Emily McQueen writes about the difference between elite athletes and “determined hobbyists” in Boston is almost here:
The chance that I might come in last is likely. Mostly because the female wheelchair racing field lacks what I like to refer to as the “determined hobbyist” group. When you look at the able bodied runners at Boston you will see a small group of elite runners and an enormous group of determined hobbyists. People who run before work and on the weekends. People who have lives outside of running. People who have picked up running midlife because it makes them feel good.
Go get em at Boston, Emily! I, too, fit in the determined hobbyist group—I’m guessing that female and over 50 is rarer, still.
