I know I've been a little irregular (writing wise, thank you) but I've been busy. Vulcan was not even cold in the 2011 grave before Ruben took off, but WOW! What a rush! I can't do it yet, but I swear one day I'm going to write an expose of the behind the scenes dealings that go on, from public sector employees, to little people who wish they were big on down. Yes, I'm being purposefully vague. Today though is a celebration - my favorite days are those when I stand at or near a finish line and get to cheer, encourage, cajole or yell at people as they near the finish line. I was moved to tears many times yesterday by those I knew and some I didn't. What was it Jim Valvano said, "Every day you should think a little, laugh a little and cry a little. If you do that, you've had a pretty good day." Yesterday, I had a pretty good day. I saw Eddie & Rufus cross arm in arm supporting each other physically as they had through out the last miles. I saw Jennifer dig deep and pull out a last kick she didn't know she had to win Masters by 5 seconds. I saw an unknown lady burst into tears maybe 20 yards before she finished leaving a wake of blubbering specators (self included). She was just that happy with her accomplishment. I think it's something we lost during our teen years, I do. We go from being kids, unemcumbered, joyful kids to (ack!) teenagers. Some of the most miserable, awkward, confused years of my life and damn if it apparently didn't last for a couple of decades! We try to be cool, we want to be liked, accepted, loved by someone other than our family (remember when kissing girls (or guys) was icky? Our childhood dreams disappear like smoke througha keyhole. We become too 'busy', yet we still want to be liked, now not only personally but professionally. Spouse, kids, mortage, job....blah, blah, blah...Then one day we go for a run, we complete a 5K. Now we sweate, maybe a little 'odiferous', maybe ran so hard we puked. Then we imagine another dream, a larger challenge...a 10K. We meet training buddy (or buddies) and like them instantly cause they join you in the wee hours to, what...run? You betcha! They push you, they challenge you, they encourage and they sweat like you. So you run a 10K, go back and PR in a 5K. You're getting better. You make the runs fit before work, after work, between dropping off the kids - whenever. Saturday or Sunday you meet 5, 10, 20 people and run; afterwards still wet with earned sweat you all go get coffee, breakfast or something. You see, you got out of bed at 4:30 or 5:00 A.M.!! To go what?? Run?!?! Are you crazy? Nope! Never felt better in my life! Then the half marathon challenge creeps into your brain, 13.1 miles...hmm, you think? You get a coach, or a group, then a schedule, maybe all 3 and you train. There's some doubt, but the miles add up. You begin to think it IS possible. Then the big day and you're off! First mile or 2 you're strong, maybe too strong. The miles click by, maybe you feel great, maybe you have to find a porta-potty whoa! All of sudden you don't care what anyone thinks, you got to go! Maybe a little nausea, or a cramp, maybe you feel great. You're pushing yourself, harder. Inside you found a drive, a desire, a fire that you never knew was there. The miles go by, 10, 11, 12...omigosh! You can beat your goal. You're sweating, dripping, drooling, and driving yourself because that goal is out there, that... goal!! The finish...you see it, deep inside you can really, seriously even taste it and, in a flash you cross it, stop your watch and smile, or cry, or heave but you get that medal. Right now you really don't care if anyone likes, loves you or accepts you. That teenager is gone, the 'kid' is back and the kid love it! For all the finishers yesterday, it was a pretty good day. Welcome back, kids!