One Little Coyote's Sentiments...

Hello. My fellow Coyotes teasingly call me "Sticks" because I am slight of build. They think it's the reason why I run fast...and it may very well be..in a way...but something else has been the "wind" behind me, pushing me ahead so that one may have thought I run a little too swiftly for a new runner like this little coyote.

Like the rest of the Philadelphia Coyotes, I, too, will be running the Philadelphia Marathon in 7 days. We have trained long and hard for this day...in the pouring rain of spring...in the deadly heat of summer...in the wee hours of a chilly, fall morning. We have sacrificed time with family, friends and loved ones to prepare ourselves for the long runs. We have listened to each other's accounts of how the "outside world" viewed our "obsession" with running. Together we laughed about these accounts over breakfast, at the conclusion of a long, tedious run.

We have observed, encouraged and patted each other's back as the miles of our long runs grew, and as each of us hurdled those miles. We have watched in dismay, and empathized with those of us who got injured during the runs. We have egged each other on...offered each other advice...professionally, personally and otherwise. We have come a long way from our first training day in April 2007.

We are the Philadelphia Coyotes...a group of avid runners...men and women who come from all walks of life. Our ages range from 16 to 57. We are different sizes...different shapes...different professions...different hopes...different dreams...drawn together by a common objective, in answer to a challenge we have brought upon ourselves---to run and finish the Philadelphia Marathon!

The "wind" that was pushing me from behind is now but an illusion. It is now my fellow Coyotes who are there behind me...strong and steady...as I am there behind them.