{"comments":{"977061":{"pb_id":"4588","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"977061","comment_id":"977061","member_id":"4588","comment":"I just watched the feature on the Today show. Nice summary story. Can't believe what you started Doug!!","date_added":"Mar 5th 2014, 5:01pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":196641,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-4588.jpg","pb_title":"Scott Joerger","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=4588","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/ScottJoerger.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"388"},"976621":{"pb_id":"44418","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"976621","comment_id":"976621","member_id":"44418","comment":"Pretty cool to see the Kayla Montgomery story on the front page of the New York Times today.
\n
\nI sort of think they took a leap with the premise that not feeling your legs is some sort of benefit or advantage ... but it's a small quibble. Great to see that her story has been amplified so that it can reach more people.
\n
\nhttp:\/\/www.nytimes.c...ref=sports&_r=0<\/a>
\n
\nBecause it was in the Times today, it was also picked up by the paper in Sydney, Australia. (among many, many others, no doubt).","date_added":"Mar 4th 2014, 2:51pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":{"wally_id":"1082747","email_settings":"4294967295","email":"dbind4@aol.com","address":"DougB","gender":"u","member_id":"44418","member_name":"DougB","avatar_location":"av-44418.jpg","avatar_type":"upload","avatar":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg"},"can_delete":false,"item_id":196641,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg","pb_title":"DougB","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=44418","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/DougB.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1082747"},"926397":{"pb_id":"4588","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"926397","comment_id":"926397","member_id":"4588","comment":"Great story! Thanks Doug!","date_added":"Dec 2nd 2013, 1:49am","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":196641,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-4588.jpg","pb_title":"Scott Joerger","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=4588","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/ScottJoerger.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"388"},"926285":{"pb_id":"45158","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"926285","comment_id":"926285","member_id":"45158","comment":"I don't know when the last time was when I cried, it's been many years, but this article made me ball like a baby. Such an inspirational person!","date_added":"Dec 1st 2013, 6:33pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":196641,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"DontStopPre","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=45158","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/profile.php?member_id=45158","pb_wally_id":"1182171"},"926105":{"pb_id":"44418","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"926105","comment_id":"926105","member_id":"44418","comment":"Coach Cromwell - Thanks for your post.
\n
\nKayla's a hero in my book regardless of the outcome today. I suspect that the example of her spirit, determination and character will inspire Mount Tabor runners for a very long time.
\n
\nSaturday was interesting all across the country and some very very good runners did not qualify for the NXN or Foot Locker spots they were shooting for. Sometimes it just doesn't work out and that's sports. (Ask any Alabama football fan today).
\n
\nThere will be more races. And because it's Kayla, we'll always be pulling for her.","date_added":"Dec 1st 2013, 9:04am","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":{"wally_id":"1082747","email_settings":"4294967295","email":"dbind4@aol.com","address":"DougB","gender":"u","member_id":"44418","member_name":"DougB","avatar_location":"av-44418.jpg","avatar_type":"upload","avatar":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg"},"can_delete":false,"item_id":196641,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-44418.jpg","pb_title":"DougB","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=44418","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/DougB.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1082747"},"925952":{"pb_id":"45736","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"925952","comment_id":"925952","member_id":"45736","comment":"Well said coach. MS has hit my family hard. It is always the elephant in the room. Those that have it may struggle at times, but they never use it as an excuse and to be supportive I do not often help, although I want to, unless asked.
\nLooks like Kayla asked no quarter today and 11th in the region is a great accomplishment. Dick Francis, the British mystery writer, once wrote that there isn't always a happy ending in horse racing stories. This may be true in cross country sometimes but in Kayla's case the race is far from over and on the real championship course of life, she not only is a qualifier but already has won the gold medal. Way to go Kayla.","date_added":"Dec 1st 2013, 3:03am","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":196641,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"Bsarno1","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=45736","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/Bsarno1.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1116260"},"925783":{"pb_id":"53212","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"925783","comment_id":"925783","member_id":"53212","comment":"As Kayla's coach I must say it was the best article ever written on her. Doug did a excellent job capturing the essence of what it is like to run with MS and how she has not used it as an excuse. Thank You Doug! Footlocker South results? Well, everyone wanted the fairy tale ending for her, but she finished in 11th place in 17:22. Every other year this would have made it to Footlocker Nationals but not so for Kayla in 2013. She improved 33 seconds from her 17:55 a year ago. How did she take it seeing it slip away? I guess I will keep that as private between coach and athlete, but it was a PR and she displayed class in her disappointment. She really went for it during the 2nd mile and led a pack of six out of the woods with 800m to go. Unfortunately, only five of those girls would make it to San Diego. She did beat MS one more time today! Yes, there was a catch, and a long hug 30 min later. She was thankful for the opportunity to compete. She is our school record holder and #5 All Time for NC. Kayla will continue to beat MS and give 100% like she did today. She improved 6:07 in 4 years. I think the lessons learned from all those miles is what she will take away from this in time. Thank you for sharing her story and bringing it to a National audience. She definitely felt the support today. Hopefully all of us can be a little more thankful and inspired because of it. Life is rarely a fairy tale. It sure was an amazing experience to pursue one though.
\r\n
\r\nCoach Cromwell
\r\nMount Tabor High School","date_added":"Dec 1st 2013, 12:52am","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":196641,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"MTXC","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=53212","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/MTXC.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1336793"},"925146":{"pb_id":"45139","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"925146","comment_id":"925146","member_id":"45139","comment":"Such a nice story. Good luck Kayla.","date_added":"Nov 28th 2013, 4:23pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":196641,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"Lazarus","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=45139","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/profile.php?member_id=45139","pb_wally_id":"1335520"},"925141":{"pb_id":"45736","pb_type":"members","likes":"0","parent_id":"0","pid":"925141","comment_id":"925141","member_id":"45736","comment":"I do not understand how Kayla does it but I am glad she does. MS has touched my family very deeply and I have seen how it slows people....run? How about just walking. Will be rooting for Kayla not only for her to run well but also to outdistance her MS. Go Kayla!","date_added":"Nov 28th 2013, 3:37pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":196641,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"i\/no_avatar.png","pb_title":"Bsarno1","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=45736","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/Bsarno1.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1116260"},"925140":{"pb_id":"46488","pb_type":"members","likes":"1","parent_id":"0","pid":"925140","comment_id":"925140","member_id":"46488","comment":"Just amazing. Thanks for a great Thanksgiving Day story. I am so grateful for my healthy daughters and wish Kayla the best race she can have at Footlocker this weekend.","date_added":"Nov 28th 2013, 1:44pm","nest":0,"liked":false,"member":[],"can_delete":false,"item_id":196641,"item_type":"news","pb_image":"\/\/www.runnerspace.com\/forum\/uploads\/av-46488.jpg","pb_title":"Chardongirls1978","pb_url":"profile.php?member_id=46488","pb_url_dns":"https:\/\/Chardongirls1978.runnerspace.com\/","pb_wally_id":"1145194"}},"last_id":"925140","url":"comments.php?item_type=news&item_id=196641&item_url=gprofile.php?mgroup_id=44531"}