Reflections on the 2001 JFK 50
Marcelo Penafiel
23 November 2001
"It is hard to believe that was exactly a week ago that I was among all those brave runners at the starting line of the 2001 JFK 20 Mile." "Off course, the nervousness and the excitement of being part of a race were by my side long before and all the way until the finish line." "I guess, getting started is the hardest thing for me to do, then, all of the sudden, I am moving in the middle of the crowd and I start talking to myself, ! Hey this is it, you are doing it! you just did the most difficult part of it, now you just have to finish, go home and go on with your life."
"Suddenly, the race is over, just like the dream I had one night, I was at the finish line with a medal hanging from my neck, but I did not remember running the course, how did I do it?, what route did I take?, did I take the shortcut?, Did I cheat? No! the race was over so quickly, probably too quick that I did not have the time to enjoy it enough." Now, a week later, I've been trying to enjoy it by remembering place by place, moment after moment how it was and if I am successful, I feel emotional and I feel nostalgia at the same time for the memories that we all create by just being there".
"The JFK 50 Mile 2001 has come and gone until the next one comes around. Now, a week later, other obligations occupy my attention, but I do not want to put it all behind without thank you all the ones who support me and always specially my wife Karen, my kids, Gil Langley, and my crew". "Thanks to my team mate Dave Yeakel, Jr., who's enthusiasm and energy definitely contributed in a big way to steadily continue to the finish line."