Sports

I'll Keep Running, and Racing. How About You?

Now more than ever, running is a much-needed remedy and escape from the world's craziness.

This story was written and reported by Patch Editor Ronni Newtown. It was posted by Jason Vallee.

Last year I was on the sidelines with family and friends, cheering on my husband Ted who was running his first Boston (if you’re a runner, you know the word “marathon” is not needed) with his training partner, Seth. 

We wished them good luck in Hopkinton, clapped for them as they both looked strong in Ashland despite the 90-degree heat, and then took the T to Copley Square and positioned ourselves on Commonwealth Ave. between mile 25 and 26. We worried a bit when Seth passed by alone, but cheered when Ted followed a few minutes later, suffering a bit from the heat but determined.

I was living vicariously through his Boston finish, happy to be part of the experience.

As we followed the the crowd, like cows in a herd, making our way to the family meeting area, I was overwhelmed by the sights and sounds of the day. These people had run Boston, which to me and many others is the gold standard of marathons.

Why run a marathon? It’s really far. It’s really hard. Your toenails will probably fall off. You will be sore and tired beyond your imagination. For that matter, why do anything that’s a challenge?

I’ve been a runner for many years. Running Boston had always been on my bucket list. I've always thought running Boston for charity is a wonderful thing, but I've also always said the only way I would do Boston is if I earned it through a qualifying time. If not for injury I likely could have made that qualifying time a few years ago, but since then have realized that I would probably never have the time or fortitude to reach that goal.

This was a tough winter for my group of running friends, a combination of bad weather, injuries, illnesses, and busy lives. But I’ll never forget the 8-miler with my running partners on Dec. 15, 2012, the morning after the Sandy Hook tragedy, when we paused in front of a local elementary school for a group hug and moment of silence.

I will also never forget that I was near the end of training for my first marathon when 9/11 happened, and how those long runs with my training partners provided a chance to think, talk, and try to make sense of the world. One of my past columns was about running being cheaper than psychotherapy.

I received dozens of calls, texts, and Facebook messages yesterday from friends wondering if we were in Boston. We weren’t. My husband chose not to run a marathon this year, and his training partner, who was registered for Boston, dropped out late last week with a pulled hamstring.

This morning I headed to the track for day two of a 5K training plan that I began yesterday. (I’ve decided to work on speed before I tackle distance again.) Interval training is just about my least favorite workout but I know it makes a big difference.

My iPod’s music was a soundtrack to my thoughts, as I ignored my tired legs and tried to avoid eye contact with the high school lacrosse team (that includes many of my daughter’s friends) engaged in an early morning practice on the turf in the middle of the track.

This is another terrible tragedy, unspeakable. No one can dispute that. Like too many other tragedies we have endured in recent years it violates our sense of security. It’s a clear reminder that awful things can happen to innocent people, while the rest of us are helpless to do anything about it – except to keep on believing in the essential goodness of humanity, keep on praying, and continue helping in any way we can.

As I headed home from the track Tuesday morning my iPod (always set on shuffle) chose “Born to Run.”

Ronni Newton is the editor of West Hartford Patch and has been a runner since she was a teenager. Her license plate reads "Run Mom" and her column, "The Running Mom," has appeared on many Patch sites.

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