SWFTR SHIRT TALES

Beginning with the premise that there's a story behind every race t-shirt,          hence, every runner has a   story regarding every race they've   run,     this feature attempts to share a few of these unique   experiences      with  the reader.

   In recognition of those "Swifties" out there who've had the pleasure  (?) of running Pikes Peak, and to call attention to the Pikes Peak Ascent and Marathon held every  August, here is a tribute to anyone who's done an unusual and rugged race that would be considered a "little off the beaten path."  I'd also like to hear about any other unusual running events you may know about or have competed in, in order to provide more fodder for these pages (contact either the newsletter editor or the webmaster).  Now without  further  ado:

ON TOP OF PIKES PEAK
   AFTER RUNNING BARR TRAIL
I GOT A BANANA
   AND A POP TO INHALE.

WHILE ON THE WAY UP
   I ENCOUNTERED SOME SNOW
AND ABOVE TIMBER LINE
   I COULD SEE HIGH AND LOW.

A ONE-LEGGED MAN
   ON HIS CRUTCHES DID RACE
AND OVER RUGGED TERRAIN
   KEPT AN EXCELLENT PACE.

TOWARD THE TOP  OF THE MOUNTAIN
   SOME RUNNERS WERE FED
PEANUT BUTTER AND APPLES
   'TWEEN TWO SLABS OF BREAD.

AN ODD COMBINATION
    BUT IT TASTED SO GOOD
AND IT HELPED ME TO FINISH
   LIKE I KNEW THAT I WOULD.

A TRIPLE CROWN RACE,
   THE LAST OF THE THREE
THE PIKES PEAK ASCENT
   WAS A MILESTONE FOR ME.

OF THE 32 RACES
   I ENTERED THAT YEAR
TRAINING FOR THIS ONE
   HELPED ME GET IT IN GEAR.

MY GOAL FOR THE 10K
   WAS A SUB-45
AND A SUB-21
   WAS MY GOAL FOR THE FIVE.

BY THE END OF  THE YEAR
   I'D REACHED BOTH OF THOSE
SO I'LL SET MY SIGHTS HIGHER
   AND NEXT YEAR WHO KNOWS?