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!

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!

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

The text message said simply:

It's Nova!

It came from a certain weatherman gloating after Villanova advanced to the final four after a huge win over heavily favored Pitt. Said weatherman actually picked the 3rd-seeded Wildcats to win the National Championship. I laughed at him at the time. Now he's the one having the last laugh.

Oh March Madness. Danny Green of North Carolina takes home a little bit of net.

The weatherman's text is an appropriate rallying cry for Nova-a small Catholic school in Philadelphia. No one had them going to the final four and if you did, please send proof. This is the farthest the school's ever advanced in the tournament since they won it all in 1985.

The Cats tore up brackets from Atlanta to Alta Dena while tearing at the hearts of Pitt fans and those who had them picked to pick apart opponents like a peck of pickled peppers all the way to national championship – people like me (sigh). At this point, it's not about being an "expert" so much as a fortuneteller.

The Wildcats were one of two wild finishes. The other was Michigan State, stunning the number one seed overall, Louisville. The Spartans do not have an NBA Lottery pick on their team. Head coach Tom Izzo has now guided them to five Final Fours – cementing his legacy as one of the greatest coaches in history. They'll travel a mere 90 miles to Detroit to face UConn

The other Final Four berth goes to the President's pick – North Carolina. Their star guard Ty Lawson has the most talked about toe in the tournament. But Lawson's sore digit hasn't been a factor at all which means the President may get this one right. I thought Sergeant Hulka's big toe would hobble the heels since the same injury derailed San Diego Charger running back LaDainian Tomlinson's season. Whoops.

But while my brackets are worthless it's come at a worthwhile cost – some great basketball.

The two teams from Pennsylvania – Pitt and Nova – gave us one of the greatest games in tournament history, a game which reinforced why so many are mad for March Madness.

While the talent level isn't as high as the pros, the passion is undeniably higher in this tournament. These kids are not playing for money. Only a fraction of these players will play professionally. Most of them will go from the hallowed halls of the biggest stages to the hollow halls of pick up games at their local YMCA where the only chants they'll hear are "we got next!"

Which is why you see them play with so much intensity. They don't want it to end. Which is also the reason why some of these massive men will often break down and cry after a tournament loss, because it is over.

That’s also why even with busted brackets, I don't want it to end either.

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!!!!!!

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.

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

Just as he is fresh out of prison, on his way to the halfway house and hoping for a new beginning, the federal government whistles Michael Vick on yet another penalty.

The U.S. Department of Labor is suing the former NFL star, saying he illegally spent $1.3 million of a pension fund plan from a company he owns - for his own gain.

More trouble for Vick? You can't teach a dirty dog new tricks.

You can argue the severity of it. You can say he was trying to pay off debts. You can say they’re picking on Vick, but If what the Dept. of Labor says is true, that's not okay.

What seems clear is that Vick has trouble with boundaries—unless they’re on the gridiron—which is where he wants to be once his sentence is up in July.

Commissioner Roger Goodell is not sure if he’ll let him back—and that’s the big debate right now. He says he will if Vick shows “remorse.”

For which crime? The killing of dogs? Or, as the US Department of Labor claims, for bankrolling an operation, racketeering and cheating employees out of their retirement that they paid for?

Given this guys’ rap sheet, Roger shouldn’t let Vick anywhere near an NFL stadium unless it’s taking tickets at a turnstile.

Now some of you will say, “Whoa! Weigel! What’s the difference? A man’s right to work is a man’s right to work whether it’s for the Raiders or at a Rally’s.”

There is a difference. Playing in the NFL is a privilege, not a right.

Some jobs in the public eye come with greater responsibilities. That’s why they pay more. And with those responsibilities come higher standards.

Simply put, if you commit a federal felony, you don’t get to have the right to have jerseys sold with your name on the back. You lose the right to vote. And you should lose the right to have a giant decal of yourself be plastered on someone’s wall.

Like it or not folks, professional athletes are role models. That’s why people buy bobble heads in their likeness.

What about Martha Stewart, who has largely resumed her career since serving time for insider trading? The next time you see Martha Stewart in a shoe commercial or kids start collecting her trading cards, get back to me. Also, insider trading - while a felony - is a victimless crime. Dog fighting and stealing from employees’ pension plan, as the Department of Labor claims Vick did, is not.

And this is not about choosing PETA over Vick – what some people say the argument has come down to. Those folks are off their mark too. It’s not about saying dogs are more important than people or any of those inane arguments. This is about standards in the richest most popular sports league in America – the NFL.

I don’t think it's raising the bar too high to ask that professional athletes – who we pay money to watch play – NOT have multiple criminal offenses on their resume.

Tell me what you think? Do you agree? Post your comments below.

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!

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 …

Robin Meade dishes on some Morning Express viewers' most horrendous email mistakes.

- 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

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

Sports Anchor Rafer Weigel

With the first weekend of the Big Dance in the books, here are some early impressions:

If there were any doubts about which conference was the best in basketball, they was emphatically erased. The argument is usually between the ACC (North Carolina, Duke, Wake Forest) or the Big East (Louisville, UConn, Pitt).

Guts, glory, gore. The big dance.

One conference showed up. Another largely disappeared.

The Big East put five teams in the sweet 16. Meanwhile the ACC had four first round losses—all to lower seeded teams. Wake Forest was blown out by Cleveland State. Cleveland State! Boston College was routed by USC. Florida State fell to 12th seeded Wisconsin. And Clemson didn’t play for 35 minutes against Michigan before deciding to show up. Maryland cruised by California in round one before talking smack and then being embarrassed by Memphis in round two.

Only the usual suspects from the ACC remain—Duke and North Carolina. With the Tarheels star guard Ty Lawson back, the team the President picked to win it all just might make him look smart (insert joke here depending on your political leanings).

I was from the school of thought that Lawson’s big toe would hobble the Heels. LaDainian Tomlimson had the same injury and he was practically a bust all year. But it looks like the Sergeant Hulka of tobacco road and his big toe are fine. And that’s bad news for those in the South Regional—including Oklahoma who I picked to win it because I though Lawson wasn’t going to be able to show up.

While I have yet to be proven wrong on that, I was proven dead wrong about Arizona. The Wildcats are the only “Cinderella” to make it the sweet 16. At No. 12 they are the lowest seeded team to get there. The Cats took a lot of flack—including from yours truly—that the they didn’t belong in the tournament because of their dismal regular season finish and record … and that it resulted in other more “deserving” teams like St. Mary’s and San Diego State being snubbed. Well, the Cats clearly belong. Who didn’t? My alma mater, Illinois who looked like the mid major in an opening round to Western Kentucky.

Speaking of, the Hilltoppers second-round loss to Gonzaga was one of the best in the tournament—even though they were robbed of being able to call a last second time out. The first big gaffe by an officiating crew this year.

The team with the easiest weekend was UConn. The Huskies have been playing the best basketball of any team in the tournament so far. I picked Memphis to beat them in the Final Four and now, needless to say, I’m concerned, especially being tied for first in our Morning Express Tournament bracket. That loss could be the difference now. In fact, UConn could easily win both the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments this year.

What were your impressions of the tournament so far? How’s your bracket doing? Post your comments here!