Acknowledgements

Thanks to Ruth Sespaniak, Jim Chido, Mark Bates, Marie Charbonneau, and the Boston Writer’s Meetup Group for their help with the creation of this book. Any errors that remain are all mine.

I’d like to thank everyone who’s talked with me before, during, and after a run, helped put on a race, joined in on online discussions, or otherwise contributed to the community of runners that’s helped shape my thoughts and encouraged me to keep going in spite of rain, mud, snow, and lazy Sunday mornings. I have received a lot of help from friends I’ve met and run with along the way. I hope I’ve paid a little of that back over the years by sharing stories and advice with less experienced runners. Hey, I’ve even written a book.

I’d like to dedicate this particular bit of sharing to:

• Dick Thomas, my manager when I started working at MIT, for showing me that even if you’re not a champion, you can still run, have fun, and maybe enjoy a beer or two along the way.
• Steve Burton, the late coach of the Somerville Road Runners, who exemplified dedication to being the best runner he could be, and provided whatever help you needed to be as good as you wanted to be.
• Ruth Sespaniak, world-champion wife, who’s love and support means more than I may ever be able to tell her, though I’ll certainly keep trying.