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"Tough times don't last but tough people do."

Getting to the starting line is the hard part.
That's what my father told me when I first got into running about 8 or so years ago. And what I didn't know, or believe then, is how right he really is. So a big cheers, kudos, shout-out, and salute to all those runners.. here and abroad.. who are taking on the 30th annual Chicago LaSalle Bank Marathon.
Not only is running a race of this magnitude a huge physical commitment, it affects the runner emotionally and socially. These people have spent the better part of the last year (longer for some, shorter for others) getting up early to run- sometimes for hours at a time, changing their diets, missing fun events, dealing with blisters, swollen muscles, bad runs, good runs.. all to spend this Sunday in 80 plus degree weather pounding the pavement for 26.2 miles. And why? Because it is an amazing experience, an accomplishment you can't describe, you can only feel for yourself once you step across the finish line. I personally haven't run a full marathon in a number of years (did the half in August, and now do international triathlons (with Dad)) because I can't find the time in my schedule for the training anymore. But I have to say I'm jealous.. and I'll be keeping an eye out for everyone this Sunday.
So as you running newbies listen to the gun go off.. just remember what Dwight D. Eisenhower once said, "What matters is not necessarily the size of the dog in the fight - it's the size of the fight in the dog." And good luck.

Posted on October 4, 2007 8:21 PM | Permalink

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"Tough times don't last but tough people do."

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