Badging for the picture of you and Laz, let alone the entire rest of that post. Even attempting that race is so much more than the vast majority of people attempt in their lives, really impressive and evocative read.
Thanks! I was quite timid about registering for such an intimidating challenge. What won me over was realizing that my birthday was on the same weekend, and I couldn't remember what I did for most of my previous birthdays. (To say nothing of the other 364 days.) After the first year, I swore I would never do such a thing again. It was a while before the psychic wounds scarred over and the nagging sense of "unfinished business" convinced me to sign up for another round, once more with much trepidation. I am firmly in "never again" mode now....