Just have fun

     I decided to run last weekend's Houston Chevron marathon after all.  I had been sick and was under-trained, but I was there and already registered.   The bling always calls out to me.  So I decided to just have fun, to consider it a training run, and run as far as I could.
     I followed the precepts of John "The Penguin" Bingham who says that the slowest runners have the best time and get the most for their money.  I zigged and zagged responding to every high-five, I punched every "punch this button for power" poster, I read every sign, and I walked at every water stop and thanked the volunteers. (The "Smile if you peed a little" signs always make me smile.")
     It was fun.  It is a low-altitude flat course, although not particularly scenic.
     I finished in 5:47.  My cough wasn't too bad, but my nose ran faster than I did.  I should have carried a box of tissues with me.
   

Starting line

   

Mile 25

     Illness-wise, I probably should have skipped it, but I finished. That is worth a lot, and there is always a next time to be better trained and well. Never give up.  There are big shoes to fill. That's my motto,