A Meaningful Run

I finished! I never had a doubt, but to say that I ran the Boston Marathon is something I will never forget and will take me many days to reflect on. Here is what I remember so far:

Seeing the thousands of runners at the Athletic Village milling around trying to stay warm, mentally preparing for their run, reviewing their time splits written on their wrists in permanent marker, taking team pictures in matching outfits, rubbing Vaseline on critical friction areas, getting temporary tattoos on legs and cheeks and the ever so slow progression at the portable out-houses before the race.

I knew that many of the runners for the marathon are primarily representing some charity or cause near and dear to their hearts and so I felt “among them” though I was a solo runner for Hospitality Homes. As the starting gun went off and we, corralled like cattle, began the slow progression up to the start line, I started to look around at the people I would be spending the next 4 hours with. Two women in front of me, the “Pink Posse” ladies, had matching pink shirts and black shorts on but one of them had a message written down the back of her legs, “I’m living my dream.” I got choked up and still am remembering it. I thought to myself, “me too and we are running so that others can hopefully live their dreams.” As I continued on all I began to see was a sea of back sides of shirts with the story of each individual’s reason for running. A man with a picture of what looked to be his young son and it said “I am running for Max” and then another runner with the shirt listing more than 10 names with the beginning stating, “in memory of…”

Once I understood that, I began to look around at the crowds lining up every inch of the way, yelling out words of encouragement, cheering for the causes they saw on our shirts, never wavering in their support at any point. I can’t explain the feeling of having total strangers look you in the eye and tell you, you are looking great, keep it up, you’re going to make it for 4 hours straight! On top of that, I was wearing a shirt with my name on it so I had everyone calling to me personally and sticking out their hands for a high five or a personal touch from someone who understood the challenge ahead. I was lucky to have supporters from Hospitality Homes wearing red “Go Kristina” shirts cheering me on and meeting me along the way with some cold Propel. Stopped and got my picture taken with Loring at mile 13 and then Cheryl and her entire family around mile 22 who flagged me down, not easy in a sea of red shirts in Boston!

Again, I can’t say enough how much your donations and support have helped to make this day possible and many more days for those people Hospitality Homes supports on a daily basis. I was reminded that it was a luxury to even be able to make the choice to run a marathon or to even run at all. I have my health and the support from family, friends, and those I haven’t even met but who have chosen to support this organization and the service they provide. I am humbled and proud. Thank you.