>> I RAN A RESPECTABLE HALF-MARATHON LAST WEEKEND IN DULUTH.

YAY, ME, RIGHT?

WELL, NOT REALLY.

I HAD ACTUALLY SIGNED UP TO RUN THE WHOLE 26.2-MILE GRANDMA'S ENCHILADA.

I COULD MAKE EXCUSES, AN ANKLE INJURY, PROBLEM WITH MY TOE THAT SENT ME BRIEFLY TO THE MEDICAL TENT.

BUT IF I'M HONEST, AFTER SIX MONTHS AND ALMOST 600 MILES OF TRAINING, I SIMPLY COULDN'T DO IT.

IT WAS A LITTLE DEMORALIZING TAKING THE FATIGUE BUS DOWN TO CANAL PARK.

FINISHERS GOT T-SHIRTS AND MEDALS WHILE I FEASTED ON A BIG OLD PLATE OF CROW.

NOW, I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT AN IMPORTANT PART OF GROWTH IS TRYING SOMETHING EVERY ONCE IN A WHILE THAT SCARES YOU, PUSHES YOU OUT OF YOUR COMFORT ZONE.

WHAT I NEVER REALLY STOPPED TO CONSIDER IS THAT I GUESS I ALSO BELIEVED THAT IT WAS NECESSARY TO SUCCEED AT THAT THING THAT YOU TRIED.

AND I DID OT SUCCEED.

AND MAYBE I'M RATIONALIZING, BUT MAYBE I DIDN'T FAIL EITHER.

FROM A CARDIOVASCULAR PERSPECTIVE I AM IN BETTER SHAPE NOW THAN I HAVE BEEN IN LITERALLY DECADES.

I RAN ALMOST ALL OF THOSE 600 MILES WITH MY WIFE MARY, FOR WHOM COMPLETING MARATHON WAS A BUCKET LIST ITEM.

IT WAS JUST KIND OF A RIDE-ALONG FOR ME.

AND WHEN SHE CROSSED THE FINISH LINE AND GOT HER MEDAL ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS SHE TOLD ME WAS HOW GRATEFUL SHE WAS THAT I INSISTED SHE GO ON WHEN I HAD NO MORE MILES LEFT IN THE TANK.

SO I'M A GOOD HUSBAND AND A LOUSY MARATHONER AND A GUY WHO CHALLENGED HIMSELF, WHO PUSHED HIMSELF OUT OF HIS COMFORT ZONE AND WHO DIDN'T DO WHAT HE SET OUT TO DO.

BUT WHO LEARNED SOME STUFF ALONG THE WAY.

I GUESS I'LL JUST THINK OF IT AS A GIFT