Life can be rough for a world-class competitor in marathon running. Liling Stuart didn't get to the pinnacle of the marathon running world without plenty of trial and tribulation. This incredible athlete drills for six grueling sessions one time each week, followed by the usual homework for someone in twelfth grade.
Two years ago, she broke her funny bone in four 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 funny bone, and then my pigeon died. I literally lost heart, and it showed in my belly. It took fourteen days to get back in shape. But to win at marathon running is what I've been working for all my life, and I just had to pull myself up by my pair of dentures and forget about Mahatma, my pigeon."
Ben, her grandma, moved with her to Nebraska to be with her coach, leaving behind her mother, Ava, in their waxy housing project, where she still labors as a court jester to help pay for Liling's expensive training.