18 miles.....!!!

Saturday was my longest run ever so far. It didnt start off to a great start b/c I went to bed so early on Friday night that I forgot to set my alram and Chuck had to wait almost an hour for Scott and I to get there to start, but we all made it to 18 miles! I didn't even know the Lakeshore path went that far south!

I would have never thought I would ever be running this long. I feel like after the first 4 things just start to blur together. I do have to say that I am blessed by the strength that God has given me to do this, I pray before my run and even during my run when i am struggling and when even when I am feeling good. I

So....2 more long runs to go before the big day, a 20 miler and a 22 miler.

Philippians 4:1313 I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me.

I'm on a Treadmill!

Oh my gosh, so we had our 15 mile run to complete late Friday. We were in ATL and were going to run half inside and half outside. The run was actually going pretty well, so we ended up completing the 15 mile run on a treadmill in the ATL marquis:-) Glad that is over with!

Awkward Family Photos

Just wanted to pass this website along... It brightens up my dad and it also makes me wonder if my family has anythig to add to the collection:-) I will have to look when I go home next!

http://awkwardfamilyphotos.com/

Race for the Cure

Hi Everyone!

After completing my first half marathon in May of this year, I have decided to run the Chicago Marathon, which will be held on October 11, 2009.

In addition to running the marathon for my own personal goal, I have decided to join a charity group and run for charity. I chose to run for the Chicago Diabetes Project.

Why did I choose the Chicago Diabetes Project?

When I was in high school my dad always bugged me to run and told me I should join track. I pretty much thought he was crazy and I hated running then. However, in the last year and a half I have started running and now I really enjoy it. As some of you may know, my dad is a Type I diabetic and he has struggled and controlled the disease since was 14 years old. Prior to the disease, he enjoyed running and track but was not able to compete in these sports when he was diagnosed. With less technology back then it was harder to control. With the research that has been done in more recent years it is easier to control diabetes if you have the self discipline. So, I picked the diabetes charity because I have seen the ups and downs and my dad is the one who always bugged me about runningJ

Diabetes is reaching epidemic proportions. In 1985 there were 30 million diabetics. Today the number has skyrocketed to more than 197 million. By the year 2025, diabetes will affect more than 300 million people worldwide if the epidemic isn’t stopped.

The mission of the Chicago Diabetes Project is to make islet cell transplantation the most viable option for diabetes treatment. This international collaboration of qualified researchers and physicians is dedicated to finding a functional cure. To learn more, visit ChicagoDiabetesProject.org.

My goal is to raise $800 in donations and every little bit counts! If you are able, I would greatly appreciate your help in the race for the cure!

To donate please go to the website below.
www.active.com/donate/cellmatesontherun/staciwagnerchicagoma

And spectators are greatly appreciated throughout this run, so if you would like to attend, please let me know!

Love
Staci

So proud of my little sis....

Steph got a job with the USDA at the beginning of the summer and she wrote her first publication for the USDA yesterday for the weekly crop weather.

She wrote the Hot & Dry section. Thought I would pass it along b/c I am a proud sister:-)

link http://www.nass.usda.gov/weather/cpcurr/mi-crop-weather

11 Miles - Done!! Woo hoo!

Saturday was the 2nd farthest that I have ever ran in my life! And it was just part of the training for the marathon. It was a nice day and a great run along the lake. This was also Scott's longest run, ever, and I was happy to be there with him! It is such a good feeling of accomplishment. For now, on to more training, the mileage is only going to increase!

Life lessons to pass along.

A friend sent me this, so I thought that I would pass this along:

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland , Ohio"To celebrate growing older"

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.

5. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood.. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.

25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come.

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.44. Yield.45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."