26.2

Ben won't admit it, but he's a rock star. Millions of people think so, too. They cheered him on yesterday as he ran the New York City marathon -- 26.2 miles through the city's five boroughs.

Running a marathon is no casual feat. I've run one -- the Twin Cities Marathon in October 2005 -- and I admire anyone who does it. Training for a marathon requires a lifestyle change -- you give up nights on the town, dedicate early mornings to the pavement and alter your diet. It's all to run one race, 26.2 miles on one day.

I'm proud of Ben, and feel gushy about his achievement. Ninety-three thousand people applied to run in yesterday's race. They made the smaller group of 37,000 either by speed or luck. On his first try, he gained entry into the most popular marathon in the world.

He knew it'd be tough. When he signed up, he was easily putting in 90 hours a week at the office. He knew he'd have to steal his lunch hour for running or swap his chance to go pick up supper for a trip to the treadmill. Marathons are hardly easy, but he did it anyway, knowing he'd barely have enough time to train.

Still, he finished. It was painful. His feet were on fire and his legs started to give out around mile 16. He hit the "wall." But he smiled at mile 25 anyway.

If you want to read complete coverage of the New York City marathon, click here.


Ben is in the red shirt and short black shorts, pounding away the final mile just outside Central Park.



Here is an unfocused shot of Ben blowing me a kiss after I shouted to him at mile 25.