Marathon Sports

Marathon Sports

As many of us here in Boston have been doing lately, I’ve been strolling down Boylston Street every day since it reopened after being closed for over a week due to the investigation of the bombings at the Boston Marathon this past April 15th. Supporting the businesses there by buying some items or grabbing a bite to eat every outing, after a short stop at City Sports yesterday (Friday, April 26), I headed up Boylston Street to Marathon Sports – the site of the first blast on marathon day.

A note about Marathon Sports. I’ve been shopping at Marathon Sports (Cambridge and then Boston locations) since the early 90’s. Must have bought my first dozen pairs of running shoes there, not to mention running shorts, shirts, socks, and accessories like compression calf sleeves, an armband case for my cell phone, etc. I remember one of my first visits – a sales associate setting me up with a pair of Asics Gel-Lyte Ultras (my very first pair of Asics) – and I then went on to buy 3 more pairs of that very same shoe from them. It was the beginning of a great relationship. They hook me up with sweet kicks, I run and wear them out. And repeat.

Before everything was published on the internet, we runners actually visited the shops more often to chat with the sales staff and learn about running and the latest shoes. I remember visiting the shop even just to pick up their annual 12-month wall calendar which previewed a year’s worth of races – there just weren’t as many ways to find out about races back then.

So fast forward from those days in the past to this Friday.

How often do you walk into a retail business and find the owner arranging product on the shelves? Well, that’s exactly what I observed this past Friday. I had recalled briefly meeting the owner Colin years ago (he did not remember me, nor did I expect him to) and I was happy to see him on the sales floor and very happy to see the shop so crowded. As I was browsing, I turned and nodded to him: “It’s good to be back, huh?” and we went on to chat for a couple minutes.

Many will have read reports of how the Marathon Sports staff came quickly to the aid of many of the victims from the first blast and how the store itself was used to bring in people from off the sidewalk and treat them before moving them along to the hospitals. We said simultaneously of our running community: “we’re all one family” – at which point he excused himself for a moment, presumably to tend to the store, but then returned quickly with a Marathon Sports shop branded t-shirt in hand, extending it to me and offering it “I’d like you to have this”, noting a t-shirt from a competing shop (City Sports) I happened to be wearing. Oops. After a chuckle and an exchange with me completely caught off guard “no way, really… I can’t accept that as a gift… that’s so kind… thank you…” – I put the shirt on immediately saying “I’ll wear it with great pride.” As I went to check out with another item I’d selected, Colin was at the register and I attempted again saying “I know you extended this as a gift, and I really appreciate that but I’d really like to support the shop –it is ok if I paid for it?” – he wouldn’t hear of it and said it was a personal gift “it’s from me to you”. After me trying again “Please?” and “Are you sure?” – he insisted and I could tell in his eyes that him giving me that shirt meant 100x more to him than my receiving it. I relented with a very appreciative handshake.

 


I walked into the store wearing what’s on the left (Red Sox cap showing my Boston love and a City Sports New York t-shirt (the only thing I have that actually says “New York”) to express being thankful that the two bombing suspects weren’t able to continue their violence down in NYC as they seemed to have planned) – and then departed the shop wearing my new Marathon Sports t-shirt (courtesy of Colin P.).

There's plenty of miles in me to wear both t-shirts happily and to continue supporting both shops.

By the way, the back of the Marathon Sports t-shirt reads: “keeping your life in motion”.

Couldn’t be more true.

Boston Marathon 2013

Boston Marathon 2013 – April 15, 2013

For the 117^th running of the Boston Marathon, visually impaired runner Richard Marsolais (from Ottawa, Canada; bib 20969) and I ran tethered together as I served as his guide. Together we navigated 41km – but with a mere 1km to go our race stopped due to two bomb explosions along Boylston Street near the finish line – a horrific act of violence.

Such an incredible race, so quickly turned sad and tragic. Deep sorrow for those who lost their lives and were injured, and countless others who were impacted. Graphic video cycled by the media, and more personal accounts continue to stream in. The blasts occurred in my Boston neighborhood of Back Bay, my stomping ground - about a half mile from home on the day of my favorite event of the year. I take this despicable act personally and feel a great sadness and loss.

Richard and I were among thousands of fellow runners halted by police on Comm Ave near the Mass Ave underpass. Spectators and fellow runners were all amazingly supportive of one another. Offers to use cell phones, water, shelter, bathrooms, clothing to keep warm, etc. and lots of hugs were rampant in our unexpected, makeshift corral. We tried to keep loose and warm and remained patient to receive more information. I pulled out my cell phone and already had several messages – but the network was overloaded and with great frustration all my outgoing messages and calls could not be completed.

After about 20 minutes and a few more news reports coming in, we decided the best thing to do would be to get home, inside, safe and warm – so we began the 1 mile walk to my place, offering many others along the way to join us if needed. After about 10 minutes of very slow walking due to Richard cramping up, we flagged down a kind soul in a car to drive us the remaining 5 blocks. Thankfully I had my house key handy in the key pocket of my running shorts instead of stowing it in my checked bag which I could not get to.

A few other friends and neighbors stopped by through the evening. With limited mobile network yesterday, it took a long time to make sure that everyone was accounted for – all Team With A Vision folks as well as my neighbors and other friends running, spectating, and volunteering – that was an anxious stretch of time waiting to hear from everyone.

It was a long emotional day yesterday continuing into today – the day after. I am so touched by all the support from friends, family and loved ones from all around the world. Thank you so very much. Lots of choking up, deep breaths and hugs.

Sleep was minimal last night. Helicopters once again flying overhead early this morning. Took my nervous energy and rode my bike over to Mass General Hospital (MGH) to donate some blood first thing in the morning – very therapeutic for me and so great to see John Paul there to donate as well. (By the way, for anyone else wanting to donate blood to Boston Hospitals, the Red Cross/Hospital Admins/MA Governor Patrick all suggest people come next week or in a couple weeks as they have enough blood right now and prefer a sustained donation effort.)

Later in the morning, Betty and I took a walk through Back Bay. Some people – tourists and locals – milling about, but most businesses were closed along Newbury Street. Eerie to have the cross streets and Boylston Street still all closed down. I didn’t feel like taking any pictures, but the barriers were still up and normal discarded post-race paraphernalia was still scattered about within the lockdown zone - so surreal with heaping piles of silver mylar blankets shimmering in the somber muted sun.

They say it’ll take at least a couple more days of investigation work before they reopen that area. So much more of this story to unfold...

With Richard in Hopkinton prepping for the start of the race.

With Richard at about Mile 24.

Our splits through 40k.

Boston Skyline the next morning. Standing tall, standing strong.

Giving blood at MGH.