• Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
  • Login
  • Register
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
No Result
View All Result
No Result
View All Result
Home IAAF

My excellent adventure: Day 21, Boston Deja Vu, by Larry Eder

Larry Ederby Larry Eder
April 15, 2014
0
0 0
0
SHARES
2
VIEWS
Share on FacebookShare on Twitter

This is my journal of a month of my life as I travel from Copenhagen to Paris, London and Boston. Each day, I have promised to share a bit of my travels, feelings, experiences. This day, has proved the most difficult…


2014-04-15 08.42.02.jpg


The anniversary of the 2013 Boston Marathon bombings is bittersweet for me. I was staying the Charlesmark Hotel last year, as I am this year. 

The solemnity of the ceremonies today was touching. Vice President Biden, the governor, the mayor and the former mayor of Boston were all at the Hynes. Security was pretty tight. 
My room, on the fifth floor of the Charlesmark was a great view of the honor guard as they went by at about ten minutes to three. 
Bells rang at 2:49 pm, the time that the first bomb blast hit last year. 
I listened from my room. I thought of the four people killed, the 260 injured and maimed, and how a sacred and iconic event was attacked. With the goal, of most sociopaths, of gaining some form of attention for their cause or causes. 
As I was preparing for dinner, after a walk and a nap, I heard that a back pack had been found at the finish line. By the time I got out of the Charlesmark, Boston’s finest were in action, with a bomb squad and a suspect in the Public Library.
During dinner, I heard two explosions. The first was unexpected, and I first thought, oh, damn is it happening all over again? The second, Dan, the manager of the Lenox, went to all the tables in the City Table  and told them personally to expect a second blast. Fireman and police were coming in for coffee. 
The rain continues to come down, hard and cold. After a day of winds where I was nearly blown over and cold rain pelted many today, as if the gods of winter wanted one last day to mess with people in New England. 
That there were no bombings at London, in the Olympics seems even more of a miracle, with the glasses of nearly two years upon us. The bombings in Boston were probably surprising to most, but they shattered our complacency. 
The ceremonies today and the gatherings tonight, across Boston should remind us of how precious the good days truly are, and how precious the days with our loved ones are. But, as humans, we only figure that out, when there is little or no chance to replicate those times. 
I am in awe of the young men and women who lost limbs, but want to dance, to run, to walk, to live unencumbered, but scarred. Not letting the acts of sociopaths (what else to call them) deter one from having  a full life means that they, in the final analysis, loose. 
On Monday, thirty-six thousand runners from around the globe, descend on Boston to continue a celebration began over 117 years ago. A sacred ritual of running oneself through the streets of New England, to see how fast one can go for 26.2 miles, all for a piece of metal with a ribbon hooked on it. 
The ribbon and medal are important, but they are merely symbols. Those memories, of a race well run, and more that were not, are in one’s soul. 
And the soul is a vessel that can not be penetrated by a back pack loaded with materials meant to maim. 
For tonight, I will rely on Robert Browning, and the poem that inspired Baron Pierre de Coubertin to introduce the 42 kilometer race in the modern Olympics: 
So, when Persia was dust, all cried, “To Acropolis!

Run, Pheidippides, one race more! the meed is thy due!

RelatedPosts

Celebrating the 71rst Anniversary of Diane Leather Breaking the 5-Minute Mile Barrier, by Peter John L. Thompson

Sifan Hassan to compete at the TCS Sydney Marathon 2025

A RISING STAR ANNIE FRISBIE, by Carolyn Mather for RunBlogRun

Athens is saved, thank Pan, go shout!” He flung down his shield

Ran like fire once more: and the space ‘twixt the fennel-field

And Athens was stubble again, a field which a fire runs through,

Till in he broke: “Rejoice, we conquer!” Like wine through clay,

Joy in his blood bursting his heart, – the bliss!

Robert Browning, 1879, Pheidippides
(Note that the word fennel, in Greek, is the word, “marathon“, or the battlefield’s name, hence the race, upon its creation for the modern Olympics, is  called The Marathon. If you want to be inspired about the marathon, a story teller as wise as Lucian or Heroditus, the late Bud Greenspan, should be your guide.)

Author

  • Larry Eder

    Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

    View all posts
Previous Post

Christian Taylor: Escaping the Slump, from SPIKES, powered by the IAAF

Next Post

USATF and Nike, Inc. sign long-term partnership (2017-2040), from release

Larry Eder

Larry Eder

Larry Eder has had a 52-year involvement in the sport of athletics. Larry has experienced the sport as an athlete, coach, magazine publisher, and now, journalist and blogger. His first article, on Don Bowden, America's first sub-4 minute miler, was published in RW in 1983. Larry has published several magazines on athletics, from American Athletics to the U.S. version of Spikes magazine. He currently manages the content and marketing development of the RunningNetwork, The Shoe Addicts, and RunBlogRun. Of RunBlogRun, his daily pilgrimage with the sport, Larry says: "I have to admit, I love traveling to far away meets, writing about the sport I love, and the athletes I respect, for my readers at runblogrun.com, the most of anything I have ever done, except, maybe running itself." Also does some updates for BBC Sports at key events, which he truly enjoys. Theme song: Greg Allman, " I'm no Angel."

Similar Post

Brits in Monaco
European Athletics

Great Britain has named a 44-strong team for the European Athletics U23 Championships in Bergen, Norway from 17-20 July, by Steven Mills for European Athletics

July 17, 2025
2025 European Athletics U23 Championships: How to watch the Bergen 2025 European Athletics U23 Championships
European Athletics

2025 European Athletics U23 Championships: How to watch the Bergen 2025 European Athletics U23 Championships

July 17, 2025
Carmoy 227, national records in women 5000 m, Mahuchikh 191 in Liege (Meeting International d’Athletisme de La Province de Liege 2025)
European Athletics

Carmoy 227, national records in women 5000 m, Mahuchikh 191 in Liege (Meeting International d’Athletisme de La Province de Liege 2025)

July 17, 2025
Henriette Jaeger to race 200m, 400m an 4x400m in Bergen 2025 (European U23, July 17-20)
European Athletics

Henriette Jaeger to race 200m, 400m an 4x400m in Bergen 2025 (European U23, July 17-20)

July 16, 2025
Eleven Takeaways from the 50th NIKE Pre Classic, July 5, 2025
2024 Diamond League

Eleven Takeaways from the 50th NIKE Pre Classic, July 5, 2025

July 16, 2025
2022 USATF Outdoor Champs, Sinclaire Johnson takes the Women’s 1,500m: What a difference a year makes!
Cross Country

2025 Summer Mileage Program, July 16, 2025, Week Two , Day Three, Sinclaire Johnson prepares for the US Champs.

July 17, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Subscribe to RunBlogRun's Global News Feed

Wake up to RunBlogRun’s news in your inbox. Sign up for our newsletter and we’ll keep you informed about the Sport you love.

*we hate spam as much as you do

  • Trending
  • Comments
  • Latest
Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

April 5, 2023
2023 Nike Pre Classic: Two Amazing Days of Track & Field!

Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

March 7, 2024
Grand Slam Track’s Kingston Slam Comes to a Close with 12 Slam Champions

2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

April 12, 2025
USATF / Day Four:  USA’s Assembled Team Is Ready!

Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

February 6, 2025
Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

Mondo Duplantis and the Jump that made him the greatest of all time

8
What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

What happened to the crowd at Eugene?

7
My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

My Five Biggest Takeaways from the Men’s Olympic Trials Marathon, by Oliver Hinson

7
Asafa Powell, Considering Longevity in Sprinting

The RunBlogrun Interview: Asafa Powell

5
Brits in Monaco

Great Britain has named a 44-strong team for the European Athletics U23 Championships in Bergen, Norway from 17-20 July, by Steven Mills for European Athletics

July 17, 2025
2025 European Athletics U23 Championships: How to watch the Bergen 2025 European Athletics U23 Championships

2025 European Athletics U23 Championships: How to watch the Bergen 2025 European Athletics U23 Championships

July 17, 2025
Carmoy 227, national records in women 5000 m, Mahuchikh 191 in Liege (Meeting International d’Athletisme de La Province de Liege 2025)

Carmoy 227, national records in women 5000 m, Mahuchikh 191 in Liege (Meeting International d’Athletisme de La Province de Liege 2025)

July 17, 2025
Henriette Jaeger to race 200m, 400m an 4x400m in Bergen 2025 (European U23, July 17-20)

Henriette Jaeger to race 200m, 400m an 4x400m in Bergen 2025 (European U23, July 17-20)

July 16, 2025

Popular Stories

  • Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    Clyde Hart’s Guide to 400 meter training (from 1996 Super Clinic Notes/World Coaches Notes)

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Noah Lyles, The Clock Doesn’t Lie

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • 2025 Spring Racing/Training Program, April 11, 2025, week 4, day 5, fourth week of year, Friday is an easy day!

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • Abby Steiner replies via twitter, on the curiosity about her new professional running contract

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
  • An epic pole vault competition

    0 shares
    Share 0 Tweet 0
Brits in Monaco
European Athletics

Great Britain has named a 44-strong team for the European Athletics U23 Championships in Bergen, Norway from 17-20 July, by Steven Mills for European Athletics

July 17, 2025
2025 European Athletics U23 Championships: How to watch the Bergen 2025 European Athletics U23 Championships
European Athletics

2025 European Athletics U23 Championships: How to watch the Bergen 2025 European Athletics U23 Championships

July 17, 2025
Carmoy 227, national records in women 5000 m, Mahuchikh 191 in Liege (Meeting International d’Athletisme de La Province de Liege 2025)
European Athletics

Carmoy 227, national records in women 5000 m, Mahuchikh 191 in Liege (Meeting International d’Athletisme de La Province de Liege 2025)

July 17, 2025
Henriette Jaeger to race 200m, 400m an 4x400m in Bergen 2025 (European U23, July 17-20)
European Athletics

Henriette Jaeger to race 200m, 400m an 4x400m in Bergen 2025 (European U23, July 17-20)

July 16, 2025

Recent Tweets

Next Post

USATF and Nike, Inc. sign long-term partnership (2017-2040), from release

runblogrun

RunBlogRun comments on the global world of athletics, sports & ethics, and the Olympic movement. @runblogrun

Browse by Category

Newsletter

Subscribe to our mailing list to receives daily updates direct to your inbox!

  • Home
  • Archive
  • Contact Us

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password? Sign Up

Create New Account!

Fill the forms below to register

Select a password for yourself. (minimum length of 8)

Paste here the user biography.

Provide here the twitter screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the instagram screen name. i.e. @RunBlogRun

Provide here the facebook profile URL. i.e. http://www.facebook.com/RunBlogRun

Provide here the linkedin profile URL. i.e. https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-eder-5497253

All fields are required. Log In

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In

Add New Playlist

No Result
View All Result
  • Archive
  • Contact Us
  • Home page
  • My Account
  • Sample Page

© 2022 Run Blog Run - All Rights Reserved