My World by Gail

"Grass does not strain to grow." I heard that said once. In other words grass gets all it needs to grow, water, light, food and it doesn't have to do anything to get it. I wrote that little statement on a 3x5 card and put it where I can see it daily. So if grass does not strain to grow then I don't have to either. We (grass and me) are created by the same God above. Life is full of surprises and changes. I have learned in all my needs over the years I have always been taken care of. Heavenly Father knows me and loves me like He loves all His creations. I'm so blessed!
Now I want t tell you how I am blessed lately. THE MARATHON!
I have to give credit to my daughter Neeley for her inspiring me to run a marathon. She did it. 26.2 miles. WOW! I am doing it too, on Sunday March 2, 2008. I have to admit I have strained in the process of training. I probably will have moments on the course where I will be saying, WHAT WERE YOU THINKING? However, I have grown and I have gained so much in the process. I feel runing a marathon is like life. I have used this great book to train called The Non-Runner's Marathon Trainer. Of course if I didn't run the miles ahead of time my body would rebel and not let me do it but I have trained both my body and my mind. The experience truly has been a life lesson for me. I can't count how many times I have wanted to quit. At the beginning of the book they tell you to tell everyone that you are running a marathon. Ring it loud and clear that is because they know most people will quit when the miles get bigger and bigger and at least want to quit. I did, but then I would have to tell all those people when they asked how my training was going, I quit. I'm not rnning a marathon. It was too hard. I couldn't do that. I mainly don't want to disapoint myself with another failure. I am strong! I am a runner! I finish! I am a MARATHONER! I am blessed!

I am so amazed at the support I have felt all through this training. My family first of all have been my biggest fans, my cheerleaders, most of them will be at the run to cheer me on during the run. I need that so much. My friends have expressed how proud of me they are. Also the perfect strangers I meet as I'm running my long runs. Kathy is a lady I met two weeks ago on my 18 miler. She was walking her dog and said "I see you run all the time, are you running for a marathon?" I told her when and where and she said "you are amazing and I'm so proud of you" She asked me to stop by her house when I'm home after it's all over and let her know how it went. I will do that. She and all my supporters have no idea the energy that gives me. I feel it to my very center. Thank you, thank you, thank you.

As many of you know I am also raising money for The Kaiizen Foundation. My goal is $2,000.
The link to donate is http://www.active.com/donate/gail52runforids please support me by giving whatever you can to the kids.