Finishing what they started

Well, I obviously didn't spend my weekend getting blisters, chugging Gatorade, sweating profusely, and cursing everyone who passed me (as I did on a Saturday back in 2004). I bowed out of my little Marathon, and haven't regretted it since. But while I was busy haggling for fake purses on the streets of Midtown, my brothers were running their hearts out. For Matt, (pictured left) this was his virgin race. Dan (pictured right), ran with me in 2004. [The guy in the middle is my cousin's husband, Joe. This is like his 7th marathon or something crazy awesome like that.] Those two brothers of mine finished with a time of 4 hours and 25 minutes, and having done a race myself once, I think that is pretty fantastic.

And so because I kind of like them, and in honor of their victory, here is my top ten list of reasons why I think they deserve this big success:

1. Because they chose to do something hard, put their minds to it, and did what they set out to do.
2. Because they both have three young kids and work hard to be good Dads.
3. Because when we were little, my older brother and I tied Daniel to a post in the basement and left him there crying.
4. Because when we were little, Daniel and I wrapped Matt up tightly in blankets and left him outside in the snow crying. [What is it about me and tying people up in my youth? I really have outgrown that one.]
5. Because I once made fun of Daniel's red hair and Matt's need for glasses.
6. Because they are good husbands to their wives.
7. Because their kids were all cheering at the finish line wearing t-shirts that said, "Run, Daddy, Run."
8. Because running a marathon is really, really hard.
9. Because they didn't quit [unlike someone else I know, ahem]. They trained through the heat of the summer, while working full-time jobs, serving in the church, and raising families.
10. And finally, because I love them.

Well done, you two.