Boston Strong ...

On April 16, 2013 -- one day after the Boston Marathon bombings -- I bought my first pair of running shoes.

I don't know what I was thinking, but what was going through my mind was a bit confusing.

I had planned to join my kids in a running clinic offered by a local running club, but I wasn't looking forward to it. I joked that someone would have to chase me if I was ever expected to run.

Har-dee-har-har. Imsooooofunneeeeeee.

But the green and gray shoes, still in their box in the back of my car, turned out to be an investment rather than an expense.

And in the eight (injury-filled) months that followed they went with me for more than 300 miles.

I didn't hate it anywhere near as much as I thought I would.

In fact, I loved the road and the routes. I have loved running with friends and family. I have even come to accept the wisdom of every pulled muscle as if it were a revered teacher.

I have so much to learn.

It was with this in mind that I followed Boston Marathon World Race, and signed up to run 26.2 miles in honor of the 2014 marathon. "Any Ability, Any Distance, Anywhere" was the theme.

It took me nearly six hours in six days (over two weeks' time) to run the distance.

Just putting one foot in front of the other.