and the aftermath of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings. This is Mary's journey of coming home to her human form free from the influences of the ghastly ghostly invaders who had invaded her sacred earthly home. Her memoir includes journals and blog posts from her seven year healing odyssey. This is her journey of transformation and her message of healing, hope and possibility.
I donate 50% of royalty payments through on line sales to The One Fund to help Boston Marathon survivors and their families. Copies are also available at Brookline Marathon Sports. $5 of each book sold at Marathon Sports is donated to The One Fund.
One year ago, our City was trying to get its bearings after the events of 4/15/13. Spaulding Rehab had just opened its state of the art healing place to welcome the survivors and help them begin to find their strength. On Facebook and in the news there were stories of heroes and survivors. The City was preparing for a #onerun on 5/25. There was a heaviness that hung in the air as we came together as a City to begin to heal.
This year, even though the marathon was almost two weeks ago, the news feeds on Facebook and Twitter are filled with joyous celebrations. New photos of my friends with their medals fill the feed. Runners are talking about their next events and the City is gearing up for the Run to Remember and the BAA 10K. As for me, I am going to volunteer at the Run to Remember, run the Corrib Pub 5K (the first race I ever ran in 2008) and spectate at the BAA 10K.
And on Meb Keflezighi's Facebook page, we are all basking in the afterglow of his win.
One person commented that it was the biggest game of telephone out on the course about Meb being in the lead and then winning the 2014 Boston Marathon.
We were watching the race just before mile 23 on Beacon Street. My husband decided to take a video of the race as we were waiting for the lead male runner to come through. He had no idea that it would be Meb as you can tell from our excitement in this video:
Tom started tracking Meb...an 8 second lead then a 5 second lead...At that point we were watching the iPhone rather than the runners in front of us. We sat down and joined our intentions together for Meb. After he won, we went wild and then the crowd around us went wild.
My husband was so moved that he made a MEB WON sign.
Runners were incredulous asking, "Did he really?" and then fist pumped, smiled, screamed and got their second wind to go the final 3+ miles to the finish line. People around us were asking what Tom had written on the sign to get people all revved up like that and we told them. Several people came over and hugged Tom. When his arms tired, Ruth Anne held it up. She got hugs and fist pumps and smiles.
Here is one of my favorite responses to the MEB WON sign:
"I knew Meb was gonna win. I told him so," said a runner passing by who saw Tom holding up the sign that said "MEB WON!" to inspire the runners just before mile 23 last Monday. We thought, "Oh sure you did." After this runner completed his Marathon he found us on Beacon Street. He had his medal and showed us his bib that was signed by Meb. He told us he saw Meb at the Expo. Meb told him that he was not the fittest he'd ever been but he was the healthiest. Meb said his wife told him that's just the way she likes it to be. This runner told Meb that he was gonna win and had him sign his bib.
And had it not been for Meb's win, we would not be the honored recipients of one of our most treasured Marathon souvenirs, a random act of kindness from Maureen Jones of Rochester, Minnesota. You can read about it in my blog Meet Maureen Jones: I Just Wanted to Show My Gratitude. Maureen told us that there was another person who was holding a sign at mile 19 saying that Meb Won - Really! She was so excited but no one else around her was sharing in the excitement. When she saw our MEB WON sign, she knew that we were meant to receive the last of her thank you to the fans note.
Below are quotes from Meb's facebook page:
You have know idea the fire you've ignited, sir.
I was on the Boston course, hours behind you, when one of the race security people shouted out the news that you had won. I can tell you, every person around me felt a surge of energy and strode out a little quicker because of what you had accomplished. Thanks for giving us this victory, Meb.
The runners, the fans, the victims returning, the city rising up, I didn't think it could get any better. And then Meb won! I could not have had a better day! And Meb's words after the race show what a classy guy he is. I'm lucky and proud to have been a part of it. Thank you, Meb!
MEB, I was about at heartbreak when I first heard someone scream out, "an American won!" I looked at my watch and thought no way! The chants of "USA, USA" started... (I had to tell myself to relax as I still had a bunch to go and didn't want to crash due to a pace change!). It was awesome! This is my 10th Boston over 20 years and I have never felt such excitement on the course. It has always been amazing but this year was times 10..
And this is a post from Meb:
I loved the fan turn out in Boston! Thanks for sharing this picture Kati Hanlon Mayo. Check out the lady in the green vest! Thank you for all your support.
One year after our City was trying to heal and recover from the devastating events of 4/15/13, a hero emerged from the pack to bring a community together with joy, tears and a celebration that continues on.
"Meb Won?" runners asked as they saw the sign my husband made. "Really?" Yes really and I want to say a huge thank you to you Meb for being Boston Strong!
I don't know why she chose us. Perhaps it was because we were wearing our Spaulding Rehab Find Your Strength T shirts. I don't know how many she had carefully and lovingly prepared to hand out to the spectators on Marathon Monday. If memory serves me, she held a small pile of them in her hand.
As we stood just before mile 23 on Beacon Street cheering runners on their way to the finish, she paused and said, "Here - this is for you."
It's handwritten and laminated and says, "Thanks for being a fan today! Maureen #23513." On the back she wrote, "You're the best! Boston 2014."
This morning I was moved to check her results on the BAA website:
23513 Jones, Maureen 48 F Rochester MN USA
Official time 4:16:09
I have a BAA volunteer jacket and pin, a wristband from the 2013 Boston Marathon banners which we bought to support the One Fund, a 2014 Boston Marathon program, the Boston Marathon posters, pics and videos from Marathon weekend and from when we were support crew for training runs. There are so many memories and emotions that we have gathered since 4/15/13 of Boston 2014.
Yet this seemingly small laminated handwritten note from someone who traveled to Boston from Rochester, Minnesota to run the 2014 Boston Marathon is one of my most treasured souvenirs.
Maureen Jones took the time to hand write thank you notes, laminate them and pass them out to fans along the course.
She was thanking us for being there and for being Boston Strong. Our presence and energy was a symbol of resilience and courage for her which she acknowledged in this 4"x 1" handwritten note.
Maureen C Jones, PT is what came up when I googled Maureen Jones in Rochester, Minnesota. I will call the clinic where she works. I would love to hear the story behind this 4" x 1" laminated souvenir that I now hold as a treasure among my souvenirs for the Boston Marathon 2014. These are the marathon moments that last a lifetime.
{This past week has been a whirlwind of activity and emotions. I have been blessed to meet people who are the embodiment of Boston Stronger. My blog today and over the next several days features several of the people who have graced my life during this past week since the anniversary of 4/15/13.}
I first met Tom Licciardello when I was an inspirational speaker at the Merrimack Valley Striders Club after running the Boston Marathon 2009. I met Ric Beaudoin, a member of the Striders and L Street at the Hyannis Half in 2009. He heard my story and said I had to speak at his Club. To quote Jerry Maguire, Tom Licciardello "had me at hello." His smile and warmth embraced me. Our paths would cross around the running circuit as I would cheer on my Tom at different races. When I stopped running, and my Tom limited his races, I lost contact with my runner friends. After the events of 4/15/13 and my own return to the roads, I quickly reconnected with Tom and my friends in the Striders. I decided it was time to run a race I had heard about but never run on Thanksgiving Day. We hugged at the Feaster Five Expo as though no time had passed since the last time we saw each other. It was an emotional reunion in the wake of Marathon Monday.
I have never seen anyone with so much energy in my life. As we were moving through marathon training season and preparing for the 118th Boston Marathon, I saw a post about packet stuffing. I had heard about packet stuffing from members of my club L Street and the Striders. Tom told me he would love to have me on his team of volunteers and gave me the link to apply. I was thrilled when I got my assignment. Here is Tom at the beginning of our shift:
He had already completed 3 four hour shifts with one more to go after our shift.
Tom was responsible for bag check at the BAA 5K on Saturday morning and had to arrive at 3:30am on Marathon Monday to be ready to receive the bags from over 30,000 runners on race day on the Boston Common. As he anticipated his role on race day, he did so with humor and grace. He has this way of making everything seem seamless and effortless.
We received an email from the director of volunteers at the BAA saying that they needed 50 volunteers to represent the BAA volunteers for a pre game ceremony at Fenway on Sunday 4/20. If interested, email Tom and the first 50 to respond would be selected. I just happened to see the email 3 minutes after it arrived and responded. Tom sent out the congratulatory email saying we made the cut.
April 20th is Tom's birthday. On 4/20/13, he took the field at Fenway representing the BAA volunteers in a somber tribute 5 days after the bombing. What an honor to experience this year's tribute which also signaled a moving forward with Tom on his birthday.
I wrote this poem for him:
Dear Tom,
A tough mudder, a husband, a wonderful friend
if anyone is in need on you they depend.
Packet stuffing no chore you fill the day with fun
I’m so blessed to know you – in my book you’re number one.
You embrace me as a Strider, you touch my heart more than you’ll know
thank you for your friendship to this world your smile brings a glow.
On this your very special day, we share the turf at Fenway Park
honoring what we’ve been through – your light snuffs out the dark.
You run the marathon of life with honesty, humor and grace
integrity and love and joy, you’ve easily won this race.
We’ve shared many special moments in Falmouth, Andover and more
may the year that unfolds ahead have so many blessings for you in store.
And when this day is over, wishes made and sun is set
here’s hoping that the miles ahead are your most wonderful miles yet.
Happy Birthday Tom!
He told me that he cried when he read it and gave me the most heartfelt thank you for writing this in his honor. Tom lives life with a heart full of gratitude and love, with a smile on his face and passion and dedication to his family, his work in financial planning, the Striders which he founded and serving the community of runners.
With Tom leading the charge, we took the field at Fenway Park and moved from looking back and remembering 4/15/13 to moving forward to the 118th Boston Marathon.
Tom said that he looks forward to a time when the word bombing no longer accompanies the words Boston Marathon. That day has arrived and because of the journey we traveled this past year we are Boston Stronger. I am so blessed to have traveled a part of this journey with Tom Licciardello.
Last night's pre marathon meeting with the L Street Running Club was like no other pre marathon meeting I've ever been to. It gave me pause to realize that this marathon weekend and Monday's race is an unprecedented historical event.
Lisa Hughes of WBZ moderated the meeting which began with Mike Wankum from WCVB giving the weather, Boston Marathon Race Director Dave McGillivray, Geoff Smith BM winner in '84 & '85, Greg Meyer last American winner to win BM in '83, Journalist & Pulitzer Prize winner Kevin Cullen of the Boston Globe, author Paul Clerici and Jake Kennedy from Kennedy Bros. PT. The night was topped off with a visit by the Red Sox World Series Trophy.
Here are some photos that capture the spirit of L Street and the spirit of Boston Strong:
There were moments of commemoration, anticipation, inspiration, humor and getting everyone pumped who is running Boston on Monday.
Here is a photo of Dave McGillivray saying, "This is our race."
There was anger, tears and relief that together we endured this last year of tragedy, grief, healing, training through a brutal winter for those who trained for Boston and working support crew in frigid temperatures. There was a sense of community and love infused with a single purpose.
There was great advice from Dave McGillivray: Don't listen to those guys (referring to Greg Meyer and Geoff Smith) - listen to me - I always finish last. Listen to your body - don't look at your watch. The theme of advice from everyone was have fun. Enjoy every moment. Greg Myer suggested we not use the last American to win Boston when referencing his win back in 1983 but the most recent American to win Boston. Lisa Hughes announced that she would be interviewing the President today. He requested the interview because the last time he visited Boston we were a City reeling from an unthinkable tragedy.
It's one year ago today that we were in lockdown in the greater Boston area. Every last nerve was frayed in our community. Today, I find myself riding the waves of emotions. People are sharing their photos from the Expo picking up their bibs. There was a moment of silence and a memorial service for Office Collier who was shot and killed one year ago today. There is an odd mix of remembrance and moving forward.
We are all a part of a historical weekend and event on Monday. Let's allow ourselves to be present in each moment and to ride the waves of emotions that ebb and flow. It's an incredible ride and we are so blessed to be Boston Strong!
It has been a long, cold, cruel New England winter. We thought Spring would never arrive. We thought our hearts and souls would never begin to experience the warmth that Spring brings or that our broken hearts would heal. It seemed like flowers would not bloom again and that the snow and ice would never melt.
But today in real time and on my Facebook feed, there are signs of healing and moving forward. I went on a 5.7 mile run and did about a 15+ minute pace as I train for the Tufts 10K in October. What an amazing day. The Reservoir is melted. The geese were swimming. The birds sang sweet and clear. Runners wearing their race day singlets for their chosen charity were out in force. I felt wonderful in my body running next to my life and running partner Tom. I shouted out to runners we passed, "Good luck a week from Monday."
Tomorrow we join the Merrimack Valley Striders for Packet Stuffing Day. Here are some photos from yesterday and today's packet stuffing days:
and a pic of this year's volunteer jacket:
My dear friend David Brown who brought such joy to running on Beacon Street posted his number which someone stuffed into a packet yesterday:
Sports Illustrated invited Bostonians to be a part of a cover photo shoot. What a contrast to the cover one year ago picturing 3 police officers running to assist a runner on the ground and chaos, desolation and destruction along Boylston Street.
This compilation comes from Twitter that says: A New Day in Boston
There are hashtags for #bostonstronger now!
And here is a video of the photo shoot:
Here are some photos my Facebook friends posted:
There are many more photos from my friends that capture a sense of play and joy like this one
and that reflect resilience and triumph as over 3,000 Bostonians returned to Boylston Street and the Finish Line just a few days before the one year anniversary of 4/15/13.
One of the businesses on Boylston Street most profoundly affected by the bombings was The Forum who posted this on Facebook today:
Dear friends,
April 15th, 2013 was a date that forever changed our lives and scarred our city. A date that certainly made history, not because of the criminal intents of some, but because of the remarkable show of strength and resilience of our community. In the aftermath, FORUM was inundated with an outpour of love, support and encouragement, in messages from people all over the world. It gave us the strength needed to rebuild and reopen our business, four long months later.
Today, nearly a year has passed since last Marathon, and with that time, wounds have begun healing. While the City prepares for this year’s Marathon, words simply cannot describe the feelings of anticipation shared by many of us. We are forever grateful for the true heroes in our beloved city, those who risk their lives to selflessly protect and serve us.
To express the true extent of our appreciation, on Tuesday April 15th, 2014, FORUM will donate 100% of the day’s sales to the The One Fund Boston, the Joe Andruzzi Foundation, the Boston Firefighters Credit Union's Lt. Walsh and FF Kennedy Memorial Fund.
We invite you all to join us at FORUM in this day of tribute and remembrance. We will never break. Together, we are Boston Strong.
And this time next year....we are here now poised to both commemorate the tragic events of 4/15/13 and anticipate the running of the 118th Boston Marathon. We will continue to need to heal as we move through these next 9 days and beyond but what a wonderful day to experience that joy and Spring return to Boston and we are Boston Stronger!
The finish line of a year of grieving and healing is in sight. Tuesday marks the one year anniversary of 4/15/13. A week from Monday, over 36,000 runners toe the line at Hopkinton for the 118th running of the Boston Marathon.
I remember seeing the President's speech at the memorial service on Youtube on April 18th of last year wondering - is that possible?
Last year, before we left for the Mandarin Oriental Hotel to be a part of Spaulding Rehab's Race for Rehab special day, I felt this burning need to change the title of my blog from Welcome to a New World which had been the title since I started blogging in 2008. I changed it to healing, hope and possibility.
Yesterday, I visited the finish line of the Boston Marathon. The staging is going up at the finish line. The sky was blue. There was a chill in the air as the wind gusted at times yet the sun was warm. It was a wonderful metaphor for the transformation from winter to Spring; from grieving to healing and for slowly and mindfully moving forward physically and emotionally from the events of 4/15/13.
My daughter and I visited the Boston Marathon Memorial Exhibit at the Boston Public Library.
Right after you enter
there is a guest book that reminded me of a guest book you sign at a funeral.
A display of running shoes left at the outdoor memorial is set up front and center.
The exhibit is arranged by themes
My breath caught when I saw a Race for Rehab singlet in a display case saying Spaulding Rehab will help survivors find their strength and quality of life. They sure helped me find mine back in 2006-2007!
As you move through the exhibit, the last theme is Boston Still Shines Bright:
And there are bare trees with daffodils planted at the base of those trees with messages of healing, hope and love that visitors write on a tag and hang on the branches:
After leaving the exhibit, there was a reporter taping at the finish line, "It's been almost one year since two bombs exploded at the finish line of the Boston Marathon...."
Almost one year...the finish line of a year unlike any of us ever anticipated when we got up on the morning of April 15th, 2013. I have repeatedly said throughout this year how blessed and fortunate we were to be spared so much. Had we received the text that our friend had crossed the 40K mark, we would have been downstairs on Boylston Street across from the Forum waiting for him to come down Boylston Street to claim his medal and feel the exhilaration of having run the Boston Marathon.
We felt the explosion. We saw the smoke. Fortunately we had not been looking out the window when the second bomb exploded. We felt the terror and uncertainty of what we were walking into after we were evacuated. We smelled the bombs and we saw and heard every emergency vehicle careen down Huntington Avenue as we walked faster than I could remember in a long time to what we hoped would be safety.
Lockdown brought another day of terror.
But we are moving forward. Time, patience, love, community, my return to running, being support crew, fundraising for Spaulding and journaling bring healing. The process cannot be rushed anymore than the transformation from Winter to Spring can be rushed. And everyone heals in their own way and their own time.
My dear friend Tom Licciardello wrote a beautiful piece Runners Corner: Boston Marathon Buildup Intensifies as Race Draws Near.
I wonder if this year will mend the damage done last year, or will it reopen emotional wounds?
Will my friends, who didn’t get to finish last year’s race, feel fulfilled when they cross the finish line?
Will the 118th Boston mark the beginning of moving forward, while not forgetting the past?
The answers will come on April 21.
Every morning, I wake up to see this:
It's a reminder to me of healing, hope and possibility. There are no words to adequately express what I felt in that moment crossing the finish line of the 113th Bostno Marathon. I can only imagine what it will be like for runners this year.
Yet every finish line is a starting line. I'm curious to see what the Facebook News Feed will be like on 4/22. I look forward to seeing an abundance of selfies on the Boston Marathon course and at the finish line. I expect to see profile pics changing filled with faces of smiles and tears and marathon medals.
But for now there is a 10 day journey to take us from now through the one year anniversary and to the starting line of the 118th Boston Marathon. But the finish line is in sight!
You can read about my journey from a wheelchair to the finish line of the 2009 Boston Marathon and beyond in my memoir, "Coming Home: A Memoir of Healing, Hope and Possibility" now available on Amazon.
Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston Street - the holy grail of the Boston Marathon. You know you've arrived.
I remember the thrill of arriving at Hereford Street. I was cold, tired and knew I had a whopping blood blister on my foot but I didn't care. I knew that in just a few minutes, we'd be crossing the finish line of the 113th Boston Marathon.
Here's a photo of Team McManus coming down Boylston Street on 4/20/2009:
Our personal trainer, Janine Hightower is sporting the blue Spaulding Rehab t shirt. She ran us in from Heartbreak Hill and then would not cross the finish line with us saying "This is all yours."
Last year at 2:50pm there was no right on Hereford, left on Boylston Street for thousands of Boston Marathon runners.
Boylston St. was a place that I wanted to avoid but on 5/24th, as I scrolled through Facebook, I saw that there was going to be a #onerun.
“I am terrified to be a part of that,” I answered.
“Then we have to register,” Tom said.
...
And then we were off crossing the one mile to go marker in Kenmore Square where four years ago, Tom, our daughter Ruth Anne and I ran toward the finish line. I ran the 2009 Boston Marathon for those who couldn't and for those who were told they shouldn't run or would never be able to run again. Back then I was delivering a message of healing, hope and possibility. Yesterday, I was one with the survivors knowing they have a long road ahead for them but knowing that they, like me, would be able to go the distance.
We got to Hereford Street and I took a deep breath, as I knew we were going back to the Mandarin Oriental Hotel and passing The Forum where the second bomb exploded. As we passed in front of the Mandarin, we stopped for a brief moment to give our thanks to the staff who ensured our safety. The two doormen who had been there on Marathon Monday while we watched the race before going upstairs to join the Spaulding Rehab party were there. How healing and wonderful to see them, express our gratitude and be back on a part of Boylston Street I was afraid to visit.
I told Tom I was ready to sprint to the finish line. I said a prayer as we ran by The Forum. I sobbed as the crowds were cheering and we were surrounded by runners with their bib numbers from Marathon Monday and thousands of people who had been touched by the tragic events of April 15. At the finish line we shared stories with one another. We hugged. We cried. We healed.
On the 11 month anniversary of the bombings, Tom and I returned to Boylston Street. We had lunch at the Mandarin.
We took a photo of the finish line and said we will come back before the marathon to take a photo of the freshly painted finish line.
Today I am going back to Boylston Street. I am going to the Boston Marathon Memorial Exhibit at the Boston Public Library. Tom and I are going to meet for dinner at Stephanie's on Newbury Street. We met the operations manager at the Marathon Sports Cambridge 5 Miler/3 Mile City Walk. He was four feet away from the first bomb and carried his girlfriend to his car parked behind Stephanie's and brought her to the hospital. They were able to save her leg.
On Saturday, Sports Illustrated has invited Bostonians to come out for a photo shoot to demonstrate the true meaning of Boston Strong.
"Boston Strong is a story about people, ordinary people doing extraordinary things, ordinary people doing ordinary things. SI's creative director, Chris Hercik, believed the best way to tell this story a year later was to bring all those people, or as many as possible, into a single photo at the finish line. If you look at last year's cover photo, you see all that empty space all the way down Boylston Street filled by smoke and that backdrop of chaos and destruction. This year's photo fills those spaces with the Bostonians who wrote the Boston Strong story."
When I put out the call to Boston area semi professional a cappella groups to round out our program, I was overwhelmed by the groups that responded. Bostonality was the first to respond. We are thrilled that they are donating their time and talent to our event.
Bostonality is a pretty rad co-ed grown up a cappella group based in Somerville, MA. Our members come from a wide variety of musical backgrounds, but we all share a genuine passion for performing music and having a blast while doing so. We've performed our eclectic set all over the greater Boston area. We enjoy jamming, karaoke, texting while singing, and the Sing-Off.
Their song set for the evening is:
I'm a Believer by The Monkees
Don't You Worry Child by Swedish House Mafia
Happy by Pharrell Williams
Lady by Stix
Here they are rocking out I'm A Believer at Landsdowne Pub:
I'm in love and I'm a believer that we are going to sell out Sleeper Auditorium with all proceeds to benefit Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital.
Donate to Greg's fund raising page and in the comments section write how many tickets you would like set aside. We will have them ready for you at the will call table. Minimum suggested donation/ticket is $10 to reserve your spot for one of the hottest a cappella shows Spring.
Yesterday my daughter and I went for our run twice around Jamaica Pond. I am reading Bill Rodgers book, "Marathon Man" and he talks about how he did his training runs around Jamaica Pond. I could feel the presence of his legacy and felt a connection to something bigger than me.
We have many fond memories of our training runs around Jamaica Pond. Even though the pond was frozen and we had to watch out for slush, ice and mud, there was magic, beauty and majesty in the scene. I remembered how I was inspired to write the poem Courage on one of our training runs. The scene was similar to how it was 5 winters ago as we trained for Boston 2009.
Courage - January 5, 2009
The fear of ice and snow and slush embedded in my soul
a training run in winter - the path to Being whole.
A winter scene - Jamaica Pond - a feast for eyes' delight
to witness nature's splendor and behold this glorious sight.
A leaf - a tiny dancer - skating free without a sound
God's breath directs her movements,as She guides her twirling 'round.
Families of ducks decide to walk or take a dip
a comedy of errors into icy water slip.
The branches now bejeweled with ice bend with loving Grace
sparkling diamonds' anchor water's surface hold in place.
God's hand a glove of glistening snow
hugs rocks along the wall
their heads peek out reminding me I'm answering God's call.
A scene I'd never witness if I let my fear take hold
courage triumphed, steppin' out with footsteps sure and bold.
Knowing that the pain subsides and Spirit can prevail
the Marathon is beckoning - through those miles I shall sail.
We saw families of ducks and the snow covered rocks and we delighted in the scene. We laughed as we reminisced about the day that Tom and I lost each other going around - emphasize around - Jamaica Pond.
And who could EVER forget us losing each other around - emphasize the word a-round Jamaica Pond. Tom had stopped at the car to fill up the water bottles and get some snacks. He had his iPod on really loudly. I was in the zone and ran by him. I saw him looking for me in the opposite direction and yelled to him that I was over here. I felt so great and the weather was wonderful that I did not want to interrupt my rhythm. Finally, my daughter who had been going at her own pace came running up to me - where were you she asked? (well duh, we're going around in a circle) Dad is worried sick about you. He thought that since you had to go to the bathroom (and the bathrooms were not open yet) that you went off the trail and went to pee in the woods). We finally all caught up with one another and laughed so hard.
We are doing support crew tomorrow for L Street so we needed to get in our 5 miler today. The sun was shining and I could just tell it was going to be a great day for a run. I layered because it was chilly and there's still a lot of snow and ice on the ground. Once we got into the sunshine, we began to peel off layers.
And as Tom and I are heading down Beacon Street, I hear someone call my name from behind me. It was none other than David Brown - again! He said "This is my lucky day." Well it was our lucky day for sure. As David ran off to finish his long run I let out a yell for Forsyth Team Miles4Smiles.
Runners were out by the hundreds today many sporting their Boston Strong t shirts. The winter chill is leaving the air. The sun is warmer and the birds are singing strong. There is magic in the air - the magic of running - and the magic of Boston getting ready for the 118th Boston Marathon.
Show of hands -- who knows what is happening in Boston two weeks from today?
Here is a clue:
We are going to be raising our voices and raising a whole lot of money for Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital where I took the first steps on my healing journey with post polio syndrome over 7 years ago and where so many, including the survivors of the Boston Marathon bombings have found and continue to find their strength!
Here is Karis' story from her fund raising page:
On April 21, 2014, I will be participating in an event that I never thought I could: The Boston Marathon. The tragic events of last year’s race combined with witnessing first-hand the determination that the survivors displayed, has lead me to sign on as a member of Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital’s Race for Rehab Boston Marathon Team.
Many of you know that I was volunteering at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel last year for Spaulding’s Marathon viewing reception, when the bombs went off. Words cannot describe the scene nor the emotions I felt when I saw the second bomb explode. I wanted to run to the streets and help those who had been injured, but I was quickly evacuated and began the unknown journey through the streets of Boston. I was scared, but blessed to be in the company of wonderful friends. The streets were chaotic, no one knew where to go or what to do. As I ran down Huntington Avenue, it began to sink in: Lives have been changed forever.
As a massage therapist at Spaulding, I have had the great privilege of working with individuals who despite their life altering illness and/or injury, are determined to get back to their everyday lives. Those who know me personally know I am not a runner! I have never enjoyed running, but it is the strength and determination of my patients that has inspired me to run the Boston Marathon. The mental, physical, and emotional training that it will take to run this race is only a fraction of what those who I treat experience during rehab and for the rest of their lives. Each and every day I am strengthened by their strength.
Please consider making a donation to support my fundraising efforts as I work to raise $5,000 to benefit Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Every dollar counts and will directly benefit the facility that gave 33 bombing survivors, and many others, their lives back. I am running the Boston Marathon to honor those survivors and memorialize those who lost their lives last April.
As Boston and the world count down the days until the start of the 2014 Boston Marathon, I am honored and proud to co host Karis' phenomenal fun(d) raising event Karis' Karaoke for a Kause happening on 2/20/14 from 8:00-10:00 pm at the Limelight Stage and Studios at 204 Tremont Street Boston.
Suggested minimum donation is $20 and you receive a Take a Chance ticket to be entered to win an autographed Tom Brady Jersey. And don't worry if you're too shy to step up to the mic, we'll have plenty of people singing strong. Write "karaoke" in the comments section when you make your donation. Cash bar and appetizers. Silent Auction Items include autographed books by Bob and Lee Woodruff, A Cape Getaway Weekend, Celtics and Red Sox Tickets, Gift certificates to Stapleton Floral Design and Marathon Sports.
So join us as we raise our voices and a whole lot of money to show that we ARE Boston Strong!
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