Running Close to Empty

Last year, my sisters and I ran a 5K. It started out on pavement, with the wind at our backs, and then went through the woods and on sea level sand, hopping over tree roots. We found a groove and kept pace with each other, making great time. The hardest part of the entire run was the last ½ mile that had us back on the asphalt, but running against the wind, with the finish line in sight. The wind was blowing so hard that it made my eyes fill with tears, blurring the exact distance between the end and myself. The victory of having had run so far was not enough to propel me towards the goal. Once I could make out Ryan and my mom at the finish line, however, I was able to give those last few feet my all. I suppose this metaphor is an obvious one for this last week and the next one, two, maybe three to come, but it wasn’t obvious to me until I started writing about it. My own strength pushes me only so far, but today, I may need a motivational piggy back ride to make it to the end. Luckily, there are plenty of people in my life offering up their backs.