Amy is Fine – Recounts Boston Marathon Experience

Hello everyone –

I want to sincerely thank all of you who have sent well wishes and expressions of concern knowing I was running in the Boston Marathon on Monday.

The day certainly presented an unexpected type of challenging day in Boston. I had a slowing pace that finally caused me to walk mile 24 due to an injury. I heard (what I thought were) cannon shots at mile 25.4.

I then noticed a policeman talking into his ear piece saying, “What – you want me to stop them?” I thought this was odd, but dismissed it thinking that they were trying to get some “non-registered” runners off the course. Within a few short strides, there were about 10 police/Army men who literally stopped us in our tracks and then we found ourselves in a barricade – with thousands of runners coming up behind us. We had no knowledge or idea of what had happened.

The Boston Marathon is known for its crowd support and Monday was no exception. Within a short time, the crowd (equally confused) noticed how chilled and confused the runners were. We were offered their coats and garbage bags to try to stay warm. We were kept in the barricade for quite some time – I believe for up to 2 hours. The crowd offered their cell phones to the runners, but the lines were blocked for fear of another attack.

Personally, I was a wreck not knowing if Daren and Joann (my mother-in-law) were waiting for me at the finish line knowing that it was taking me much longer than expected. I was unable to make contact to Daren’s phone. We were finally  released and I walked miles down to the buses which held our ‘race bags.’ I was shaking with cold and fatigue – no fluid, warmth or nutrition after a long marathon and a long wait at the end in high-40 degree temps. Finally, we reached our buses and received our ‘race bags’ and I had then had access to my cell phone and warm sweatshirt. This was the first time I made contact with Daren.

Thankfully, Daren answered and we began another two-hour process of trying to locate one another. It was so odd to be right in the middle of the ‘situation’ and be more confused than the rest of the world. I have never experienced this sensation before – people in the midst sometimes know much less than those watching the news reports. Odd as it seems, I heard and felt the blasts, yet could not understand what was happening.

Boston was shut down – no subway, no taxi, no public transportation. The EMR team was amazing and the Boston community was incredible. I was touched by the man who offered me his coat as he could see me shaking from the cold and the lady at Starbucks who gave me a free cup of coffee as I was wandering around looking for Daren. My Boston time, my foot injury, the run, the cold… nothing mattered at the end other than the fact that we were safe.

I pray for the families of those who were there to cheer on their loved ones – many of whom had been to Boston for the first time and wished to seize the day as a ‘bucket list item’ to celebrate hard work and success. I compliment the citizens and supporters of the Marathon for their personal and warm support of all of us who has set out for a day of  fun and fitness that instead turned tragic.

Will I be back to Boston… I hope so… I wish for a much quieter day next time. I am happy and very grateful to be safe. Thank you all for your love and concern.

Warmly,
Amy