Oh, Sweet Caroline!

 Who said the Red Sox and Yankees can't get along?  Following Monday's bombings at the finish line during the Boston Marathon, the Yankees dedicated the end of the third inning to playing the song "Sweet Caroline," a tradition at Fenway Park.  

  Before the start of the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium, there was a moment of silence held for all of the victims, as well as for the city of Boston.  Former Red Sox Kevin Youkilis discussed the tragic event to reporters on Tuesday. Needless to say, this story hits very close to home because he's had family members running in the marathon while he waited at the finish line for them.  "We were pretty much sick to our stomach," Youkilis said. "For my family and I, it was supposed to be a good off day with the kids, but it turned into a lot of phone calls and worry."

  The finish line of a race is a moment to rejoice and celebrate what you accomplished.  Although I have never ran a marathon before, I attended a half marathon in New York City a few months back.  There are hundreds of people walking and standing around, cheering on the runners as they approached the finish line.  Families are waiting to congratulate loved ones; while dedicated marathon runners are running to finish off an amazing feat.  Once you see that finish line it's like nothing else matters at the moment except the experience of what you have just completed.

 As a runner, myself, I was thinking of signing up for a 10k race in New York City in June.  It's as if we now have to take extra precautions even when we are so focused on this long, tough run ahead of us. 

What happened in Boston on Monday was a tragic event, to say the least. Some of the people who were running in the marathon were doing it in rememberance of the Sandy Hook victims.  The Yankees organization said it best: "We stand united with the participants, volunteers, staff and spectators of the Boston Marathon and the people of Boston."