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• Monday, November 5, 2007 01:18 PM

  How about a little credit?

  Ed, the Chicago Marathon was officially called at 3 hours 25 minutes into the run, which would have impacted YOUR projected goal, not only those of 5 or 6 hour finishers. I know because I was there. I had run my 22 miler two weeks out at a 8:50/mi pace and was tracking to finish in 4:15. Living and training in Seattle, I could prepare for the distance, the pace, the flat course, but I couldn't train for 88 degrees and humidity. No-one wanted to be on that course for 5 or 6 hours, but that's what happens if you listen to your body and your spirit both. You miss goals and hopefully you finish with a smile instead of berating yourself for not qualifying for Boston.

  Also, what's with the Meb-bashing? Obviously you read the Runner's World story on his life as you took the detail of his not seeing a car until he was 10 years old from there. I read it, too and I'm sure your childhood was nothing like his.

  For those readers who want to know more, Meb came to the US as a 12 year old with his parents who were escaping death by either murder or starvation, and started to build his successes here in the states. He wasn't handpicked by some rich prep school to come run for them; he studied hard and trained to achieve things he thought were impossible, and in my mind deserves to be recognized as a great American runner and a great American citizen; not as an import. His contributions to the sport shouldn't count less than Frank Shorter's, Bill Rodgers or Ryan Hall's.

  Ed, Meb achieved more than you did and you should be a good sportsman and recognize that. Everyone who finished the Chicago marathon this year, or even had the nerve to start it given the raceday conditions deserves recognition, too.

  If you only want to applaud the accomplishments of caucasian males who are born on US soil as 'marathoners,' then there would be no recognition for the Terry Foxes of the world, no recognition for the people who run to raise money for leukemia, breast cancer, etc., and who push themselves for a cause that's greater than personal glory.

  Good luck on your self-serving mission to break 3:30. May your cotton shirt make your nipples bleed.

  —1xsculler Read 1xsculler's other letters
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