My Experience Running the Historic 2014 Boston Marathon - "Be Brave"
The 2014 Boston Marathon was the most visible endurance event in history and a true testament to the resilience and irrepressible power of the human spirit.
We all know the tragedy of the events that occurred on Patriot's Day 2013 in Boston. However, what is most newsworthy is not what happened, but how we responded - with incredible courage, with renewed strength, with unified resolution to transform the suffering, pain, and ignorance of terror into the transcendent glory, sweet revenge, and ultimate victory of the human spirit.
Bill Palmer ran in Wave #1, Corral #2 running in the front pack, behind the professional group of men's runners to "TAKE BACK THAT FINISH LINE" IN THE NAME OF HUMAN COURAGE AND LOVE.
Palmer started distance running at the ripe age of 30 and ultimately running over 50 marathons and long distance triathlons in less than a decade. Palmer attempted to qualify for the Boston Marathon and failed over 10 times before finally breaking through with an epic 2:49 marathon time in May 2013 finishing in the top 10 overall at the Mountains to Beach Marathon. One of Palmer's training partners ran the 2013 Boston Marathon and nearly missed the bombing at the finish line. These events further strengthened Palmer's resolve to compete in the next Boston Marathon and he doubled his training efforts to shatter both his personal best and run a sub three hour marathon to qualify for the 2014 event.
It was an honor to compete (latin: "strive together") in the 2014 Boston Marathon running in the first group behind the professional runners from around the world. In the end, with over 1M live spectators and millions watching broadcasts around the world.
The American men worked together and through sheer GRIT and passion , a 38 year old American male, Meb K made history and became the first American in over 30 years to win the original marathon that started it all!
