After Boston, A Wave on the Road

April 16, 2013

The bombs went off right around the time I would have been crossing the finish line if I had been in yesterday’s Boston Marathon. My daughter reminded me of that as our family discussed the terrorist attack in the kitchen last night.

My love affair with long-distance running goes back to the 1970s. It has been an on-and-off affair for sure, with periods of devotion to running resulting in two marathons and other periods when my running shoes sat forlornly at the back of the closet.

During all those years, my worst fear when running was that an overly aggressive dog would come charging out of his yard and decide I would make a tasty treat. I always loved the atmosphere of big races – a largely solitary sport brought to life with the sights and sounds of crowds engaged in a common cause. My concerns were rain, cold and staying on pace. It never crossed my mind that someone would plant bombs along my route.

Well, now the thought is there. And not just there. My son was at the Masters tournament this past Saturday, enjoying the thrill of watching some of the best golfers in the world. Could it happen there? Or at a baseball game, a soccer tournament, or a thousand other public events that make up the fabric of our lives? I hope not.

Today, I am going to concentrate on a single step. I’m going to go home tonight, strap on my running shoes and head out for a jog. If another runner crosses my path, I’ll wave and smile. And inside I’ll salute all the runners and families hurt by this tragedy, and wish them all the best as their journey continues.

About the Author

Steve Minter Blog | Executive Editor

Focus: Global Economy & International Trade

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An award-winning editor, Executive Editor Steve Minter covers global economic and international trade issues, tackling subject matter ranging from manufacturing trends, public policy and regulations in developed and emerging markets to global regulation and currency exchange rates. As well, he supervises content production of all IW editorial products including the magazine, IndustryWeek.com, research and informationproducts, and executive conferences. 

Before joining the IW staff, Steve was publisher and editorial director of Penton Media’s EHS Today, where he was instrumental in the development of the Champions of Safety and America’s Safest Companies recognition programs.

Steve received his B.A. in English from Oberlin College. He is married and has two children.

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