A runner’s take on the bombings in Boston

TO THE EDITOR:

When tragedy hits, we try to grasp at the meaning of the horror before us. There is solace to be found in how we explain these events and reveal their evil.

When I got home from class yesterday, I learned that two bombs had gone off near the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

Over the next couple hours, we learned that three had been killed with more than a hundred wounded. The pictures and clips remain with us, but it is stunning how easily I am able to grasp this event as compared to others like Sandy Hook, Virginia Tech and 9/11.

I believe it is because of the context in which this attack occurred.

Whoever was responsible did this in the context of one of the signature events in all of long-distance running.

Some people train their whole lives to run the Boston Marathon. The event rests on many people’s bucket lists, including my own.

More importantly is that it is a hallmark event of one of the simplest, most innocent and most humble sports known to man.

Running is often painful, and often ungraceful above the surface.
It’s beauty hidden and without vanity.

The people crossing the finish line at the moment of the explosions, and the vast majority of the others expecting to cross it Monday, were not doing it to sign a contract with a professional club, to earn fame or fortune.

They did it for personal pride, for the knowledge of accomplishing one of the most impressive athletic feats available to the masses: Completing one of the most challenging marathons in the world.

As someone who has the privilege of calling himself a runner, I understand what it means to cross a finish line, whether it be of 2 miles or 26.

It is that grace, that humility and that simplicity that defines running for me.

So when the events of Monday play out before my eyes, I am reminded of what it means to be a runner, and of what those people were trying to do when the explosions echoed through the streets of that patriotic city.

And it is against that beauty that we can contrast the evil that took place today, leaving no doubt in our minds that there is good in the world.

There will always be tragedies, and yesterday’s will never be forgotten.

But what we must remember, and what should give us all courage, is that on April 15, 2014 there will still be tens of thousands of runners lining up at the starting line, and they will still strive to reach the finish.

Christian Rodriguez ’14
Political science
Global studies