I watched the footage, until my four year old started asking why there were people laying on the ground, covered by ketchup.
So I switched to my phone, reloading Twitter, the CNN app, and facebook, to get all of the news I was craving. News about who did it, why they did it, what was happening to everyone, and how I could help.
I can donate money. I can buy items that go to the Boston One Fund. I can donate to various funds set up for various victims.
I can do all that. Except I can't. Because we're broke.
I can give $5, $10, $15 here and there. It's something. It helps a little.
But I can also run.
I started running the Couch to 5K last summer, in an attempt to lose baby weight, get healthier, and eventually run a 5K. I achieved all three.
I took breaks here and there. I would be up to running 2 or 3 miles without stopping, then family would come to town, or I would get sick (seriously, I've been sick SO MANY TIMES this past year) and I would stop for a week. And in that one measly week, my ability to run longer and faster would disappear. And I'd have to start over again. But I did.
Then I started my internship. And the time that I had to go to the gym every day started dwindling. So I would maybe go twice a week, maybe hitting the free weights, or the elliptical, or a yoga class. Once or twice I ran at the library after dropping the kids off at daycare and before going in to work. Or I would go after work, and before class. But usually I was too tired, or had too much to do.
But I've started back. I've started trying to go at least 5 times a week. I feel better, and healthier, when I get my workouts in. Yoga, free weights.
And running.
I started back running again. Before the bombing, yes. But especially after. Because I can do that.
And it may not mean much, if anything. But it means something to me.
And yesterday I ran a full 3 miles without stopping. It's been awhile, but I did it.
I run for Boston. And for myself.
