NUMBER 1 - WITH A BULLET

Running is not evil.

Running did not hurt MJ.

In a roundabout way it did, but running is not exactly the one to blame...a set of circumstances, really, really crappy circumstances that all built up like a tower of blocks contributed to his condition and then everything crashed down as he finished the Rock N Roll.

I really dislike hearing people say that "running is bad" or "running caused this" - because running is a big part of our lives. It remains a big part of mine and I firmly believe it will be a big part of MJ's again someday. We loved running together - and competing against one another, though MJ will always be faster than me (but not Meghan - man, MJ, she smoked you in the RNR).

We decided to run the Friday before the marathon, a "short" 6 mile run from my house to Float Bar on the Seawall and back. We wanted to be quick - a good tempo run - which meant it would be hard for me to keep up with MJ.

It was probably one of the best runs of my life. We just sped along, up 11th Street to the Seawall...on our return, we kicked it up using the downhill grade to broadway as an accelerator, laughing and joking with one another, talking about the race. MJ was complaining about all his indiscretions at a friend's bachelor party the previous weekend, worried it would affect his run.

And I thought to myself:

"Honey, you should just run with me and be slow, not worry about times and your corral, just enjoy it."

But the words never came out.

Why? Because I know my MJ.

I know his competitive drive, I know the look he would have given me had I DARE suggested that he slow down to my pace. Lord, do I know that boy like the back of my hand.

So, while MJ is out of running commission for the time being, I get to call the shots - and he "runs" with me in 2010, like it or not.

Resolute: every month, one competitive race, building up to running the full marathon in San Antonio again this November. Half for me, and half for MJ.

Number One with a bullet: Chiliquest 5K

In 40 degree cold ass, WET RAINY weather, Tiff and I bundled IV up like an eskimo, covered him with 3 blankets and took off, running his bowling ball butt down the Seawall. And while our time wasn't exactly competitive (by our standards - but sub-30, nonetheless), we had a blast, we did it together and I thought about MJ the entire time...when I got tired, I thought about him, about how he never quit. Neither will we!



I have worn more burnt orange in the past three months than I ever care to. Thanks Mike, this had better mean an extra karat in that ring.



IV carb loaded with some Red Bull shots and goldfish.



FYI: How Tiff and Liz prepare for a run. Not kidding. Whew.

Up next: Tiff and I have our choice of the Mardi Gras Beach run or the BSA run(Booty Shakers of America...or Boy Scouts, whatevs). Stay tuned!