American Magazine April 2014
American University is located in Washington, D.C., at the top of Embassy Row. Chartered by Congress in 1893 to serve the public interest and build the nation, the university educates active citizens who apply knowledge to the most pressing concerns facing the nation and world. Students engage with leading faculty experts and world leaders, learning how to create change and address issues including the global economic crisis, health care, human rights and justice, diversity, the environment and sustainability, immigration, journalism’s transformation, corporate governance, and governmental reform.
American University is located in Washington, D.C., at the top of Embassy Row. Chartered by Congress in 1893 to serve the public interest and build the nation, the university educates active citizens who apply knowledge to the most pressing concerns facing the nation and world.
Students engage with leading faculty experts and world leaders, learning how to create change and address issues including the global economic crisis, health care, human rights and justice, diversity, the environment and sustainability, immigration, journalism’s transformation, corporate governance, and governmental reform.
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wonk<br />
Q. You’ve run 12 marathons (winning 2). What makes<br />
the Boston Marathon so special?<br />
A. Boston’s one of the most competitive marathons in<br />
the world—but it’s the spectators that make it. Without the<br />
people, it would just be another race.<br />
I thought 2012 was the year, but it just wasn’t meant to<br />
be because of the weather. It was really hot. Heat is like<br />
Kryptonite for me. I learned that the hard way that day and<br />
actually dropped out. I knew I would be back.<br />
Last year we had perfect racing weather. It was 50<br />
degrees, maybe a slight headwind, but you knew you had<br />
a real opportunity to enjoy everything the course has<br />
to offer. There’s no city that so thoroughly embraces its<br />
marathon like Boston. The support you get is unbelievable.<br />
Literally miles and miles of the course are lined with people<br />
screaming as loud as they can. You can tell it’s important<br />
to them that they give this experience to the runners.<br />
I crossed the line in 2:37. It wasn’t my best time, but I<br />
gave everything I had. I also knew immediately I would be<br />
back. My flight was later that afternoon, and I remember<br />
we got on the plane and the pilot told us three people died.<br />
It was crushing. My wife and I just started sobbing. It was<br />
heartbreaking, especially after just experiencing a city that<br />
so fully gives itself to you.<br />
I think it made me more resolute. I know that it’s just a<br />
race, but in terms of repaying what Boston gives to you on<br />
that day, I don’t know how to do that other than go out and<br />
give the absolute best effort I can, because the Boston fans<br />
really appreciate and acknowledge that.<br />
Mercer plans to run his third Boston Marathon on <strong>April</strong> 21.<br />
To find out how he does, visit Sidebar, <strong>American</strong> magazine’s<br />
blog: americanmag.blogs.american.edu.<br />
DICKSON MERCER<br />
SOC/MA ’12<br />
Speechwriter, U.S. Department of Transportation<br />
Senior editor, Run Washington<br />
“I became the<br />
person I was<br />
supposed to be<br />
once I started<br />
running every<br />
day. People often<br />
say a successful<br />
athlete has a gift,<br />
but running itself<br />
is a gift. It gave<br />
me tons of time<br />
to think, and a<br />
much clearer<br />
sense of purpose<br />
and direction.”<br />
LET’S TALK #AMERICANMAG 13
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