BostonStrongGoffstown

Monday night, my wish to get together a group of runners and DO something to show Boston support from New Hampshire came true. Family, colleagues, students, and running friends (both old and new) showed up to demonstrate that we all stand as one. We are all runners. We are all in this together.

We started the evening with introductions while runners got ready to go and my step daughter and her friend helped hand out blue and yellow ribbons. After a moment of silence, my husband sent us on our way playing the Bostonian favorite Sweet Caroline.

While we were just one of over 100 #BostonStrong<city> events taking place all over the world, the two mile trail run allowed us to feel connected in a very powerful way. One of the best parts of the run was passing a young mother and her daughter who came out to cheer us on and ring their Boston Marathon cowbell. It was such a great moment and emphasized the role of spectators.

To everyone who came out for the #BostonStrongGofftown event, THANK YOU! My goal was for all of us to come together to show our love and support for all those affected by the Boston Marathon bombings, and we did.

TrainingTruths: Half Marathon #9 Week 6

What an emotional week!

It started Monday morning with excitement for the Boston Marathon and ended after a marathon week for law enforcement who worked non-stop chasing and capturing the suspects involved in the finish line bombings.

#TrainingTruth: "If you are trying to defeat the human spirit, marathoners are the wrong group to target"

#RunforBoston - With a heavy heart, I put on my BAA 5K race shirt Tuesday morning to show my support and love for the running community. After school my running partner and I logged a quick 4 miles before the rain came. It felt good to briefly zone out mentally, but also to be running for Boston.

It was not an easy run on Thursday. The sunshine disappeared not 20 minutes prior to heading out leaving only wind gusts behind and all through the five mile run my stomach was aching. The running world was still plagued with anxiety, but planning a #BostonStrong<city> event (details below) helped because I was doing something. The good part of the run was my shoes.

I woke on Saturday morning with a huge sense of relief and gratitude knowing that they had captured the second suspect. Maybe the weight off my mind was just what I needed to finally get in my first plank workout of the week.

Hoping for better weather, we moved our long run to Sunday. Although it was still way too chilly to be considered Spring, the sun was out and smiled down on us most of the 10 miles. My husband had an awesome run and is easily ready for the Newport 10 Miler next weekend. As for me, my legs felt good but I struggled with tight abs. It felt like a stitch at first, but even a rest break didn't completely alleviate the tension. Without meaning to, we donned Boston Marathon colors and hummed Sweet Caroline spontaneously throughout the run.

Here are the details for tonight's Boston tribute run in my area:

Location: Meet at Barnard Park -> Run Goffstown Rail Trail
Date: Monday, April 22, 2013
Time: 6PM
Distance: 3 - 4 miles
Facebook Event Page: RSVP here

Wear a race shirt, or Boston Marathon colors (blue & yellow). Bring a friend.

Are you participating in an event to support Boston? Feel free to link it in the comments.

#TrainingTruths is not just about me. We all like to see what everyone else is doing and use that information to assess ourselves. It's not judgement. It's a way to share and learn and make changes when necessary.

To participate all you have to do is share your #TrainingTruths:

1. Tag a Twitter post with the hashtag #TrainingTruths
2. Comment on the Running Escapades Facebook page 
3. Leave a link to your own blog post in the comments

I look forward to reading your #TrainingTruths! 

A Run for Boston: #BostonStrongGoffstown

While I wait for news that they have arrested the person(s) responsible for the finish line bombings, I continue to feel an array of emotions. Initially I was shocked that something so horrific could happen. It scared me when I thought about how we were just there the day before for a much smaller race, but a race nonetheless, that crossed the iconic finish line. I was worried for my friends in the running community that were there running, spectating, or volunteering. My heart hurts each time I learn more about a victim. 

Like many runners, I felt the need to do something after the tragic events at the Boston Marathon on Monday. I wore a race tee on Tuesday and ran some miles with my running partner who has run Boston twice. But it was the call from fellow runner and blogger, Brian @PavementRunner, that spurred me to action.

So, if you are in my area, I am inviting you to join me for a group run to honor the victims. 

Here are the details:

Location: Meet at Barnard Park -> Run Goffstown Rail Trail
Date: Monday, April 22, 2013
Time: 6PM
Distance: 3 - 4 miles
Facebook Event Page: RSVP here

Wear a race shirt, or Boston Marathon colors (blue & yellow). Bring a friend.

If you can't join us, consider organizing your own group run or joining one near you. 

We might run with heavy hearts, but we won't stop running.