Have you had yours yet? When you first feel race season in the air for the year, when you first glimpse what it is exactly that you're a part of, and how you are one of so few people? It's amazing.

The Scene: somewhere near Painesville, Ohio. August 12, 2001. Two smelly, sweaty chicks flexing on a curb.

The other day at 1,200 yards I started sinking, and with that came coughing and gasping and panicking, and I had no idea what it was that wouldn’t stop pulling at me until it occurred to me just how much I was carrying into the pool that day.

Today marks a milestone in my athletic career. Let's note this in our respective diaries, shall we. Saturday March 3, 2007. On this day, for the first time in the memorable past, I went swimming at the local YMCA and didn't see any crazed freaky folks in the pool with me. I know, I thought it was impossible as well.

Girl Scout cookies are evil. Understand here that there are varying degrees of demon in the Girl Scout cookie realm, however Satan himself is the cookie incarnate Caramel deLite – a.k.a., Samoa.

I’ve spent a long time fighting and striving and breaking and rebuilding, and I’ve spent a long time in the face of something thinking it was the way to conquer that which would stand before me, in my way.

1. There are good days and there are bad days and sometimes you can't tell the difference until you start. 2. Contrary to popular belief, sleep is not overrated. Not in the slightest. 3. Don't forget to breathe.

Out of the thick of January, and into the start of February. Yup. That’s a good place to be.

jugg3rnaut writes: I was always a chubby kid, not just chubby but tall too!

I think it’s context… I train and race for context.