Slow and Steady Spits Dust.

I'm almost there. I've run the race I didn't want to run, and it's over but the confetti cannon to the groin. My lungs ache, and I'm shambling to the end. There's no outstretched ribbon, no bikini clad girl with champagne, just me, MyUnwife and a miles of polite deference.

"Thank you for a lovely run."

"No, thank you. It was a lovely run wasn't it?"

"We'll have to do it ag--well no."

"no indeed."

Who wins the race? If you've been through it, then you know the answer. If you haven't, well I shouldn't spoil the surprise, but I will give you this. It rhymes with mobody, but starts with an "n."

"Who's Node Body? Is that a James Bond girl robot? MyUnwife's real name?"

Yeah, some people will never understand unless they run the race themselves. Still, I hope that you never do. I'm a little older and wiser for running it, but lets face it, I could have gotten the same results sitting on the couch with a half-hour of Jeopardy.

"What is a Moron, Alex?"

Sorry, I had to answer. He just showed my picture. Pictures. I have boxes of them around here. They're kind of like mile posts on the run.

"You've reached mile [Click!]"

There's a post card of Rob standing in his house with the some of the furniture whited-out.

I used to run as a team, but this race is an individual event. At first when I started, I thought it was kind of sad. I kept looking over my shoulder watching my partner push through the throng of other racers, going the other way. I didn't take any pictures of her butt. I didn't need any mementoes from that leg of my trek.

It's all a blur. I lost a year and a half. I remember blurs of pain, but it's like when I sprained my ankle. The further I get from the actual event, the less I remember the world collapsing into a tunnel of light.

I just continued to run.

Run, Robby, Run!

I think Mr. Gump had it right. Just keep moving until you don't want to run any more. I'm still running. I'm competitive. I'll finish the race. After I stumble across the line, what's next? I don't know.

I suppose I'll start another race, with more pictures. I'll look for another team event. I like those. I'll make this one happier though. I'll run for the right reasons. I've replayed all the game videos, I've coached myself through the mistakes. I've even rehabilitated my ankle.

When I cross this finish line, I won't finish first. I won't win any awards for sportsmanship. I'll just be done. When I finish this race, I don't think I'll stop. I'll keep going. Not because I'm really good at it, but because I've found that I like my chances. Even with all the other racers out there, I think I'm just determined enough to win one race. And in the next race, that's all that matters. That's all it takes.

Until I win, I'll continue to run. Anybody care to join me?