"What matters most is how well you walk through the fire."

I've had that quote from Charles Bukowski tattooed on my body since my 30th birthday, but this morning a friend sent it to me, reminding me how relevant it is at all times.

After a rough start yesterday, today turned it all around for me emotionally. I went in with a plan to rotate running and walking with each new mile as a way to fend off any muscle strain problems.

It worked! Mostly. Until blisters started destroying my feet. Those led to a long 9-mile walk at the end of the day, but I chose with every step to enjoy the hell out of it.

Thanks to the power of technology, I occupied my mind during walking miles with tweets and texts and photos and laughing and singing and general silliness. I laughed more today than I have in weeks. It was just me, the long empty highway, and hysterical laughter as friends sent encouragement and I documented the journey.

I couldn't stop thinking all day how lucky I am to experience this, and how even more lucky I am for the people I have in my life.

The people are everything.

Running into Colorado today tops the list of magical moments. That border has been a silent beacon for me, and when I came over the hill and saw it in the distance... GAH!

I ran and ran and RAN to that sign, all the way off the road, into the grass and straight to the pole.

I made it to the next state.

I couldn't even pretend not to cry as I flailed my way into Colorado. It just felt like such a big moment.

Which tells me that reaching that finish line on Sunday will be EVERYTHING.

The last few miles today got rough, and I've spent the night battling the blisters, but I'm proud of myself for CHOOSING to be joyful today.

After yesterday's firestorm of a day, the only thing that could turn it around was how I moved through it today.

Tomorrow is another challenge while we deal with the wreckage that is my feet, but there's rarely been a challenge I haven't given a shot.

Walk through that fire with your head up.

krittabug