Athens 26.2

I too could not help to share her joy. I felt like I was right there running with her.

Oh my God Evelyn, I had tears running down my face the whole entire time. What a gutsy race she ran. She was soooo smart. She didn't warm up and she ran really conservative. I mean how the hell do you have a whup ass kick at the end of a damn marathon. I'm so excited (notice my string of blue language!!!!). I mean Deanna was the smartest racer out there. I felt so sorry for Paula. She felt like she had to come out aggrsssive because she was the favorite to win. You could just see it taking a toll on her throughout the whole race. I chalk it up to inexperience. She's only been running marathons for the last three years. And even though she holds the world record, in long-distance races times almost mean nothing if you don't take into account the course. I mean the Boston Marathon is a tough course but the Greece course was damn near murder, it was hilly and hot. Whew. Poor Paula. But Damn Deanna, she kicked butt.

What a motivating moment! I also joind the millions (I presume) of fans that had tears in their eyes. What a great moment for Deana! What a smart race and what a way to display superior mental power! Definately a great example to emulate. The tears kept coming as they interviewed her and she gave everyone ELSE the credit for a great race and passed on taking any herself. That's a true sign of an athlete who remembers where she came from and who helped her get where she is.

True Olympic spirit!

I missed the marathon!
What happend to my girl Paula!?! I don't even see her name in the results tables.

I was really disappointed that Paula just stopped. I would have had so much more respect for her if she had kept walking. She was physically able to walk...it was the mental thing, and she just let it beat her. But then, who am I to talk

Kristen

Colour me disappointed. I really thought this was her time.

It was one of the most exciting races i've seen in a long time... it had so many amazingly competitive/emotional moments... man i love running....

I was fighting back emotion myself. That is by far my favorite Olympic moment of Athens. Deanna gave all she had by running intelligently. She respected the heat and the demanding course and it paid off. This was the first american female to medal in the marathon since 1984 when it debuted.

What's funny is that I had a 20 mile run yesterday and the weather wasn't nearly as hot nor the course was as demanding as it was in Athens, but these women looked much better coming across that finish line than when I got my 20 miles done. I don't even think I could do an interview after a three mile run let alone 26.2.

I can't imagine running 26.2 miles in 90 degree heat. It's a wonder anybody didn't drop dead.
Everyone who finished deserved some kind of medal

Ian