"Let us run with patience the race that is set before us."

Does this sign seem counter-intuitive to anyone else?

Last Saturday, Brent and I ran the Teton Dam half marathon. He's run several half and full marathons, so this was a leisurely jog for him. It was my first. My legs felt great for the entire race, but my stomach gave me fits a few times. I got light-headed around mile 9; I may have been dehydrated. I'll have to work on the nutrition/hydration equation and see if it makes a difference the next time. Yes--I'd considering running another race, now that I know what I'm capable of.

I decided to dedicate my race to Paul, so I wore his picture on my jersey, as did Brent. Quite a few people along the way asked about him. Thinking of him was great motivation to keep going--especially when I wasn't sure I could finish.



Mom and Dad Carling were waiting at mile 3,



then again at mile 10 or so.


Darla cheered me on at mile 11. As I turned the corner into a subdivision, here came two boys running up the sidewalk to meet me--Cameron and Jacob.



Tyler, Brandi, Chloe, Parker, and Hayden were also cheering me on at mile 12. All of them were at the finish line, including Brent, whose race--as expected--ended well before mine.





I know you've heard all the metaphors about life being like a race, but it really is true. There were portions of the race that were long, hard uphill climbs when I had to just put one foot in front of the other, not think about the distance, but stay focused on the end goal. Then there were parts that were flat and easy; I sailed through those. Most of the race I felt great, but when I started feeling sick I kind of wanted to quit. That's when I had to dig deep inside myself and draw upon whatever strength I could muster to keep going. And I prayed. I'm grateful that Heavenly Father heard and answered my prayers because I really wanted to reach my goal--for myself, for my boys, and for Paul.

Lately, every day feels like a race. And there have been a lot of steep, uphill climbs. But the same strategy I used during the race works equally as well in real life--keep moving forward, one step at a time, and don't give up, no matter how hard it gets. And pray--always. The finish line is worth the effort. I love you, Paul.