My column for next week was actually planned in advance. “An Ode to the Marathon Runner,” in honor of the Illinois Marathon. It was supposed to be an upbeat column, offering encouragement and building excitement for all those coming to Champaign to pursue the 26.2-mile journey.

The idea seems rather trivial after the tragedy that hit Boston on Monday. The marathon community, not to mention the entire country, is shell-shocked by the events surrounding Boston’s finish line. It’s nearly impossible to determine how to act, or what to feel about destruction hitting one of athletics most-sacred events.

There is something about marathon runners that should be glorified, respected and awed. Finishing is an accomplishment for anyone, if it takes three hours or seven to do so. This is the event where the elite and average can intermingle, where anybody who finishes is a star. Marathons are one of the few sporting events where booing is practically nonexistent, where everybody is in it together.

The marathon is ancient and dates back to the Greek days, the beginning of modern civilization. It requires much preparation, but little equipment and a whole lot of heart.

Then there’s the Boston Marathon, the epitome of all marathons, starting in 1897, a year after the first Olympic marathon. Boston is the main event for marathon runners, a battle that only the fastest qualifiers are welcome to.

I have never run a marathon and have expressed little desire to do so. I was sitting at work in Champaign when the bombs went off. I only vaguely knew a few people participating in Boston and was quickly alerted of their safety. I’ve covered a handful of races and marathons,but never Boston. And despite my distance from the situation, my heart was broken Monday afternoon, like the majority of hearts in our country.

It’s just like any tragedy. Anybody with a soul feels the mix of emotions — shock at the events, anger at the perpetrator, sympathy for the victims, compassion for the families and empathy for the city and staff members who have to deal with rebuilding after the tragedy.

It is easy to get angry and point fingers during times like this, to turn to rage at whoever was responsible for destructing a day of celebration. However, it’s important to remember all the heroes that stepped up during Boston’s time of need. Look at the spectators who tended to the injured, the medical personnel, policemen and firemen who lent a hand. Google, the websites that immediately sprouted up, offering assistance to those in need and the social media response to locate individuals who were at the scene.

It is easy to be scared right now and shy away from running. That marathon you trained for next week might not seem nearly as exciting when you look at recent events. The motivation to run 26.2 miles with the threat of terror in the back of your mind could make for an easy excuse to stay in bed.

Now is a tough time for everyone. Tragedies like this are not meant to be taken lightly. Don’t let an isolated terrible incident scare you away from sports and more importantly take away from the essence of marathon running. Now is the time to stand strong. It’s time to keep running, or cheering, or working, or volunteering.

The marathon finish line is a perfect moment, a haven for raw emotion, love and pure euphoria. This perfect moment was shattered Monday afternoon, and it’s going to be hard to ever get that picture-perfect energy back.

Marathon running is never going to be quite the same after Boston. But that doesn’t mean it has to be completely different either. It is important to keep running, to hang tough just like any marathon runner does.

We will always remember Boston, for reasons we would rather not. And now what we must do is show our support and press on.

Let’s take the Illinois Marathon next week as a time to honor the runners and victims of Boston. And to show them we are behind them. One step at a time.

Emily is a graduate student. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her on Twitter @EmilyBayci.