Boston Marathon bombing victim marks milestone running 2016 race
BOSTON -- Three years after the tragedy at the Boston Marathon, a spectator who lost part of her leg in the bombing ran in the race.
Thirty-five-year-old Adrianne Haslet started the race pumped up and full of determination. Each stride was a victory.
It's important to her to prove that she can do the impossible.
"My friends and family will tell you I'm very stubborn. I will, too. But it's important to me to prove that I can for myself, but also to inspire others.
That can-do attitude got her into the race Monday. Three years ago, Haslet was a spectator. She had been watching the runners moments before the bombs went off.
"I had taken a right onto Boylston Street, and the finish line was behind me. I heard a loud blast behind me. And the next thing I knew, I was on the ground."
Haslet, a professional dancer, was badly injured. Her lower left leg had to be amputated, and she faced a difficult recovery.
By learning to walk with a prosthetic, and defying predictions she'd never dance again, she has tried to reclaim her life. But she says she still holds on to the anger.
"I will always hold that. And I try and use that anger and pound it out on the pavement or on the dance floor. I've learned that running really helps out with that, in a good way."
She says she does not want her life to be defined by what happened to her at the 2013 Boston Marathon.
"I want my life to be defined by how I live it. I want my life to be... I say I'm a survivor defined by how I live my life, not a victim defined by what happened in my life."
Tune up mile 15, thank you to my pit crew!! #runbold #notgoingfortime #adriannestrong
A photo posted by Adrianne Haslet (@adriannehaslet) on
At mile 15, Haslet stopped for a tune up and posted an Instagram photo thanking her pit crew. Then she pushed on.
Juliant and emotional, Haslet completed the entire race around 7:30 p.m. -- the finish line marking a milestone on the long road to recovery.