My
Running Community = My Running Family
 |
| Melissa Adylia Calasanz of Controlled Burn Fitness with Team ARC Party Pace at the Pasadena Marathon 2012 |
I never
set out to become a "runner." My running life came to be, through
beautiful "guilt by association." Thanks to the years of helping
runners care for and prevent injuries, it "just happened." I am proud
to hold the title of "runner,” even on the days I am more of a
sleepwalker. My fellow runners, of all ages, shapes, sizes, paces, and
abilities, have become an amazing family! In fact, it is through running that I
found my wonderful husband, Andrew Calasanz.
 |
| Melissa Adylia Calasanz of Controlled Burn Fitness with Husband, Andrew Calasanz in the beer garden of the Surf City International Marathon 2013 |
Our
running friends and family are as supportive as they are entertaining; they are
driven, and they are accepting. If you’ve ever participated in a running event,
or been a spectator, you know how encouraging fellow competitors, participants,
spectators, and volunteers can be. You'll see spectators cheering for
strangers, and becoming fast friends with the people cheering beside them.
On
Monday, April 15h, 2013, I realized how much I love my running family. I found
out about the explosions almost instantly as my friend Shane Mundy posted the
following on his Facebook wall:
“I heard a loud explosion and [Allison] just called and it's looks like a bomb
may have gone off < This has turned bad”.
The following
is part of the thread that followed:
Shane Mundy OMG Fire and Police sirens going every where
23
hours ago via mobile · Like
Melissa Adylia Calasanz For real?! oh no! Be safe! Hugs
to you and your family!
Shane Mundy it's pretty scary , they are stuck out there
Melissa Adylia Calasanz where?
Melissa Adylia Calasanz OH SHIT!
http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/21982342/apparent-explosion-hits-near-finish-line-of-boston-marathon
http://www.myfoxboston.com/story/21982342/apparent-explosion-hits-near-finish-line-of-boston-marathon
An apparent explosion
has hit the finish line area of the Boston Marathon.
Shane Mundy in the marathon crowd , they went over near
Fenway to see me
Shane Mundy OMG it's crazy , i was only thinking
yesterday about this , it's always on your mind
Allison Mundy Thank god frank. It as so horrible masses
of people running. I didn't know where to go with my kids
23
hours ago via mobile · Like
Shane Mundy Yes we are all back i the Hotel and we won't
be moving far , Allison was very close and got caught up in the crowds running
the other way
23
hours ago · Unlike · 1
Allison Mundy Two bombs gone off. Gruesome injurys. No
deaths yet please god
23
hours ago via mobile · Like
Shane Mundy 2 BOMBS went off on the finish line , lots of
people killed , Allison and the kids caught up in the panic of people running
Allison Mundy At finish line of marathon
23
hours ago via mobile · Like
Allison Mundy Thank god my children were with me and not
off shopping. I didn't know where to go
23
hours ago via mobile · Like · 2
Luckily,
his family was able to quickly make it back to their hotel, but not after
witnessing some of the horrible injuries.
Just
moments before the above thread began, I had just commented on a picture that Shane
had posted, of himself, standing proud, wearing his mylar blanket, medal, and a smile.
 |
| Shane safe and out of harms way just minutes before the explosions, after finishing a 3:18 at The Boston Marathon Photo Credit: Shane Mundy |
I spent
the rest of the afternoon making sure the rest of our 30+ running
Friends/Family were safe and accounted for.
Thankfully,
they are all safe. J
Sadly,
there are so many more that are not. L
Though running is a solo endeavor, it is
absolutely a “team" sport. Regardless of whether you're team is elite, club,
or a collection of all the voices in your head, or perhaps your part of the team
that supports these runners, you are a part of an amazing family…a family that
is not only amazing, but also strong and resilient.
-Melissa
Adylia Calasanz
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