I am not so proud of my medal

This year I find myself not so proud of my medal. Don't get me wrong, I am not ashamed. I got three hours sleep the night before, and had pulled a neck muscle three days earlier. Both came back and gave me the worst time ever. But that is not why am not so proud of my medal. I am in fact proud to have finished. So why am I not so proud of my medal? This was my first year coaching. When the season started I saw many of you fearful of a three or five mile run. At the beginning of the year I saw a lot of you groaning at the thought of a five mile run. By the end of the year you thought of eight miles as a warm up, and your only complaint was the water breaks were too long. By the end of the training you had changed your lifestyles. You experienced the feeling that only marathon training can give you. Now you run through life with a hard body, and an unstoppable spirit. It was an honor and a privilege to run with you. I am not so proud of MY medal...because I am proud of YOUR MEDAL!

Thomas Vinson-Peng