
She’s good for marathon morale.
I do too, although I take special interest in people who look as if they have no business on the course: the overweight, the elderly, the very young, the halt and the lame. Let’s just say I admire their moxie. Just as I hope somebody might admire mine in the unlikely event I decide my running days are not truly over.
There’s something inspirational about watching ordinary people put themselves to the test. Standing on the sidelines, clapping and shouting out the cliches of encouragement, I did kind of wish I was among them. I know how bad you can feel at the end of a long race, but I also know the euphoria near the finish. An 86-year-old man trotted by somewhat stiffly, and the crowd went wild. No doubt they were thinking what I was: If he can do it, what the hell am I doing on the sidelines?

The finish line at the Higgins Avenue Bridge.
I’m all for people challenging themselves and enjoying their achievements. But on seeing the 86-year-old marathon runner, my thought is invariably, “Better him than me”.
I should have mentioned that he didn’t look like he was enjoying it.
I’m pretty sure that each of us is born with a finite amount of energy. When it’s all gone-so are we! Now ya’ll can use yours up running up and down the road if you want to. I’m saving mine just in case I decide to live forever.
Good plan!
I keep looking at the scenery in the background—-would love to see more!
I’ll try to amp up the scenery shots in the coming weeks.