Irons - Defining Running

"There are certain points about track which distinguish it from other sports. It is an individual contest. There is no such thing as an inconspicuous lineman who bloodies his face and shins to block for the colorful back who gets the applause. When a track man goes to the mark, it is up to him and him alone. If he has it in him, he can win. If he hasn't, nothing on earth can save him. There are no breaks in this sport. There are no fumbles, no errors, no snowbirds and no timeouts. There are no halftimes in track and alibis are worthless. The coach cannot send in reserves in time to save the day. At the crack of the gun it is just the question of whether you are the fastest man on the field and whether you have the courage to prove it. In defeat there are no teammates to blame. It is an individual loss and everyone in the stadium is looking at one man—not a team of sixty. The final judge is the clock which never exaggerates your victory nor softens your defeat. There are no polls or debate about the best. The timer's seconds and minutes are cold, bare constant measurements of your performance."