This is a special tribute to the 2013 Boston Marathon. In this episode we read emails from people within the MTA community who were at the Boston Marathon, and speak to our friend Angela Coloumbe who was volunteering near the finish line.

Glued to our laptops, Angie and I watched the live streaming of this year’s Boston Marathon until the elite runners crossed the finish line. We have truly grown to love these running icons (especially Kara Goucher and Shalane Flanagan) and every year we cross our fingers hoping an American will win. No offense to my non-American friends . . . it’s a rooting for the home team sort of thing. The last American to win Boston was Greg Meyer in 1983.

You gotta take your hat off to both Lelisa Desisa Benti, who has only ran one other marathon before winning Boston, and Rita Jeptoo who won in 2006, took 7 years off to become a mother, then returned to win it this year!

In case you didn’t see this yet:

Men’s Results

1. 
   
2. Lelisa Desisa, ETH 2:10:22
   
3. Micah Kogo, KEN 2:10:27
   
4. Gebregziabher Gebremariam, ETH 2:10:28
   
5. Jason Hartmann, USA 2:12:12
   
6. Wesley Korir, KEN 2:12:30
   
7. Markos Geneti, ETH 2:12:44
   
8. Dickson Chumba, KEN 2:14:08
   
9. Jeffrey Hunt, AUS 2:14:28
   
10. Daniel Tapia, USA 2:14:30
    
11. Craig Leon, USA 2:14:38
    

Women’s Results

1. 
   
2. Rita Jeptoo, KEN 2:26:25
   
3. Meseret Hailu, ETH 2:26:58
   
4. Sharon Cherop, KEN 2:27:01
   
5. Shalane Flanagan, USA 2:27:08
   
6. Tirfi Tsegaye, ETH 2:28:09
   
7. Kara Goucher, USA 2:28:11
   
8. Madai Perez, MEX 2:28:59
   
9. Diane Nukuri-Johnson BDI, 2:29:54
   
10. Ana Dulce Felix, POR 2:30:05
    
11. Sabrina Mockenhaupt, GER 2:30:09
    

A Test of the Human Spirit

I had already closed my laptop when the news broke that something exploded near the finish line of the Boston Marathon. A lady from our church texted me saying, “Thank God for those 41 seconds that disqualified Angie! Accident or terrorist–how terrifying! So so glad you all are here and not there. This is scary.”

I immediately switched on the news and saw the images of panic and disarray -a very transformed scene from the race I watched 2 hour before. A heaviness came over my spirit that I can still feel as I write this post. My heart goes out to the families of the 4 people who lost their lives and the many who were injured because of the violence.

Out of this tragedy came many stories of bravery and compassion -a stark contrast to the cowardice and hate of two men bent on evil. I’ve always been bothered by how easy it is for one sinner to destroy much good. A 117 year old marathon was halted . . . not by an army, nor by a snow storm, but by 2 terrorists who decided to crawl out from under their rock. But lest we surrender to cynicism, we must remember that the world is filled with decent peace-loving people. Having gone to more than a dozen marathons now I have seen them firsthand.

We were glad to hear from Jeff, Eric, Angela, Marty, and Jason – MTA fans who were at Boston this year. Their messages encapsulate the important place the Boston Marathon has in the heart of runners and the power of the human spirit to conquer adversity.

The consistent message from runners here is “Stay safe and keep running”. The attitude of the Bostoners I’ve spoken with is that the marathon will be back next year…stronger than ever! -Jeff

The Boston Marathon has always been a celebration of the human spirit. Yesterday it turned into a test of that spirit. I can’t tell you how proud I am of how the city and the emergency workers have responded. Boston will be OK, and we will be back next year. -Eric

I would say that everyone we encountered during the event and after seemed to all pull together, although everyone was scared, we all worked together to do what we could do to help and I am left with the lasting impression that the real, true best of human nature was on display that day more so than the evil. I will never forget how fast the medic volunteers rushed to help the injured as well as other first responders. Quite incredible. -Angela

What a trip to remember and forget at the same time. Boston is a great town and a great race. I had originally thought this would be my last Boston but now I am focused on going back. . . Angie, you need to be a part of this great race. You as a runner know that marathoning always includes highs and lows and this year’s Boston Marathon is one of the lows for marathoning. What makes marathoners great is that they go to work to recover from the lows and reach the highs again. We will all make this happen. -Marty

This last excerpt from an email we received from Jason well illustrates how love and kindness toward our fellow man can triumph over evil.

A lot of people have been talking about how moments like this bring out the best in people. It’s true. I couldn’t walk after the race, because my legs were so cramped, and I couldn’t make phone calls or send texts because the cellular network had been shut down. I was panicking and helpless. One couple helped me get up and walk, and kept trying to call my wife for me. They stayed with me for 2 hours. Another runner saw me shivering in the subway and offered me a pair of flannel pants. As I tried to get out of the affected downtown area, a subway rider tried to give me her seat because she could see I was having trouble standing.

These were all complete strangers. The stories about people running toward the explosions to help victims, and about marathoners running another 2 miles to donate blood at Mass General are humbling and amazing. But I want you to know that smaller acts of goodness and decency were happening

elsewhere. And if these smaller acts happened to me, I’m sure they were happening to lots of other people too. People are good. And running is good. And the Boston Marathon is a beautiful event. That’s what I’m choosing to remember about April 15, 2013, and I hope you will too. Thank you again for allowing me to do this. Jason

The Complete Report

To read the full text of the emails quoted above click on the drop down boxes.

To read Jeff's report click here
Hello Trevor and Angie. I had finished Boston about 25 minutes before the explosions and had just met my training partner and her husband in the family meeting area about 2 blocks from the finish line. When the explosions went off the whole area went silent. Everyone literally stopped in their tracks. No one immediately knew what happened. Someone suggested cannons because of Patriots day. Soon people came running from the finish line, many in tears. It was a little chaotic trying to get out of the area because of all the barricades set up by EMS vehicles, police, fire etc. The police, National Guard, Volunteers and EMS all performed heroically. By now you have seen the news reports so I really can’t add a lot further. I’m just trying to make my way home to Canada today. The consistent message from runners here is “Stay safe and keep running”. The attitude of the Bostoners I’ve spoken with is that the marathon will be back next year…stronger than ever.

To read Eric's report click here
This was my sixth trip to the Boston Marathon. (My wife) Tami and I love the marathon weekend here. Everyone in the city embraces the race, even the cabbies who grumble about the street closures. Just like St. Louis knows its baseball, Boston knows marathon running—and maybe a bit about baseball. Weather conditions were very good with a light headwind that picked up to a stiff breeze as we made the turn on to Boylston (Street). Crowds were excellent, about three or four deep the entire length of the run down Boylston from Hereford to the finish. Tami, my mom, aunt, uncle and some local Boston friends were camped out along Hereford about a half mile from the finish. Their plan was to watch me run by and then walk back to the hotel to meet up. We were staying near Tufts Medical Center, so they had to head in the direction of the finish line. As I approached the finish, they had the second wave runners go to the left and the third wave runners to the right side of the finish line. I was in the second wave. My son pointed out that the bomb was probably already planted a few feet away as I ran by about 10 minutes before the first explosion.

As you cross the finish line, they lead (you) on a long walk to ward off the possibility of cramping with enticements of water, Gatorade, Mylar blankets and medals to keep you moving. Soon we heard the first explosion. We all looked back and immediately saw the plume of smoke. The guy next to me who I had been chatting with wondered if it was part of a celebration. I knew immediately something bad had happened.

With the second explosion, Boston’s finest started calmly moving the runners down Boylston toward the Boston Common. I was surprised by the calm and quiet for those first few minutes. And then the city just lit up with flashing lights and the sound of sirens from all directions. At that moment I started wondering which direction my family had taken to get back to the hotel.

All sorts of thoughts go through your mind in those few moments from best case to worst case. Did Tami walk down Boylston toward our hotel? Cell service was spotty and my phone, which had been in my drop bag ran out of battery as I shuffled, walked and then ran back to the hotel. To my surprise, Tami was in the hotel room having just arrived before me. They had taken a route south of the Prudential Center, heard the explosions and had been trying to track me down. Not long after we heard a third loud explosion … apparently from the JFK Library. They are reporting it as being caused by a mechanical issue, but it sounded very much like the first two blasts.

We found a place to grab dinner and saw at least 40 emergency vehicles with lights on go past. Helicopters were buzzing all night. There was a SWAT team at the entrance to the Tufts emergency room across from our hotel. We got 100+ calls/emails/tweets/FB posts from family/friends checking in on us.

It was a very sad day. I have never had a finisher’s medal that meant so little … or so much. The Boston Marathon has always been a celebration of the human spirit. Yesterday it turned into a test of that spirit. I can’t tell you how proud I am of how the city and the emergency workers have responded. Boston will be OK, and we will be back next year.

To read Angela's report click here
In 2012, a friend and I set a goal to train for and run a marathon that would qualify us for Boston, which, as you know, is a runner’s Mecca. It’s the world’s longest standing marathon and most prestigious, either you qualify or you raise lots of money to run for charity. Two of us were fortunate enough to qualify for 2014: me with a time of 3:41 and a friend with a time of 3:40. Because we hoped to run it in 2014, we thought it would be a great idea to go down and volunteer, to give to runners and help in a very karma like way, so that when we run it in 2014, we receive back the same karma. Also, meet new friends, speak with runners, get a lay of the land, but mostly, really to give support and help to runners and the BAA. Three women from Saco as well as myself met two other friends from MA in Cambridge the Sunday before the race, all of us volunteering together in what we thought would be a great girls weekend away.

We thought ourselves very fortunate that a college friend was able to get us a spot in Sector 6, as finish line security, our sector starting right after the finish line. Our responsibilities were to direct runners towards water, Gatorade, blankets, their medals, or medical help. It was also to direct VIP runners down the VIP chute and to keep the medical lanes open so that medics could get from the finish line to the end of the water line and back again to the medical tent which was positioned in the middle of our sector. And so we started our day at 9:30am at an introduction meeting, picking up our volunteer jackets and badges, nametags and security badges and set off to work.

The day was going great. We got to see all the first place winners come over the finish line, Lelisa Desisa Benti for the first man, Rita Jeptoo for the first woman, as well as Tatyana McFadden, the women’s wheelchair winner and Hirouyuki Yamamoto, the men’s wheelchair winner all earlier on in the day. The day was one of great excitement, joy, sharing, caring, and a runners lovefest. High-fiving runners, seeing two of our friends who ran it cross the finish line, waiting for a third to come across.

At about 3pm, I was looking up at the finish line and saw the first bomb go off. I felt the ground shake and suddenly smoke filled the sky. I thought it was a cannon or fireworks and thought it was slightly bad planning because the last thing someone who is almost ready to finish a 26.2 mile run needs is that kind of shock. Within seconds the 2nd bomb went off and it became apparent that this was not something that had been planned by the BAA, but I could not comprehend what was happening, that bombs had gone off, because I could just not conceive of the race being attacked, nor could I conceive of people who were running for charities, for others, for their families and themselves, being harmed.

Before I knew it spectators as well as runners were coming towards us down the finish chute . People were shouting to clear the area. At that stage my friend grabbed my hand and we went towards Copley Square as medics and first responders ran towards the bomb blast. However, we needed to find our friends who were still in Sector six and so we went back towards the bomb blasts. We were only able to make one phone call before we lost that ability. Luckily I was able to tell my husband I was okay and my friends were able to tell their spouses the same. We were then asked to turn our phones off as we were told the bombers could use cell towers to detonate bombs. This was the first we learned that it was suspected that bombs had gone off. We were all opposite the medical tent and my friends witnessed the first wounded, including the man who had had his legs blown off, being taken into the medical tent. At this stage we all knew how grave the situation was and of course, we also wondered if more bombs would go off. We asked our volunteer captain what we should do and she replied that she did not know because this had never happened before. We were then instructed to clear the streets, meaning, get all of the water that was piled in cases four high by four or five wide out of Boylston Street so that more emergency vehicles could get through. While this was happening there was the constant sound of sirens going off, armed personal running up the street, injured people being brought into the medical tent. Everyone worked to form a chain to clear water as fast as we could. When we could do no more to help in that way, we were instructed to clear the square along with all the remaining volunteers and runners who were down in that sector who did not have any medical training or background.

We walked with many, many people out of Boston and into Cambridge. Along the way we passed many people who were in shock, like us. We saw mothers comforting their crying and frightened children. We saw people who were just broken down crying, unable to move. We saw people opening up their homes to take in runners and others who need to collect their thoughts, eat something, and get warm. We saw so much help on the streets and so much compassion amongst everyone there.

As we were making our way out of the city two shocked and dazed male runners saw our yellow volunteer jackets and came up to us to ask us where we had been on the course. When we told them the finish line they wanted to know if we had seen their families who they described to us. We told them we had not, and as they had not received their blankets and were completely shivering and obviously very, very cold, my friend and I gave them out volunteer coats to keep them warm and as a way to try to help them keep going to find their families. To this day I do not know if their families were okay nor who they were, and hope they were all spared.

We were all in a news blackout until we had reached Cambridge and even then, all we could think about was going back home to Maine and not being in MA. We did not watch any news, though we all were able to put our phones back on and hear from friends and family what they were seeing in the news. At that stage I texted a friend who is a news presenter at our local TV station to let her know we were there but okay. She asked if I’d phone the TV station to do an interview. It was about 5:45pm at this stage and it was only while I was on the phone listening to the live news program I had phoned into that I learned exactly what had happened and how grave the situation was. Mine was the last interview before they cut to President Obama addressing the nation.

The events of the day seemed surreal. It is so very hard to come to grips with the idea of the bombing because it is so incongruous with the ideals and spirit of the marathon and what the marathon represents in my mind and the minds of so many. I would also add that the BAA has been fantastic throughout all of this. They have been in touch almost daily, giving us updates, information, access to free counseling and information about PTSD. Our Sector leader and team captains have also been in touch daily. We have all checked in with each other to offer support and comfort as we all grapple with the events of last Monday.

I probably would have so much more to tell you and have probably left out so many details that I would have included last Wed/Thur but it has also been very hard to talk about this let alone write about it (thus my Lymerunner blog is still not updated!!) so please feel free to ask me any other questions you may have as you read through this. Also, I would say that everyone we encountered during the event and after seemed to all pull together, although everyone was scared, we all worked together to do what we could do to help and I am left with the lasting impression that the real, true best of human nature was on display that day more so than the evil. I will never forget how fast the medic volunteers rushed to help the injured as well as other first responders. Quite incredible. And though I would be a little shaky at the start, I would also be hugely honored if I did get into the Boston Marathon next year, to run for those who were affected by it’s tragic ending this year.

As you know, I started a 5K for Lyme Disease Awareness because first, running played a huge part in my recovery from Lyme Disease but also, because the running community has always been such a supportive, determined, strong and compassionate community. The marriage between the two communities means so much to me. The race is scheduled to take place this Sunday, April 28, 2013, 9:30am at Jimmy the Greeks Maine Mall restaurant in South Portland, Maine. However, when I first returned from Boston I did not think I would have the energy or desire to go through with the race. But I realize that is not what anyone in either community would want. And so, Lymebuddies, who works with the Jimmy the Greek and the Maine Mall to put on race, have decided to donate a portion of the proceeds to One Fund in honour of the victims in Boston. Seems like one of the best ways to move forward.

To read Marty's report click here

Angie, do not lose your desire to run Boston. It is a great race, and especially during this tragedy I saw the pride and commitment that the BAA, John Hancock, the City of Boston, and the runners have for this event. It will be back stronger than ever!

We are returning home from our Boston Marathon trip and I want to share some thoughts and feelings about our trip. I wanted to write you with a few comments because you are working to qualify for Boston and you are a dedicated marathon runner and will understand. After running for 27 years this year has already provided the highest highs and lowest lows of my running career. There are many moments of this trip that I will always remember good and bad.

I was supposed to run Boston last spring but due to a foot injury was not able make the trip. The hot temperatures last year provided me the opportunity to defer and I took advantage of that and recovered and began training again. I ran the Disney Marathon in January with a time of 3:16:15 and won my age group. We had a great trip and I had the chance to meet a few of my running idols, Desi Davila, Jon Sinclair, Greg Meyers, Kim Jones, and spent about 15 minutes with Bill Rogers talking about running Boston.

We returned home and I continued my training for Boston. In early February my wife fell off of a ladder (when it says “this is not a step” on the top step of a ladder, they mean it) and she had to have surgery to repair the break. She had to be totally non-weight bearing for 8 weeks and we honestly didn’t know if she would be able make the trip to Boston. We considered not going and me going alone and finally decided we needed the Boston trip to look forward to and to provide added focus for my training and her recovery.

I made progress and so did my wife and by the time we were ready to head to Boston I felt like I was prepared to run and she was at about 50% weight bearing on her injured foot and prepared to walk Boston as much as possible.

We had two hotel reservations in Boston, one close to the finish line, and one about a mile away. We decided that we needed to stay at the hotel near the finish line and I contacted them to make them aware that my wife may have limited mobility when we arrived. The hotel provided great accommodations.

We were staying at one of the marathon host hotels and at check in we were standing next to Joan Benoit Samuelson and Greg Meyers. When we got to our room it was located between the elite athletes hospitality room and the elite athletes massage rooms. We had the opportunity to see a number of the elite athletes every day during our stay and a number of them commented on my wife’s broken foot, most of the time not in English. On Friday morning we were sitting in the hotel lobby and they brought all of the elites out of the dining hall and lined them up on the stairway for photos. It was cool seeing so many great runners together.

We headed to the expo and number pickup on Friday afternoon and passed Bill Rodgers in the lobby of the convention center and had the opportunity to speak to him very briefly. We passed Shalane Flanagan in the hallway on Saturday and I said something brilliant like “good luck tomorrow” then realizing the race was not until Monday tried to say something funny to recover. She laughed, probably out of sympathy!

I was enjoying the treatment I was receiving but my bubble was burst when I realized it wasn’t for me. We left the hotel Sunday morning to walk back to the expo to listen to the Marathon Legends Panel, we got to the lobby and I realized I had left something in our room. I told my wife to wait in the lobby and I would quickly return to our room and retrieve the item. When I returned to our room I was approached by security and reminded that I should always wear my race credentials. When I stated that I did not have any race credentials and was just an average runner, they asked why I was staying on that floor. I had to explain that we were in a handicapped accessible room and that is where the hotel had placed us. I asked the security guard why when my wife and I had passed them many times in the previous days they had never asked for credentials, he said “I thought your wife was an injured elite masters runner!”

I felt like I ran a very good race on Monday. I ran 3:14:52, not my best marathon or even my best Boston but looking back there isn’t anything I felt that I could have done better on race day. I was very content with my performance and looking forward to a little celebration. I met up with my wife after the race and we returned to our hotel to change and head out on the town.

We heard the blasts but were not watching TV and didn’t really know what the sounds were. Soon our phones started buzzing with text messages from family and friends wanting to know if we were ok. We turned on the TV and watched the event unfold. It was a strange and frightening feeling watching the coverage and knowing it was happening two blocks away at a location I had passed and across the street from where my wife had been sitting not 45 minutes earlier. We spent the next few hours doing our best to let people know we were ok.

In the evening we went to the hotel lobby just to get out of our rooms and we were sitting next to the Goucher family. I did say hello to Kara and I spoke to many people that evening including Fire and Rescue, Police, BAA staff, John Hancock staff, and other runners. Without question everyone was upset and shocked by the day’s events but were determined to make sure the Boston Marathon would be back stronger than ever.

Our hotel was inside the crime scene area and once we left the hotel we could not return. We really had no choice on Tuesday morning but to pack our bags and head to the airport. We did so and had to walk about a block to get to an area where auto traffic was allowed and a gentleman offered to share a ride to the airport with us. I noticed he was wearing a Brooks/Hanson jacket and learned he was Kevin Hanson, coach of Desi Davila and one of the creators of the Hansons-Brooks Distance Project. It was fun to talk to him not only about my run but about the Boston Marathon course and his runners. He commented that his team would be back at Boston next year stronger than ever.

What a trip to remember and forget at the same time. Boston is a great town and a great race. I had originally thought this would be my last Boston but now I am focused on going back. I credit my wife with much of my Boston success. We focused on healing and training for 8 weeks prior the race, we stayed with the elites, our trip to Boston was slow and easy never moving faster than crutches could carry her, and everyday was filled with a few hours of midday rest.

Angie, you need to be a part of this great race. You as a runner know that marathoning always includes highs and lows and this year’s Boston Marathon is one of the lows for marathoning. What makes marathoners great is that they go to work to recover from the lows and reach the highs again. We will all make this happen. Good luck in your training and thanks for a great podcast. Marty

To read Jason's report click here

Dear Angie & Trevor,

I ran Boston on Monday as part of a charity team, and crossed the finish line a minute or two before the explosions. I basically watched the scene unfold from the finisher’s chute. What follows is a letter I sent out this morning to all of the people who donated to my fundraiser, and I wanted to share it with the MTA community as well. Thanks so much for this podcast. I discovered it while I was training for Boston, and it’s accompanied me on countless miles.

Dear Tufts Marathon Team Donors:

Running is one of the best things in the world. It’s hard to get started, but once you do, it’s infectious and invigorating and just marvelous. Building up to competitive running, even if “competitive” is a pretty relative term, is even more thrilling.

I finished my first half marathon (in 2010 in Newton, MA) and then my first full marathon (in 2011 in Burlington, VT). These two events were huge watershed moments for me, not just as an amateur

athlete, but as a person.

As you probably know, the Boston Marathon is The Big One. The most prestigious, the most storied, and the most elusive marathon in the world. Accordingly, you have to either qualify to run it by first running another marathon in a (very fast) specific time or raise money for a charity team.

Option number one was simply not a realistic goal for me. I trained like crazy, but my best marathon time was still 25 minutes too slow. That’s when the Tufts Marathon Team came along and gave me a chance. When you donated to the team, you were supporting health and nutritional research

at a powerhouse institution, in the medical research capital of America. But of course, you were also supporting my deep and unshakable desire to run this legendary race, to experience the overwhelming support of half a million spectators, to always be able to say “I ran Boston.”

And it was every bit the awesome experience I thought it would be. Even more so, really. So thank you. I got to experience the distance-runner’s Holy Grail, because of you. Miles 1-20 were wonderful. Then the Newton Hills made things a little shaky. Miles 22-24 were painful. The last 2.2 miles were nearly unbearable. But then I crossed the finish line and hugged my coach. I’d made it.

Then some very bad things happened. We all know about them now, but at the time it was panic, confusion, and chaos. The physical pain in my legs compounded the mental anguish of witnessing an act of terror from half a city block away, of not knowing right away how close my wife and parents and sister and friends had been to The Bad Things.

A lot of people have been talking about how moments like this bring out the best in people. It’s true. I couldn’t walk after the race, because my legs were so cramped, and I couldn’t make phone calls or send texts because the cellular network had been shut down. I was panicking and helpless. One couple helped me get up and walk, and kept trying to call my wife for me. They stayed with me for 2 hours. Another runner saw me shivering in the subway and offered me a pair of flannel pants. As I tried to get out of the affected downtown area, a subway rider tried to give me her seat because she could see I was having trouble standing.

These were all complete strangers. The stories about people running toward the explosions to help victims, and about marathoners running another 2 miles to donate blood at Mass General are humbling and amazing. But I want you to know that smaller acts of goodness and decency were happening

elsewhere. And if these smaller acts happened to me, I’m sure they were happening to lots of other people too. People are good. And running is good. And the Boston Marathon is a beautiful event. That’s what I’m choosing to remember about April 15, 2013, and I hope you will too. Thank you again for allowing me to do this. Jason

This year Angie will try with all her heart, soul, and might to qualify for the 2014 Boston Marathon. If she makes it, we will go and stand with tens of thousands of runners from all over the world. United to Remember.

Also Mentioned in this Episode

One Fund Boston