oh yeah: two more things to say about the marathon (then i’m done i swear):

1) the support from the crowds, and family and friends, was amazing. there wasn’t a single city block, in all 26 miles, that didn’t have some spectator on the street cheering. people turned on their garden hoses to cool us off, they set up their own informal water stations, bought bags of ice to give to overheated runners, hung signs out their windows. they gathered on street corners and sang songs, wore silly hats, cheered for runners they didn’t even know by name. i love this city.

my family and friends were just as awesome. so many people called and emailed and texted me the day before the race to wish me well, or the day after the race to see if i was still alive. i have good people in my life.

2) speaking of good people in my life: we collectively raised 2274 dollars for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society! which is pretty cool. more than 60 people made donations, and for months it was a constant source of inspiration for me. someone i hardly know at work just opened his wallet and handed me cash. friends-of-friends i’ve never even met made donations online. my sister-in-law looked up my website and sent money before i’d even begun fundraising efforts. my impoverished artist friends who don’t have money to spare still sent it, because they had faith in me and generous hearts.

really, it was a win-win-win: marathon for me, support for cancer patients who need it most, and good karma for the rest of you.