Anything For A T-shirt

I think it was in 2006 or 2007 after a few of my friends had all run marathons that I picked up the book Anything For A T-shirt: Fred Lebow And The New York City Marathon, The World's Greatest Footrace. It turned out be an inspiring tale--describing how the will and effort of one can positively impact his surroundings. Lebow was a guy who loved New York and loved to run. The book concentrates on his story and dream of buidling the marathon in the city that he loved to be a place where thousands of people converged to celebrate running. He never stopped working at his dream or stopped running. Lebow watched his dream grow up, from when he ran in the city's inaugural marathon in 1970 when he was one of 55 runners to when he ran his last marathon in the city in 1992 after being diagnosed with brain cancer two years before. In 2003, nine years after he died, over 34,000 ran the New York City Marathon. By all measures, Lublow achieved his dream.

Lebow was known for saying that runners will do anything for a free t-shirt and I believe he was on to something. At Fleet Feet, for being a friendly and somewhat consistent member of their winter running program, I earned a free shirt. It surprised me just how good that felt. Added bonus--the shirt is cool! I. AM. A. WINTER. WARRIOR!!!! HEAR ME ROAR!



Time: about 51 minutes
Place: Pikesville
Weather: high 40s
Distance: 4.6 miles
Feeling: I shocked myself at just how hot I got.
Overall grade: B-