Squish.

Yesterday I ran 13.1 miles in the pouring rain. Despite the elements, and squishy toes beyond Mile 4, I finished in 2 hours which is my personal best. Can I say it was fun? Running is a mental game as much as a physical one and there were a couple of times that I asked myself (especially since water was in one ear so I could only hear through one side of my ipod), 'why am I doing this? No, really, why AM I doing this'.

Running is my little addiction these days. Maybe it began because over the last 8 years that we've been in Memphis I have gotten up in the early hours before work to take Ike for a walk. Rain, snow or sunshine Ike wanted to go out. If he heard the alarm go off then I could hear his tail start wagging from across the house. My challenge yesterday was for Ike because rain, snow or sunshine he would enjoy our walks, so I tried to enjoy the run.

Seeing Chris at the Finish Line. One of the few fans -- thank you Chris Nick! And a shout out to the Anthony family for the High Fives at Mile 11! I needed that pick-me-up!

Warming up post race with first-timers Paul and Paul: