| One of our fastest runners and cleverest of writers Meg Walter recently ran the St. George half marathon after her dad died this year and shares how her first race after the death of her first running buddy impacted her. Here's some excerpts that stood out to me, but I highly recommend reading her whole story, especially if you are looking for a good cry. 🏃 On why she was ever running in the first place: "My dad was my first long-distance running partner. We trained for two marathons together — the Top of Utah Marathon in 2003 and the New York Marathon in 2005. We were much better prepared for the first one than the second one, and after a truly miserable time running New York, my dad retired from the sport. "But he enthusiastically encouraged me when I picked up training again and he was there waiting for me at the finish line of last year’s marathon in St. George. He had been triple-enthused for this year’s marathon, which all three of his children were expected to complete." 💔 She was on a run when she found out he died: "I had been out running in August when my sister called to tell me he had passed. I remember the exact thought I was having right before she called — that I was about to run my fastest mile in training yet. After she called, that thought felt so self-important and stupid." ❤️🩹 On realizing how much she still needs her parents: "That’s when I started sobbing. Because I still need my mom in my hardest moments. And I still need my dad, too." 🖤 On grief: "There is no failing or succeeding in grief. Instead, grief is kind of its own kind of marathon, with moments of beauty and moments of anguish, and moments when you have to stop and cry. I’m proud of myself for making it this far. And grateful it’s a race I don’t have to run alone." Read more about grief and running. More in Utah 2 Utah teachers recognized for excellence (KSL) 💭 Jay Evensen: Utah’s food tax survives a near-death experience (Deseret News) Comet last seen 80,000 years ago shines bright, Southern Utah skies to get hit twice (St. George News) As winter shelter deadlines draw near, Weber County is short one thing: a building (KUER) Utah fraudster sentenced for pocketing $400K selling fake vaccination record cards (St. George News) Waterfowl hunters beware of algae blooms waterbodies (Cache Valley Daily) Toasty temperatures hang on into the weekend, some relief expected next week (ABC4) | 