When I ran across America, for 75 days I ate 10,000 calories a day. I still lost about five pounds.

Runners are competitive folks. I think some might feel slighted they haven't got more recognition. I think they have a point. In running, you won't necessarily get noticed just for turning in good performances.

Run when you can, walk if you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up.

Running is a simple, primitive act, and therein lays its power. For it is one of the few commonalities left between us as a human race.

When I ran across America, for 75 days I ate 10,000 calories a day. I still lost about five pounds.

I've raced on all seven continents at least twice. I've probably run thousands of races. But the single race that I'm most proud is a 10K. Yes, a 10K. I ran it with my daughter on her 10th birthday.

I run because long after my footprints fade away, maybe I will have inspired a few to reject the easy path, hit the trails, put one foot in front of the other, and come to the same conclusion I did: I run because it always takes me where I want to go.