Last post ....

... till after the race.

Not sure I have anything to say at this point. I am not sure I can make it through the 400m swim. That's it, that's all. If I can, I finish. If not, it's a DNF. Which is still a personal best.

I had an encouraging chat with Hank Cunningham the other day. Hank's a financial genius, author, avid cyclist and repentant marathoner. He's possibly the most centred person I've ever met. When I have some time and I'm not so horribly self-possessed, there are many links I will post that speak to Hank's contribution to a world worth living in.

Hank is one of those people who draws your worries out of you without asking. And I was worried. I don't think I can do this, I told him.

He told me about his first marathon, years ago. It involved a lot of walking and lessons learned. And he told me: Try as best you can. That's the measure. If you can't do it, the worst thing that can happen is ... you try again. But it's about you, nobody else.

I set as one of my goals to shame myself into shape. I have accomplished that. Okay, good shape, not great shape, but a helluva lot better than I was. I've also made fitness a habit. That comforts me. And, in a way, sentences me to a forever of swimming, running, weights, etc.

It's made me recognize how important the YMCA is in our community. I want to contribute now.

And -- I feel like I'm bragging now, but I'm not (I hope) ... Several of my friends have told me I've inspired them. That wasn't what I set out to do, but, really, that's what I should have set out to do. I love my friends.

So ... Here I go. Thanks for reading, and I'll let you know how it comes out.

I don't want to end  this post.