Laura's Gift

When I decided to run a marathon I had friends who thought I was crazy. I have to admit, I understood where they were coming from. It sounded crazy to me too. Why would a person run 26.2 miles in a day? It’s one thing to like running. It’s another thing to run a marathon.

Training for a marathon was a major commitment. I had to learn how to fuel my body for hours of continuous exercise. I had to steadily extend my long runs to build my endurance. So I signed up for races of increasing length to prepare for the marathon.

At the end of my first half marathon my legs were wobbly and tired. But I had done it! It gave me the confidence to put my name in the lottery for the St. George Marathon. I was one of the 7,000 lucky runners chosen that year.

About a month before the marathon I ran a 20 mile training run. I started up a canyon in the mountains. As I came to the mouth of the canyon I felt good. I had run this path many times before. I had the trees around me, the river to one side and I was feeling strong. In the valley my speed remained consistent. I was rocking out to my tunes through the neighborhoods and eventually back along the river.

It was the last three miles of this run that were painful. I hadn’t prepared well the night before. I had never gone this far. And frankly, once I finally reached the end I didn’t think I wanted to run a marathon. I didn’t see any way I could run six more miles than I had just run.

The next week I visited with my friend Laura. When I told her I didn’t think I wanted to run the marathon anymore she said, “You have to. You can do it. It’s the best feeling.” Laura had run a marathon before. She knew the feeling of crossing the finish line. She knew it could be done and was worth doing. Her encouragement made the difference. I determined I would finish what I had started. I would run the marathon.

The day of the race was cool and rainy. As I neared the finish line of the St. George Marathon I was completely soaked but I was excited to be on that road. I saw friends who yelled out my name and cheered me on through those last steps. I saw my family waiting there with signs that said they loved me. I was so emotional I could hardly breathe. I’m not sure how it is for everyone but I can’t cry and run at the same time! Laura was right. Finishing the marathon was one of the best feelings ever.

I finished the marathon with the feeling that if I could do that I could do anything. But I never would have had this experience if it weren’t for Laura. Laura’s gift to me was a life-changing moment made possible by her encouragement.

I’ve learned many lessons through running. I’ve even learned how to be a better friend. I want to be like Laura. I want to be the kind of friend who helps others reach their goals. I want to be the kind of friend that tells them they’d be crazy not to set their goals high.