Being a "New Englander" doesn't just mean we love lobster (or lobstah), that we call soft serve ice cream creemies (if you're from VT), that we have rotaries instead of roundabouts or that we have a die hard support for our sports teams like the Red Sox and Patriots. No, being a New Englander brings about a sense of pride, a sense of unity and a level of strength that is not seen in all parts of the country. Being a New Englander makes us family...a bond that never breaks.
I am fortunate enough to belong to a group called "Executive Athletes." Ken Lubin, the founder of this organization, is a successful athlete and a business executive in the Boston area. Ken runs this group with the thought of, "inspiring people to be the best that they can be and to push beyond any perceived limits that they believe they have in order to be successful in life, business, and sport." Ken, like myself, feels that sense of family when it comes to being a New Englander and especially in the significance of Marathon Monday.
This past week Ken sent out the following letter to all of the members of this amazing group and I feel it to be the perfect time to share it...
In Honor of the Boston Marathon
Last year I wrote the piece below and I still believe every single sentence. Being from the Boston area and seeing the outpouring of support for this year’s marathon is magical. The 2014 race is going to be one for the ages!! Good Luck to everyone racing and more importantly we need to remember and thank everyone that is part of the Boston Marathon family! (family, friends, loved ones, volunteers, team mates, EMS, and I am sure I am forgetting many more) If you are racing go out and kick ass!! If you are spectating, make sure you give all your love and support to those who are participating!!
From 2013....
Competing in and completing the Boston Marathon is like being in the Olympics. There are no other events in the world that the common man can be treated like a hero, or have 1 million + spectators watching them for 26.2 miles or can be a part of history. The marathon is racing at its purest, 2 legs, 2 feet, and a set of lungs. There are no engines involved or any fancy equipment, it is you against the road. >
From this point on, it will never be the same.
The tragedy in Boston yesterday was terrible and unlike a lot of terrorist attacks there was so much emotion involved. People have been training and living for this race for years. This race has been a lifetime goal for some, an inner escape for others, and a huge chance for personal victory for everyone. This race is also not just about the runners, it is about the families who sacrifice for their loved ones to do this event. It is about the City of Boston coming together for a celebration of achievement and it is a showcase to the world about human achievement and the fabulous place we live.
And unfortunately this has been taken away.
The race, people’s lives, and the city has now been changed forever. Never again will anyone look at the marathon the same again. For some it will scare them away, for others it will force them to drive forward, and for a city it will show the world how it will never bow down to the acts of cowards. It is very easy for me to say that we should just forge forward, because I was not personally affected, but I can only imagine the pain that the family and victims are going through! Having an 8 year old and a 4 year old daughter and knowing that my family could have been there, really hits home. Hopefully we are able to make some sense out of this and to learn what we all need to do moving forward.
We are all thinking about everyone being affected and our thoughts and prayers go out to the families, emergency responders and volunteers of this great race.
Ken
So on behalf of all us New Englanders that are scattered across the country, I want to personally wish all of the runners luck in their incredible journey today...not only will I be hoping for all of you to hit PR's, but I will be praying for all of those who hold pain in their hearts from last year's tragedy.
Thank you to Ken for allowing me to share his thoughts with everyone. I encourage you to check out what his group is all about...
#BostonStrong
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