With two weeks to go until the Boston Marathon, it is a good time to reflect on one of Boston’s greatest runners – Bill Rodgers. Few runners have matched the running success of “Boston Billy.” Between 1975-1980, Bill won the Boston and New York Marathons four times each. He is the only runner to have appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated twice. Bill’s total marathon victories number 22 and he ran 28 marathons under 2:15.
Bill also has some of the best quotes about running, including:
I always say if the marathon is a part-time interest, you will only get part-time results.
To be a consistent winner means preparing not just one day, one month or even one year – but for a lifetime.
My whole feeling in terms of racing is that you have to be very bold. You sometimes have to be aggressive and gamble.
And perhaps most important:
You cannot always run at your best.
Yes, even the legendary runner Bill Rodgers had his bad running days. Unlike many less successful runners, he did not let these bad days define him.
Runners can gain even more running inspiration from Bill’s brand new book, Marathon Man: My 26.2-Mile Journey from Unknown Grad Student to the Top of the Running World. This book is an excellent choice for those planning to lower their running times this year.
Image courtesy of Sports Illustrated
