I’ve had a terrible knot in my stomach for the past five
days as my mind and heart grapple with the events that have unfolded. I will
tell you now that I have made my decision and I will be running the marathon on
Sunday. This decision has not come easily or lightly and I feel that I needed
to write this post both for my own therapy and to respond to the community at
large who are either for or against the race being held.
Should they have canceled the marathon? Maybe. Actually,
yes, they probably should have. But they didn’t and the city is passionately
divided. I get it. I understand why people are furious at the
thought of holding such a massive and demanding event just days after Sandy’s
devastation. People are experiencing tremendous lose and unimaginable hardship.
My heart aches for those people. Unless
you are one of those, no one can possible understand what it is they are
facing.
And yet, despite the obvious controversy and less obvious
benefit, Mayor Bloomberg made the decision that the race was to go on. For my
own sake and the sake of the city, I have to believe that this decision was
made in the best interest of everyone. He’s not the kind of guy that pussy
foots around or pulls punches, so if he really didn’t think the race was a good
idea, I know he would not have given the go ahead. That said, I’m certain his
decision was nearly 100% financial, but in no way malicious or disrespectful. I
do believe he thinks the race will provide much needed influx of dollars and,
hopefully, bring some cheer, camaraderie and a bit of lightness back to the
streets.
Like I said, I get why this is so upsetting for some. I
truly, truly do. But please don’t blame
the runners. We are not trying to make it harder on the people of New York. We
simply pursuing our passion and have worked too damn hard to get here. But many,
if not all, runners recognize the gift we are receiving and are extend are
gratitude. At it’s most superficial level, running a marathon is an entirely
selfish endeavor. But I would argue that
is not the case. Many runners are running for local charities and have raised
hundreds of thousands of dollars for causes that are much bigger than us. Many
are running in honor of someone they’ve lost or are losing. Many are running to
show their children what can be accomplished with enough hard work and belief
if yourself. Many are running simply to fulfill a promise to themselves. And
while the reasons for toeing the line on Sunday are many, I can guarantee you
that every single runner has the city of New York and the shores of New Jersey
in their hearts and on their minds. We are grateful and humbled for the
opportunity to run the race this year.
For those of you that continue to seethe, I apologize on
behalf of all marathoners. But I also have a suggestion for you. Why not turn
that negative energy into something good? Stop wasting time bitching about why
the race should not go on. Stop lambasting the runners and criticizing NYRR and
Mayor Bloomberg. AND START HELPING OUT! Step away from Facebook and Twitter and
figure out how to volunteer or your money. Don’t watch, support or even
acknowledge the marathon. Instead spend those hours donating your time, your
money or both. Turn your malevolence into benevolence. It’s better for
everyone.
So I will run. I will run because I have worked my ass off
to get here and because it really is more than just a race to me. I will run
for Team Continuum and my friends and family who donated over $5,000 to this
cause on my behalf. I will race for my sister and her family who have suffered
through and after this storm. I will
race for New York and New Jersey. And when I’m done, I will roll up my sleeves
and do what I can to help.
