The Stripling warriors drew courage from companions. Shoulder to shoulder, weary from hours of marching, they turned back to rescue their countrymen from the enemy. After the battle, they searched til all had been acounted for, and then they celebrated that none of the Sons of Helaman died, although all were injured. Similarly, I need valient companions to develop true courage. Some of my valient companions have been my children. They have given me courage to take up running. In the beginning coach Liz was there with the asprin, water and jelly beans, encouraging me to stay strong to the end.
I love our pre-sunrise picture, beginning our first marathon together. Talking or not talking. Laughing at the folks we passed. It was fun to run through neighborhoods who cheered us on, bands that played and gave out orange slices and water. Two hours later, we were passed by the speedy runners.
For the first four hours, Liz was with me--until mile 17. By then my head cold and hip pain had me dragging, lagging behind. Liz had to make a tough decision, to crawl to the end or press forward to be her best and greet me at the finish line. Before she did, she called Danielle and told her to meet me at Liberty Park with Advil and ZeeCom to drug me up for the last three of the twenty-six miles.
Courage to leave a comrade 
The photo shows that we had been running for four hours and 12 minutes. This band was still playing, by now most were worn out and seemed to be resting as we went by. It was here Liz pushed on at her own pace and finish time. It takes courage to leave comrades to reach your own goal. When Liz emailed the chart of her split times, you could see that hang back for me logged her slowest mile.
It was the right the time to push on without me. Strength of character to make the break is important. Each runner must run their own race, beat their own marathon. Celebration with companions that did their best is sweeter at the finish line.
Courage needs enCOURAGEment 
I cried from mile 19 until I saw Danielle and her family at mile 23. She had driven 50 miles to be there with the asprin, hugs and encouragement. Lots of "we're proud of you," and "I think children need to see us do hard things." I help rechange my spirits for last three miles. I was in pain, but she reminded me there is joy after the pain, and it was a worthy goal.
I cried from mile 19 until I saw Danielle and her family at mile 23. She had driven 50 miles to be there with the asprin, hugs and encouragement. Lots of "we're proud of you," and "I think children need to see us do hard things." I help rechange my spirits for last three miles. I was in pain, but she reminded me there is joy after the pain, and it was a worthy goal.
Strength from strangers
How can strangers envigorate the courage to press on? It helped to have the cheering and support of strangers. If only to keep me from laying down in the grass.
The wrong things to say is "you're almost there." The runner has counted every mile, every corner, at the end on more mile is forever.
What can strangers say to encourage runners? "I'm proud of you"--soundss hollow. How can a stranger be proud of someone they don't know? Other strangers think flattery or appealing to your vanity should help. "Wish I could do that" Ironically, most really could--if they put forth the time and effort. The flattery is simply brushed off, but I send back a smile to acknowledge their compassion.
The clueless yell "Good job." They don't know that I started an hour before everyone else, just to finish before the course shut down. Invisible are my recent masectomy scars and pain. A marathon is neither good or bad, it is only a contract with my self to do this hard thing. A goal and a plan that has taken months. It took courage to say I would try, and months of runs before this race started. They could yell "Good goal, good challenge--good that you're following through."
So what do you say to encourage the tired and the weary?
"Keep it up, you can do it" gave me energy to stay with it. "It will be worth it" kept the focus on the goal. "It's hard but you're going to make it," gave me empathy and encouragement. "You inspire me," made me want to push to the end.
New Comrades
The last five miles fell into pace with two new comrades of courage. One was a twenty-three year old University of Utah student named Andrew. He worked at a center to help drug users get on their feet. He said: "You are one determined lady. I'm ready to quit, but you make me want to hang in there." I think he was in the right occupation. Building people up, makes them not want to give up.
The other was a forty year old father of three named Troy. As we encouraged each other, walking and then running, talking and not, there came a respect as other runner were also pushing through the pain. Troy's trainer met us and ran the last half mile. She encouraged us to stay steady on the course, telling us just how many more turns before the finish line.
During the final stretch Andrew said: "Marilyn you're going to beat me, and I'm half your age." I replied "I'm not here to beat anyone, we're only running against the marathon." The trainer said "That's right. The opponent to beat is the marathon." Having companions running (stumbling) helped push me forward. Like two gentlemen, they both turned aside to let me cross the finish first.
Courage to Choose Gratitude
Tiredness tends toward self pity. To refocus on something else I followed Liz's example of thanking the police at the intersections and the volunteers for being there for me. Gratitude empowers the heart. It adds noblitiy to getting to the next intersection.
The finishI am better for having run a marathon. Having dug deep into my reserve of strength gives me courage to try other hard things.
Companions strengthen my determination courage to reach to final goal. It helps to choose good companions when choosing courage.
It is also a blessing to have others who care about me.
