I run because of Pre...

-->

His home was little more than a bus. Running was his religion. Racing was an opportunity to see who had the most guts.

He was brash. He was brazen. He was Pre.

Every American record from 2,000-10,000 was his for a period of time. Bold frontrunning was his style. Win or lose, he'd make you bleed.

He was bold. He blazed his own trails. He was Pre.

Jim Morrison and Kurt Cobain are but a couple of iconoclasts he's been compared to. Races were a work of art for him. Something beautiful happened when he ran.

He was fearless. He was tenacious. He was Pre.

Giving anything less than your best was unacceptable. Doing so was compromising the gift. His gift was staggering.

He was a force of nature. He was the kraken unleashed. He was Pre.

His poker face was non-existent. Fatigue and pain were never masked. His heart was always on his sleeve.

He was fierce. He was passionate. He was Pre.

They say the star that burns twice as bright burns twice as fast. 24 years was as long as he burned. While his reign was far too short, it was blindingly bright.

He was the unleashing of hell. He was the perfect storm. He was Pre.

Or at least, this is my impression of who Prefontaine was. I never had the good fortune to meet him. I imagine at least some of this captures the essence of Pre.

I will never own the records Pre did. I will never inspire as many people as Pre did. But, my passion for running rivals Pre's and what he accomplished in less than quarter of a century helps keep the fire lit. 

I run because of Pre.