Wear a Running Shirt

I imagine the reactions of most people to the Boston Marathon explosions on Monday were similar: They checked in with everyone they knew in the Boston area and everyone they knew running or working the event. Then they sat stunned.

A marathon is a happy event. It is the culmination of months of preparation and the support of family and friends as you continually decline plans because you have to run. It requires pushing your body to a limit that seems impossible, and for many is. It requires extreme athleticism and dedication. The Boston Marathon is particularly prestigious because runners have to qualify to participate. (The New Yorker ran a nice piece on what the Boston Marathon means.) They have to be elite for their age group. Most have probably spent the better part of their lives running, strength training and striving for excellence. It is an Olympic-level effort. Their family and friends come out to support them. After they finish, they go home exhausted and exhilarated. But not on Monday.