The whole event was just so surreal to me. My friends picked me up around 6:30 AM and we drove in darkness to the race spot. The topic of conversation was all about the race. The nerves, the anxiousness, the speculation of the outcome. When we got there, people were everywhere. And most of them looked like real runners! I still felt like a poser. Should I really be here?? We all went to the bathroom and took our "before race" picture. Then it was off to find our starting spot.
They have all the runners placed from fastest pace in the front to slowest pace in the back. And that is where we headed. But, we were not alone. There were tons of people in the back of the group and all different kinds of people too. It really helped me relax to look around and see all the various types of people who came out to run a half or whole marathon. People in all shapes and sizes and ages!
At 7:30 we were off and running together but we ended up kind of separating which we all knew would happen. I stuck to my plan of walking the first 10 minutes, just to get my old bones, muscles, lungs and heart warmed up. It had worked in the past so I didn't want to change a thing just because it was a race. The downside of that was, though, most everyone was passing me from the very beginning. It was hard not to start running but I knew I would have a much better chance of finishing "well" if I stuck to my plan. I always have to have a plan.
When my 10 minutes were up, I just started to run. Slow and steady. Taking in the scenery and the people and soaking up the whole atmosphere. I saw a number of people I knew from spectators to runners. When I run I don't talk or listen to music. I prefer to run alone. I can barely run much less talk while I am doing it!! But, I do find myself smiling a lot. Maybe because I am just amazed at what I, and countless others are able to do. Or delirium. Who knows.
I knew I would be OK the first half. I had asked hubby and the kids to be at the turn around, halfway point because I knew they would be some inspiration. They actually were a little bit before it and they cheered as I ran by. They might have left and found another place to wait but a little bit later, after my turn around point, I saw them again.
It started getting difficult on the way back. Ankles hurt, knees hurt, hips hurt. Thankfully not all at the same time. My devotion Sunday was about just saying "help Jesus" when I need help. And so that is what I did. Running a long race is really like doing life. There are good spots, spots in life where you do well and you can rejoice. Then, there are spots in life where you struggle. And at those times God if faithful to be there "a very present help in the time of need."
When I run long distances, I get into a zone. I really don't notice much else. Getting towards the 10 mile mark I did see hubby and the kids again, twice, kind of following me in the van. Then, after mile 11, nothing. I really didn't see or notice anything except maybe the occasional person to ask "How much longer?" By that time I was talking to myself out loud. So much so I was losing breath and had to stop talking out loud. I was just being silly, trying to pass the time and keep myself motivated. Just repeating out loud all the body parts that hurt and by this time they all hurt together. But, I was determined. I knew if I stopped running I would never start back up to cross the finish line running.
But, also at that time, I was reflecting on how much God loves me. Loves all the runners. How much He has blessed me, blessed me beyond measure. I spend most of my time, while running, talking with God. And towards the end it became a little emotional.
I was tired physically and mentally and emotionally. This had all started as a celebration of life and health of a wonderful friend who had had brain surgery exactly a year ago. Our crazy idea of running together to mark the one year anniversary turned into 6 months of love and prayers and encouragement of not only a physical nature but of a spiritual one as well. A bunch of wonderful Godly women (our group has expanded to include 2 or 3 more) has been praying for families and children and all sorts of life's stuff along with the encouragement to keep exercising and training.
At the end, I was just so grateful and thankful to God for a life filled with love and family and friends and the trials that make us grow in faith. I was also so focused on finishing that I never saw my family and my mom cheering me on the last 3/10 of the race. I also never saw them at the finish line. I was so singularly focused on crossing the finish line running with a smile on my face that I heard and saw nothing! I was shocked that they were there!
Afterwards, I was a little sore because my legs were allowed to stop moving. But it was doable. I was one of the first of our group to finish so we had a plan to meet the rest of our runners at the last 3/10 of the race and run in with each one as they crossed the finish line. No one cared how long it took for the others to run the race. We were in it together and we were going to finish together!
There were tears as we all hugged. We had accomplished something great! Together! Then we all went out for lunch! All 20 of us (kids and husbands included.)
There has been talk, already, in our virtual running group, if we will do another 1/2. I don't know. I would have said last week "never!" Now, I am not so sure. We have decided one thing though, we are going to keep our little prayer and encouragement group going for both exercise and spiritual accountability.
As I read back over this, I wonder why on earth would I run when it can be so hard and painful. The only thing I can think of is that many of the things that are worth doing are hard. But, the end result is so worth it. I don't think accomplishing great things is ever easy.
Kind of crazy it is over. Gotta figure out something else to stress about . . . (just kidding) . . . (sort of) . . .
1 comment:
Just beautiful.
Post a Comment