TAKE ME BACK

Reading Marion Raycheba’s account of the National Capital Marathon, “Tiptoe Through the Tulips,” in your January/February 2000 issue put me right back in Ottawa. It sounds like we probably came in within minutes of each other. But, unlike Marion, NCM was one of the best of my 49 marathons, not in clock time, but in fun time. It’s definitely five stars! I don’t generally repeat my marathons, but I wouldn’t hesitate to return to the National Capital race weekend.

Cathy Troisi
Senaca Falls, N.Y.

I just finished reading Ron Wayne’s “My Most Unforgettable Marathon” in your January/February issue, and I was absolutely delighted. Ron whisked me back almost 25 years like it was yesterday. What an exciting day it was. What exciting days they all were! I recall so well the excitement that Ron brought to the many races he ran in New England, and I look back and recall, “my God, I was there!” Ron and his colleagues certainly had “the right stuff” and propelled road racing into what it is today. Congratulations on a fine article.

Gloria G. Ratti
Boston Athletic Association

HITTING THE MARK

I just read Scott Douglas’s March/April “On the Road” column with my breakfast. Well put. I especially enjoyed the notion of the Leukemia Society raising money for RRCA. We do want to spread the word that the most efficient expenditure of money to prevent disease would be to encourage running and walking in pleasant public areas. It is funny that we talk about “health care” when we really mean “disease care.”

Tom Derderian
via e-mail

Once again I’ve enjoyed another great issue of Marathon & Beyond (March/April 2000). The cover picture was especially inspirational to me since it showed my qualifying time for Boston and a group of dedicated jubilant runners finishing this great race. Since I think the issue of postmarathon recovery and return to training is widely overlooked, I really appreciated Dr. Steven Palladino’s sound advice in “Recovering from Boston.” I’ll be implementing his ideas in putting together a postrace plan for my next marathon. Thank you, M&B!

Leslie McClintock
via e-mail