Pray for Boston: You can slow us down, but you can't stop us.

Terror mars Boston run. This is the banner headline of The Philippine Daily Inquirer today. Have you also seen the Philippine flag near the explosion site?

My Tuesday morning (Manila Time) text message from my mother came as a confusing shock: two explosions in Boston Marathon, many hurt, three dead.

I remembered Kara Goucher (Runner's World, Women's Running) tweeting a few days ago about her excitement about the Boston Marathon. Then, I thought of the Filipinos who qualified in the race.

Still confused and many thoughts in my mind. I ushered a prayer. God, please make them safe.

Slow as I am running my races now, it is my dream to run the Boston Marathon (well, second to New York Marathon, because NYC is my favorite city.). It is a fleeting fantasy for me to make it to the 3:20 qualifying time of the Mecca of Running. I am thinking of running with my mouth open the whole time because I am brushing shoulders and exchanging "Hi's" with the best marathoners in the world.

That is why just like any runner, I feel sad about what I heard, read, and seen in this year's Boston Marathon.

(Side note: In the first video released during the breaking news yesterday, I thought I saw three balloons went up in the air a few seconds after the first explosion. It was like one balloons for each of those who died. As of press time, FBI is putting the pieces of evidence of the bomb, with pressure cooker as one of its main materials.)

It is true - it is hard to have a hundred percent safety in a race, especially in the big events such as Boston, New York, or even London Marathon. A BBC report said it is hard to secure 26.2 miles of road - with spectators and possible bandits - and make it safe for runners.

I salute all the men and women who were in Boston Marathon to help. Policemen, doctors, nurses, paramedics, members of the Boston Athletic Association, and even the spectators and people in the area who helped those who were hurt. Post-marathon stories were clouded by stories of unity and selflessness.

I am also thankful that the most of the Filipino runners who joined have crossed the finish line before the explosion started. Arland Macasieb, on his interviews, said he's on the train going home when the explosion happened. He finished an hour earlier.

To whoever did this: I don't know what you're up to. But you will be caught soon. Boston Marathon, just like any running event, is a runner's heaven here on earth. You may have inflicted hurt now, but you will never get to do that again. We will not let fear stop us from our tracks.

You may have slow us down, but you can't stop us.

Got this from Paula Faye's Google+. Let's pray for our co-runners always. :)