The word itself came from a French word that meant "great fear". Our interpretation of it now, after several large scale attacks these last few decades (both domestic and foreign) has taken on a whole new sinister and terrifying meaning.
Terror is now a coward's way of getting whatever they feel entitled to: whether that be to create fear in people, to point out political or religious beliefs, to justify their hatred as righteous anger, to some misguided sense of wrong doing that was inflicted upon them, the list goes on. Regardless of the reason, one thing has become increasing clear. They cannot be allowed to win.
It is going to be up to you, me, and all the people we love and respect in our lives to make sure that this event and those of our past which have also been etched into our memories, be remembered and learned from, but NEVER allowed to make us fearful. That is what they want. They want to create that "great fear" in all of us. They will stop at nothing to get it, and we must be as equally determined to stop them from getting what they want.
There is something else that these cowards need to know. You have messed with the wrong group of people. From novice to elite, runners are fiercely united. From each step we take there is a sense of purpose, a determination that cannot be rivaled. We are warriors. Our spirit is strong. Even in our weakest moments we are a force to reckon with. Even when we are scared, tired, hurt, emotional we always keep moving forward. One step at at time.
Even now, as I write this, there is this anger that arises in me when I think about what it must have been like for the runners and spectators at that finish line. My heart goes out to each and every one of them, and to all the people that cared about them, who were frantic to hear word if their loved ones were safe and sound. The thought that their feeling of pride of completing this race was quickly turned to anguish for them breaks my heart.
I know that my anger, and that being felt by my fellow runners, will only spurn our running community to action. I already see it happening. Numerous stories out of Boston of runners who had finished their race seen giving their medals to those that could not, to people helping those injured without hesitation, to the epic and swift response of EMT's and police...all the way to those on the web and twitter rallying support by wearing race tees today or the colors of the Boston Marathon, to virtual events to raise money to help the injured, or simply to send their thoughts and prayers to those that now need them most.
This is what human nature should be about, not the senseless acts of violence and tyranny of people who are too easily able to blame others for their misfortune.
Right now, tears well up for those that were lost and my love goes to each of them and their families. For many days, weeks, from now, please know that we now run for you. We run towards a world where terror is word no longer in the forefront of our minds.
One thing is for certain, we will never run away.
Cause we are
We are shining stars
We are invincible
We are who we are
On our darkest day
When we're miles away
So we'll come
We will find our way home...
"Carry On" by Fun.
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