Once more, with feeling

Lincoln and I trudged through the chill and into and out of the wind Sunday morning to both finish our second half marathons. Despite each missing our "goal" (fairly arbitrarily set), we enjoyed the powerful endorphins that flood the system when you cross the finish line. He was trying to beat his girlfriend's boss, who ran one in 1:44, and I was trying to go under 2 hours. Alas. It was not for the lack of support! My entire family -- Mom, Dad, Sara, and all the other Girards -- braved the conditions to cheer us on with homemade signs and shouts of encouragement along the course. Lincoln placed second among 15-19-year-old men, earning him a windbreaker. I was 23rd among men 51-59. All in all, a very satisfying day, earning us a lovely early Thanksgiving feast. A 14-lb. turkey, mushroom stuffing, mashed red potatoes, sweet potatoes, carrots and leaks, two types of cranberries, pecan and Dutch Apple pies, plus homemade pumpkin bars with whipped cream for dessert. We may have to run a full marathon next week to burn off all those calories.