More on Atlanta, Commenters, and Decatur.

First of all: let me apologize if my comment on Decatur (and Decaturians) seemed sweepingly negative. My comment related only signs put up by a neighborhood organization, that were well-meaning but kind of depressing... like "The pain will end," or "You'll catch your breath" or something along those lines. Basically, they were trying to make us feel better about problems that may not have existed... but accidentally reminding us that we might be out of breath soon, or in lots of pain. It's like asking someone with poison ivy: "Does it itch?" :-)

Of course, it was totally from a good place. It just was funny.

The race was hard. It was really hot towards the end. And Atlanta isn't hilly, in terms of steepness, but uphill grades can last for a mile. Hell, mile 25 was a hill.

When I came to a long, long, hill, I prayed:

Thank you, God, for the opportunity to run up this hill. I am so lucky to be living a life so blessed.

I finished the race like I try to finish every race: at a sprint. This was hard, though. I tried to get myself to sprint and was, like, stuck. So I fucking GROWLED my way to a sprint, literally roaring (which I don't normally do, mind you) my way to speed... and the last 100 yards were full-on, with people yelling "GO RICHIE GO!!" It was a totally awesome moment.

I crossed the finish line and couldn't breathe for a second. And official came over and asked if I needed help. Something in the way I answered made her smile. I guess I looked bad for a second, there.

I walked back to my hotel room and immediately called Delta and switch my flight so I could leave that afternoon. There was no reason for me to stay in Atlanta, with Maggie, kids, and friends back at home. I thought I would want to recover for a day, but I didn't.

So I got the 4:45 (after trying to switch again to the 2:45, since I left myself WAY too much time to get to the airport), got my car from the LaGuardia lot, and was home by 8pm.

Phew. Adventure over.

Finally: thanks, thanks, thanks for the comments. It's such a cool thing to have blog-friends out there.

Okay. Shower time.

Love to all. Even you, the light-heavyweight who used his elbows.