In 27 years working in the ever-expanding Harvard Medical area, I had never gone south. To the west lies home, and many favorite running routes. To the east is Kenmore square, Fenway Park, and downtown Boston. To the north are Brookline, Cambridge, MIT, Harvard University, the Charles River, and more favorite running routes. On Thursday, December 14, 2006, I stepped out of the lab, and slowly jogged south. After going down Longwood Ave, and getting slightly lost, I went down Ruggles Street, crossed the new Southwest corridor train tracks, went up Columbus Avenue, and there I was at the brand new Reggie Lewis Indoor Track facility. This sparkling modern facility with a shiny green roof lies only one mile from where I work - I had no idea.

After passing through the atrium, adorned by enormous wall photos of Reggie Lewis, the fallen Celtic superstar, I entered the main competition area. The sky blue track, with its gently banked turns, immediately commanded my attention. On it, inside it, and all around it hundreds of high school athletes were swirling about, making last minute preparations for the upcoming events. At least a dozen schools each brought large squads of 50 or more participants. At least a thousand spectators were adding to the commotion. Amidst this breathtaking din, way over in the corner, I spied Elena Cori Hemler, quietly and inconspicuously stretching with three of her teammates. Elena, now having been a freshman at Newton North High School for all of three months, was entered into the varsity mile by her coach. She looked nervous - she told me later that she went to the bathroom five times.

Long ago, when Elena was three, she did not look much like a runner. With her floppy-wrist stride, she never came close to catching any of the many sheep that she chased about in the Irish countryside. Two years ago, I trained with Elena as she put in a few 12 minute miles, while preparing for the annual Heartbreak Hill youth one mile race. I was very proud as she bounced through the race, with her long looping stride, in 9:30. Then, about two months ago, the Newton North girls freshman soccer team (of which Elena was a member), ran a mile as part of their practice. Elena said that she had finished third among the 33 girls, with a time of ~7:00. I was surprised, and a bit skeptical. Suddenly, Elena was interested in joining the indoor track team for the winter sports season. Newton North High School has an indoor track? Newton North has an indoor track team? I eventually learned that Newton North indeed has an indoor track and a team, and in fact, they usually dominate all of the other teams in their conference.

Now the first big meet of the indoor track season has arrived, and her coach has put Elena into the varsity mile! One-by-one, the mile events go off - ~25 entrants and four schools per event. I am getting nervous. Finally Elena and her team of Newton North Tigers are up on the track. The gun goes off, and around she comes cruising comfortably in ~9th place. Wow, look at that stride! The Newton North parents shout encouragement - this elicits a small grin. Around and around Elena goes, our little freshman, among all of those seniors, juniors and sophomores. She is flowing smoothly, resolutely hanging on to 9th or 10th place. Then it's the gun lap - still cruising, she notices every one else sprinting - finally she sprints too. She bursts across the finish line in 6:10! I am surprised, I am stunned, and most of all I am proud. I find Elena. With a big smile and a hug, I think that she is pleased. Who is this girl?

The meet goes on. From Braintree and Brookline, Wellesley, Weymouth and Waltham, Framingham, Norwood, Natick, and Newton, the girls keep coming. 1000 meters, 600 meters, 2 miles, running, jumping, throwing - waves of girls with one long pony tail, or one short pony tail, or two pony tails, or no pony tails - tall, short, stocky, skinny, black, white, asian - fast and slow - they all look so confident, so self assured, so determined. Of course they should all have this wonderful opportunity! Haven't they always?

South of the medical area? Do not go down there - it's too dangerous to be near Roxbury. Today's teenage girls? They only care about TV and video games when they are not busy getting pierced or doing drugs or becoming obese. Elena on a track team? No, that's not really her strength; she is not that motivated or coordinated.

- I am starting to get educated.