Penultimate

Penultimate Imagine the New York City Marathon. The race kicks off with a bang! The runners sprint outward, some to prove they are the best, others just to prove they can do it. Around two and a half hours later, the first runner crosses the finish line, arms raised in victory, beads of sweat, mixed with tears, roll down their cheeks. That person is not the penultimate. Not even close. Twenty minutes later the second-place winner runs up, grin wide on their face. They’re not the penultimate either. They are closer, but still a long ways off. About eight and…