Jane Brooks:  

Life The long hill loomed ahead. Ten miles were behind me, and I'd been dreading this hill with every step. Three miles to the finish line - not so far, but this hill was still before me. At fifty, running my first half-marathon, I focused on my training and started my mantra, "I am a runner; I love to run." As I ran, I started passing those who'd been in front of me the whole race; and when Barracuda bagan playing on my MP3, I knew I was going to make it. My husband and son waited for me at the top; I grinned and gave them a sweeping bow as they applauded. A thrill went through me knowing I was almost there - three miles to go, and I was going strong. My life has been a lot like that half-marathon: preparation and hard work, and, most of the time, the thrill of experience and accomplishment. Roger and I have been married more than twenty years; we have one daughter who's now out of the house and in college, plus two from my previous marriage to Tom Naslund. I am immensely proud of them all. Claire graduated from Western with honors; she married her high school sweetheart, and they have a beautiful new baby boy. Chris graduated from the UW, and now he works for the University as a systems administrator. And our youngest, Rachel, is starting out at Whatcom Community Co...Expand for more