from Dirty Water by the Standells and also by anyone with the last name of Cheruiyot 'cause another one, yet a different one won it. Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot won the Boston Marathon smashing the course record by some 80 seconds. Apparently 'Cheruiyot' is the east-African equivalent of 'Smith' in America as last names go. We had 2 Americans in the top 5 with finishing times that would have won it many times; but it only counts on the day you race it. Still, slowly but surely Americans athletes are edging back onto the world scene in distance racing. People wonder why we 'fell off' so badly - well when you watch SportsCenter (as does most everyone in our lazy give it to me in a sound byte, drive through microwave society) and the Boston Marathon finish makes SportsCenter's Top 10 (in TENTH PLACE!!!) and of course # 1 was some stupid dunk (again). I mean seriously, I bet 'dunks' make up a higher, vastly higher percentage of SportsCenter's Top 10 than anything else. So compared to the other pro sports - running is virtually, nope make that COMPLETELY unseen on network TV. Like the Tour de France; you'd think PARTICIPATORY sports that we all can do would draw a larger audience. I don't know anybody that can drive a race car (though I see some awful drivers daily) or can play baseball (very few amateur leagues anymore, or football or anyone over 30 that plays basketball much. But we can all run a road race almost every weekend; we can ride bikes. It, as Holmes would say, gets curiouser and curiouser. Regardless, congrats to the many Birmingham athletes that just had great races on cool weather day in Boston (obvious that I wasn't there, I've never run it in under 80 degree weather!). LC ran a 3:30 (qualifying again) and KDS hit a 4:02 that included 2 umm 'pit stops'. Boston is not an easy course, but the aura, the crowd support, the history and the tradition create a mystique and majesty that to me, is unparalleled in running. It's not my favorite marathon, but it is my favorite event. Whether I run it in 2011 depends on how quickly it fills up, but Ive circled Houston on my calendar as a target race to qualify - we'll see, I'm pretty confident. This weekend we're off to Country Music Marathon, I am thrilled! My niece and nephew (to whom I'm very close) have both trained for this to be their first Half Marathon (they had a helluva coach!). They have done great! My daughter in law who's run several halves and a marathon will also join us and then true to a Haralson family tradition we'll have a few frosty adult beverages (okay Haralson family tradition, Hank Williams family tradition...whatever). These Rock n Roll events are pretty well done but they are EX-pensive! Wow! On the bright side that should tell the idiots in charge of mass communication (can you say TV, radio, and newspaper ads) that runners will spend money, but on the other hand...jeez how do people afford these things? Nashville hotels are charging double rates (Hey Birmingham hotels...get behind the running community and you might make some JACK!) and are full. Of course we'll have to eat and SOMEBODY has to have post race liquid refreshment to serve all those thirsty athlete's. I've rambled enough, one last thought- I watched Ryan Hall's post race interview (1st place American with a new America marathon record) and they asked him if he felt he lost a few seconds as he ran kind of arms out smiling at the crowd around mile 24. He said, and I paraphrase that running is fun, it's not always about time and records. If I lost a few seconds by having fun and expressing the joy I feel then so be it, it was worth it! We're gonna have hot days, cold days, wet days...all kind of days - if it's hot go early, cut back your distance, but RUN! Keep it fun, run in the shade, run downtown where the buildings are - stop more often for water. In 'Chariots of Fire' a deeply religious Eric Liddell was conflicted about racing on Sunday, the Lord's day. He finally decided to do it, and why? "I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure". Ryan Hall feels the same joy, the same pleasure - so can you. Don't give into the weather - work around it and with it, otherwise it's just another excuse. You were made for a purpose, and one purpose IS to feel joy, and you won't feel it sitting inside wishing for a cooler day. Run! Express your joy and live your passion!