Callie is the #1 Motivation. Period.

Training for this marathon is really taking dedication.  Lots of it.  It has really been helping me to have a running schedule posted on my refrigerator.  I have not missed a run yet.  I just hope that I can keep this up. I had a really good running experience that I would like to tell about.

          Yesterday (Saturday the 25th) Hannah and I went to the temple in Washington D.C.  We were planning to leave at 9:00 a.m.  I had work until 11:30 the night before, and Saturday is usually the day for my long run.  So, I wanted to get my run done in the morning.  It was 11 miles, and I was going to wake up at 6:00.  Well, you ever have those mornings when you don't wanna wake up when your alarm goes off? (Which for most of us is every morning?) Yesterday was one of those mornings.  I dragged myself out of bed at about 6:30, but by the time I was ready to go on the run it was after 7.  I asked myself, "Is it worth it?"  I debated running 8 miles in the morning instead of 11, and making up the other 3 miles in the evening.  I guessed, however, that we probably  wouldn't be getting back from the temple until dark, by which time it would be too late to go for a run.  I knew Hannah wanted to leave around 9:00, so I didn't want to destroy those plans.  But, I wanted to get my mileage in for the day.  So, I asked Hannah if it would be okay with her if I got back from my run a little later than I planned and we would leave for the temple at a later time.  She said it was okay, so I went for the run.  It was a good run, kinda slow, but good.  

          I got back from my run, and I was telling Hannah about it, and about how if it weren't for Callie being my motivation, I probably wouldn't get up and run.  So I was stretching down, and preparing to get ready for the temple, when all of a sudden Hannah (who is also on a running schedule) said, "Would it be alright if we got a later start to the temple so I can go on my run?"  I said that would be fine, and that I would run with her.  As she was putting on her running shoes, I said to her, "I got to you with talking about Callie, huh?"  Hannah nodded her head yes.  If it weren't for Callie, neither of us would be in this.  I am so glad for such a wonderful motivation to keep going, mile by mile, step by step.  Seriously, any time that I get discouraged and don't want to be in this, I think of Callie, and she makes all the difference in the world to how I feel about running.  I am in this for her, so that one day she, and other children like her to come, might be able to walk.  I love this.