If you would have told me a month ago that I would start running and believe it or not thinking about running a marathon...I would have told you that you were crazy!

But guess what? I am on my way to accomplishing that goal. I know what you are saying...Are You Crazy??? Yes I am crazy!!

I hate to run! Sweaty, legs ache, heart jumps out of your throat, and just all around pain...Sound like fun? Well, I am here to tell you I am having fun! Sic!

I have been running for about 3 weeks and I am up to a 2 mile run 3 days a week and then a longer run on the weekend. In the beginning it was unbearable..

I can remember that first one mile run..I thought I was going to die! Heart pounding, pain, pain, and more pain! So what did I do...next day I ran again..guess what? Less pain..I continued to run and the pain is getting less and less and the distance is getting further and further.

Why do I share this story? Because I know you or your kids have seen tasks in your life that seem unreachable. I see it every day at school. School believe it or not is not easy for kids. Your child has something educationally that they are not the best at and they need stretching.

That is what teachers are in the business of stretching students to accomplish things that they never thought they could accomplish...Maybe it is the ability to read. Maybe it is the ability to write their name. Maybe it is to read a chapter book. Maybe it is to feel good about themselves.

Whatever it is kids have things that they need to accomplish. It will take hard work. But the thing we have to remember as teachers and parents that it is a process. One that happens everyday and one that we are there to help them attain their goal. Help them work through the pain.

I want to encourage you if you are a teacher or a parent to continue to push your kids. Help them reach those goals that seem unattainable. Help them stretch and maybe it will encourage you to stretch!!