Thought provoking article on RunnersWorld.com from Roger Robinson, husband of Kathrine Switzer, on the future of Marathons in light of what happened in Boston today.
Article >> Boston Bombings: A Loss of Innocence
If you’ve seen any of the videos of the explosion, or the picture above, you’ve probably seen an older runner who crumbles to the ground at the moment of the explosion. Turns out that he was fine other than a scraped knee, and got back up to complete the race, finishing 2nd in his age group. His name is Bill Iffrig, and he is 78-years-old. This was his 45th marathon finish. Remarkable!
You can read more about Bill in this article >> Lake Stevens runner just feet from blast in Boston
Photo >> John Tlumacki, Boston
Tonight I got back to cross-training after my laziness and apathy last week. However, that’s about the only good news that I have to share. The whole time I was on the elliptical, I was watching the continuing coverage of the Boston Marathon explosions on various new outlets. It was also during this time that the first reports came out that one of the 3 dead was an 8-year-old child.
This is just so incredibly sad and unthinkable! How could anybody possibly do something like this? All attacks of this nature are hideous, but somehow this seems closer to me than most others. I guess it is because this happened during a marathon! I’ve participated in 13 marathons over the past 4 years, and would dearly LOVE to run in the Boston Marathon!
Today started out with a mix of emotions anyway. The selfish part of me was a little depressed about having never qualified for Boston, and wondering if I would ever make it there considering the daunting standards for men. Another part of me was excited for all of my friends that would be toeing the line in Hopkinton this morning. I kept tracking all of them online from their start during the late morning until most of them finished in the early afternoon.
When all but two of my friends had finished the race, I saw the initial reports of two explosions. Once the severity of the situation became apparent, a number of us here in Nashville began frantically trying to get any information we could about their condition. Initially we were able to touch base with everyone except for our friends Dan and Vicki, who had not finished the race. Thankfully we heard from them about an hour later, and they are both OK. Vicki later posted the following on her Facebook account:
I’m ok. Heard the explosion but thought it was fireworks. Rounded the corner for the last 400 meters and they stopped the runners. I saw the smoke. My boyfriend got knocked down twice from the explosion and has temporary (we hope) hearing issues now. So thankful I needed to walk when I did or it could’ve been me, too. Horrific!
All of this puts my initial selfish emotions into perspective. I’m thankful that my friends are OK. I’m thankful that I was NOT in Boston today. I will continue to pray for those affected by the explosions today.
This is a great site anyway, but today they are providing the best live updates I have been able to find within the running community. The story is so fluid right now, and the stats keep getting worse.
AWESOME NEWS!
This tragedy is something that is beyond understanding. Terrible.
Vicki is OK. Her boyfriend was there and can’t hear out of one ear. Has blood on his shirt. Saw a dead person and people missing limbs. He just found out Vicki is safe.
Talk about a haunting message. Just awful…Brings it home. Glad that Vicki and her boyfriend are safe. Still praying for my friend Dan.
This article provides a lot more details on the explosion today at the Boston Marathon:
Still praying for my friends Dan and Vicki.
Article >> At least 2 dead, 22 hurt by Boston Marathon bombs
Summary From the Article:
- 2 explosive devices detonated at the Boston Marathon finish line
- At least 2 deaths, 22 injured by the explosions
- 2 additional explosive devices were found, undetonated
- A third explosive device went off in a controlled detonation
Still praying for the safety of my friends Dan and Vicki. Glad all of the others are safe.
Photo >> John Tlumacki, Boston
Just Horrible – Praying for all of my friends who participated in the race today. I’ve heard from all of them except for Dan. Very anxious about his safety.
Article >> 2 explosions at Boston marathon finish line
As a follow-up to my presentation tonight at Maple Hill Church of Christ, the following is a list of the individuals who made a commitment to Christ in baptism during our recent mission trip to Namasigue and the Island of Boca in southern Honduras. Please remember these new brothers and sisters in prayer, and please share this list with others.
Namasigue
- Juana Albertine Armas
- Rosahisela Briceños
- Maryuri Gomez Jarquin
- Belsa Marina Vetancos
- Joseline Escaleth Aguilera
- Emerson Beningo Armas
- Marcia Armas
- Karen Daniela
- Keyli Melissa Bonilla
- Betty Argelia Velasquez
- Maris Bonilla
- Daniel Edwardo Estrada
- Leyla Tomasa Salinas
Boca
- Ucles Ortiz Lopez
- Dubrisia Velasquez
- Antonia Florez
- Blasina Reyes
- Ermis Alonzo Nuñez
- Rene Hernandez
- Juana Maria Serufinos
I have been surprised how helpful and accommodating people have been when they see me in a boot. This weekend I flew up to see my terminally ill Grandfather. When I was at the airport people would practically run across rooms to help me. While I appreciate the help, it did sort of make me wonder, ‘where were you when I was flying 7 months pregnant trying to fold a stroller with one hand, manage luggage with the other, and keep up with an over-excited 3 year old?‘
Some people have been a bit over-helpful. I was offered a wheelchair on more than one occasion. And going through security, they offered me a cane. Yep. A cane. 7 days ago I ran 10 miles. Don’t think I need a cane, thanks.
So it rained this weekend. Not wanting to get mud from my parents un-paved driveway all over my boot, I tied a plastic bag over it. Ahhh, the target bag over the robo-boot. The look that says…I give up. We went for coffee and the barista asked me
So, how does it feel to have to wear a plastic bag on your boot to keep it from getting wet?
It feels awesome. Really, really great. Thanks for asking.
People are funny. And awkward. But mostly nice. I am thankful for the people in my life who can laugh and cry with me. The ones who love me even if I have a Target bag on my foot. The ones that know I don’t need a cane, but maybe a hug. Just not from a stranger.
-Olivia
This has been a hard week on the bench. No cross-training completed. NONE! Some of it has to do with business travel. Some of it has to do with Olivia being in Michigan the past three days to be with her sick grandfather, and having to take care of the girls. However, I could still have done some cross-training had I wanted to. The real reason I haven’t done any cross training is because of frustration and anger over being injured again, and allowing excuses to win out over training.
This was brought to a head earlier in the week when Olivia was also diagnosed with a stress fracture, and will also have to miss the St. Jude Country Music race later this month. Both of us love running and racing, and it is so disheartening to work this hard and then not be able to do the thing we love. In an instant we go from peak condition, and ready to engage beast mode, to sitting on the bench.
I’m not a Kobe Bryant fan, but last night when I heard about his torn achilles tendon, I remember thinking that he must feel the same way times a million. This morning, most major news and sports sites were commenting about a Facebook post he made regarding the injury. I have copied it below with the expletives deleted:
All the training and sacrifice just flew out the window with one step that I’ve done millions of times! The frustration is unbearable. The anger is rage. Why the [deleted] did this happen ?!? Makes no [deleted] sense. Now I’m supposed to come back from this and be the same player Or better at 35?!? How in the world am I supposed to do that??
I have NO CLUE. Do I have the consistent will to overcome this thing? Maybe I should break out the rocking chair and reminisce on the career that was. Maybe this is how my book ends. Maybe Father Time has defeated me…Then again maybe not! It’s 3:30am, my foot feels like dead weight, my head is spinning from the pain meds and I’m wide awake. Forgive my Venting but what’s the purpose of social media if I won’t bring it to you Real No Image?? Feels good to vent, let it out. To feel as if THIS is the WORST thing EVER! Because After ALL the venting, a real perspective sets in. There are far greater issues/challenges in the world then a torn achilles. Stop feeling sorry for yourself, find the silver lining and get to work with the same belief, same drive and same conviction as ever.
One day, the beginning of a new career journey will commence. Today is NOT that day.
“If you see me in a fight with a bear, prey for the bear”. Ive always loved that quote. Thats “mamba mentality” we don’t quit, we don’t cower, we don’t run. We endure and conquer.
I know it’s a long post but I’m Facebook Venting LOL. Maybe now I can actually get some sleep and be excited for surgery tomorrow. First step of a new challenge.
Guess I will be Coach Vino the rest of this season. I have faith in my teammates. They will come thru.
Thank you for all your prayers and support. Much Love Always.
Mamba Out
I realize I’m not an elite athlete being paid millions of dollars to compete like Kobe, but I feel the same roller-coaster of emotions that he expresses in this post. I KNOW this is nothing in the grand scheme of things, but it is still frustrating, and I still feel anger. I KNOW I want to work hard to overcome this, but questions fill my mind. At 38, is it possible to ever set a PR again? Qualify for Boston? Train hard without getting a stress fracture? I DO NOT KNOW!
Well, it is time to break out of my slothfulness, and get back to work. Thanks for letting me vent for a minute. Gonna take the girls out to the park for a hike before heading to pickup Olivia from the airport. Next week will be a better week.
Link to Article >> Amid Tensions, North Korea Prepares For Annual Marathon
(Thanks to Jeff Whittle for sharing this article)
Anybody else know there was a marathon in North Korea? Seems like one of the last places in the world anyone would want to go for a marathon, especially this year. Here’s a excerpt from the article:
North Korea is preparing for the 26th annual Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon, scheduled to take place this Sunday in the capital city of Pyongyang.
Despite warnings of pre-emptive nuclear strikes and imminent war, ahead of the marathon state TV showed a calm scene in Pyongyang yesterday, with North Koreans holding open air dances in preparation for their April 15 national holiday.
Held every year on the streets of North Korea’s capital city, the Mangyongdae Prize International Marathon will take place this Sunday as part of a broader multiple-day sports tournament held to commemorate the April 15 birthday of North Korea’s founding leader, Kim Il Sung.
