The Loneliness Of The Impeached Governor

(AP)

When reporters caught up with him after the run, Blagojevich declined to answer questions about his impeachment. But he did offer something of a philosophical reflection.

"Let me simply say I feel like the old Alan Sillitoe short story 'The Loneliness of the Long-Distance Runner,'" the governor said, as the Associated Press reports. "... And that's what this is by the way, a long-distance run."

The story referenced by the governor features a juvenile delinquent sent to a youth prison for robbing a bakery; he turns to running as a relief from his difficult life. An excerpt:

"… running has always been made much of in our family, especially running away from the police. I've always been a good runner, quick and with a big stride as well, the only trouble being that no matter how fast I run, and I did a very fair lick even though I do say so myself, it didn't stop me getting caught by the cops after that bakery job."