New Yorkers Polite, Runners Unite!

Feverishly working the day away on the left coast, I am exhausted from my volunteer activities.  I am so glad I knew this would happen in advance so as not to waste a trip and hefty expenses to run the Boston marathon on today. But now why am I getting so many calls and FB messages and text messages asking me if I am okay? Oblivious to the news unless it is sports-related, I check twitter.  Yes my source of quick no-chaser info.  It appears there was a bombing near the finish line.  WTH!

After about 10 minutes looking at the jambalaya of mixed reports, I start responding to everyone's emails, calls, text messages.  First my dad who was already comforted in knowing that "he knew I wasn't there".  Of course I did not want him to go through the same feeling of not-knowing for hours on end as he did with the World Trade Center incident.  Next a general post to Facebook because most people are glued to that.

Now here I go again in disbelief, two days later after trying to understand how the world of sports was crumbling (in my eyes) with the Kobe torn ACL and the Tiger penalty post-Masters play.  This one was closer to home because it could have been at ANY marathon in ANY city in ANY country that I run.  Talk about blessed and highly favored!

What an awful experience for the traditional only-elite qualification major run in the country?  But how do these people put their lives back together again after this tragedy?  The injuries, the memories, the feeling of no accomplishment after crossing a finish line marred with drama, the aftermath, the nightmares?  I have no idea but one thing is for sure, marathoners know what it is like to persevere.  Marathoners understand mind over matter.  Marathoners don't quit.  Marathoners will walk or crawl to the finish line because we will make it.  Marathoners will continue to run and not let this take away their freedom.

So tomorrow, in honor of those impacted in Boston (marathoners, families, and innocent bystanders), this New Yorker will rep her blue and yellow.   Giants and Jets fans don't care about the Patriots today; we love the Americans that are Patriots fans.  The Bronx Bombers will stand with Boston and the Knicks will honor Boston too regardless of the bitter sports rivalry.   That's what New Yorkers will do.  Now when it comes to the Knicks taking on the Celtics in the playoffs, we still have to route for the 'orange and blue' but we will still clap for the 'green and white' because New Yorkers know what it feels like to be invaded on what we considered safe territory.

Crushed by Injury, Inspired by the Comeback

COURTESY OF USA TODAY SPORTS....KOBE....

It's that time of the year again - volunteering for my church's women's conference near the end of an exciting NBA season - where I am so exhausted not only do I miss the games but the ESPN highlights. 

Nonetheless, I woke up this morning to go to the morning glory service and was about to tweet until I almost had to pinch myself to wake up from a nightmare - my favorite active NBA and team go-to player, Kobe Bryant, went down last night with a torn ACL.

I couldn't wrap my mind around it but I read in this order the tweets from Dwayne Wade, Stuart Scott, CP3, Lebron James, Carmelo Anthony, and Paul Pierce and I had to come to realization that it was true.  With the promise of volunteering and running a company and handling projects, I said a quick prayer and decided to come back to these emotions.

Now back in my room after the evening session and item lobby discussions, I just checked out the post-game interview and find myself in tears.  How could this be? 17 years of giving 190% in both physical and mental preparation and playing through almost every injury possible and this is how it goes down. And the 2nd to worst part is his almost single-handed effort to will his team to the playoffs in the the fight for the 8th seed, a ranking unbeknownst to long-time Lakers fans. Yes, I know your body starts to wane over time but this is Kobe and in my mind, he is invincible and relentless when it comes to athleticism. 

Now needing some Kleenex from all this crying, I go to my bag and open the side compartment and my Baltimore Ravens bracelet falls out. In teary-eyed vision, I start recollecting"the ride". I pulled out my iPad and at first glance, saw the picture of Peyton Manning and Ray Lewis talking after the Broncos loss in the locker room. Wait! Peyton suffered a neck injury, sat out an entire season with the Colts, and came back with a vengeance with his new team, the Denver Broncos.  Ray Lewis was supposed to be out all season after tearing his tricep but worked his way back and retired with another Superbowl ring. And then there was my picture with Adrian Peterson at iHop during Superbowl weekend.  Not only did he tear the MCL and the ACL but he came back as the NFL MVP and only 8 yards shy of a rushing record. 

All of a sudden I am feeling a little better.  I read Lebron James and Carmelo Anthony's tweets again and they are right.  If anyone, I mean ANYONE, can come back from this, it's Kobe Bean "vino" "mamba" Bryant. He will run this course like no other and inspire us all to come back stronger from our temporary setbacks.  #runmambacourse