Epilogue I:

Words from the MonkeyJay -

They play in the woods. The running girl with the dark hair and blue eyes. The boy with blond curls and gray eyes, struggling to keep up with her on his chubby toddler legs. It took five, ten, fifteen years for me to agree. But my Monkibred wanted them so badly. When I first felt her stirring inside of me, I was consumed with a terror that felt as old as life itself. Only the joy of holding her in my arms could tame it. Carrying him was a little easier, but not much. Watching them run in the woods, a solace.

Their questions are just beginning. The race courses have been completely destroyed, the memorials built, and the Tenth Monkey Game done. They teach about it at school, and the girl knows you all played a role in them. The boy will know in a few years. How can I tell them about that race without frightening them to death? My children, who take the words of the song for granted:

Deep in the woods, under the willow

A bed of leaves, a soft green pillow 
Lay down your head, and close your sleepy eyes
And when again they open, the sun will rise.

Here it's safe, here you are free

Here the hills guard you from every monkey 
Here the pies are sweet and the winding roads are true 
Here are late autumn trees under a sky of blue.

My children, who don't know they run on a race course.

My Monkibred says it will be okay. We have each other. And a Silipint. We can make them understand it all in a way that will make them braver. But one day I'll have to explain about my nightmares. The race that caused them to come. Why they won't ever really go away.

I'll tell them how I survive the Monkey Games. I'll tell them that on bad mornings, it feels impossible to take pleasure in anything because I'm afraid it could be taken away. That's when I make a list of every runner’s time, every victory over the course. It's like a game. Repetitive. Even a little tedious after ten years. But there are much worse games to play.

Epilogue II:

- Results are up on the website. Enjoy them. I suspect a few of them may be accurate even. http://harpethhillsmarathon.com/Runners.html

- Pictures are up, courtesy of Elly Foster Photography! You prepaid for these, so they are yours for the downloading. Enjoy!

On the course - http://www.ellyfosterphotography.com/Sports/HHFMM-X-the-Games/

Finish Line - http://www.ellyfosterphotography.com/HHFMM-X-at-the-Capital/

- As always, please thank our heroic volunteers! They did a bang up job and I am both proud and appreciative. The best way to thank them is to give feedback either via an email to Diana the volunteer coordinator and me, or through a review on MarathonGuide at: http://www.marathonguide.com/races/racedetails.cfm?MIDD=2539141123

- We have TWO special offers for you -

1. The good folks at SWORD hydration are offering a special online coupon for your next order. Coupon code 'Monkey15' will be for 15% off entire order. Coupon is only good for a few weeks. To use it, the person just have to enter it at checkout from their website, www.drinksword.com

2. From the HillYeah5k: “Got those PFMBs? If you're suffering the well-known sequelae of the FMM - Post Flying Monkey Blues - have heart! More hills are in your future! You need not wait until next fall for another dose of Monkey venom. The FMs are planning a New Year's celebration feast in West Meade this year and you're invited! The Hill Yeah! 5K supporting Room in the Inn (http://www.roomintheinn.org) is in its third running and begins at 10 am at the Brook Hollow Baptist Church in West Meade. All FMM runners, victims and volunteers are encouraged to check out this event. Please register early with code “MONKEY16” to receive a $5 discount. This discount will only be available through December 15th. Register today at http://www.hillyeah5k.com to chase a few more hills and to support this great cause!”

Enjoy your stiff legs, your drained brain and today’s pumpkin pie. Recover well. And come back for more.

Have a great Thanksgiving.

The Year of the Monkey
Trent