Doug Kurtis works for Ford Motor Corp., helps conduct the Detroit Free Press/Flagstar Bank Marathon, writes a weekly Detroit Free Press column, coaches Olympic-trials qualifiers, and - oh yes - runs. The Livonia resident, 50, holds world records for the most sub-2:20 marathons (76) and marathon victories (39). Michigan Runner welcomes Doug to our writing staff.

Few runners think about winning a race overall. Instead they create their own personal victories. For some it might be running a personal best, beating a competitor or winning an age group. For others it can be just finishing a race.

Vince Lombardi is often acknowledged for the quote, "Winning is everything." The famous football coach actually said, "Winning isn't everything - but wanting to win is." He also said, "Winning is a habit. Unfortunately, so is losing."

Last year I finished second in a race in Ontario. A friend from Windsor teased me about it, saying I was actually the first loser. It seemed funny at the time. She knew I hold the record for marathon victories. What she didn't know was I hold the record for second-places in marathons (20) too.

In Detroit I finished second three times before winning (I then went on to win six straight). I wanted to win badly but I hadn't learned how to relax. I was too nervous before the start. Besides the fact winners Greg Meyer and Mike McGuire gave great performances, I still needed to develop confidence in my abilities. Once I learned what it was like to win, I became addicted to the habit, as Lombardi would put it.

A few years ago at Grandma's Marathon, I was doing radio commentary with others in the lead vehicle. At mile 23 I picked Gideon Mutisya to win the race, even though he was more than 400 yards behind. When Mutisya won, the other commentators asked how I was able to predict the outcome. I drew on experience. Mutisya had looked relaxed and confident, even though he was trailing. More importantly, he knew what it was like to win. Nine months earlier he had captured the Twin Cities Marathon. He could visualize himself winning and had the memory about what it would take to win.

Lombardi also said, "It's easy to have faith in yourself and have discipline when you're a winner, when you're number one. What you've got to have is faith and discipline when you're not yet a winner." It takes time and patience to achieve victories that mean something. The victory isn't just in the moment you cross the finish line. It's remembering the hard work that went into it. It's overcoming obstacles and correcting mistakes. You often have to push aside all the distractions of everyday life and stay focused on your personal dreams. Winning is all about conquering the little steps that went into your personal accomplishment.