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Read other letters about this article
REGARDING: "I'm ready to do my part. My bum knee just carried me through a half-marathon. Next spring, I'm going the full distance -- and I'm going to do it in the spirit of the first running boom, in under three and a half hours. I may even wear a cotton T-shirt and a sweatband."
Let me save you the pain, McClellan, and tell you what to look forward to:
1) a glorious 5 miles
2) the next 3 miles will be OK
3) a painful miles 9-10
4) The 5+ hour crew WILL pass your walking ass at mile 10
4) ...and if you defy my expectations and are still in the game after mile 10, you're going to (a) have bloody nipples and underarm chafing ever from that damn cotton t-shirt and (b) have many frustrating months/years ahead with that 'bum knee.'
How do I know? Because I passed people like you when I ran my first marathon (at 4:20!!). So, don't be an idiot (oops - too late (calling Oprah fat - how classy is that) !). Completing a marathon safely requires humility, not hubris.
