In each monthly issue, Inside Texas Running will publish one chapter from the new book "First Marathons." This month's story begins in the November 2001 issue of ITR.

To order your copy of "First Marathons: Personal Encounters witht he 26.2-Mile Monster," send $23 per copy (plus $2.95 per order for shipping/handling) to Inside Texas Running, P.O. Box 19909, Houston, TX 77224. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery.

I always took my training very seriously, getting up at five in the morning for my first workout of the day. Then it was off to my teaching job and at the end of the day, back home for my evening run. I don't like to cook and spend as little time in the kitchen as possible, so I didn't have to worry about some of the household responsibilities. Jack has always been very supportive of my running career.

I was probably the first female athlete to realize the benefits of twice-a-day training. I am a firm believer that track training is crucial to any running program. It's where you develop the speed. Distance makes you stronger, not faster. If the training isn't tough enough, it won't work. I prefer to train in the dark, cold winter months when it takes a stern attitude to get of bed before dawn and head out the door to below-freezing weather conditions. Anyone can run on a nice, warm, brisk day. That's fun, but there's no sense of sacrifice, no great accomplishment. It takes strength, courage, commitment, and many days and nights of sacrifice to win.

Looking back on my career, and thinking that I almost retired in 1978 except for that infamous New York City Marathon, I am glad I got a shot at a second distance-running career. That's where women's focus seems to be these days. I finally did retire in 1990 but only to start my third life's career, as a spokesperson for women's sports. There is so much that still needs to be learned about women in sports and, more important, getting the right information out to women.

When I was running back in the seventies, and was about twenty- three years old, my period stopped. When I went to the doctor, he wasn't concerned, said don't worry, it will come back. Now we know that amenorrhea (not menstruating) is a serious condition. There are other things that affect women we are just learning about. It is very important to keep this flow of new information circulating to running clubs and women's groups. Entry numbers are on the rise in road racing, mostly due to the number of female applicants. Whether walking or running, slow or fast, women are out there competing.

When most people decide to start a running program, they start up too fast and get discouraged. It is a big step from being inactive to starting any form of exercise. I always suggest to walk first. Start at a level that is comfortable and slowly increase from a walk to a jog to a run. The first steps can be very intimidating. However, as long as you don't have any form of physical illness, your goals can be achieved. Novice runners often fail to recognize how much a part of their training is dedicated to mental energy and concentration. Those also have to be incorporated into the overall exercise program. Two of my most memorable marathons were ones I didn't win. My 1992 run with Fred Lebow, in remission with brain cancer, was very emotional. I didn't think I could run for five hours, but he gave me the strength. It went by so quickly.

My other memorable moment was in 1993, when I promised Achilles Marathon runner Zoe Koplowitz, crippled with multiple sclerosis, that I would be there for her at the finish. It took her twenty- four hours to complete the course and when she crossed the finish line at 6:30 a.m. the next morning, I was there. No one had a medal for her, so I rushed back to my hotel to get my husband's medal for her. I don't have half the struggles in life she does. It puts my own life in perspective.

My two brothers and husband have carried on the New York City Marathon tradition for me. One of my brothers has run it fourteen times. Now I enjoy being part of the scene, watching my favorite marathon be a part of running history.