Boston Strong!

Patriot's Day. Better known as Marathon Monday. 

This year was even more special; the 118th running of the marathon was going to be better and stronger and ever. However, another big part of Marathon Monday is the 11am Red Sox game. I was able to go this year (!) since a friend scored tickets! 

The energy was amazing. The city and stadium felt alive. The ceremonial first pitch was thrown out by someone who survived the bombing last year, he was the last survivor to leave the rehab hospital. Talk about strong and resilient! 

This jersey was created right after the marathon last year by Jonny Gomes - it hung in the dug out all last year, it even went on every road trip - now, it has a special place in Fenway. The vibe was just amazing; marathon day puts a super charge in the city, and today, it was super charged. Usually every fan is in a Red Sox shirt of some kind: today it was a mix of marathon garb, Sox shirts, and Boston Strong t's. Even I didn't know which to put on!

Let's just say the Sox were late to show up, by the 4th it was 6-0, Orioles...but still, Fenway + Red Sox.

In between innings they kept showing marathon highlights. When this flashed the crowd went nuts. First time in 31 years an American had won the marathon and he did it this year. Even the players on the field were applauding. 

Suddenly, we had a ball game too. The Sox bats came alive and the energy in the stadium was beyond amazing. It's a miracle I still had a voice from shouting so loud! It was high five-city every few minutes, but sadly, the rally fell short and they lost 7-6. Not a win, but a great game, and it's was a serious win to be at the Marathon Monday game.

After the game, the focus switched to the real main event of the day. Fenway is right around 1 mile from the finish line. And about 3.5 hours into the race tons of people were still streaming towards Boylston St. 

One of the things that makes this marathon so special is the crowd. People cheer for compete strangers and nothing is better than seeing a runner pick up the pace when they hear a random stranger shout their name.

His shirt says it all: we're back. It was a perfect day: the stories of survivors walking across the finish line, the camaraderie, the tears of joy, the record number of runners.

What a year it's been, what a city I call home. Boston Strong!