Don't aim for success if you want it; just do what you love and believe in, and it will come naturally.
David Frost

Welcome back for another walk in my mind. You know this week has been filled with ups and downs. I'm working on putting the downs behind me and embracing my achievements. The biggest accomplishment was I stayed sober! Don't get me wrong, it wasn't a walk in the park, but I made adjustments and made it through. Today marks 8 days without finding a reason to have a drink. On a very personal note, I have been thinking ( I think a lot!) about you. All of you and what it is that makes me comfortable with sharing with you my inner thoughts. I think the main reason is that I am very comfortable with all of you. Another reason, and this is big, is because I get great feedback and this is also very therapeutic for me. I has a strong conviction that this is my calling. I have looked for my purpose in life for years to no avail. Now I have found something that feels so comfortable and right that I have to roll with it. It is my hope that you all get something from my blabbing...lol!

After my meltdown last week I was suspended from the team for a week. As you can imagine, it was very hard for me to not be able to run with my team and family. I was also under the weather ( I think it had something to do with me not being able to run). Yesterday was the first time that I got a chance to get back out there and stretch my legs, and boy did I!!! I set off to do 10 miles with Anne but she wasn't feeling well. So I had to run by myself. That was only the second time running alone so it was nice when I saw a friend, Larry, on my trek back. Although it was lonely out there, I felt great and wanted to push myself since I tend to slack off if no one is out there. So I start off for the "loop". That is a 8.5 mile loop around Kelly Drive and East Falls Road. It is a mile and a half from OBP. So after I do the loop and get back to OBP, I felt I had more in my tank. I thought to myself, "Do I have a half marathon in me?" Only one way to find out right? So I run the timed mile route we run every two weeks, Twice!!! 13.5 miles in a time of 1:51:01!! I felt GREAT!! I was like a caged animal being set free!! WOW It was wonderful. So then I get up this morning at 5am to be back out there with my friends and team. I was going to run 6 miles, and I really wanted to, but my legs had a different route planned out for me...lol Let me tell you, My legs are pretty sore. Goes to show you, I am not the smartest runner out there. Am I mad? Heck no!! It makes me smile that I am sore and I went out there and ran my longest distance. And I did it with all of you. That was one of the things that kept me going. I kept hearing the encouragement and when I was crossing my imaginary finish line, you were all there cheering me to a strong finish! Crazy? maybe alittle bit, but I'll take this crazy any day. Last thing. I will be in Baltimore to visit my friends there ( John, Jackie, Vanessa, etc.)

I look forward to meeting everyone one day. I enjoy the comments and all the input I get. I want you all to keep being such positive people in my life and I'm sure countless others. So in closing I would like to just say, I am doing what it is I love to do and I couldn't ask for more. Thank You all for making this dream of mine come true. Anne You are my angel and I thank God for placing you in my life. I wish there were was more I could do to show my appreciation. You ever want a pony when you were a little girl? I'll just have to start a "Get Anne a Pony Drive"...LOL
Until next time, your always on my mind!!

Isaac
isaac@backonmyfeet.org