As I sit here tonight uploading these photos from my marathon weekend to your blog, I am once again so moved and truly overwhelmed by all the ways you supported me and encouraged me--not only in preparation for my race, but also during my race. I am writing here on your blog tonight to thank you, Paula. I am so blessed by the beautiful ways you mother me! I love you.
And I'm not sure how many of your friends read this blog on a regular basis, but I also want to to thank all those ladies who you called the week of my race (especially after I hurt my knee), who joined their hearts with yours in praying for me. What a tremendous gift and testimony to me! Thank you, ladies! I had an amazing time on Saturday, running all 26.2 miles of my first marathon, crossing the finish line with a time of five hours and ten minutes. It was a joyful, if challenging experience--one I'll never forget!
Paula, I want to tell your friends just a few of the ways you (and Steve!) blessed me...
...by praying for me, and calling to check in with me (and listening and encouraging) more than once the week of the marathon...
...by picking up my boys the day before the race and keeping them overnight...
...by cooking up and sending out a pre-race pasta + bread + salad + fruit feast for Kyle and I to enjoy on Friday night...
...by driving out to Seattle with Evan and Miles (with a bike rack on your van for Kyle's bike, post-race), to meet me and cheer for me at the finish line...
...by surprising me at the Aurora tunnel (I almost burst into tears, I was so happy to see you and Steve and the boys!), at approximately 22 miles into the race (this was such timely encouragement, inspiring me to dig deep for those last and very difficult four+ miles)...
...and also by keeping Evan and Miles with you while Kyle rode around on his bike to cheer me on at multiple points along the course...
...by praying for Mile 24... and also praying through Isaiah 40:28-31 for me leading up to race day (the same verses I had also been meditating on and had written out on the back of my prayer card)...
...by celebrating with me at the finish!!...
Ever since I began my training last January you and Steve have cheered me on in such practical and loving ways. Your ongoing interest in this endeavor of mine has been such a sweet gift to my soul. Whenever I reflect on this whole experience, I will always remember your generosity, your thoughtfulness, your inquisitiveness, your steadfast encouragement, and your faithful prayers. And your joy! It was just the best to embrace you and Steve at the finish line and see your proud, smiling faces!
And then, of course, to enjoy being done with the big race... Thank you for asking about all of the meaningful moments, for wanting to hear about all of the details, and also for the post-race Jamba smoothie and pizza dinner!...
I love you and Steve very much! Thank you for all the ways you made my first marathon so special. Love, Kristen
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