April 2014 – moirahoran

Lots of thoughts and feelings as I headed out to Boston for my 4th time running this race. If it was any race other than this particular Boston Marathon I probably wouldn’t be running, I’m just not prepared. I am not making pre-race excuses, actually I hate hearing that from other athletes. My run training has been spotty at best over the last couple of months, I did not push myself out the door when it was cold, or snowing, or raining. Since this was an awful winter all up and down the east coast there was lots of days I just didn’t push myself out the door. My eating has not been spotty — and the extra 10 pounds I’m carrying are a testament to that. Last year’s race was a gift — I ran well, had fun, qualified again for this year and most importantly — I finished about 4 minutes before the bomb went off. My finish time was courtesy of the bathroom stop that I did not make.

This year’s race is a privilege to be part of, and I intend to enjoy every moment of the journey tomorrow. I will high five those spectators, and look in their eyes and say thank you. Just as us runners are running in spite of what happened last year, thespectators are also doing what they do in spite of what happened last year.

I will run tomorrow for all those who can’t, for so many different reasons. I dedicate my run to Lt. Ed Walsh and firefighter Mike Kennedy from Engine 33 in Boston, they were killed in a fire on March 26. Mike Kennedy had planned to run the marathon this year. So, I guess there went my excuses.

“Mike Kennedy knew then that he wanted to run the race this year to honor the victims he treated, and the courage he witnessed, to show people that you don’t back off after you are attacked. When Frankie Flynn got job-related cancer before Christmas and died a month later, well, Mike Kennedy had one more reason to run, and so did nine other guys from the house, Chris Dunn among them. It was all a go until 2:43 on the afternoon of March 26, when the alarm sounded at Engine 33, Ladder 15 for a fire on Beacon St., a few doors down from Tom Brady’s place.”

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/more-sports/zone-boston-firehouse-running-finish-line-back-article-1.1761964#ixzz2zSnGTBXX

This doesn’t really qualify as a blog post but, I want to save it — when I read it this afternoon it really resonated with me. Who’s the real “athlete”? Friday morning beginner bike ride is back on the schedule, one of my most rewarding workouts of the week! I am always grateful to pay it forward, and to remember that “I am because we are”.

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So, after a comment this morning about who is an “athlete”, I read the following in my Title 9 catalogue:

“According to Webster’s . . . .
athlete:
(n) a person trained in exercises or games requiring strength, skill or stamina

According to me . . . . [and I wholeheartedly agree!]
She’s the 5 year old girl pedaling beyond her mom’s reach on her first bike ride.

She’s the woman learning to row after work and before her second shift.

Or the teenager hitting the winning basket as time expires.

She’s the mom with her son in a stroller, getting her run in at day’s end.

Or the one learning to swim at age 50.

She’s the woman inning her first 10K and also the one winning that same 10K.

She is strong, she is competent, she is confident.

See is ready for anything.

She is an athlete and she probably looks a lot like you.”

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I don’t care how old or young you are, there is nothing like the joy of riding your bike!

And just how do you pump up your tires anyway?

Month: April 2014

Boston Marathon 2014, the day before.

What Defines an Athlete?