For more than 6 years, I have been a part of the KY Derby Festival Minimarathon. It has become dare I say my favorite event of the month-long celebration in preparation for the Kentucky Derby. Do I train? Sometimes. Do I run it? Never. I am one of the many avid walkers that strides the 13.1 mile course finishing well behind the winners of the 26.2 mile marathon.
Prior to my first mini I had no idea what to expect, I was a freshman at Bellarmine University hailing from Northern Kentucky. A quick invitation by my cousin to join her in the race sold me and there I was at 7 am being interviewed by WHAS prior to starting my first minimarathon.
Every year I am inspired by the neighbors in the Iroquois Park area that blast "Eye of the Tiger" and the students at UofL that cheer as we stride towards the finish line. Occasionally you spot the selfless acts of others assisting runners that have fallen or stopping to take a seat with someone who isn't able to power through. Louisvillians generously offer oranges and peanut butter that they have prepared in their homes while runners graciously accept the gifts of complete strangers. These are the beautiful moments in our city.
When tragedy struck at the Boston Marathon all I could think about is how this one act will blur all of the beautiful moments that happened yesterday for the runners of the Boston Marathon. While there were plenty of selfless acts captured on video, photo, and personal memory, these will be memories of chaos and despair. Yet, in the moments of despair people opened their homes to runners continued to care for those in need and assisted in every way imaginable.
