When I finished the Boston race in 1967, there were two things I wanted to do. I wanted to become a better athlete because my first marathon was 4:20. In those days, that was considered a jogging time and I knew people were going to tease me. But I was more fascinated with what women could do if they only had the chance.

There is an expression among even the most advanced runners that getting your shoes on is the hardest part of any workout

Triumph over adversity that's what the marathon is all about. Nothing in life can't triumph after that

Most people don't know this but over the course of time, the official of the race in 1967 in Boston, who attacked me Jock Semple and I became very good friends. That gave me a whole new perspective on forgiveness.

At the finish line of the 1967 Boston Marathon, one crabby journalist said it was just a one-off deal and women weren't going to run. Only a 20-year-old who had just run a marathon and was shot full of endorphin would say this but I said that there's going to come a day in our lives when women's running is as popular and as men's.

I could feel my anger dissipating as the miles went by--you can't run and stay mad!

A lack of forgiveness is a waste of time and it's very enriching to forgive and move on but those are things that come with time.