"In the long run, we get no more than we have been willing to risk giving" -Sheldon Kopp

Long runs are my favorite. Long runs require your all. Long runs paradoxically exhaust, and invigorate long before the glycogen is replaced. Long runs are also a time for reflection, and during the 12 miles I completed today, I was saturated with thoughts of still, "how can I do more?" I guess I didn't know myself real well when I said that I would first focus on this initial 16-week effort (exact words, I believe) before committing to additional marathons for ESP fundraising...because I already want to raise the challenge! Here's what I'm "goal-ing": 6 marathons in 6 months, beginning, of course, with Chicago. Here are the considerations and possiblities: November would keep me local for the Space Coast Marathon in Cocoa Beach on the 29th; December's could possibly be in West Palm Beach, Clermont, or even Jacksonville with the Marathon of the Palm Beaches, Florida Marathon, and Jacksonville Bank Marathon, respectively. To kick of the new year, the Disney Marathon (already 65% full--eek!) seems the perfect choice...and it's a nice option, being only 30 minutes down the road! For February, I am eyeing the 26.2 with Donna in Jacksonville Beach, the Fort Lauderdale AIA, and Tampa Gasparilla Marathons. March rounds out the 6 months, and there are 2 from which to choose: the Snickers Marathon in Albany, GA or the (one I would most like to complete) ING Georgia Marathon in Atlanta.

So...there's my pitch! My goal is to extend the length of time for fundraising and also raise the challenge for myself as evidence of my commitment to ESP! Please continue to tell everybody you know about ESP and how it positively impacts and increases the quality of life of these special-needs children!

Risk more than others think is safe.

Care more than others think is wise.
Dream more than others think is practical.
Expect more than others think is possible.
--Claude T Bissell

"some people walk in the rain...others just get wet..." roger miller

Thunderstorms have quite a raging personality here in Central Florida...this morning I was awakened by one of the loudest I've experienced so far, and anticipated a rather soggy run! I used to be a wimp about running in the rain, but a few years ago, discovered I really didn't mind it so much. I was actually forced to yield to this, what I had determined to be, less-than-ideal kind of weather, when it poured during an entire 1/2 Marathon...but I became acquainted with the conditions and had fun to my surprise!

SO...back to this morning...reminded myself of how much I really do enjoy a good run in the cool rain (especially with it being 85 degrees with 75% humidity before 7:00am)...laced up my Brooks, donned my favorite Nike hat, and headed out the door. An hour later, I was soaked, but stimulated...and refreshed by the challenge of the storm...sometimes that at which we once balked becomes our strengthening factor...

I am floored with the amount of response to this mission thus far! My heart is so glad when I think about how much these kids will benefit from the donations! Thank you to those who have shown their support and offered such sweet words of encouragement. It means the world to me.

T minus 16 weeks

Day one is TODAY, and it began successfully because we have already raised $75 for ESP!

HIP HIP HOORAY!

(This is actually the cheer that is shouted many, many times during the day at
ESP Summer Camp)

SOOO, in true ESP fashion...
HIP HIP HOORAY, HIP HIP HOORAY, HIP HIP HOORAY!

I also recorded a faster-than-usual 10K run today, clocking in @ 51 minutes! To summarize how my training will unfold here is a breakdown: the first 3 running days of each week include easy runs mixed with quicker-paced efforts, ranging anywhere from 3-10 miles as we gradually increase mileage every few weeks. The 4th and final running day of every week is the long run, which starts at 10 miles and increases to 20 miles. The long run teaches the body endurance, how to use fuel efficiently, and forces the legs to recruit and train more muscles as some inevitably tire. It can be the most taxing of the workouts, but can be the most fulfilling.
Even when I'm not sure that I have anything left at the end of one of these long runs, the effort and stress is no match to what raising a child with special needs requires...while these families are blessed because of their children, it is still hard, and it is for a lifetime...all I have to do is run a marathon.

By supporting ESP, you can be sure that (at least) one life has
breathed easier because you have lived.

The Reason

For those of you who don’t know my brother, Craig, it is my pleasure to introduce you!

For those of you who don’t know Craig, it is my pleasure to introduce you. Craig was born with many special needs, but I’ve always said that he is more than the sum of these “disabilities and handicaps” to me. Most of his medical difficulties were due to the abnormal development of his esophagus, trachea, and eyes; more specifically, a Tracheal Fistula, Esophageal Atresia and Anopthalmia. All that medical mumbo-jumbo to everybody just basically means that his esophagus and trachea abnormally connected and his esophagus didn’t finish forming or attach to his stomach. He was also born without eyes. This sounds really weird, but it just looks like anyone else who has his or her eyes closed. These medical issues, from the beginning, have implicated daily, specialized care and attention, along with Craig’s unique developmental needs. Although Craig is unable to talk, walk, or even eat normally, he has no idea he’s any different than you or me.

Craig motivates me to never give anything less than my utmost, stirs my resolve to endure uncomfortable life circumstances and “hard” days, and convicts me that I am to serve and continue to love in every sense of the verb. He is, and always has been happy, felt loved, lived loved, and given love in return. He gives me hope and illustrates limitless-living. His heart is pure and made of all that is good…he’s the reason…

I hope these pictures touch your heart as they touch mine every time I look at them.


Mom and Dad with Craig in the NICU
-1986-
Medical College of Georgia
Augusta, GA

LOVE his BIG smile!

Look at me, I'm covered in OREOS!

Last School Picture
-2008-


I'm 23 now!
-2009-
Home in Athens, GA

For my first marathon, I devoted mile 22 to Craig because that’s how old he was; but this time, Craig has fueled the inspiration behind EVERY one of the 26.2 that I will run in Chicago.

LET US RUN WITH PERSEVERANCE THE RACE MARKED OUT FOR US.
-Hebrews 12:1-2-