We turned up La Cienaga and got to the Child S.H.A.R.E. area near mile 14.  I said hi and walked a few minutes as I ate a chocolate Cliff bar, good stuff.  I was maintaining a steady 10 minute per mile pace, just right.  We twisted and turned our way through Pico and San Vicente, then onto 6th.  I had been running beside a couple in red tops and black shorts.  Directly under the mile 18 banner, he stopped, got down on his knee and took out a ring.  She jumped into his arms and shouted Yes!  Several of us stopped to applaud.  Then we ran on, just 8.2 more miles.
 
We run up 3 hills.  Several runners were not ready for the hills.  Actually, the runners who are not well trained start walking somewhere between mile 16 and 18.  Most runners stop running at mile 20 to 21.  I slowed down a bit at mile 17 as I went anaerobic.  Then got back to my normal, steady 10 minute per mile pace.  We turned east on the long home stretch on Olympic. 
 
At mile 24, I was getting hot and tired.  I walked a couple of minutes.  After mile 25, I was hot and tired again and walked a couple minutes more.  I turned up the final hill on Flower and ran all the way to the finish line in 5h 7 min and 45 sec for my 18th marathon.  This was my fastest marathon since 2005 and my most enjoyable marathon in many years.  I went home, showered and rubbed a Chumash remedy on my legs, tincture of sagebrush.  It took away the pain, cramps and swelling in a few minutes, but not the fatigue.
 
If you would like to sponsor my effort, please go to firstgiving.com/jimadams or send a check to Child S.H.A.R.E., 1544 West Glenoaks Blvd, Glendale, CA 91201.  Your gift is tax-deductible and benefits abused and abandoned children.

Not to be outdone, Matthew’s sister-in-law, Jenni Johnson took FIRST PLACE in the 5K, finishing the race in 18:52.  Pastor Mike Johnson’s other 3 children were not far behind, all completing the 5K with impressive times.  What an extraordinary family and what an incredible team!
 
Child S.H.A.R.E. sends an enthusiastic congratulations and heartfelt thanks to the Johnson family and to ALL our Team members.  With $90,000 raised (and counting) we are on par to meet our goal and surpass our 2008 revenue by over $10,000!

I want to share my story of the LA Marathon! I am training hard and raising money for one of the best, most deserving charities around: Child S.H.A.R.E.

I am sure some of you may be wondering why I keep spelling S.H.A.R.E. in all capital letters. The reason is because S.H.A.R.E. stands for support, hope, advocacy, resources and encouragement; five things needed for a family to take on the challenge and adventure of foster care.

I feel like I have finally hit a grove in my training. I just ran five miles yesterday and it was the best run so far. I changed a couple things in my running technique and feel like I really got a great runners high that lasted even several hours after I was back at home. Today is a maintenance run of three miles to keep my body ready for the eight mile run I have planned for this Saturday.

I first wanted to run in the LA Marathon when I heard that it was one of Child S.H.A.R.E.’s largest fundraisers of the year. My New Year’s Resolution for 2009 was to complete the Long Beach Half Marathon in October, and I figured why not train for a half marathon by running a half marathon? It makes sense to me…

A gigantic THANK YOU to all those who have donated to the wonderful cause of Child S.H.A.R.E. through my web page at www.firstgiving.com/michaelmorrow. Your donations are greatly appreciated and I couldn’t have raised as much without you. If you haven’t donated yet, don’t worry. There is still plenty of time before the flag drops on the start line of the LA Marathon at 7:20 am!!!!

Until Next Time,
Mike Morrow

Alena, his mother, says this is not the typical language she uses. The words a “forever family” are something Savonte has learned in his 3 years of attending Child S.H.A.R.E. events. Child S.H.A.R.E. has helped both Kelsie and Savonte find safety, stability and love in their forever family.