So tonite I sit here at my desk typing with my dog Barley (he's a yellow lab) breathing over my shoulder.  I can't tell if he is trying to get my attention or trying to see what I am posting.  Barley has actually been a key influence in my marathon training.  While he doesn't quite have the endurance to accompany me on the 10 or 20 milers, he has  met me at home nearly every Monday nite ready to go do some speedwork.  Without the blink an eyelash or raising a paw in protest he has joined me down the street at local high school track.  Week in and week out we would do the same workout....6 miles (rotating quarter mile sprints and quarter mile jogs.) And while his legs would tire and he would sit at times and just watch me run...together we trained in the dark of the nite...Barley and Me.  He won't be with me on Sunday but he has helped get me there.

So the race is in 1 day and the last two days have been amazing.  Thanks to the incomparable generosity of so many of you, the target that I set for fundraising that once seemed so lofty, so out of reach now seems within the grasp of our fingertips.  We are going to get there I can feel it.  And amid the inflow fo the fundraising checks together my wonderful wife Jackie and I marked the completion of the 12th week of our first PREGNANCY!!!  What an unbelievable and exciting time.  We are going to bring Ryleigh and Morgan's first First cousin into the World.  We are so so excited.   And so I will be smiling on Sunday for so many reasons.

And finally my last thoughts for tonite....RYLEIGH...Realizing Your Life Exists In God's Hands (thanks Matt Gates) such an amazing acronym and unbeknownst to Bernie and Janet the day they so appropriately named this beautiful girl.  That acronym is a lesson which both her name and her experience continually remind us.  I love this little girl and can not wait to watch her grow and experience all that life has in store.  Please hold her in your prayers and at the same time I will pray for each of you.

Thanks.