Boston Marathon 2013

Tuesday, April 16, 2013 · Mike Davis

Today I was up at 4am to head off to meet my client Ashley Busa at her folks house and then on to Boston for the 2013 Boston Marathon. I have been working with Ashley since last November when she sought me out to help her run a healthy personal record (PR). We worked closely for the past 5 plus months and I grew great admiration for her dedication and discipline. We both felt she was ready to accomplish her goal time and then some. After some stretching, a pep talk and a short bus ride to Hopkinton, Ashley pulled away from her coral confident and ready. I tracked her along with her parents using the new BAA app and it was apparent that she was sticking with our strategy precisely. As we made our way to the finish line I was getting more confident that my client was running the perfect race. At the 35 kilometer mark she was at 2:52 and I was now sure that she would beat her PR and then some! My Kathy and I worked our way through the crowd and were positioned about 200 feet from the finish line. We watched for Ashley closely but as time ticked we started to believe that we missed her. I thought there was no way she could still be out on the course as she only had 7K to go and too much time had passed. We decided to make our way back to the finish line and find her, the BAA app updated that Ashley in fact was still on the course and for some reason had slowed considerably. I knew that there had to be a reason, but I would have to wait till she crossed to find out. The BAA app popped up that she crossed the finish line at 3:51, while for many that would be a great time, I knew for both Ashley and I, that was a huge disappointment! We continued looking for Ashley as runners came through the shoots to get water, covers and their medals. Finally I saw her and got her attention and she came over and we hugged despite the fence between us. She was upset as she told me how with less than 5 miles to go she got really sick and actually through up. Unfortunately it wasn’t one of those times where a person throws up and then feels better, but instead she had to battle the rest of the way feeling like she would throw up again. She sat right there for a moment before getting up and making her way to the end of the shoot where her parents waited. We moved down Boylston Street before meeting up with her siblings and letting Ashley sit down. Now for the rest of the events…. As we sat about 2 blocks from the finish line, Ashley continued to feel sick and commented that she would like a hot drink or something. Her Dad and I mentioned that there was a Starbucks back toward the finish line and her Dad said that he would go back and get her something. Well I insisted that I would go and take care of my client’s desire. So I ran back toward the finish line weaving through many people and finally getting to the Starbucks just a short ways from the finish line. I grabbed to chi teas and headed for the door when a loud boom sounded and the ground under me shook! I stopped and instantly another boom but not another shake. I looked toward the direction of the boom and could see smoke and people moving really fast away from the finish line. I knew right off what had transpired and figured I should get moving to my group. Once I got to them we were all somewhat stunned and not really sure what was next? We finally got moving but like everyone else we just moved away from the finish line. We quickly found out the way we got there (the T) would not be the way we would get out. We were getting word that there might be other bombs so we just kept moving away. I felt really bad for Ashley as she just ran 26.2 miles and now she had to walk who knows how far? I think her heart for those that were suffering kept her from complaining or feeling bad for herself. We were now at the TD Bank Boston Garden and thanks to an aggressive sister (Ashley’s), we were able to commandeer 2 taxi cabs. From there we went to Ashley’s brother’s place where he gave us a ride to where we were parked. As we drove we listened to the details and none of us could really comprehend what just happened and the fact that we were right there. Such a surreal feeling, like a movie where everyone is trying to get away from some horrific attack. As we finally got to Ashley’s parent’s house we all hugged and Kathy and I headed for New Hampshire. Backing up to the race part of the story, it was a huge disappointment for Ashley and I, but of course I am supposed to say that the tragic events dwarf Ashley’s results. That’s certainly the simple response, but we are both very disappointed that the hard work we put in failed not because of anything we could control but for something that we had foreseen; followed by another event that we could have never foreseen and will forever change our lives. I have no doubt Ashley will successfully run a PR, but I also believe her memory of the events at Boston today will affect her far more. We take so much for granted and amongst them are our freedoms and liberties. Today we had those trampled and everyone that was there now realize that our world has indeed changed. We are not supposed to use the word terrorism but no matter who committed this horrific act, terrorism is exactly what it was. Those that were there will lose their innocence and while that is sad; it is an indication of a sad reality. Ashley and I will be back at it in preparation for another marathon as will many others. I hope that America continues to run and not run away. Running away is what the desired goal of terrorist is and we need to stand firm and keep running. I don’t have any answers besides to maintain faith in God and his plans and to keep running. Today was a difficult day, but quitting is not a choice. May God bless all those that were injured, the families of those that lost their life’s and to those that will struggle with what took place.