This morning I got an e-mail from Jan, another runner in the training group. She'd gone and made an Etch-A-Sketch image of the group photo she took back in April.

I thought, "Aw, how sweet that she was thinking of the group." And I also thought, "Wow she's talented with that Etch-A-Sketch."

It's been over 10 weeks since I started the Reach the Beacon training, along with 20 or so others. In my less-than-optimistic mind, I expected at least half the group to drop out by week eight.

It's not that I didn't have faith in the group (I didn't) it's just inevitable that some people are going to lose motivation. Some will get sidetracked. And some will sell all their belongings in a two-day yard sale, shave their heads, ditch the mortgage and drive off to Mexico under the assumed name Poncho Arbol.

It happens.

But not this group. This group is sticking it out. This group says, "Sorry Mexico, you'll just have to wait."

In addition to the Etch-A-Sketch photo, Jan passed along some powerful words of wisdom:

I hope to make it to next weeks run and GLB for some carb loading. What can I say??? I'm a alcoholic with a running problem!!!