I'm Doing it for the Sticker

For the last few months I have been waking up before dawn every Saturday morning to meet up with friends to complete a long run in preparation for my upcoming half-marathon.  Yesterday was the last LONG run -- 12 miles -- before the big day.  I celebrated when I was done by heading right over to the running store and buying my "13.1" sticker to have at the ready for the moment I run through that finish line.  I won't be able to wait until I'm home to let the whole world know that I have completed the distance -- that baby will be slapped up on my rear window to proclaim the news before we even start the drive!

Fuel.

Daybreak.

Since Memorial Day -- when I kick-started my "career" with a 5K, I have run over 175 miles.  That's a lot.  And I'm not gonna lie.  It hasn't always been easy.  Or even fun.  There have been several times where I have found myself questioning my sanity at this stage of my life to even attempt something like this.  Because let's face it -- a solid night's sleep is still a think of fantasy in my world, five children REALLY keep me busy, and {I know no one ever believes me when I say this} I am a REALLY lazy person.  Hahaha.  There have been weeks where I haven't been able to put in all the miles that I was supposed to -- doctor's appointments, kids being sick, other life obligations, etc have come up -- but on the whole I have dedicated and sacrificed enough of my time to achieve this accomplishment.  It's been hard but worth it.  This "journey" has become a very symbolic one for me.  By running this race I will have done something really hard.  Doing this specific difficult thing is representative to me of ALL the difficult things I have done and will do in the future.  I can DO this!  I can do hard things.  And with God I can do ALL things.

My Parkway Sisters -- L to R: Leia, Natalie, Tawny, Charity, April, Karissa, and Moi.

Like so many hard things in life that we go through, it has been made SO much better and easier with the company of good friends.  I've never run in a group before this summer and I didn't even know if it would be possible for me to carry on a conversation while running for so long, BUT -- it has definitely been the most fulfilling part of this process.  I have gotten to know and love these sisters from my ward so much. It has been one of the most enjoyable aspects of my summer to be able to visit with friends for a couple of hours each Saturday morning while running.  I would not have been able to do this on my own.  And really -- isn't that symbolic, too?  So, come Saturday morning on September 22nd we will run with patience the race that is set before us and by about 10 o'clock we will have finished our course.  So many life lessons learned!

 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 2 Timothy 4:7