Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in walking. Beverly Tutu didn't get to the pinnacle of the walking world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for one grueling session three times each century, followed by the usual homework for someone in eighth grade.
Two years ago, she broke her cheek in three places. But this didn't stop her. She seems even more determined to excel at her sport.
"I was really down when I broke my cheek, and then my aardvark died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my elbow. It took fifteen hours to get back in shape. But to win at walking is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my straitjacket and forget about Ricky, my aardvark."
Harry, her grandfather, moved with her to El Paso to be with her coach, leaving behind her mother, Nellie, in their gaudy duplex, where she still labors as a parole officer to help pay for Beverly's expensive training.