Text Box: (Ed. Note: Congratulations to Linda Nagai for completing the 26.2 gruelling miles of the Boston Marathon). Someone heard about my recent trip to Boston and asked me to write about my “wonderful accomplishment.” I don’t think my experience deserves any headlines…but here’s my story as requested. On April 21, 2003 I was fortunate to have been able to run in the 107th Boston Marathon along with 17, 567 participants. For me, it was an “experience” but words like “wonderful accomplishment” should be reserved for describing the marathoners from Kenya.. The Kenyans went to Boston to win “The Marathon” for such status brings great fame and fortune in their country…and ‘win’ they did as the top 5 finishers in the men’s division were from Kenya. Their road to success included enduring the “marathon camps” which they live at for 8-9 months of the year. Although the food is plentiful and nutritious at these camps, there is often no water, or if there is water there is often no plumbing. “Buddy system’ showering is commonplace as one pours the bucket of water Text Box: over the other. From these primitive conditions emerge some of the worlds top marathoners…now that’s what I call a “wonderful accomplishment!” Why did I go? Actually, I wasn’t sure I was going to go!! My trip was threatened by the U.S.-Iraq conflict, and then by the SARS situation. Well no one put me in quarantine, so off I went to Boston. As my short legs pounded the 26.2 miles of pavement into Boston I found myself asking + answering that same question … “why did I come?”: at mile 1…I don’t know but if I don’t keep running I’m going to get trampled; at mile 13…it’s fun and I’m halfway there so I might as well keep going; at mile 14…I love running…the winner of the women’s division just finished…good for her…I can get there Text Box: Linda and Mom, Joyce at the Boston Marathon Text Box: THE BOSTON MARATHON CHALLENGE - - by LINDA NAGAI - - Text Box: too!; at mile 15…I’m not sure anymore…I was enjoying every moment until that sweaty man just bumped into me; at mile 20…I think I was having a moment of insanity when I sent my application in; at mile 21…I can’t remember but I think I’d rather be shopping…hey that’s probably what my mom + sister are doing right now…I hope they don’t forget to meet me at the finish area!; at mile 22…I’m nuts + I must look like I’m dying because some kid just yelled out my bib number along with words of encouragement; at mile 24…I’m definitely crazy…there’s an ugly blister on my foot so I should probably stop but the crowd is haggling that marathoner who has resorted to walking, so there’s no way I’m stopping now!; at mile 26…yahoo, only 0.2 miles to go, this is so much fun; at mile 26.2…who cares if 6422 runners finished before me…at least I finished! Thank-you God!! Thank you for not only helping ‘me’ reach the finish line but for helping all those other runners find the strength within to overcome the challenge too!!