June 29

9 miles

Matt says it’s time for new tennis shoes.

July 6

10 miles

Jere got hurt.

July 13

12 miles

Finished in 2:14! Only had to use bathroom once

July 20

13 miles

Halfway there!

July 27

15 miles

Humidity just about finished me off. Time 3:06.

August 3

14 miles

Hurt knee. Overdosed on Pepto.

August 10

11 miles

Wore new knee brace—it messes with my gait.

August 17

16 miles

Didn’t get enough sleep in dorms.

August 24

20 miles

August 31

14 miles

September 7

22 miles

September 14

20 miles

September 21

The Bluegrass Half Marathon

September 28

12 miles

October 5

10 miles

October 12

Country Music Marathon in Nashville

IGGY STRIKES AGAIN

You have got to be kidding me.

It’s noon when I get back from my sixteen-mile run, and Vanessa is still sleeping away.

I dope up on Pepto, wishing I could take ibuprofen, and collapse onto my bed with an ice pack on my throbbing knee. I close my eyes, planning to relax for a few minutes before grabbing a shower. I smell like a locker room.

Two hours later, I wake up in a puddle of water. My shorts are soaked and my skin itches. I fell asleep with the ice pack on.

“Oh good, you’re awake!” Vanessa says, pulling her headphones off. “We didn’t want to check out campus without you.” I shoot her a death stare but she’s having none of it. She shoos me. “Shower. Now. Go!”

I’m groggy as hell as I climb into the shower and lean my head against the tile. Today’s run just about killed me. This feels worse than any hangover I’ve ever had.

When I’m shampooing my hair, I accidentally slip on the suds but catch myself using the bar before I crash to the floor. Please don’t let me pass out in the shower. I can barely move. Spots flash across my vision. Is this what every Saturday is going to be like until the marathon is over?

After somehow slipping my noodle-like arms and legs into clean clothes, Kelsey, Vanessa, Colton, and I decide to check out the Welcome Barbecue on the quad. Loud music blares and kids are doing everything from playing catch to lounging on picnic blankets. An ambitious guy is already campaigning for the Student Confederation President election in October. Girls are sunbathing in bikini tops, wearing headphones. The whole scene makes me happy—I’ve never seen so many people in my life, and hanging out with the girls makes me feel a zing inside.

The four of us load our plates with barbecue and potato salad, squeezing past other hungry kids. Someone jostles my elbow and I nearly drop my paper plate as we grab seats on the grass in front of the communications building.

Colton fist-bumps me. “Now that is what I’m talking about. Three barbecue sandwiches and a hot dog?”

“I’m starving,” I say, taking a big bite of the hot dog.

“Ugh,” Kelsey says. “I have heartburn just looking at Annie’s plate.”

I slurp some water in response.

“If this won’t end your drought, I don’t know what will,” Vanessa says to Kelsey as they gaze around at the guys.

Colton says in a deadpan tone, “I’ve never seen so many hot girls, myself.”

“So go talk to one,” Kelsey says.

“Then who would carry your Coke and silverware while you’re trying to balance your plate? You never would’ve made it through that buffet line without me.”

Kelsey pops a bite of potato salad in her mouth. “True. You’re a good manservant,” she says.

“And you’re a pain in my ass,” Colton replies.

“Why don’t y’all just do it already?” Vanessa blurts.

“Not gonna happen,” they say simultaneously, but the minute they stop talking, he pulls her hair out of her face so it doesn’t fall in her potato salad and she wipes crumbs off his chest.

We finish eating and go in search of dessert. On our way to grab cookies from the buffet, we pass a bunch of Delta Tau Kappa guys wearing T-shirts with their letters embroidered across their chests. I spot Jeremiah standing with two guys, chatting up a couple of girls. I haven’t seen him yet today because he ran in a race instead of pacing somebody…I kind of missed him. His pretty blue eyes meet mine. “Annie,” he calls, holding up one finger.

Vanessa grabs my elbow. Kelsey’s mouth drops open.