<p>DH runs every year. These photos brought tears to my eyes–
<a href=“Survivors of the Boston Marathon bombing send messages of hope in heart-wrenching photo series | For The Win”>http://ftw.usatoday.com/2014/04/dear-world-boston-marathon-photos/</a></p>
<p>Is he running Boston this year?</p>
<p>You bet.</p>
<p>Thank you for sharing the photos. I’m trying to hold back the tears… Good luck to your H and fingers crossed for some nice running weather. </p>
<p>Would be great to have anyone post about a friend or family member running ( or yourself!) so we can all root for you!!!</p>
<p>Those pics are very touching. Bless them all!</p>
<p>I’m actually in Boston now as H is attending a conference. We are staying at the Fairmont Copley Plaza, about a block from the finish line and where the bombings took place. They have already started to assemble the bleachers near the finish line. It is rather surreal to know how transformed this city will be in the next week in preparation for the event. </p>
<p>H’s old work buddy is running. He got in by qualifying, but then they moved the time down or admitted fewer people, but then they said that they would admit certain people with a compelling story. Yeah, he ran through the smoke last year just after the bomb went off. It was pretty compelling. He is 60 so maybe this will be his last Boston. I wouldn’t normally post, but someone asked for people to root for. I am rooting for him.</p>
<p>I would have been right by the finish line when the explosions went off, judging by the time on the clock and my BQ time. </p>
<p>Best of luck to your friend running Esobay. It will be an emotion filled day for sure. </p>
<p>We happened to be staying at the Park Plaza the week before last year’s marathon. It was fun to watch the progress as everything was set up for the race. I can still picture the first aid tent with a couple of wheelchairs with IV stands. </p>
<p>Terwitt, the architectural tour of the Public Library is great if you’re interested in that sort of thing. The library all by itself is pretty impressive.</p>
<p>It’s a very emotional experience to view those photos. I’m experiencing anxiety as the date of the Boston Marathon approaches. The bombing, and the subsequent stories, really affected me last year.</p>
<p>Both of my daughters will be running in the Pittsburgh Marathon May 4th, and I’m trying to overcome my fear of standing near the finish line.</p>
<p>I have lots of friends running - maybe 20-25. We also have a modest CCer who is running. 
I have qualified for and run 3 Bostons and am praying for good weather, safe running and a memorable race for all.</p>
<p>I have a couple of friends who were at the finish line last year waiting for runners. One has permanent hearing loss and PTSD. The other was splattered with blood and has very severe PTSD. I think about it all almost every day. Running is supposed to be safe.</p>
<p>I’m also hoping the logistics work out with more runners, more security, changes in drop off routine, no bags for the runners and who knows what else.</p>
<p>Good luck to our CC runner, whoever you are!</p>
<p>Our town, Brookline, is trying to balance things. We expect a very large crowd, perhaps on the order of the 100th, which was utterly enormous. </p>
<p>“Security” is sort of a strange concept on a 26 mile course. It has varied year to year, depending on whether the National Guard is involved and whether there’s a bleep in charge of that unit. One year, for example, an entire length of Beacon Street was walled off by Guardsmen ordered to link arms until every spectator, meaning mostly families with kids, was literally pushed back on to the sidewalk and then held at arms-length as though a riot would break out. The next unit over apologized for that behavior, saying things you really shouldn’t repeat in public. </p>
<p>I know we’re barricading both sides instead of the one on the side the runners use, but we’ll have to see how that works. A real basic issue is that people live and work here and many of them need to cross the street to work or get kids or go to the doctor or do whatever they need to do that day. If they make that impossible, there will be a backlash. Running a police state marathon would mean the end of the marathon. </p>
<p>I also have to say the cost of this is extreme. I can’t count the number of security meetings held at the various levels, with the various businesses and organizations along the street, etc. And this is one town with maybe 3 miles of course. </p>
<p>As to this week, I dread turing on the TV because of the repetition of every moment. I particularly dread the TV promos and special segments that essentially promote this. I expect I’m in a minority in thinking this but shutting the city down while looking for a guy with maybe a pistol was a way of letting the terrorists win - they created terror. I saw piles of newspapers and other merchandise piled up outside stores that didn’t open because of terror fear. From guys - well a guy by that time - who threw pressure cookers out the car window when being chased by the police. </p>
<p>On the nightly news (national) they have been showing a “good new” Boston Strong story at the end of every broadcast the last few days. Though all the stories started in heartbreak with the bombing, they are truly inspiring and often end with gracious thanks for survival and will to live and survive. I’m crying every night!!!</p>
<p>DD’s BF is running Boston for the first time this year. While he has done many marathons, he is especially excited about this one. </p>
<p>Best to all the runners and the supportive crowds.</p>