By Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen

As I sit here in pain, just a few days removed from my half-marathon, I'd like to give you guys some encouragement.

It's been a horrible stretch here with the economy seemingly tanking and jobs being lost. If you are at the end of your rope, here's some advice: Start running. Yes, still do your job search calls in the morning. But when you are done, find a race that is in your local community. It doesn't matter if it's a 5K or a full marathon. Just find something, get your doctor's clearance, and start to train.

The runner's high is such an ego boost it should be banned. Plus, the folks that actually race are the most positive people I know!

This is how it went down for me: I have run a half-marathon twice before. Both times, I ran it in 1 hour, 57 minutes. This time, I promised myself I would beat it. I'm not a small man, about 205 pounds. But if I could run 1:56, I would feel like I have accomplished something.

The ING half marathon started out pretty well for me. I was flying, did the first mile in 7 minutes 45 seconds: That’s a minute faster than the pace I wanted for the whole thing. Then, at mile 12, it all came crashing down. I was sick, tired, wanted to quit. I stopped running and just threw up. I had my hands on my knees, head down, seemingly out of it, dazed. Then, out of nowhere, a hand hit my back and lifted me up. "C'mon man, you can do it ... it's just a quarter-mile left. It's an easy run from here!"

I never saw the guy that picked me up, but it made me strong. I stood up, spit, wiped my face, and ran for all I was worth. As I rounded the corner to the finish line, the clock read 1:49.00. I finished 6 seconds later. I was elated, and dead tired. The pace I set was 8:19 per mile. Never did I think I could pull that off. I wish I could thank the guy that saved me from quitting – it’s encouragement like that that gets you going!

Meanwhile, my brother ran the full marathon. He broke his old marathon record, and ran it in 3 hours 37 minutes. I know he's six years younger, but that may be my next goal. I can't let my little brother beat me, in anything!

Posted by: Meteorologist Bob Van Dillen
Filed under: Behind the Scenes • Weather

President Obama has signed into action a federal excise tax on tobacco products that will raise the per-pack tax on cigarettes from 39 cents to $1.01. The money generated will be used to support health care for low income children. The tax is enough to put a dent in any smoker's wallet.

Smokers: Burned by the excise tax?

Alcohol and cigarettes have long been targeted for "sin taxes," and seen as easy ways to make money for states by tacking on an extra tax to the cost. But what do you think? Is this recent tax hike on cigarettes too much?

We asked Morning Express viewers to text us their thoughts, some of which are included below? What do you think? Tell us in the comments field.

- Smoking is the worst habit. It needs to be taxed highly to get people to quit altogether.

- I do think that smokers are being taxed too much! Although health care for kids is extremely important, it's not fair to tax something so hard to quit.

- Smoking is an addiction. Why should we tax an addiction? It's stupid! Why don't we TREAT the addict? Gene-Georgia

- The government has no business being a moral compass for smokers. This tax is easy money. Not enough people are willing to say enough is enough.

- I think the cigarette tax is great ... if you want to destroy the only US industry not laying people off.

- Tax tobacco and alcohol more I say. Those with vice should pay the price. - Rik

- We smokers are the last legal drug users that are always being punished. We know the health risks, but they are only our risks. My smoking hurts only me.

- If it's to help kids health insurance, they should tax toys not smokes.

- I am glad to know cigarettes are being taxed more. Maybe that will curb kids from starting. Travis Arkansas

- I decided not to have children so, why should I have to pay for the kids insurance just b/c I smoke, isn't that the parents responsibility? - Star of Tennessee

- Smoking kills in excess of 400,000 people every year! Why are we worried about tax on cigarettes when they should be made illegal!!! - Ian

- Why is it always cigarettes that are taxed? Bad food taxes should be raised! That’s what are really hurting America’s children.

- Legalize drugs then tax them like the cigs. Voila! The end of our country’s drug crises!

- I'm a smoker and I will happily pay more for my packs he it helps children.

- I have no problem with higher taxes on legal recreational drugs to expand health care for children. And I smoke. Maybe I'll finally quit. Shaun VA

- This tax that is coming will diffidently get me to quit. - Brandy Garzoria

- Why is it anyone else’s business that smokes? Yes I think the tax is absolutely ridiculous!

Posted by: TV/Web producer Kate Taylor
Filed under: Your Money • Your Turn

Writer Keith

Living in the south puts me in a hotbed for college sports. Within a two-hour drive, I can see some of the top colleges from the SEC and ACC in both hoops and football at any time I want. Most Saturday's I need to beg my local bartender to put on the Notre Dame football game instead of Clemson or Florida State. But today, I get a first. I get to ask the bartender to switch to the Franklin Pierce basketball game on ESPN. See, my alma mater has made it to the national championship for Division 2 Women's Basketball. This may seem pretty lame to you, but this may be the first and only team Franklin Pierce team I get to see on a national network.

We used to run beer pong tournaments on my old college TV show "Bravvas Weekly," but we were never close to going national (well except for the people who want to put my old show on YouTube, which may or may not get me fired). When I went to college, our women's soccer team won several national championships. But this is different. It's on TV. I mean seriously: a small liberal arts school in the foothills of Mount Monadnock will be on television. The same team that had its star point guard bust out in laughter when I belted out a "You Can Do It" during a game in 1999.

Back in the day, our biggest support went to our hockey team. It was quite convenient, since there was a bar next to the rink. We actually had one student who got arrested and was banned from the games for foul language. He came to the next game wearing a red bandanna on his face and called himself "El Hockito Bandito." I have absolutely no idea about the team that made it to the finals. According to reports, some of our top scorers include Johannah Leedham and her sister Jennifer. I really don't care. For the first time in my life I can watch my own school on national TV. So let's go Ravens! WACAW, WACAW!!!!!!

Posted by: Writer Keith
Filed under: Extras

Producer Aimee

We’re expecting President Obama to announce his new strategy for the war in Afghanistan during remarks at 9:25 a.m. Friday. During the presidential campaign, you may recall, Obama called Iraq a “dangerous distraction” and said more emphasis should be placed on Afghanistan.

Senior administration officials have said the president’s new strategy will include sending an additional 4,000 troops to Afghanistan, on top of the 17,000 troops the president has already ordered. The additional troops will be responsible for training and building the Afghan Army and police force. According to officials, President Obama also plans to call on Congress to pass a bill that triples U.S. aid to Pakistan to $1.5 billion a year, over five years. And his strategy includes new benchmarks for both Afghanistan and Pakistan. The administration is still developing the specifics for these benchmarks, but officials are calling them “the most explicit demands” ever presented to the Afghan and Pakistani governments. President Obama’s strategy includes no timeline for withdrawing troops.

We want to know what you think about this renewed focus on the war in Afghanistan. Do you agree with President Obama… has Iraq been a “distraction?” Should more troops be sent to Afghanistan? And, is this announcement timely… or should the president be focusing solely on the economy? Send us your comments! We’ll be continuing the discussion throughout the day on Morning Express with Robin Meade.

Filed under: Uncategorized

Producer Aimee

President Obama insists his administration has a plan in place to “attack” the nation’s financial crisis “on all fronts.” In his second prime time news conference Tuesday night, the president said there are “no quick fixes” for the economy, but stressed the nation will recover.

During his 50-minute appearance, he mentioned Iraq and Afghanistan only once, in response to a reporter’s question. Instead, Mr. Obama focused almost entirely on the economy and on defending his budget, which has come under criticism for its hefty price tag. He suggested that he would compromise on certain details of the budget if he must, but not on key initiatives.

“We’ve got to make some tough budgetary choices,” the president said. “What we can't do, though, is sacrifice long-term growth, investments that are critical to the future, and that's why my budget focuses on health care, energy, education - the kinds of things that can build a foundation for long-term economic growth, as opposed to the fleeting prosperity that we've seen over the last several years."

Many analysts agree President Obama struck a calm, almost professor-like tone in last night’s news conference, similar to what we saw during the presidential campaign. The New York Times describes him as Obama “the lecturer,” who sounded like a teacher speaking to a classroom. He showed little emotion and didn’t crack a smile during the news conference. Only once did Obama show a flash of emotion, when CNN’s Ed Henry asked him about his delay in showing outrage about the AIG bonuses.

"It took us a couple of days because I like to know what I'm talking about before I speak," Obama responded.

What did you think of President Obama’s news conference? Did it leave you feeling optimistic about the economy, and the country? Did you hear what you needed to? Or, did it leave you wanting more? Send us your comments! We may read some of them on the air!

Posted by: Producer Aimee
Filed under: Your Money • Your Turn

TV-Web Producer Kate Taylor

Have you ever hit send on an email only to realize moments later that you sent it to the wrong recipient? What about that feeling of terror you get after taking some time to vent about an acquaintance in a text message, then accidentally sending the message to that very person? Or, how about the night you filled up on some liquid courage and then maybe shared a little too much – in writing?

Yep, you just sent that email about your steamy date last night to the entire office.

Well, Google has your back. Gmail is adding a sort of "panic button" to their list of email services. For five seconds after hitting 'send' on an email, you'll have the option of retracting the message.

The Google designer who came up with the idea says that five seconds is generally enough time to save yourself from your most embarrassing email mistakes. Maybe it takes hitting that 'send' button to realize the error of your ways?

Google's new development got us thinking about our own email and text gaffes, and wondering who else has made them. We asked Morning Express viewers to share their most embarrassing email and text message mistakes, and boy, we wouldn’t want to be in some of their shoes!

What about you? Any horrible email blunders? Share them in the comments field below, we dare you! But once you hit submit, there's no turning back …

- I emailed a newly found distant cousin from a discovery on a ancestry site. I told her I was really big on geneology. My spell check changed it to gynecology. Obviously she will remain a distant cousin and must be glad she is on the other side of the family. – Darryl of Lincoln, Rhode Island

- There's one time I sent a text message with the words. "I wanna do you." I was going too fast and accidentally sent it my mother! Boy did she tear me a new one! She's never let me live that one down yet ... – Shawn of Beloit, Wisconsin

- Once sent a text message to one of my buddies about my roommates "awful" eating habits..."He's eating soup...I mean SLURPING soup...dear God Help me NOW!!".

Well – no sooner did I sent it, I noticed my roommates cell buzzed, notifying him he had a message... thinking it was odd, I went to my sent folder.

Sure enough – I sent it to HIM!!! UGH! HAHA! – Scott of Boston, Massachusetts

- I once sent an email to my co-supervisor and boss complaining about one of our workers who'd been skipping her shifts and raving about how we should let her go ... but cc-ed the employee too! Oops. – Brad of Detroit, Michigan

- My daughter was in a storm shelter awaiting a tornado. She called me at work but I could not talk. Later I sent a txt telling her how much I loved her. As it was sending I noticed the txt was sent to my boss in error. He got quite a laugh as he teased me about sexual harrassment! – Vera of Attalla, Alabama

- I was text messaging my husband who was attending training in another state for the US Army. It was a hazy wake up text. The text happened to be of the racy nature. Someone quickly text messaged me back saying he didn't know who I was but he was interested in finding out! Oops! Oh my! – Lacey of Harker Heights, Texas

- I emailed my boss, back in the 90's who was the Asst. Chief of Police at NC State. I ranted and raved and it took four clicks of the mouse before the email finally went through. I was arrested the next day by six police officers for communicating a threat! – Steven of Four Oaks, North Carolina

- I was responding to an unpleasant email, when I decided to re-word my initial message. So I deleted all that I had written. Then I decided it would be best not to respond at all, but I accidentally hit "send" instead of "delete." So I sent a blank email to someone who had offended me. Oops. I actually did this twice to different people. – Paul of Marysville, Washington

- Last month I had been drinking with my best friend and sent a text message to another friend's old number by accident, which had been reassigned. Almost immediately after, I get a call from the new owner of the number, asking me why I texted him and who I was, and all of that mess. It was embarrassing and frightening at the same time! – Zach of Roseburg, Oregon

- Embarrassing email: While at our training center in NC, I was at a week long course whose instructor resembled Eva Longoria. After several close calls during the week, I got some good snapshots of her with my camera phone. I emailed them out that evening to some co-workers, only to find out the next day I had somehow included my boss in the CC section. I'm still trying to live that one down, since my boss and the instructor are close friends:) – Will of Casper, Wyoming

- Text the message "I Love You" meant for wife, and it goes to everyone in office, even the practical jokers who use it as their own joke. – Bob of Collierville, Tennessee

Posted by: TV/Web producer Kate Taylor
Filed under: Extras • Your Turn

TV/Web Producer Kate Taylor

As Richard Roth reports, taxi driver schools are bursting at the seams in New York city these days, filled with people recently laid off from their original careers. As one new cabbie, Michael Dick, fired from his job at banking giant UBS reports, he has enjoyed the change. Dick says, "Working at UBS I made a lot more money. However, I had ten times the amount of stress."

What would you do if you lost your job? Hit the high seas?

So what about you? Could you see yourself leaving your current daily grind to sit behind the wheel of a taxi cab? What about another profession? Morning Express Producer Nima says that she would be a pilot. Robin Meade reports that if he weren't a morning news anchor, she be a country music singer songwriter.

We asked Morning Express viewers to share with us their "Plan B." Some reported that the economic downturn has provided a great opportunity to find a new, more enjoyable jobs. Others just speculated. Check out some of our viewers' secret ambitions below. And share yours in the comment field!

- I'm a middle school teacher ... I would clean stalls at a horse barn. Pooh doesn't talk back! - Taylor of Peachtree City, Georgia

- I would be a park ranger or something outdoors. - Mikey of Texas

- Well it actually happened to me and I went from food service to Massage Therapy ... best thing that ever happened to me! - Jason P. of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

- If I were booted I'd seriously consider becoming a professional student. - Mercedes of North Carolina

- Robin, you want fries with that? - Jim of Mentor, Ohio

- If I lost my job as a nurse ... (unlikely) I would become an exotic dancer. - Morning Express texter

- I'm an engineer, but if I lost my job my next career would be a personal trainer. – Amanda of Huntsville AL

- I would probably do daycare ... I am a police dispatcher. - Morning Express texter

- After turning 45 and losing my career in sales, I learned how to start my own Real Estate Investment business. I am making more money now than ever. - Morning Express texter

- If I lost my career in franchising I would try to get into politics to see if I could make a difference. - Nathan of Atlanta, Georgia

- Lost my auto manufacturing job of eleven years due to NAFTA. I am now going to school for biotechnology. - Andrew of Bedford, Indiana

- I would become a small farm owner and become as self dependent as possible. - Morning Express texter

- I just became a bartender, people are drinking a lot more cause of the economy. - Mario of California

- If I were fired I would rejoin the military. - Jeff of Buffalo, New York

- I am a tattoo artist and due to the economy I am trying the whole e-bay thing and its working out great. - Morning Express texter

- I lost my job as an Optician. Fortunately I got a job at the USPS. With 2 kids in college, I finally have a secure job. - Jim of Buffalo, New York

- I would be in criminal justice. Probation officer. Crimes are not going down. - Jacki of Dayton, Ohio

- I went from being a frustrated lumber salesman to a cable guy … Best move I ever made. I hope it stays that way forever. - Morning Express texter

- If I had to start a new career now, I would go into such human service as homeless prevention or disability services. Always needed! - Morning Express texter

- I would love to work in a zoo with wild animals. - Sally of Clinton, Indiana

- Looks like the medical field is the safest & best paying - but it would be hard to leave the agriculture field. –Allan of Kentucky

- Robin I'm a small woman who was in legal services that now drives a 53-foot semi truck. - Karen of Phoenix, Arizona

- I was a manager at Circuit City. I am now a corrections officer for the state of Arizona and I love it. - Morning Express texter

Posted by: TV/Web producer Kate Taylor
Filed under: Extras • Your Money

TV-Web Producer Kate Taylor

Everyone knows that part of the financial mess we're in today has to do with Americans' penchant for over-spending. Take that and couple it with the rising cost of, well, pretty much everything and that leaves us all in need of a bit of advice on money-matters.

Remember Grandma's home cooking? So delicious, and probably a lot cheaper than eating out.

Think back to your childhood, how impressive it seemed when your Dad bought that new car or your Grandma showed up in a fantastic new outfit. And when you asked them how they paid for all that stuff, I bet they had some tips for you huh?

Well, Morning Express asked viewers to text in some of the most memorable advice they got from their parents and grandparents growing up. What follows are some personal finance rules to live by. What about you? What thrifty values did your folks instill in you? Share them in the comments field at the bottom of the page.

- My grampa used to say "Use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without!" – Phil of Dallas

- My mom and grandmother taught me how to grow and preserve our food, which saves a lot at the grocery and tastes better too. - Morning Express texter

- My grandmother has stressed to me the importance of learning the difference between wants and needs. - Ryan of North Carolina

- My parents said, "Don't try to keep up with the joneses!" - BK of Denver

- My great-grandfather always told me you can double your money by folding that bill you have and putting it in your pocket. - Morning Express texter

- They said put up $10 out of every pay to have something extra to fall back on when you need it. - Jache of Baltimore

- "Take care of your money and it will take care of you" is what I was always told and it's true! – Ernie of Arkansas

- My grandma taught me how to make bread from scratch. My family loves it and I don't need an air freshener anymore. - Megan of Virginia

- My Dad always said that if you cannot pay for a car in 4 years you cannot afford it. - Blaine of Houston

- The best advise I was given is pay yourself first on your payday! Treat your savings like they are a bill you must pay every time you get a paycheck. – Morning Express texter

- My mom says my kids should bring a lunch to school rather then buy a school lunch. – Daniel

- My grandma always told me to buy meat from the meat market in bulk and freeze it in portioned freezer bags. - Morning Express texter

- My grandma said for every $5.00 you put in the bank put $3.00 in a mason jar ... That's what she did during the depression. - Morning Express texter

- My grandfather said there was never a millionaire who said, "Crud, I saved too much," so save more than you spend. - Natalie of Kansas City

- My parents would say: If you can't pay cash for it you don't need it. - Mary of Illinois

- We dont spend any of our one dollar bills. It really adds up fast and if need be covers unexpected exspenses. - Allen in Montana

- My parents say that I should make a pot of soup weekly to cut out on my food bill. - Morning Express texter

- My parents always told me to live below my means. I have and am debt free. –Morning Express texter

- If you ain't got it, don't spend it!! And save $5 from each paycheck in a high interest account. You'd be surprised how much you can save. Elaine of Kentucky

- My dad told me every day (as a kid) to put a dollar in a piggy bank; I now have enough money for books in all 4 years of college! – Morning Express texter

- Grandma always told me it's not how much money you have or make – it's how you manage it. – Lloyd of Defuniak Springs, Florida

- The lesson my parents taught me was quite simple. Don't live beyond your means! I don't have much but I'm not up to my ears in debt either! - Gene of Georgia

- Don't buy too much house or use your house as a cash register. No 50 grand SUVs. Enjoy what you have totally and be real about what you can have. - Morning Express texter

- My dad always tells me to fix things that break instead of rushing out and buying it new. - Morning Express texter

- My momma told me if I ever get any overtime at work, I should take anything over 40 hours and put it in the bank. – J

- One money saving tip that I received was to put the money you want to save aside first that way in case you do go over budget you will have some $ left. - Morning Express texter

- My parents say i should get all my beauty products at the dollar store. - Beth of West Virginia

- Buy bargains in bulk, moderate use, store the excess and limit shopping trips. Kevin in Nebraska

- Dad used to say that he wished he had a dime For every stupid person he met. I've randomly started asking stupid people I meet for dimes and have $1K so far. - Morning Express texter

Posted by: TV/Web producer Kate Taylor
Filed under: Your Money • Your Turn

Business Correspondent Jennifer Westhoven

This weekend you can get free tax help straight from the horse's mouth – the IRS.

Tomorrow, Saturday, the IRS is offering free tax preparation as long as you make $42,000 a year or less.

Normally the IRS is closed on weekends, but it’s opening more than 250 local IRS offices and bringing in a thousand tax-prep volunteers to answer your questions and help you make a payment plan.

There are a few new rules you may need help with. If you lost your job this year, you might qualify for the Earned Income Tax Credit, the average benefit is usually around $2,000. There’s also the new help if you’re buying a home.

And, if you already know you’re not going to be able to pay them, the IRS says, please, just let them know early and they’ll try to wok with you on an installment plan. You might avoid some stiff penalties that way.

To find one of the offices near you: check their website, www.irs.gov.

Posted by: Business Correspondent Jennifer Westhoven
Filed under: Your Money

TV-Web Producer Kate Taylor

Morning Express asked viewers to text us with their ideas of ways to have fun - without spending any money. The ideas they sent in impressed and uplifted us. Check out some of their suggestions below; you may find yourself thinking that hey, the economic slump might not be so bad after all.

Good old-fashioned fun. Just don't put anyone's eye out.

- We play basketball. Virtually every argument with the kids is settled with a game of 'horse'. The kids go out mad at each other, always come back happy! - Morning Express texter

- One of best inexpensive ways to spend free time is to go fishing. It's a great way to spend time with friends and family. - Rob of Greenville, Pennsylvania

– Have the whole family help you cut coupons and let the kids pick one each to buy a favorite treat for fun. - Morning Express texter

- Our family of ten brought back bicycling, roller skating and skateboarding with a vengeance (even dad). - Richard and dawn of Florida

- I'm growing a large garden it keeps me busy and at the end of the season I will have plenty food to eat and sell produce. - Kip of Cedartown, Georgia

- My husband and I have Wii parties/Netflix nights. We make our own pizza dough and sauce and everyone brings a topping! - Morning Express texter

- Make more family time. Go through old photo albums. Clean out one closet a week. Sell items on Ebay. Use money for a movie a week or go for a family dinner. - Morning Express texter

- Take a carpool with your neighbors to a local beach or historical site. It saves gas and the kids can spend time with their neighborhood friends! - Morning Express texter

- We have more family activities, Such as yard work and house cleaning. No gym; we go on nature walks. - Linda of Colorado City, Texas

- My granddaughter and I went nightcrawler-hunting and used them to go fishing. The cost: Nothing. The rewards: Memories and dinner! - Morning Express texter

- We watch cult films, like the one Rafer was in, or vintage comedies. - Morning Express texter

- Our family goes to the library at least once a week. All the free books, movies, and video games you want. - Tobie in Kentucky

- I volunteer my time to a young people's organization - the Junior Chamber - to make a difference. What I receive back personally is tenfold. - Morning Express texter

- My wife and I have taken up gold panning since we have been laid off, it is fun, cheap, good exercise and best of all you may strike it RICH! - Mike of Indiana

- My family spends time together in the kitchen, and since food is necessary to survive we find new things to try! - Yvette of Jackson, Mississippi

- I taught myself to unicycle and juggle to entertain me during the poor economy. - Landon of Keller, Texas

- My wife and I cook together a lot for entertainment. Only problem is that we're both getting fat! - Gene of Georgia

- My family and I have always struggled; but I feel blessed because our family is strong. Our favorite thing is playing cards. - Jenna of Florida

- We put together puzzles, play board games, and work on our yard. - Morning Express texter

- My family doesn't do things on weekdays together that much. We recently moved to the DC area and every weekend we visit a new monument. - Morning Express texter

- I am scrapbook and spending time with my lil boy. - Vicky of Amory, Mississippi

So, what about you? What do you and your family like to do to have fun and save money? Share your ideas in the comments field below. Or, share your store and see other people's money-saving tips at iReport.com!

Posted by: TV/Web producer Kate Taylor
Filed under: Extras • Your Money