Get out your demons, come on get happy! Get ready for the wedding day!

Hi Guys and Gals!
I've been reading the new blog entries. It could be me alone, but I am starting to notice that some of you are experiencing a sense of feeling overwhelmed and not all of it has to do with running. I'd suggest eating some chocolate, but dammit if the heat doesn't melt it before I can get a good bite. I believe the trick is to figure out a way around, over, under or through the obstacle. Don't get me wrong. I am currently having an ongoing moment of overwhelming proportions. That pesky hound dog!
The last long run we did... the loop around campfire circle... a beagle howled at me. (Yes, I know, but the beagles are in the hound family. It still counts.) Then, later that week, during a Rockette run, the same beagle, but up close so I could see his face. No threat was made...but our eyes met. The message was clear; The Basset Hound had sent him. Then I kept hearing people around me talking about 'their' Basset Hound. I think Hallie said she has one and my supervisor just revealed that she owns one as well. On the radio, as I am getting ready for work, whichever station has the Pet Parade announced the a lost basset hound had been found. He's clever, that hound. The most compelling part of this story is that each of these moments occurred right when I started to feel tired or unmotivated, entertaining negative thoughts. I believe that there are lessons to be learned in small moments of our lives if we just pay attention long enough. My very first 5K race, in March; I pushed myself to go the distance so that The Basset Hound wouldn't beat me to the finish line. I am three months away from my second race - the race of my life, and I can hear that leash jingling behind me. But there is NO WAY I am letting that Basset Hound ruin my walk down the aisle! I have a date with destiny. And if there is anything I see at the end of the race I expect it to be a Stallion! wink, wink!

We all have our demons, mine is just in the shape of a basset hound. I am aware that some of our marathoners that are feeling overwhelmed. And sometimes that quicksand can feel like cement, but it all starts with you. If you can see yourself at the start, if you can see yourself waving to all the cheering spectators, if you can see yourself at the finish line...and if you can see yourself eating cheesecake after!....then you can achieve it. Don't give up! All you gotta do is show up, we'll be there with you. And whatever is heavy on your heart, we're more than willing to listen. The whole point of all this was to make a positive change - however great or small. If a positive change occurred, then none of this was for naught. Just remember, you have got to do this for you and no one else. You deserve great things. We all do. Forget the past, forget what was. You can't change it and it does no good to ruminate over old wounds. You have the power to change the future by acting in the present. And I expect to see you guys at my wedding at the finish line. (For those of who are behind in reading or can't remember, I am speaking about the marraige of my 'old- self' to the 'new- self' when I complete that marathon.)

I'll stop preaching now. I just wanted to get that off my chest. I hope to see my ladies on Thursday and the rest of you on Saturday. Live, Laugh and Love!