... at the Cleveland marathon:

* I learned that raisin Bran and a bagel on race morning does not count as carbo-loading.

* I learned that there are no convenience stores in downtown Cleveland. (So bring your breakfast milk with you, lest you walk for an hour the night before the race looking for milk).

* I learned that I should've arranged for someone to pick up my packet early so that I can wear my moisture-wicking race shirt for something other than a nightgown.

* I learned that mile 19 is a really stupid time to experiment with energy gel.

* I learned that it's well worth $50 or $100 for a hotel closer to the finish line. The longest 1/2 mile that day was the walk back to our hotel.

* I learned that I should have brought sandals to the finish line because walking back to the hotel, on city sidewalks, in bare feet, was kind of disgusting.

* I learned that I'm vulnerable -- that my body (and my mind) is not invincible, and I can only push it so far before it quits on me.

* I learned that any type of music becomes highly annoying after 3 1/2 miles. There is no such thing as motivational music after you've hit the wall.

* I learned that "the wall" is as real as the cinder block one on the other side of my computer.

* I learned that those big, thick runners calves, quads and hamstrings that I am sometimes embarrassed by deserve all my love and respect.

* I learned that the mind works in strange ways when it's stressed to the max. Somehow, at mile 22 (or 23...who knows?) I could recite Dr. Suess' entire "Oh, the Places You'll Go," but I couldn't even begin to calculate my mile splits.

* I learned that what doesn't kill me makes me stronger.