I DID IT! Oh my god I actually did it.

42.195 kilometers. 26.2 miles. On foot. Without a car. Or an ambulance. I crossed the line with a time of 5 hours, 40 minutes and change. I was just barely squeezed out of first place by a Kenyan runner in a photo finish that I plan to contest to the world governing body of marathons. His official time was 2 hours 8 minutes.

Actually, I finished something like 11,569th out of 15,187 entries. But still, not bad for a fat old guy. The key word in all this is FINISH. I ran a marathon! I ran a marathon. Now, when I say "I feel like I just ran a marathon", I can follow it up by saying "And believe me, I know what I'm talking about." That's gonna be so sweet. I can't wait to use it. lots.

So I'm back to work today, and I'm so jetlagged I can hardly see straight. 25 hours of travel each way has left me feeling like I just ran a marathon. . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(wait for it) . . . . . . .


And believe me, I know what I'm talking about!

Bada Bing!

I have lots of great pictures of the trip - I'll post a few tonight.

AND - I've made the draw for the big prize! As you may recall, I was going to buy something uniquely Italian and give it as a prize to one lucky person who pledged my campaign. I purchased a beautiful piece of original glass artwork from Murano, along with a nice bottle of Grappa, an Italian spirit. (Pictures of both forthcoming)

And the winner is -

Kathy McKale of Cold Lake! Thanks for the support Kathy, I'll deliver your gift soon.

All for now.

Gotta sit down and have a long nap. Already planning the next marathon.

The Fat Guy