I love this quote

As we prepare for next Sunday, this is a great section from Marathoning for Mortals written by John "The Penguin" Bingham and Coach Jenny Hadfield.

"The most difficult part of the training program is getting to the starting line. You must confront so many obstacles. There are so many places for things to go wrong, so many times when you can give up or quit, that, if you are there when the gun goes off, you are already a different person than when you took your first training run.

Right now, as you read this, millions of other people also want to walk or run a half-marathon or marathon. They dream about it at work, in the car, or while watching television.......

But they're just dreaming. They aren't doing it. You are. On race morning, when you are out there standing at the starting line with your numbers on, surrounded by others just like you, you will know what they only imagine. You will feel it, see it, smell it, and experience it. Unlike those who only dream, you've earned the right to be a part of the experience.

By getting to the starting line, you've already placed yourself in the top echelon of athletes. You may not be in the top tier of that race, but as a long-distance athlete, you are fitter, better trained, and more disciplined than 99 percent of the population that has ever lived. Remind yourself of that when you start to obsess about your pace or finish time.

When you stand at the starting line, you join the club. When you stand at the starting line, you earn your membership. Millions dream of being where you are. You are no longer a dreamer. You are a doer."

Does that not PUMP you UP?! Thanks, John Bingham, for still communicating with mortals by commenting on this blog a few days back. Your words and book are so helpful and encouraging to us mere mortals. I look forward to continuing on as a "runner" now and will look forward to reading more from you.