Two years ago, Rebekah Gregory was a spectator at the Boston Marathon when she was injured in the terrorist bombings at the finish line. This past November, her leg was amputated following 17 unsuccessful surgeries to repair the damage. On Monday, Gregory returned to Boston and ran the last 3.2 miles of the race, with an emotional finish for the ages.
Gregory had originally planned to run the entire distance of the race, but was told by her doctors that her amputation had not healed enough to allow for this to happen. A "compromise" distance of 3.2 miles was picked to symbolize each month she has spent learning how to walk with her prosthetic leg, which she has dubbed "Felicia."
Gregory posted about her experience in the race on her Facebook page, calling herself blessed.
And when I put everything into perspective, for me it wasn't about how many miles I could run. It was that I COULD run. 6 months ago, I couldn't even walk. And while I worked as hard as I could to prepare for the entire thing, the most important mile to me was Boylston Street. That moment when I got to run past the place where I nearly lost everything, and not stop until I made it across the finish line.
That is the single reason why I was so overcome with emotion when I fell down to my knees at the end. Because to me, by doing that, I was reclaiming my life. I was showing myself that I am not destroyed. And even though I am not up to 26.2 miles quite yet, what I am....is stronger. And there won't be a day that goes by that I don't try to show that because no matter what...I am also very BLESSED. And yesterday was only the beginning....of many many more miles.
Thanks to each of you for your overwhelming support, and for being a part of my journey.
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Gregory plans to run the entire marathon next year.
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