Intelligent or Asinine Request?

So, Im getting ready for the work week ahead. Its a Sunday night, kids are having baths, hair washed, getting the back packs all organized.


Emma approaches me with an offer.


"Mommy, before you say 'no'......" ok, this has to be bad already... "before you say 'no', what do you think of this idea. You know how I have trouble getting up in the mornings for school? Well if I wake up STRAIGHT AWAY...jump right out of bed...will you pay me 50 cents a day?"

Huh. I mulled this over. DO I take her up on this and life gets very very easy in the mornings?
I ponder on how my daughter may be a potential millionaire in the future, as she pulls in all the suckers who fall for her hairy brainstorms....

"There is no way you are getting a red cent off this lady, little girl! Now get to bed so you CAN wake up like a normal person....on time, and HAPPY to boot!!"

Sarah Morrison and Half-Marathon in the same sentence?

Half Marathon.
Life Changing Moment?
I think so.
Its moments like these that make me realize that there is no end in sight to my bucket list.

The journey to get there was good. It was also bad. Painful knees. A physiotherapist who tells me I won't be able to do it. A dear friend cancels as my running partner two weeks before the event. Can it get any more miserable? Actually it can only get better. Good friends encourage me to do it alone...."you can do it!" they say! Can I? Maybe. Maybe not. I fear failure.

October 15th - the day before the Half Marathon. I attend the Race Expo at the Direct Energy Centre - intentions are to A) Pick up my race kit B) Listen to John Stanton speak C) Hopefully get John Stanton to sign my copy of his book.
I walked away with so much more from one small, inspiring, personal discussion with the founder of the Running Room. His positive words, and the vibes at the venue made me realize that the ultimate goal of a marathon ONE DAY is truly achievable.

October 16th - I can't even begin to describe how different this race was to ANY other race I have been in. I am thankful I got there early enough to absorb EVERYTHING around me....other runners, the caliber of the elites, the music, the atmosphere, the energy...there were points in my morning that I literally lost my breath. One moment in particular got me so emotional that I literally thought I would pass out during the run because I lost the rhythm of my breathing. I had to compose myself and continue on. I could go on forever about so many many moments within the run where I was high as a kite with elation. Even when my right knee gave me grief at about 13km, I was able to push past it and enjoy the morning. Running along the Lakeshore made me appreciate Toronto...how lucky we are to have what we do, so close to home. The last corner...north on Bay....again, I had to compose my breathing. The scene just took my breath away....the crowds, the noise, the FINISH LINE, the buildings, the music, the screaming...it was OVERWHELMING.

Pass the finish line. A medal is placed around my neck by a smiling volunteer with wonderful words of praise for a job well done. I feel like I won the WHOLE race! I did.

Onwards and upwards....Scotiabank Waterfront is my venue for my first marathon. Home soil. Toronto. I wonder when I will come down from this high?? (2 days later and counting.....)