Been awhile

These are some of my friends at my 20th year reunion at Vanderbilt. Dori encouraged me to spend some time at the festivities and have fun, so I did after some abbreviated QT with her at the hospital both Friday and Saturday before heading to campus.

Many of my friends were fun and pretty cool 20 years ago, but today they're more than just cool - they're mature, kind people, and often hilarious or witty. I saw many folks I hadn't seen in years. Most everyone looked like they did 20 years ago, with an added wrinkle or two and some receding hairlines. Most folks seem to be staying in good shape, bucking the trend of the rest of the nation.

I stayed out way past my bedtime on Friday, even though I hit the brakes more than the gas pedal, if you know what I mean. After a few beers, I spotted a table with some Krispy Kremes and some coffee that seemed like the right call. On Saturday, I pressed the gas pedal just a smidge, though I called it an early night after the VU-Georgia game. Yes, Vandy lost a game they could have won (ever seen Groundhog Day with Bill Murray?). But who cares, really? I've got much bigger fish frying these days.

Kathryn and Will, as we noted yesterday on CaringBridge, are doing very well in school. This has been a good year for them, though I don't ever remember having the amount of homework Kathryn has in 4th grade. Dori's sister, Kathy, will be here this weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing her, and so is Dori. Kathy will carve pumpkins with the kids. I'm thinking some churching will be good after some very hectic weekends to start the fall.

It rained today. Yes, that is blogworthy. Nashville is in a severe drought. I called my sister this morning, and - as once heard on Star Trek - queried, "What is this thing your people call 'rain'"? She laughed only a second and got excited. "It's raining? That's great!"

I haven't really been running much. I ran five miles on the Stones River Greenway one day last week for a weekly total of just under nine miles. The clip was brisk, but not fast ... about an 8:35 pace. I ran an easy 2.5 miles today at lunch. I'm very sore for some reason (probably a combination of lack of rest and stretching, the need for new running shoes, and just being worn down).

This really is my first change to blog in a week. I am much busier right now than I was this summer, and summer was busy. Each day is going by quickly, which I look at as one day closer to Dori's being cured of leukemia.

No time for running

Here are two recent photos of Kathryn and Will. The photo of Kathryn was taken Sunday after their cross country meet. The pic of Will is with Pepper, who has begun to lose "his puppy verve" and is becoming a calmer companion. The timing of that is good, by the way.

The kids had very good races Sunday. It was hot as Hades, but they both ran great. Will ran a 5:50 3/4 mile, while Kathryn ran a 7:50 mile. Kathryn is often emotional after her races, so I now stay away for a few minutes until she chills out, literally and figuratively. Will is having a consistent year, both in track and school. This Sunday should be the first cool race day; I'm excited to see them have more fun than running in a sauna.

I, on the other hand, have had little time to run. Between having two jobs right now (my old job and a new one with a recent promotion), managing the kids and the house, and being with Dori at the hospital ... there is almost no time for a run or to think about anything past 15 minutes. Since I was preparing for some of this bedlam, I've accepted it and am dealing with it. I did run 3.7 miles in moderate terrain in 90 degrees Sunday, my only run in a week. I took it slow. Maybe I'll get a run in before the weekend. Fingers crossed for Thursday.

If you're like my sister Anne and I, you are a weather freak. I just have to know what the weather is going to be like tomorrow and in five days. Well, that means I watch a fair amount of the Weather Channel. When they do the Local Forecast, they usually play good music. Right now, they are playing an instrumental song that I absolutely love ... Do you remember Ferris Bueller's Day Off? The song in the Chicago Art Gallery? Anyone, anyone? The song, full of oboe and synthesizer, is "Please Please Please Let Me Get What I Want" by The Dream Academy, one of my favorite bands. Sadly, there is no soundtrack so don't get fired up about loading up your iPods. There are some other versions of the song, but that's like drinking decaf.

I am very excited about Monday, October 15. That is Dori's and my 13th anniversary. I won't give away anything to Dori, but Will is working on something special for us (yes, my parent radar is up). Our wedding day in 1994 was the most perfect day. Cool, high 60s, no humidity. Before the wedding, my friends and I watched Vanderbilt beat Georgia, 46-30, in Athens. Dori looked so stunning when I saw her escorted by her Dad I had to fight back tears. She smiled and laughed the whole night. When Union Station Hotel lost our reservation, I slipped the bellhop $10 (big money back then), and he secured us a room across the street at the Renaissance. Dori and I ate curly fries and a cheeseburger at 1 a.m. before heading out the next day for our honeymoon in Colorado. Every anniversary has been special (our 10th was probably the best because I surprised Dori by taking her back in time that day). I'm looking forward to another one with my beautiful bride. By the way, lots of 10s in this paragraph. Dori's bone marrow donor match is a perfect 10 of 10, and her transplant is on 10/10. Get the picture ... feel the vibe? Bo Derek's got nothin' on Dori.

My 20th year reunion at Vanderbilt is this weekend. I plan to swing by, which Dori is encouraging. My Mom is catering for 300 Friday night, and John Marcheschi is staying at our house Saturday. I will see many good friends, some of whom I've done a decent job of staying in touch with in recent years.

It's late nights and early mornings these days, so I better run. Count your blessings every day and live life like Lance and Dori.

Irradiation starts tomorrow

Dori's total body irradiation starts tomorrow and will conclude Friday at VUMC. She'll do two sessions - morning and afternoon - of 12 minutes each day. The good news: She comes home to rest each night. Then it's off to VUMC on Saturday for an approximate one-month stay.

How would I describe things around the house? It's like right before gameday, if you're an athlete or watch sports. There is anxiety, which manifests itself in different ways. I'll describe how I handle. I pray to God for calmness and inner strength. I want to exert energy because I get hyped up to win. The downtime leading up to gameday, as I noted earlier, is my hard time. When gameday approaches, I'm ready to strap it on and knock some folks around. I have to watch my intensity. I have a big role, but I'm not the patient.

I am watching Dori like a hawk. She's had plenty of distractions and obstacles since June, and more have begun to appear. I continually remind her that her prize is over those obstacles. I love the notes folks are sending her. Patricia Eastwood said "the smart money is on YOU, Dori." Melissa Red said there is a stadium of friends out there cheering her on. Great visuals, which I hope people keep sharing with Dori. She's choosing her own, but you can never hear enough of them. The next one might be her favorite.

Yesterday, Dori and I were in CVS, where we saw a 10-year-old girl named Pressley who has leukemia (AML) and her mom. They're from Rock Island, TN. Pressley checked in to VUMC in April and checked out Sept. 12. That put things in perspective for us. Dori was at VUMC for 54 days, from June 15 to August 7. Pressley, who was wearing a mask, had a bone marrow transplant 61 days ago. She is doing well. Her mom, who had shaved her head for Pressley, has a tremendous spirit and shows immense love for her daughter. We wished them the very best and each prayed that God remains with us and our families. There are NO coincidences.

Our friend, Chuck Hendry, is getting his bone marrow transplant from his brother next week. Dori and Chuck, who once again will be 11th floor buddies, talk fairly often. Chuck, like Dori, is being cheered on by a stadium full of friends and family. The smart money is on Chuck Hendry, too. I included a link to Chuck's CaringBridge site in the Links section on Dori's CaringBridge site.

I've pounded some pavement the last few days. I do love running in the fall weather. It's so much easier than running in August. After Sunday's five miler, I ran 3.6 miles in 30:45, an 8:32 pace, at Radnor on Monday and 4.0 miles untimed down Belmont Blvd. tonight, probably at an 8:45 pace. I'm at 12.6 miles after three days this week ... I better watch out or I might enter a race soon. The meatloaf, cheese grits and frozen yogurt are tempering that enthusiasm. On occasion, I do eye the back of the fridge, which has that beverage called beer I used to drink in greater quantity. In 2008, when Dori returns to good health for good, I will get back in that groove and toast the triumph of my loving partner and best friend again and again. Until that time, it's gameday.

Before I run, here's a link to the poem "If" by Rudyard Kipling. A good friend reminded me of this poem, which has meaning for all. It had been awhile since I'd read it.

Thank you for the prayers for Dori and my family. You are loved and appreciated.

Good weekend

After a very busy week at work and late nights with some consulting and other activities, I was ready for a restful weekend.

Dori and I dropped off the kids at my Mom's Friday night and headed to Germantown Cafe in the used silver Honda Odyssey van I bought Thursday (replacing my old hunter green Ford Explorer). It's a nice vehicle. My first choice was a used Subaru Outback, but they are hard to find.

I highly recommend Germantown Cafe. It's not quite the experience I have at my favorite restaurant, Margot in East Nashville, which pursues more of a French or Italian cafe experience and a menu that changes daily. But the food and service were sharp. Dori had plum pork medallions with a creamy risotto, while I went for the garlic 7 oz. filet with risotto. The salad with blue cheese vinaigrette, strudel with feta, olives, onions, and artichoke hearts, and french onion soup were nice starts to our meals, as was the peppery red wine the server suggested. Can you tell we're food snobs?

Saturday morning, I helped my sister and brother-in-law move their heavy furniture and boxes into their spacious new home in the 37212 area. I caught the second half of Will's soccer game, just in time to see him score a goal. He and his buddies kept up the pressure the whole second half, but lost their first game of the year, 2-1.

Will and I joined Will's godfather, Al DeNunzio, Saturday night to watch Vanderbilt improve to 3-1 with a 30-7 victory over MAC foe Eastern Michigan. The game was sloppy and chippy. Hopefully, our QB will play a better game next week in Auburn. Our defense, however, is our best in 10 years. Our defenders aren't big, but they're lightning quick and aggressive. We have a chance to take down a big dog or two this year with a good game, but not with play like last night's.

The kids ran cross country today. Will ran a good time, I think just below 6:00 for 3/4 mile, even though he almost face-planted early in the race. He showed some toughness by getting back in the race quickly. Kathryn had a much better race this week, finishing in 7:43 for a mile, about 30 seconds faster than last week's time. She looked calmer today, which was good. Time and place matter less to her Mom and me than doing your best and showing maturity through good and bad results, which Kathryn and I talked about this week.

I ran five miles on Friday at the Stones River Greenway, for a weekly total of 12 miles. Remember the good old days this summer when I was running 35 miles a week? Don't miss 'em. I ran again after 5 p.m. tonight at Radnor. Temp was about 73 and humidity was low. The course is mostly easy, except one .75 mile stretch straight up a steep hill. I felt good the whole way (5.0 miles in 44:48).

The run was a great way to start what will be a busy week. We'll keep CaringBridge updated as Dori begins the next round in her battle to beat leukemia.

Preparations

Dori is still on schedule to have her bone marrow transplant on Oct. 9, with a check-in to Vanderbilt on Oct. 3. Both of us are busy working on a check-off list before she re-enters VUMC. The main things that have happened over the last week: Dori received an oral hygiene OK from the dentist, her PICC line has been removed (finally), the preliminary biopsy results from last Thursday look fine and we had a good second opinion visit with Dr. Couriel today at Centennial.

The four of us went to Beersheba Springs, TN, last weekend for some much needed R&R and peace. We love Beersheba, an annual trek for us. It is a very small community, with houses and cabins that overlook valleys from the Cumbeland Plateau. The drop-offs are about 1,000 feet. Beersheba is about 45 minutes from Monteagle, but it might as well be two hours away. Like Monteagle, the climate is amazing. When we left Nashville Friday, it was 91 steamy degrees; two hours later when we arrived in Beersheba, it was 78.

We ate good food, took Pepper for walks and hiked to the Stone Door in the pristine Savage Gulf State Natural Area. The kids played in the sandbox for hours, and Will and I watched some college football. We went to bed early, and some of us slept in (not me ... I took Pepper for some walks at dawn). Dori really enjoyed the trip, as evidenced from the cell phone camera photos. We took some better photos with "the good camera." Maybe I can get those scanned and posted later.

We left early Sunday for the kids' first cross country meet. It was brutally hot ... 93 degrees. Will managed it well, finishing his 3/4 mile in 6:02 and I think in the Top 15 of 100 or so boys. He's in the red in the photo above. Kathryn is like me ... she is no fan of the heat. She runs better when it's cooler. Last year, her races in October were much better than September's. I know the feeling, girl.

I made a curious choice and run Sunday afternoon in Percy Warner Park. After two miles of wondering why I was running steep hills in 93 degree heat, I hiked a half mile, then finished the 3 1/2 mile trip with a jog. After work tonight, I ran a smooth four miles. It was a pleasant 85 degrees after a shower but humid. Pace was probably about a 9:15. I am not timing myself these days because I have no desire to - I don't have a goal or an upcoming race in mind right now. I am running for health reasons and to maintain a modest level of fitness before the next goal goes on the chalkboard.

I've got to be honest. My anxiety level is higher than it has been. It's simply because we're in an interim period. I prefer action and occupation, not down time. I also realize the transplant is almost here. Dori really seems mentally ready to get on with it. Once it gets closer, I'll be ready, too. I cherish life more than I ever thought I could (I thought I had already maxed out, but I hadn't). I pray hard every night for this episode to end and for Dori's full return to good health. I'll leave you with something I read in Time magazine today that has stuck with me. It's Sean Penn's take - while he's being interviewed about his new movie, Into the Wild - on his uncle and aunt as both faced their mortality. It made Dori and me laugh when I recounted the passage during our second opinion visit (We were talking with Dr. Couriel about how none of us know when it's your time):

... The thing I can't figure out about Into the Wild is if it's a happy story or a sad one. McCandless experiences so much joy, but then he dies in the end ...

PENN: Let me tell you what I think. My Uncle Bill, who was dying--with 13 cousins that he had all with my Aunt Joan, they had a great, happy marriage for all their years. So there he is on his deathbed. He'd been in a coma a couple of days, and a priest has come in to give last rites. This was the first time, Irish that they are, that my aunt let a tear fall, trusting that his coma would make him unaware of it. Well, open come the eyes, and he sees. He catches her--she can't get away with it. And his last words were "What're ya crying about? You're gonna die too."

Not my words, but can you hear the accent? The Irish have a way ... Here's something more visual that might evoke a laugh.

Still running

The last few days have been tough ones. The reality of Dori's bone marrow transplant is here, as she will re-enter Vanderbilt on October 3 for an October 9 transplant. Dori updated everyone tonight on caringbridge.org, but I'll add that Dori has a biopsy tomorrow (number six), a visit to the dentist next week and a second opinion visit at Centennial.

Why has it been tough lately? I'll sum it up without specifics ... some folks have difficulty expressing themselves appropriately. They mean well but just can't rise to the occasion, or they just aren't equipped well. Dori and I talk about this a lot. Rather than get disappointed when someone slips, I encourage her to stay focused on the positive and when someone serves up a crap sandwich, just say "no, thanks" and move on. This isn't always easy, but Dori proved once again she can do it, after a little venting yesterday.

I will tell you God spoke to Dori all day long today. After the recent tough run of bull manure, Dori heard from many people who just wanted to tell her they love her. LOTS of people called her today. She also went for a walk at Radnor Lake, and the first song on her iPod was, "While You See a Chance ... Take It." This was an answer to lingering doubts about whether to go through a transplant. She also called the carpet cleaner guy she likes. He mentioned his daughter had blood issues, but is doing well four years after a transplant with some mild side effects, but overall she's fine. This was another answer to the concern Dori has about quality of life issues after a transplant.

Dori was peppered with gloomy statistics and information at the clinic the other day. She has a sharp math mind and really processes numbers. I'm a little different. They're nice to know, but statistics don't take everything into account. Your will, your heart, your mind ... that's what matters. Now tell me the statistics of people who have Dori's will, heart and mind. I always have had a thing about negative people. For better or worse, I've gone into lockdown mode to keep Dori exposed as much as possible to uplifting people. I can't control all of it, but I can have a big impact as her husband and primary caregiver.

I've been a little warm under the collar myself the last few days, so I decided to take it out on pavement at lunch today. I ran 5.0 miles on the Stones River Greenway, which is mostly flat but has a few nice gradients. It was not humid, but sunny and 83. I did not time myself, but I think I covered it in about 41 minutes or so, an 8:12 pace. I thought about Dori the whole run. When I called her in the afternoon, she told me about her 4.0 mile walk on hilly Ganier Ridge, an impressive trip when you DON'T have leukemia. BTW, I have a new trick when the pain comes during a run: I count down the estimated amount of time left. Seven minutes left ... well that's how long it takes to unload the dishwasher. You get the picture. This helped me at the Virginia Beach Half Marathon. The mind is stronger than the body.

I also ran Sunday (3.25 miles) and Monday (3.5 miles) in the neighborhood, the latter in 31:23, an 8:51 pace. That's 11.75 miles at mid-week, not bad when you're not training for anything specific. Today's run was the first time I felt 100 percent since Virginia Beach.

This weekend, Dori, the kids and I are going to a special place on the Cumberland Plateau - a cabin we visit each year. It is secluded, and the view is panoramic. The running and hiking are great, and we certainly plan to indulge in God's green garden.

Dores win

Vanderbilt beat Ole Miss 31-17 last night in impressive fashion. They controlled the game, though they made it interesting with a missed field goal and a few other mistakes. VU fans are used to that ... but we take every win we can get.

The team showed enough promise to make me believe they will win more big games. Swami Jim sees wins against Eastern Michigan and Miami of Ohio, with big games against Auburn and Georgia in early October. I don't see us beating Florida or South Carolina, but every other game on our schedule looks winnable, including Tennessee and Wake Forest. What is up with Tennessee, by the way, which lost 59-20 against Florida? Did they quit, or is Florida that good?

The tailgate yesterday was great fun. My sister Anne really dressed up her house, and my BBQ turned out great. Mom said it was the best ever. The brisket was like butter, friend Paige Clancy (or was that Betsy Hindman?) said. Several friends stopped by and seemed to have a good time before the game. Everyone remarked how great Dori looks, and I think you'll agree from the picture above of her cheering on Will at yesterday's soccer match.

Will's soccer team won again 4-0. Will had one play that drew double-takes. While on defense, he collected a hard ball with his left foot, moved it to his right and blasted it away from defenders, all in one motion. Dori yelled with enthusiasm, and I gasped, "Did you see that?" The crowd acknowledged the outstanding play. Will has been playing mostly D, but I can tell he'd like to play some offense, too. He does seem to be a natural on defense. Dori says he looks intuitive out there. Wayne Gretzky once was asked why he was a good player, and he said he goes where he sees the puck is going to be, not where it is now. Will seems to have some of that. Proud parents.

Pepper and I snuck in our 2.5 mile run. The dog is now about 19 months old and seems to be developing some stamina. The perfect weather doesn't hurt endurance. I like having him along on short runs.

We'll be busy at VUMC this week with caregiver classes and Dori will undergo a thorough physical. We're encouraged with where we are ... Dori is in great physical shape and has a very good frame of mind as she nears the next big phase of this battle. Your cards and the stories you have shared have been very comforting. Have a great week, everyone, and thank you for joining us in prayer.

Game day

Today is a perfect day for being outdoors. It's 59 degrees outside and we'll have a high in the low 70s. Will has a soccer match this morning, I'll probably squeeze in a short run, and then I'll head to my sister's house for a tailgate before the Vanderbilt-Ole Miss game.

We'll watch UT-Florida on the tube. We're expecting about 25 friends and family to swing by ... I rolled out the smoker last night and cooked some Texas-style brisket, Memphis-style ribs and polish sausage. Yum ... no half marathons today.

Today's game is a must-win for Vanderbilt. They simply cannot afford to lose games in which they are favored, especially at home. Being a VU football fan is not for people who like bandwagons. We're kind of on an island. We watch thousands invade our stadium, often outnumbering us like last weekend against Alabama.

Being a VU football fan is also very rewarding. Meeting the players and watching them excel in sports, the classroom and life is invigorating. In this day and age of arrested athletes, mercenary coaches, greed and cheating (nice job, Patriots), a Vandy fan can be proud of the school's program. This team has more talent than recent squads, and winning today would be a big step to earning more respect and achieving the goal of going to a bowl game.

Dori's potential donor went through an information session this week. That's a great sign ... she's still engaged in the process. I thank God for this young person I don't know who is about to give my wife a chance at a cure. What many of you have done by getting on the Bone Marrow Donor Registry is amazing ... it is selfless and magical, really. Dori's transplant date is looking like early to mid October ... VUMC is targeting the week of October 8. Dori's blood counts have generally risen since consolidation chemo, with a little fluctuation on certain counts. She goes to bed early and sleeps a little more than pre-leukemia.

Each one of us still has a tough day or two, but we do well when we stay busy, while keeping an eye on each other. Dori is doing well, especially when she stays busy completing tasks and chores. The kids are doing great in school and after-school activities. My work, which I am enjoying, is keeping me busy. Yes, this situation dominates my thoughts, but I won't let it consume me. It's an ongoing thing that requires prayer, reflection and the continual realization I am very human.

I took it easy running this week. I am about 95% since the half marathon. Here's a recap:

Monday - 4.0 miles, treadmill, 35:18
Tuesday - 40 minutes on crosstrainer
Thursday - 4.25 miles, 87 degrees, moderate terrain, probably an 8:40 pace
Today - Probably 2.5 miles in the neighborhood with Pepper, mid 60s, moderate terrain

Weekly total: 10.75 miles

Next steps

When I was younger, it wouldn't have been inaccurate to say I was directionless. The Navy helped changed that, and some soul-searching later helped, as well. Today, I don't feel directionless in life, just aimless after the half marathon (goal set, goal accomplished). I have direction to see Dori through this fight against leukemia, to be a great Dad and to grow professionally, for sure. But after a summer of goals, I feel whupped and people who know me know it.

With the air out of the balloon, I'm just running for health reasons right now. Today, I ran four miles at the Y in 35:18. It was an easy run that I cut short because I felt calf tension again. If I have a running goal right now, it's not to get too far out of shape until I set my next running goal. Pretty aimless, if you ask me. Guys do better with goals and those honey-do lists we whine about.

My first run after the 13.1 was a very enjoyable 1.5 miler with my son. He had run cross country practice only an hour before, but when he heard I was going for a short neighborhood jog he said, "Can I come?" "Sure, son, let's go." I was impressed by his resolve. After two races that afternoon, he hung with me in some humidity and on some moderate terrain. He could have quit at the end up a hill, but he just plowed on and then surged ahead of me. He's trying to be like Dad, I guess, and I'm fine with that (usually!).

On Saturday, Will and his soccer team played their first match, winning 2-1. Will played a good game, clearing the ball often on defense and showing good skills (sideline photo above with his buddy William Antony). He's won three of four cross country practice runs and is doing great in school, according to his teachers. This is good stuff. How blessed we are as parents.

Later on Saturday, Will and I went to the Vanderbilt-Alabama game. I thought VU would win this game, but they executed poorly and still have shoddy special teams. They won't go to a bowl unless they fix their kicking coverage. It's atrocious. The refs made some bad calls, but that didn't cost us the game. Will had a blast, as always (photo of him above at the "Star Walk" one hour before the game).

Kathryn is also doing well. Today, while listening to a story on NPR about General Petraeus, I asked the kids what they thought about Iraq, not expecting much of an answer but just to see what they know. Kathryn proceeded to state her position and explain it plausibly (I took the opposite view, BTW, and we talked about how the country is generally split on the issue). I'm not a Rumsfeld fan, if that helps you figure where I stand.

Dori has several medical appointments, as do I, over the next two weeks. We'll keep you posted on CaringBridge. Have a great week.

Virginia Beach Wrap-Up

The Virginia Beach Half Marathon is over, but it's still not far from my thoughts.

After the race, our group celebrated in style with a tasty lunch and beverages at Chick's, which overlooks Lynnhaven Inlet. Chick's is next door to the Dockside Inn, which we visited the day before. That night, we had some fun times near the beach, most of it at Harpoon Larry's on 24th and Pacific. I love that place. We downed Yuenglings and steamed shrimp, got smoked by some locals in foozball, and listened to excellent tunes as we recapped the weekend. Earlier, Anne got on one of those Ellen Degeneres rolls for which she's famous ... a fly landed in her white wine, and the next 30 seconds went something like this (as she scooped out the drunk fly with some paper): "I was enjoying that wine. Boy is someone going to be upset tonight (as she starts to impersonate the fly's wife): 'Where have you been all night? ... I sure hope you didn't get an FUI.'" The fly lived, for those of you wondering, to torment other tourists and their drinks.

Dan Flagler captured the weekend and race aura with some great photos he posted here. I've included a few of those and mine on this page. Dan is a funny guy, as you can tell from the captions at the bottom of the photos. I'm grateful to him, Anne and Dave for being with me last weekend. The trip was more fun and meaningful because the experience was shared with great people. I'm proud of Dave ("The Baumer"), who had never run farther than 10 miles. I think he is a true runner ... his first half marathon at 2:02:43 is a strong showing. His pace remained consistent the whole race, between a 9:12 and a 9:17.

By the way, my official finish was respectable, I thought, especially on wobbly legs the last 20 minutes. I finished 4,526 out of 17,018 finishers and about 22,000 entrants. I finished 3,088 out of 7,442 men and 452 out of 1,102 men between 40-44.

Monday was one long reminder I ran 13.1 miles and walked another six as a tourist. The soreness in my legs was as deep as I've ever felt. Deplaning on the tarmac at Reagan National was no fun. On the other hand, eating some foods I haven't eaten since the spring has been fun. I feel about 90% today and will probably run tomorrow night or Friday sometime.

I am proud of my second grade son, Will, who finished first in cross country practice the other day. As Kathryn said, "He beat the third graders." Will is a natural athlete and I like that his competitive fire is starting to burn. I also like that the classmate who finished second to him waited outside his car the next day when he saw Will, then walked in to school with him. Friends first, competitors next. Two good boys at a great school. Kathryn is also a good runner. Both will be competing again in a league this fall, which they enjoy.