As I ran this morning, I had an obstacle.  It turned out that a high school girl's track team was also running on the track at 6am.  They all ran like gazelles and left me in the dust.  OR DID THEY?  I thought about why I was running as I wiped the dust off of my face for a moment, and I realized that although those young girls have natural talent, my running around that track was just as important as their gazelle-like strides.  It's extremely intimidating to be at my weight and run a race, not to mention a half marathon.  It's so easy to compare yourself with others who are faster, more slender, and just look better running.  But, that's not the point of what I'm doing.  No, I'm not going to win the 1/2 Marathon, but I'm going to finish, and I'm not just doing it for the edification of finishing.  I'm doing it to show that people with mental illnesses are capable of amazing things like finishing a half marathon.  I'm doing it to show Jillian that you don't have to be a perfect size 0 in order to get out there and enjoy life.  And, in the process, I'm having fun.  And, I'm only $250 away from my goal!!!  If you haven't donated yet, but believe in what I am doing, please do not hesitate to click here: http://www.active.com/donate/ROL-NJM2012/2012EGrossm  
and donate.  Your donation will help to forward the good work that the Mental Health Association in New Jersey does to help empower those with mental illness.  Thanks so much!!

Be Well
~Emily

I have decided to run the Long Branch Half Marathon on May 6th 2012 this year.  I am raising money for the Mental Health Association in NJ, an organization whose mission I believe in deeply.  I am running in honor of a teenage friend of mine, JIllian, who struggles with an eating disorder, and in honor of the 1 in 4 Americans who struggle with their mental health each year.  I am being helped with the training and fundraising efforts through a beautiful organization called Running on Love, which is designed to help people to run endurance events and fundraise for a charity at the same time. 

It was not easy to decide to run this race, as I am the heaviest I've ever been, and I tried to run a marathon when I was in better shape than this and got injured.  However, my passion for this cause and my hope that it will inspire my friend Jillian and help her to recover are what is keeping me very motivated.  Also, it is a known fact that those with mental illness have a much lower life expectancy than the average population.  I hope that in running this event, I not only change my own life, and add years to it, but I also encourage others to do the same.  I will be posting more about how to contribute money to this cause as the event gets closer.  I want to thank my readers in advance for your support of my mission. 

Be Well
~Emily