Boston Marathon 2013:
10 things I learnt from the Boston bombings
I was there.
In years to come when
people ask “where were you when
terrorists bombed Boston?”, I was there.
Here’s what I’ve
learnt. So far.
1.I ran in the footsteps of the bombings
The end of a marathon
is a strange mix of part blur - it’s all coming at you so fast to try and take
it in - and part intense concentration. I've always been fascinated how
top athletes can so vividly recall parts of AFL games years later, or how top
race drivers can remember minute details of races long past. It's about
the intense concentration.
So while I (definitely
not a top athlete!) replay running down to that finish line I know exactly on
the course where I was. It was in the very footsteps of the 78 year old
who got knocked over in the blast. Same side of the course, same track, same
spot.
Thankfully I had gone
through some 25 minutes earlier – a lifetime in marathon terms, but a blink of
the eye in life terms. What if I'd stopped, had an injury or just wasn't that
fast. What if …..
Some inspiration written on my hand: “Make it count” and “Hebrews 12:1-2”.
Note the
time, 2.14pm. The bomb went off at 2:10. I’m ‘safely’ in my hotel room.
2.I was on my way back to the finish line
After a shower and
change of clothes I was on my way back to the finish line. With no one else to
share with I grabbed my camera so I could capture the celebration of the event
(& also to keep walking and moving in cool down). I was headed to the
finish line. Probably would have stood on the bomb side (easier access, better
light for photos and outside Marathon Sports Store). Right there.
From the timing on my
photos I missed being in that spot by just 5-10 minutes.
The finish line went from being a happy place to a crime scene in
just minutes.
3. I stayed around
The mood changed in an
instant. Happy congratulations were
quickly drowned out by sirens and yelling. Police were clearing the streets yet
in the midst of everything I was drawn to hang around, watching the emotion
turn to panic. Watching the terror and fear in people’s eyes. I watched one family - a teenage girl and boy
who found their Dad and grabbed him - sobbing uncontrollably because something
had happened to their Mum. I don't know what or why but the power of the
emotion was captivating. I'm sorry I was staring so intently.
My photos can’t show silence, but they can show fear, panic and
tears.
The police and
officials were trying to clear the streets. “Get away from rubbish bins, from
man-hole covers, from anything that could have a bomb in it.” People
talked about 9-11. Some prayed. Many shook. It was like a movie scene,
certainly something we have never felt in Australia.
The mobile network was
down, turned off to prevent a mobile triggering another bomb. So too though was
people’s information and communication source. Amidst the chaos, and after two
other potential bombs were detonated (it was freaky - were there more bombs?)
and I worked out that Australia was about to be waking up and hearing this on
the breaking news did I think that I'd better get on the front foot (in this
case social media and email) to let people know I was ok.
If I had taken my
family there that day - as I did with my son in NY - we probably would have met
at the finish line ....
4. Why?
The most asked question.
Along with why not me?
You gotta understand
this event - it's importance, heritage and scale - to really understand why
it's so important and meaningful to Americans and to runners. I believe it was
less about attacking the oldest consecutive marathon (117 years this one) and
more about the Patriots Day public holiday. A day Americans celebrate the
freedom produced from the American Revolution of 1775.
Suddenly I was in a crime zone perimeter and was barricaded in
my hotel.
Army, SWOT vehicles and machine guns became the norm.
It would be the
equivalent of AFL Anzac Day at the MCG I kept thinking. After 9-11, I remember
being concerned about that's how you'd do it to Australia.
The answer is I don't
know why. I know what happened. I know how scary it was. I know the event
will go on.
5. Hurt takes a long time to deal with
The grief and trauma
took time to process. As I write this, some 48 hours later, I'm still
realising things. This is all new for me.
And I was ok.
What about those injured, witnesses, or worse? The healing will
take time. The city talks big and puts on a brave front. But the
people, in the still of day, and worse, the stillness of night, must work
through this.
Next morning, a tribute site begins (top) and, hour by hour, quickly
grows (bottom)
Lots of bravado about
"you picked the wrong target - marathoners are the toughest bunch around
and every day deal with trials and adversity just to 'enjoy' their sport.
But this was not about the sport. Patriots day is a celebration of the
freedom trail. It's as much a symbol of freedom and liberty as the World Trade
Centre.
For the 48 hours
afterwards while I was still there the mood was glum. I ran the next
morning (actually I kind of waddled and had more pain in 2.5k than the whole 42
the day before!) The streets were still quiet. The night before the race had
been a party, a celebration, but that mood was quickly gone. Talk of 9-11 all
over again was dominant. Normally the days after marathons are great -
people wear their medals and their shirts and congratulate, high five and cheer
each other on. There was none of that. The life of the party had gone up in
smoke.
I came across a
quickly organised peace rally in Boston Common and joined in. I then stumbled
across an ecumenical service which became a candle lit vigil. People
taking a stance, making a statement, trying to deal with it.
Boston Common: A historical site of army camps, hangings and
riots,
but today a social media organised peace rally.
6. God was still God
Rick Warren tweeted a
great line “Every tragedy is an opportunity... to trust God and love
others".
The call to "pray
for Boston" was a fascinating insight into the American culture - from big
stars like Lebron James to the President. Why is it when our ‘normal’ gets
turned upside down, there are no answers and we face the unknown that we turn
to God. Americans said "pray for Boston" freely and easily, and
they reached out with generous spirits - housing, help, donations.
To quote Steve
Curtis-Chapman, “I walked the streets of Boston, noticing the faces pass me by,
something that made me stop and listen and my heart grows heavy with the cry,
where is the hope for Boston?” I
believe every street in Boston is God’s.
This is what we call doing “a Ryan Hall” at
the finish line
– pointing to acknowledge the source of what we do.
7. Friends and family reach out
The outpouring of
support was great. I felt very loved;
o
From the Australian
YMCA team posting heart-warming pics (below)
o
The broader YMCA team
in Toronto, Canada, Boston, and Australia
(The YMCA was right there in Boston. Serving the communities of
the first 2 deceased. Good on you YMCA.)
o
My friends – thankful
for Facebook, mobile and email contacts
o
My family
o
My Christian friends
around the world
o
My Team World Vision
running team mates
(top) Thanks YMCA Victoria team! (bottom) And thanks to everyone for their
support
(I’d taken this pic the day before the race but somehow afterwards
it didn’t seem right to celebrate).
And thanks to my son Aaron who provided some pre-race
inspiration putting my name and head on Ryan Hall’s body. Even in Photoshop
this is the closest I’ll ever be to the front of the pack!
8. Inspiration in bad times
We’ve all read lots of
stories. We’ve read tweets, Facebook links, newspaper stories and watched
countless hours of television. In fact the news channels ran 24 hour news
coverage. But separately, I'd met so many inspiring people in that week:
o
Meb Keflezighi
Olympic silver-medal
marathoner, winner New York, 4th London Olympics. Born in Eritrea, Africa
he grew up without tv (until he was 10!), education and more. Fled to the USA
via Italy. Wrote “Run to Win”. Legend.
Said to me “make it count” (which I wrote on my hand).
o
Josh Cox
Olympian,
50km world champion. Overcame an amazing difficult upbringing. Also a Team
World Vision runner.
o
Dick Hoyt
Aged
73, he has pushed his disabled son, Rick, in a wheelchair 32 consecutive times
in Boston. Also, ironmen, triathlons and
more. A statue of them was unveiled
during the week.
o
Rick Hansen
Champion
paralympian who’s ‘Man in Motion’ tour of the circumference of the earth changed
the way we view paraplegics. Spoke at the NAYDO conference and amazed all. Two
time Boston competitor. Said to me “look out for the hills!”
o
Guor Mariao
Refugee
from Eritrea, Africa. You may remember him running in the London Olympics under
the Olympics banner
They're
heroes because they race after character, using their gifts, and helping
others. Winning comes later. Inspiring stuff. Wow - big week! (Imagine if I’d also got to meet Ryan Hall!).
And people on buses,
planes, over breakfasts who were ordinary folk telling me about the fundraising
they'd done, the personal commitment (running in memory of someone) - and of
course, how they came to qualify - and then be accepted - into this 117 year
old event, sometimes known as "the people's Olympic marathon".
9. Let’s do it again
I’m thinking I’d like
to do it all again. Boston was on my marathon bucket list and I had thought “tick.
done” but now I think I might like to do it again, as an act of support
for the people. If God is for me who can stand against me?
This must be a life-changing event. This is not cliché, nor is it emotive sap.
When you are in a war zone with no idea what's going on or what's going to
happen next it can be a positive life changing experience if you allow it. If
not, we’re in for a lost opportunity.
Flags fly at half-mast (top). This statue (bottom) is right in the shadow of
the bomb area.
Ironically, it’s called “Quest eternal’, and depicts man
reaching for the heavens.
When you celebrate life through running and watch life being taken away it
clarifies that for you that I need to be much better at living life for the
now. Enjoying each day. I need to try each day to be a better
husband, father, colleague, friend, leader - as much as I try to improve my
training for my next marathon time.
10. And now they’ve captured the suspect
Ironically they tried
to run. To run away.
I’m glad they are
caught. I struggle with what I want justice to look like now.
I’ll think about it
while I keep running.
20 April, 2013
