I ran my first MARATHON around 1980.  It was the New York Marathon and I had to send my application to beat a deadline. I was so anxious! I made it! It was the thrill of a life time.  I had never ever experienced such physical, spiritual and mental emotion. I was well prepared and knew I could do it.  The race was more than I had ever expected.  Listening to the crowds along the street, the ovations, the well wishers, the hand slappers and all the support teams.  I was also listening to my body with every step and I learned more about myself in that 3 hours and 1/2. Now, it’s 26 years later, 13 marathons have been completed.  Yes, I ran all of them.  Plus, I’ve run every River Run Jacksonville for 29 years. That is a Nationally recognized race, 15 K.  But, all that is OK.  The most important thing that I have is my health.  At 72, I practice what I preach.  The diet, the exercise, and the mental energy must be balanced.  Oh, I thank God every day that I have enough commitment, courage, and will power to keep going.  The road is not easy but what are the alternatives.  As a pharmacist (Past President of the American College of Apothecaries) I am ashamed of what has happened to us.  We are resposible for your health in one way or another and we are not doing a very good job.  Statistics say that more than 185,000 people die needlessly from mistakes that pharmacists make.  Ladies and gentlemen, may I tell you that for all of the drugs that are prescribed there is an alternative available.  No, I am not saying discontinue your medications.  I am saying, find out a way to reduce the amount your taking and increase the amount of nutrients.  It’s a HUGH issue and it takes alot of education.  Try to make a difference in your life today!  Here’s good health to you.  Improving your health, my total commitment.  Gill Weise, Consultant Pharmacist, Naturally.