Boston Forever

I woke up this morning with such a heavy heart but since I just woke, I didn't remember why I was sad.  It wasn't until I brushed the sleep out of my eyes that I remember what happened yesterday in Boston. 

You see, last year I was there. My amazing dad ran the Boston Marathon. I cheered him on at mile 16 and took the subway to the finish line to meet my dad, along with the thousands of others who were supporting their loved ones who lived out their own dreams. 

I was in the crowds of the thousands of runners and their families, the hundreds of volunteers and the media at the finish line. It was a zoo! I can only imagine how more crazy it was yesterday. 

My dad wanted to train again really hard the past year to qualify for Boston again for 2013 but in late summer 2012, he injured his foot real bad and to this day can't run 6k without it hurting. That is the scary part, thinking my family could have been down there this year again. If I think about, it would just be my parents as I have exams and papers to write this week. But we weren't down there. Thank you Lord for not letting my dads foot heal in time. (Feels silly to thank him for that, but really it saved our lives.) 

Boston and the Marathon is always talked about is my house, we have shirts and hats from last year always being worn. My family has goals of going again, maybe next year. Boston will always have a special place in our hearts. 

As much as I didn't want this post to be about my family or myself. It is coming out that way and I need to express my feelings. 

What happened yesterday sucked. It's sad and I want to cry. As a future elementary teacher I still feel uneasy about what happened in Newtown and now this? We can't even run one of the worlds most prestigious marathon in the world without fearing for our life. This world needs help. We need new laws...stat. 

Hearing the stories about the man who ran 26 miles for the 26 victims in Newtown and now his legs are gone?! I'm speechless at that. 

I encourage everyone today to wear blue or yellow in honour of all the victims and those for witnessed everything. If you can, go out and run. Even if it is 26 steps. 

I pray that all runners and their families get home safe and sound today. I pray for peace in this world that is changing and becoming dark....very fast. 

Boston Re-cap.

A little less than four years a go my dad became a marathon runner. Today, I watched him cross the finish line at one of the world's most prestigious marathons, the Boston marathon in 4:22. Today, I became the worlds proudest daughter. 


That was my facebook status on monday.

Going to Boston was amazing. Such a beautiful city, full of the kindest and helpful people ever! Seeing my dad accomplish his goal of running the Boston marathon is something I hope to never forget.

The pride my family has for my dad is beyond words. As you can tell from my brother's status on monday.

Dad, 3 years and 4 months ago you said you wanted to run a marathon before you turned 50. Today you get to take part in one of the most prestigious races in the world, the Boston marathon. Congrats and best 
of luck!

It was fun being tourists for the weekend. We went to Fenway park on sunday,  took our pictures eating breakfast because we! are! in! boston!

The weather was so hot. So hot. I got the worst sunburn ever. Never had one this bad.

My dad ran well. He qualified for Boston with a 3:32 marathon last fall and finished the 26.2 miles in 4:22. No one who ran, was running to run a PB (personal best.) 

The signs I made: Should have said "marriage" but whatever.

Mom and Dad

Mom and I camped out at mile 16, outside a starbucks. 

Love these pictures of my dad and I.

Imagine walking 26.2 miles while its 88 out in all that gear. 

FINALLY finding my dad after the race. And being silly on saturday. 

While waiting for our luggage, all the runners took pictures of the welcome sign, at Fenway. 

Go canada!
Can you find me?

We had a great time in Boston. Such a beautiful city, where I totally could see myself living.

The marathon was anything but I've experienced. The whole city came out and supported the runners and my dad said they were what helped him. They gave out their own water, hooked up their own hose to sprinkle down the over-heated runners and cut up oranges for them. We need that here in Toronto.

I had so much fun yelling "go canada" when I saw a canadian runner go by, and telling people to keep it up, only 10 more miles from here. 


Can't wait to go back next year. Because Boston? You haven't seen the last of the Hannon's!