As you have heard by now the Boston Marathon was subject to a terrorist attack. It turned a beautiful day in to one of shock and angst. The weekend leading up to the big day was one of celebration. I enjoyed being a part of the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society’s inspiration luncheon. I was asked to say a few words as with the help of my circles of family and friends we raised the most money ever for the Boston event. We pasta loaded like crazy.

The day of the event opened under sunny blue skies and crisp perfect running temperature. I was up at 5:30am to prepare and walk to the bus pick up for the ride to the start. The energy in the athletes village was palpable.

I ran well. Had I finished the run I would have cut more than a full hour off my finish time from last year. Ironic that the older I get the more problems I have with old man disease. Meaning prostate enlargement. That might have saved my life as I took a potty break between mile 17 and 18 and then given the hills of Newton for the next 3 miles I slowed down quite a bit so that I could run strong the remaining 5 miles – which I did.

That was until I was approximately 1/2 mile from the finish line when I ran in to a wall of people. The run was stopped and the reason soon was known only by rumor. An explosion at the finish line. In my daze of dehydration and muscle cramps all I could think of was my wife Sharon is supposed to be there right now. And actually she was — in a VIP spectator viewing area directly across the street from the blasts. She witnessed them in real-time.

The cell phone service was cut off immediately after the incident. Sharon of course was worried about me because based on my pace I should have been very close to the finish line. I cannot relay the feeling of horror I had in not knowing her status and not being able to get through to her.

The runners huddled together. It was cold and fortunately and for some reason the Sprint network was working. I could not get through to Sharon so I phoned our daughter Jen to let her know I was okay and to ask if she had heard anything from Sharon or the Gumpert’s. She said she had and so at least I had a bit of peace of mind.

Nobody knew what to do. There were no instructions only the sound of sirens. We runners stood for a hour that seemed like an eternity. The local residents were fantastic bringing out water and garbage bags for us to drink and wear. Finally we started moving and I found my way to an area where I could collect my belongings and made my way over the the Team in Training meeting hotel. The mood there was as somber as I have ever seen. Runners further out on the course had been put on buses and diverted out of the city. The group did not know at the time if anybody was affected. Luckily all were well.

As awful as this was, what made it even worse was the timing of the attack coincided with the time when all the charity runners were starting to arrive at the finish and of course their families there waiting. How cruel. The explosive devices we were told by a police officer who was also there were made in a way to cause injury to lower extremities. What kind of mind thinks like this. He said had it been made to blow skyward the tragedy might have been worse.

Make no doubt about it. Although we are safe, we are traumatized. We mourn for the loss of lives and limbs. We worry to what extent our society will again be changed. And we worry that these athletic events which have become such a force in fundraising for horrible illness will take a fall as people will be afraid to participate in large scale events.

Having said that the effort to cure blood and other cancers is ongoing. We heard of some tremendous strides during our visit with the Leukemia and Lymphoma folks. All I ask is that if you are asked to donate to some cause such a this please do.

Although I did not receive a finishers medal I know I won in my effort to make a difference. Perhaps we will be fortunate again to complete the job next year.

Best wishes,
Larry