Day 28 - Grete Waitz Remembered

Today is a day off.  It's 8 miles and the gym tomorrow.  Tonight,  I just want to take a moment to remember the greatest female runner of all-time.  The winner of nine New York City Marathons. The woman who was so good, that she made the male idiots that prevented women from running the marathon in the Olympics establish the race.  She inspired women all over the world to run. She is my favorite elite runner.  Grete Waitz from Norway was and still is the best distance runner ever in my mind.  She made everyone care about women's running. You could argue Joan Benoit. You would have a great argument.  I have a feeling though that even Joan would agree, that Grete Waitz was the best ever. Period.  She passed away from cancer in April 2011.  The Boss and I met her in October 2004 at the Norway Festival Half Marathon in Central Park. Of all the celebrities I have met in my life, this was my favorite moment.  I didn't want her autograph.  I didn't want a picture.  I just wanted to meet her for a moment and I did. It's a life time memory.  She carried herself with class during the period of her illness.  Even as she faced the end of her life, she was a true champion.  Each of us have our own favorite athletes and she's mine. Grete Waitz was the best athlete there ever was in my book. Simply the best.