1. Ryan Shay 1979-2007 ~ For doing what he loved doing, despite the odds.2. Joan Benoit Samuelson ~ A role-model for all runners, male and female. I hope that I'll be running as strong as she is when I am 50.
3. Paula Radcliffe ~ She won the New York Marathon just months after having a baby! Proving to mothers everywhere that good health & fitness is achievable if we set our mind to it.
5. Bill Bowerman 1911-1999 ~ Revered as a coach, the late Bill Bowerman was always a running man first. He is credited with turning the college town of Eugene, Oregon, into the running capital of the world. If you haven't read Bowerman and the Men of Oregon by Kenny Moore... do! It is a must read for those who enjoy running and history.
6. Marla Runyan ~ From the time she was diagnosed with Stargardt's disease, she refused to allow it to rule her life.
7. Steve Prefontaine 1951-1975 ~ For standing up for what he believed and for always, always pushing himself to the limit.
8. Kami Semick ~ If she can carry her toddler on her back as she trains for ultra-trail runs, I can most certainly push a jogger on the road.
10. Grete Waitz ~ She is known throughout the world as a nine time winner of the New York City Marathon. No other runner, male or female, comes close to accomplishing this feat. I admire her strength and tenacity. And, she's Norwegian! :)
12. Deana Kastor ~ "We make choices. I hate to say sacrifices. If we truly love this sport and we have these goals and dreams in the sport, the classroom, or in life, they're not sacrifices. They're choices that we make to fulfill these goals and dreams. It was really the choice to take care of myself and live a proper lifestyle. In doing that, I feel like a healthier person, I feel focused in everything, not just in my running. In following this one dream, I feel like I became an even more well-rounded person."
13. So who is my biggest hero? Not the elites, but My Running Blog Family ~ Moms, dads, wives, husbands... those like me, who faithfully log the miles not for the glory (though the occasional age-group win is certainly nice) or monetary reward, but for stress-release, for their health, for themselves. These are the runners that encourage me to push through... to continue when bad weather or ailments test my willingness. Here's to you! Thank you for being there and for all your encouragement & inspiration.
~~
I am really looking forward to The Spirit of the Marathon - I already have our tickets... now I just need to find a sitter.
What about you? Who inspires you?
~~
I am really looking forward to The Spirit of the Marathon - I already have our tickets... now I just need to find a sitter.
What about you? Who inspires you?
Jane Tomlinson
ReplyDeleteMy running hero is my husband. He started 2007 as the quintessential couch potato and on June 3, completed the Rock & Roll marathon in San Diego. He is the picture of what determination and focus can do.
ReplyDeleteWhat a neat list..I have great admiration for runners
ReplyDeleteI used to run, very casually, lol. My mother was the track star. So I choose her as my hero.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thursday!
Jane is certainly a hero! Thank you, Wes. :)
ReplyDeleteI like number 13 the best. I have a dear friend in Australia who found running after WLS and she amazes me every day.
ReplyDeleteMY T13 is up:
http://cafeendofuniverse.blogspot.com/2008/01/thursday-thirteen-15-female-authors.html
I guess Pre makes every list. Also, Roger Bannister.
ReplyDeleteBut like you, for me its all the bloggers and fellow runners who are my (daily) inspiration.
Great list! I am most definitely, NOT, a runner but admire those who do!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great list - very inspiring!
ReplyDeleteOne of my running Heroes is Terry Fox.
He attempted to run across Canada but cancer caught up to him.
There is a video about him on YouTube.
GREAT list Makita. I like them all, and I'd add one: Kathrine Switzer. :)
ReplyDeleteI've got ticket to the Spirit of the Marathon too and cannot wait!!!
Roger Bannister
ReplyDeleteTerry Fox
Kathrine Switzer
Most certainly! :)
This may sound corny but I'm still hoping to do a race this year once this surgery stuff gets squared away. So I live vicariously through you. You are one of my running heroes!
ReplyDeleteI have never a blog nor have I ever responded to one. I stumbled across your blog as I was conducting a google search for photos of the latestssnowstorm in Bend. I was intrued by what you wrote because I am also a runner, triathlete (sprint-IM), lover of the PPP, finsher of the CIM,and a Pre fanatic. I've actually made my love for PRE into a career by working for the running division of the company that he help to launch. Anyway, one section from your blong from Jan 10th?? really moved me and I wanted to let you know that I appreciate your callout. You wrote,
ReplyDelete"Moms, dads, wives, husbands... those like me, who faithfully log the miles not for the glory (though the occasional age-group win is certainly nice) or monetary reward, but for stress-release, for their health, for themselves. These are the runners that encourage me to push through... to continue when bad weather or ailments test my willingness. Here's to you! Thank you for being there and for all your encouragement & inspiration."
As a fairly new dad, I have less time to do the things that I used to love so much, like training. I used to train to win, but now I do it for sanity and the hopes of picking up a blue ribbon every once in a while in my agegroup(like I did today).
Thanks for YOUR inspiration!
Thank you, LuLu's Dad. It's great to know that what I've wrote connected with someone. Visit again! :)
ReplyDelete