26.2 Because of YOU!

Here's my list... still may make a change or two... who knows... But for now... this is why! Why Marathon? Why go 26.2? .... Because of YOU... that's why! 1. Because I Believe….. I believe that with God I can do all things. I believe that he showed me that article in the newspaper because he wanted me to do this! He wanted me to ask Linda and for her to say yes. He wanted us to know each other better. He wanted me to know each of you (MMers). He wanted me to get up out of bed earlier on Saturday mornings. He wanted me to get on the road to becoming a healthier me again. (FOR REAL THIS TIME!) He wanted me to BELIEVE in me again! 2. My Aunt Beth….. My dad’s sister. We lost her just about 3 weeks after Jamie was born. Jamie was born in Alaska, but it worked out that I was able to come home for my brother in law’s wedding and had one day to take Jamie to the hospital for my aunt to see and hold. She was a special person to me and an inspiration. 3. My daughter… Jamie….. I want her to be proud of me. I want to be healthy and not an embarrassment or burden. I want to get a lot more straightened out in my life; but this is a start! I can complete this. (Three is my favorite number… so it is fitting that my child is here!) 4. My parents. They are truly ALWAYS there! (and boy have I needed them over and over and over ………!) They have always believed in me, even when I didn’t. I know they always will. 5. (Mom & Dad)….. a mile for each, but together the two. 6. Linda…. Because she said YES….. she did this with me….. & she will not be able to complete this year. BUT…. She said yes and without her, I am not sure that I would have been able or willing to hang in there in the beginning. 7. Gail….. She is my friend… a best friend… she always believes and encourages. She is there for me. She pushes me to be a better me. 8. Joyce…. She is so amazing. She is there for everyone…. She has so many who depend on her. She makes me feel blessed to know her. 9. Ginger …. My sister-in-law. She runs. She has encouraged me. She has made it a priority in her life. (It helps with sanity!) My brother… Mike… He has encouraged me. He was so excited when I told him I was doing this. He has believed in his wife and seen the importance and has done the same for me. 10. My sister…. Lauri…. I want to encourage her too. We need this health trek together. I want her to join in on the Ms Blues! She is such a special person. She is always there for me. She encourages and believes in me. She makes me feel important and special. She shares her family with me. Her husband, David and children are so loving and special too. They include me in so much more than they have to. 11. Sandra Loftin….. She was my walking partner a few years back. I have wished for her so many times since she moved away… but I have really wished for her these months of MM! She would have been there with us… I know she would. She will be with me in spirit though. I miss our walks! 12. Debbie…. We go on the trek again….. We have been here before. We each need each other and are there when needed. 13. Cindy….. What a friend!.... She is there for me before I know I need her! No matter what she seems to be in the middle of… she always makes time for the needs of her friends…. And even those that before did not know she was a friend. She bears such burdens in her own life, yet comes to the needs of others. If there were a picture to describe a true friend… She would surely be there. We actually met while walking for exercise. She saw me out walking in the neighborhood and came out and asked to join in. We walked early mornings (even though she did not like early mornings!) We soon became such very close friends and have remained so since!) That was probably around 1994 or 1995! 14. Grandmother and Granddaddy….. They too believed in me….. To them… I could do anything… I miss them so. I will think of them and remember them and praise God that I got to have them in my life and that Jamie got to know them too! They will get miles 14 & 15! 15. Grandmother and Granddaddy 16. Lamar… He has changed my life in so many ways. He was/is my friend. We have our ups and downs and hurts and healings. I don’t believe that he really thought that I would do this. He has expressed amazement and I know he is proud. I’ve even heard him tell one or two people that I was doing this! 17. Cliff Nelson … He is such a Godly man. He exemplifies what I think God wants us to be. He shares his love and helps heal hearts. He believes in God and leads others to do the same. He leads by example if ever anyone did. He rolls along and keeps up his faith in the depths of adversity. He continues without fault. He stands strong for those around him, even when he needs a hand as well. Carol Nelson… She faces such difficulty now… She remains strong in her faith. She continues to keep other’s needs high on her list. Be with her God as she fights this illness. Please be with her. 18. My girlfriends… LeeAnn… Shelia… Chris…Mitzi… Kay… and more… through the years you have been there for all those different places in my life! 19. My grandmother Bell….. She came to be proud of me too. I felt it… Help me let go of the times where I did not feel it. 20. Lynne…. She has always been my cousin, my friend. She was my role model growing up. I wanted to be like her so much! We lived together in college. Her mother is my Aunt Beth. She needs to see that I can do this too. I want this for her. I wish that MM were in Tupelo too! I wish this for her! 21. O.K. O.K. this is where the SPITE comes in….. For all those who thought I would NEVER do this… by mile 21… I just remind myself to kick it in… I can do this… I will do this…… SPITE is not good I know…. BUT maybe if I try to find a good use for it……. THEN ….. LET IT GO!  22. My students….. They know…. They have encouraged…. The ones from last semester have come up and asked if I’ve gone yet! 23. My nieces and nephews…. I want to be here for them! I love them! I want them to be proud of me! 24. Memories … What I used to be / do/ run! 25. MM …. Mark & Robin and ALL of my MM FRIENDS! 26. 2 Me…. IT’S ALL ABOUT ME! ... here's where HEBREWS 12:11 comes in!

Makin' My List & checkin' it twice... 26.2 BECAUSE of YOU

Well... I made my list.... MY 26.2 Because of You.... List.... I am checking it twice... making tweaks and changes.... adding and combining. I have teared up a few times. I have decided that I will make some cards... kinda... "Thank YOU" type... In some cases it will be THANKS... in others... more inspiration..... I started my template... the front... "26.2 Because of YOU!" "THANKS"...... I will write inside telling the person what mile I have committed to them and why. I will ask also for that person's prayers for the whole marathon and trip, but particularly for the mile I dedicate to the individual. Of course there are some miles that I have dedicated to someone who is no longer on earth, but who I know will be there with me all the way! Oh the tears! This is just SO GREAT! Mark... Robin..... Matt... Scotty... AND all of you other MMers... I am so VERY proud to be a part of you!

OK... here's the thing...

I really can not tell you for sure who it was that cased me to miss Saturday... It was either... God... telling me I needed some rest... I had a particularly long week... Friday after work (at Hinds) I made banana pudding for 200...then set up and catered a meal for 200 (had some help with that!) Packed up leftovers and delivered to two families with major health issues... visited a moment at each... made it home around 10 or a little after... got everything laid out and packed for my trip to Tupelo right after my run... had the swimming pool and ice loded in the truck!!! I mean... I was READY!!! Alarm went off.... I was feeling ok.. turned it off... was not worried about drifting back off... BUT... I did... at 5:00 I woke up ... again and realized the earliest I could possibly get there was 1 hour late... Remember... I am a slowby! I did not want to show up and have anyone wait on me... I did not want to go and risk injury for rushing and being in a panic... ''hindsight.... I should have gone and done even half... I was so aggrivated... I had to get to Tupelo too... I even had arranged to shower at a friends so I could get to the family reunion w/out going back to Raymond! I still can not believe I did that! I do know I am ready though... I won't be anywhere near the Kenyans or their offspring... but I will Be THere! I am also open to the possibility that it very well could have been the "Devil who made me do it"!..... or in this case ... "NOT Do It!"... No Matter... I will move on from here... right where I am.... 3 weeks away from the CHICAGO MARATHON! I missed you guys and the pictures were great! Left Tupelo and went through Oxford and had lunch with my baby yesterday. Her birthday is tomorrow. She'll be 20! No longer a teenager! This time 20 years ago..... that one is for another day! Marathon on all you GREAT People!

GOT MY BIB NUMBER!!!!!!! I jes about cried... silly ... I know... but.... WOW... this is happnin! Read Onetta's Blog... could not agree more! I am having those SAME thoughts! Completion has been the issue..... Of course on the positive side, Had that not been MY focus... the time shaving issue most likely would not have even been a factor at this point. It has taken everything I had from the beginning NOT to push too hard... I did not want to burn out, give out, or get hurt... I usually go full force and then at this stage in my life.... overdo and give up. But I didn't! I am here... AND debating shaving minutes! I too feel that I probably need to get out there early... and if that is what I am going to do... I will probably want to do so by at least 6:00, maybe 5:30!

WOW... Just WOW!

I can not believe it! ..... But yet I do BELIEVE IN MIRACLES... It truly is almost here. Yes ... I could have done more.... I could have done better..... BUT... I have done something... And so much more than I ever really dared to believe! I too am concentrating on complettion and NO INJURIES right now (SOUNDS LIKE A GOOD EXCUSE ANYWAY!) There is no way I want to mess up now. I am so sorry for all of the injuries beyond control. I can not even imagine. I just know how bummed I am about Linda and know that does not begin to cover her feelings. She is hangin in there though and we are planning to do "the next step" and continue on with trainning for the MS BLUES.... I have already sent an email to all those that did not join us for this one and the ones who complained I did not ask them! We'll see how many join in! I just have to repeat everyone yet again...THANKYOUTHANKYOUTHANKYOU! and not JUST Mark, Robin, Matt, Scotty (though you do get the BIG BIG BIG applause!) But to everyone who has encouraged and smiled. It is so great to KNOW you have so much support. I enjoyed my long distance "thinking time". If I mess up and get off on a sad or "self beat-up" course..... It is not long before God places one of you and your smiles and short words of laughter or encouragement in my path to straighten out my thoughts! Therefore... most of the lsd if a POSITIVE talk! My friends and family laugh at me when they check on me after a Saturday like yesterday and I respond "Oh yeah,I am fine.... We just did 10 today.... No, Iprobably won't rest that much... I really do feel o" I will admit that my feet hurt more yesterday and today, I think it is "leftovers" from last week. This is sooooo AMAZING! THANK YOU again... EVERYONE!