AT&T Park, San Francisco, 2012
Running can be many things to many people. Some use it as a stress reliever, or a tool towards overall health and fitness. It can be used as a social occasion, or it can be alone time. It is also a way to honor or pay respects to someone or something. Today, I will be doing the latter.
As many of you know, September 11, 2012 is the 11 year anniversary of a series of attacks committed in the United States. I already have 9 miles planned for Tuesday morning, but I’m going to add 2 miles to make it 11 as a way to pay respects to those that lost their lives. I’m not going to get into politics and who should be where and who is doing what and by whom. I’m just going to add on a some miles as a way to commemorate a very sad day in our nation’s history.
On September 11, 2001, I was waiting outside of my class in college and as the start time for class came and went, we all began to wonder if class was going to be canceled. We hadn’t heard about what was happening (this was way in the past before Twitter and Facebook and iPhones). The instructor came around the corner in a rush, he asked if we had all heard what was happening (at this point, only the first plane had struck). There was a TV in the classroom, so we all gathered and stared at the screen, almost motionless and speechless. After the second plane struck, we were quickly told that we could leave class, make phone calls, etc. as each of us needed to. Initial details were obviously limited and being in San Francisco and being in a major city, we were not sure what to expect.
It’s a day that many of us will always remember and today, when I hear a low flying or loud plane engine, I’m immediately reminded of that day. I’m not saying I’m traumatized by the events, it’s just something that I think I will forever associate with that morning. I guess I can consider myself blessed that I’m not faced with daily (or even frequent) encounters with war.
I’ll run wearing my USA track and field shirt and my NYCM arm sleeves. It may not be a lot, but it’s my way of doing something different to remember a day in our nations’ history… 2 extra miles to make it 11 miles on the 11th anniversary.
Feel free to share any thoughts below in the comments.
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“this may not be a lot”
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Agree with Miz. We each pay our respects and honor their memories in our own way. Yours is a beautiful way that resonates with you.
Anything to remember this day is doing a lot! Have you ever read the Runner’s World articles of the people who lived in NYC? It came out last year…so amazing! I was a first year teacher in Boston…we were locked down. We all tried to keep the kids from getting scared even when we were reeling!
Running the 9 miles plus two extra is a great idea!
What a wonderful way to pay respect to the people and country affected by 9/11.
We all will have our own way to show respect. What a great way to honor the day and lives of many that were lost!
fantastic way to show your respect. we will never forget.
i think those miles will be valued. A moment of silence, or in your case, miles of silence.
I can’t think of any better way to honor those who lost their lives on 9/11.
I do associate running with 9/11. My husband (then bf) just returned from a run when the first plane hit. His daily running route was down the west side highway and his turnaround point was the World Financial Center, across the street from the Twin Towers. I was up in Boston having just started my first day of grad school and sadly there were friends that were lost. My heart is heavy whenever Sept rolls around. Thanks for honoring their memory in this way.
AMAZING WAY TO HONOUR THIS DAY!
I think that is a great thing to do! If I was running today, I would do something similar. And although it is not a run day for me, the gravity of that day will be with me throughout the day.
I definitely agree that running can be done in honor and memory as well and that’s such a special thing. Now I wish I would have run farther today.
This is a beautiful tribute. We will never forget.
I did 1 extra and hubby did 6 unexpected, never forget!
Wow. What a great way to remember and reflect on this day. Never Forget.
Great way to honor the day. I don’t think anyone will ever forget where they were or what they were doing when that first plane hit. That image is forever burned into my memory.
You just motivated me to for a run today :).
getting back from injury, wont be able to hit a long distance, but anything in the honor of the victims, and to remember the tragedy.
Should be a great idea to get running T-shirts with
“Never forget 9/11”
“Never forget 8/05”
Good for you–great way to mark it.
I will always remember running on 9/12. I live not too far from BWI and always see/hear planes in the sky on my runs. That day, no planes, no people out and about (I live not far from DC) and it was eerily quiet. Great time to reflect and shake out some emotions that day.
I am basically crying…my husband is in the military due to this and we have met some amazing people and lost some all from the 9/11 call of duty. I can’t think of anything better for you to do….
Awesome way to remember. I only did 2.25 miles, but I did it in honor of all who died.
awesome way to remember the day! good for you!
I was asleep…in college. My sophomore year. No morning classes to get me up, and my friend busted through the door screaming about how the trade center had been “bombed”. My immediate thought was my Dad…in Boston…in the Coast Guard, stationed right by the trade center. I had no idea she’d meant in NYC. I panicked. After being unable to get in touch with my dad, because the first thing I thought to do was NOT to turn on the tv yet, I did just that. It was terrifying…and so sad to see so many people around me suffering from loss. (I was in CT surrounded by NY natives.)