Boston Magazine Cover
I remember a year ago so clearly; where I was; what I was doing. I was working at the Village Runner in Manhattan Beach with our manager Jeff and all of a sudden breaking news started darting across the television while we were meeting with one of our representatives. I went numb. We started getting frantic calls and Facebook messages from customers and friends of our local running groups and clubs asking if we had heard anything about their loved ones or if our owner was racing again that year. It’s one of the few times I’ve truly embraced the power of social media. Luckily that year, the owner did not race the Boston Marathon and all the runners we knew from Club Ed were safe. Thanks to the help of social media and Google, we were able to find and share updates on almost all of the store’s runners quickly. One of our local runners, Tami S., raced alongside the Mira Costa cross country and track and field coach, Renee, and recounted this story of the spirit of Boston upon her return. I teared up reading it that day and still tear up every time I read it. With her permission, this is a look back from her point of view on that day.
Thank you everyone from the bottom of my heart! Your calls, texts and emails checking in to make sure that I was safe meant so much to me! My friend Renee and I were about a block away from the finish line so we were surrounded by a massive amount of activity right after the explosions. I made it back to the hotel before the explosions but my friend Renee was shut out. They blocked off streets and the only vehicles that were allowed on our street were bomb squad vehicles, police, fire and other government vehicles. Renee was basically adopted by a family and taken care of by incredibly kind strangers. She made it back to the hotel late that night. I was in our hotel and it was the only hotel on the small block that was still open. The other two hotels were evacuated. We had police,National Guards and firemen all throughout our building. Our hotel was amazing and took care of not only their patrons, but others that were evacuated to our hotel. It was a very crazy night to say the least but the hotel personnel were so incredible, staying overtime, making massive amounts of ham sandwiches (the only items they had available). They brought out whatever they could to feed us. The next morning trying to leave to the airport proved very difficult as no cars were allowed on our street and virtually no taxis were available. Yet another positive show of people helping, while we were waiting trying to figure out a way to get to the airport and the prospects of it happening was looking dismal, a large van came up the street and the driver rolled down his window asking us if we needed a ride. Other runners were gathered as well to find a ride and we all piled into his van, more people than seats, but all happy to have a ride. Everywhere in the city people were willing to help out. The response and quick actions of the police, medical, fire, etc.. was absolutely incredible! I am so thankful for the kindness in Boston and also from all of you that reached out with care and kindness making sure that we all were safe. I wish I was able to have responded to each and every one of you personally but I so appreciated you all working together to get the word out. We are so fortunate for the people we have in our lives. Thank you!
In memory of our fellow Boston runners and families, show you’re Boston Strong today. Donate to The One Fund. Run or walk a mile in their honor because you can.
