@Swarnjit Boyal Respect!

"To give anything less than your best, is to sacrifice the gift." --Steve Prefontaine

They say age is just a number, but for marathoners, it's a badge of honor, a testament to miles logged and battles won. At 79, I'veTraded in the pavement pounding for a leisurely two-hour stroll - hey, the back has earned a bit of a break, right? And with a 2:48:09 marathon PR from the '78 Newport Marathon under my belt, I'm content But let's talk about the legendary cookout in 1979 that I was fortunate to attend. Rubbing shoulders with running royalty like Bill Rodgers, Bobby Hodge, Benji Durden, Randy Thomas - that's the stuff of legends! And when the call for a six-miler went out, and the pros bowed out, I nervously stepped up. Talk about gall! A six-mile jaunt with Boston Billy himself! He, the four-time New York champ, the three-peat Boston king, choosing to spend his miles with ME. And the best part? He made it all about me. A true mark of humility and grace. That, my fellow runners, is a memory more precious than any medal. A reminder that the real joy of running lies in the shared moments, the camaraderie, and the unexpected friendships forged along the way.

I will be happy to help.