Go for the Distance.
When I started running.
This photo was taken around 41km point at Lake Cook County Marathon in 1996. I was exausted but happy.I started running since my wife gave me a pair of running shoes as a present for my 38th birthday in March 1995.
Following April I ran 10km race for the first time in my life. Time was not important. I was happy that I could finish.
But what made me happier was to have found that many people enjoy running.
Until then I thought only special people were running.
I could keep running and finish Chicago Marathon in the year. Thanks to an older couple whom I saw running every morning. Thanks to Senji who runs marathons being old enough to motivate me to try.
My time is a little less than 4:30. Still I need to walk. I wish I will finish marathon without walking. Then my time will be less than 4:00.
July 1997
Keiichiro
