Why I am going back to run to Boston Marathon 2014.



1 Corinthians 16:13

 "Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong."

"Why are You running in the Boston Marathon?" Monica Drake from the Oakland Press asked me. I hardly noticed my sushi sitting in front of me as I pondered the question.



That was over 2 weeks ago. I have taken a little more time to comb through my feelings.

I had a monumental race at last years Boston Marathon. Everything was perfect, I even had a PR at 3:28:10.
My family made it to the family welcome area with hugs and kisses. We took a few pictures to preserve the brief joy before it would be robbed from us.

The Boston bombings stripped smiles off our faces just 30 minutes later.
It was gone. The joy was invaded by terror and fear.
I have never felt pure horror like that in my life.

I was ever so fortunate to finish and even have a few minutes of victory before the devastation of the bombings would overshadow my epic Boston Marathon.

For months afterward, I didn't speak of the desire to return. That desire grew in me with every run.
I had no idea how I was going to convince my boys to return to Boston.
In November, I had the honor to run Ing NYC, I could not convince them to go to the Big Apple to watch me.
They were stuck on Fear.



This year we will be going back as a FAMILY. Together United. It was a very difficult decision.
My heart yearned to be able to return. It is something deep within me that does not like to give in.
I am a fighter. I just can not imagine not going back to Boston to run.

 This years Boston Marathon is so much bigger than I am. Maybe that is why I have to return. I am not just running this year for a TIME or a FINISH.
I am running in Honor of those that cannot run. In Honor of those that were pained in a way I was not.
I am going to support a great event. To remind myself and others that as Runners we run with more than our legs we run with our heart.
I am running to show my boys that we will not allow FEAR to hold us hostage. We will courageously go in Faith, trusting God to keep us safe.
I will go boldly to Honor something that is beautiful. This years Marathon is like no other. It defines Strength, Perseverance and Bravery.

It humbles me. It sets me on the sidelines of "AWE".  How a nobody, I nothing, a girl who didn't stand a chance could be part of something so immense.
A ragamuffin of a child could fight through a life of brokenness and through the Grace of God see Glory.
I am brought to tears at the opportunity to be part of something so much bigger than I am.
I refuse to back down. I will not cower in fear. I will run in Faith, in Love and Hope.

Over the last few weeks I have taught my boys as a family we are a team. Team Harless. We each will have to sacrifice at times for one another. We each will have to hold each other up. We will have to cheer and support one another. But together we are stronger. Together we will go to Boston and go in the Spirit of Courage and Love.

“To learn strong faith is to endure great trials. I have learned my faith by standing firm amid severe testings.” ~ George Mueller

Anita