It's that time again

This is going to sound ridiculous, but running has changed my life. Three years ago I was going through a really rough time. I flew to Vegas and then drove with my best friend since second grade, to St. George to watch my two good friends run their first marathon. This experience was life altering for me.

If you have never been to a race or a finish line, you must. There is something emotionally moving to see people give their all, sacrifice, push themselves to new limits, and at the end of the line be greeted by their loved ones shouting their names and cheering with devotion! I was shedding tears of joy for people I didn't even know.

Then Mal and Angie crossed and I can't even tell you how proud I was of my friends. I was grateful to them for inviting me to participate in one of their greatest moments. I knew then, this was something I wanted to be a part of.

So, Mal gave me a running schedule. I took one look at it and thought, "Ya, must be kidding me!" I took it to Becky and begged her to do it along with me. She was in! Little did I know that their crazy, fun friend Sid was a professional runner and would give us training schedules, tips, encouragement, and all the advice we would need to become beginner runners. We picked a 1/2 marathon race, signed up, and it was on!

As I started the journey, new things happened. I started to feel better physically. I started to feel better emotionally. I was pushing myself in new ways and enjoying the freedom and serenity I felt while out pounding the pavement on my own.

However, it didn't take long before Robert started running along side of me, and the time we spent together training was therapeutic for our marriage. I felt we became a lot closer, working towards the same goal, and enjoying our time together. We ran our first 1/2 marathon side by side and crossed the finish line hand in hand. Ya, that sounds really corny and is something I NEVER thought we would do. But, as corny as it was....it is a memory I'll never forget.

Since then we have entered our kids into a few races. Pay and I have run a few together.

and we, as a family, have spent evenings at the track. While Robert and I train, the kids play, bring us water, cheer us on, and have become our biggest fans.

Now, we are not winning any races or setting any times to be desired. I doubt we ever will, and we are o.k. with that. But, hey, we are RUNNING. We are closer as a family, have become closer to friends who have joined us, and are enjoying the fun times shared with family and friends at races of all sorts (triathlons, relay races, half marathons, mile races, etc.)So, here's to you....RUNNING, a sport I never thought I would get into. You've changed my life for the better. I hope to get brave soon and try the full marathon. This might just be my year. Who knows?!
As for now, Ogden's half marathon training schedule started Monday.....and I am up for the challenge!