I have to admit that running a Marathon again was a bit challenging, and it always tests my Spirit to a point that there is no way I can finish without the Lord's help. I can train all I want and be super prepared, but without asking the Lord for help I seriously believe that I would struggle more than I have.
The Wenatchee Marathon was my 4th Marathon in less than 2 years. I have come a long way and it feels great to have made such progress and improvements, specifically with my time. My first Marathon I ran it in 5 hrs and 30 some minutes. This one I ran it in 4 hrs and 43min. That is a huge improvement for me and I give credit to the Lord for blessing me with such great ability and great friends/husband to help me do this. I train slowly because of my knee. I am in it to finish it not to win it.
I have been called crazy a lot lately. Folks ask me why would I put my body thru such torture and agony? I often have replied that it keeps me in shape, it keeps me happy and it makes me feel like I have accomplished something huge in my life, every time. But, I took some time to ponder WHY during this last race and I can tell you now that I run Marathons because I love how much closer I draw to the Lord each time. It has become a spiritual thing for me.
I found myself relying fully on the Lord on this last Marathon. I struggled for over 90min to run during the last miles of the race. I'd been having some ITB (Iliotibial Band) problems for over three weeks. But it was nothing too painful or bad enough to discourage me from running. I iced and stretched after every run and the pain would go away. But, I guess after running for about 14miles straight my ITB just couldn't handle the pounding. So, I began to rely fully on the Lord to help me finish.
I was praying and asking HIM to help me listen to my body and do whatever I needed to finish. I had put in a good time running with Melody the first 15miles or so. So, I knew that I still could beat my time. I felt confident that if I slowed down my pace that it would help and that I would still meet my goal, which was to finish in 4hrs and 45min.
During my last 6 miles I began to limp a bit while I ran. I couldn't put much weight on my left leg, the ITB was very tight and painful. I had runners pass me by that I had passed, cheering me on and motivating me to keep going. I kept a slow pace for about 4 miles, then I said a prayer. I really did not want to stop. I felt an instant burst of energy as this sweet 12 or 13 yr old boy (who was running the 26.2 miles, wow) pass me and said keep going, you are almost there, don't give up! I knew that prayers were being said on my behalf. I felt them and I took that sweet boys motivation as an answer. The Lord knows my thoughts and my heart and He knew that this was important to me, whether it was dumb or not to finish strong, He gave me the WILL and STRENGTH to do so.
So, from an 11:30-12 minute pace (per mile) I began to run a less than a 10min pace. Huge improvement and a Miracle! I finished strong and beat my goal!! The Lord also placed Melody at the Finish line for me to help me. My legs were shaking and my knee was hurting. I was able to lean on her to walk towards a fountain where I was able to soak my legs and knee in the frigid water. I sat with my dear friends (Jony and Melody) and enjoyed their company again. It felt good to have finished and to have had my sweet friends there with me, although I did miss Rob more than anything this time. I was very humbled and felt a lot of gratitude and love towards my Heavenly Father. He spoiled me!
Melody and Jony were amazing. They ran this race with such stamina and determination. I'm honored to be their friend. It is a blessing to know them, to have trained with them. They are an inspiration to me. I'm so proud of them. This was Jony's first Marathon and she ran it in 4hrs 17min. Melody ran it in 4hrs 20min and it was her second Marathon. INCREDIBLE women!!!!!
Thank you Jony and Melody for all of your support and encouragement there. Thank you Rob and my family for putting up with my hours of training. I so appreciate their support and motivation. I am truly blessed! You will all be happy to know that I have actually taken some RECOVERY time (time off from running)- and that my ITB is doing great. I did try to run 4 miles on Friday and I was able to run 3 without any pain. I will be two weeks behind by the time I get back into training for the Seattle Rock N' Roll marathon this June. YES, I am crazy enough to run another one this soon.
The Seattle marathon is my most favorite one so far. I felt great running it last year and I just can't wait to run it again. It was a good experience overall- I experienced NO INJURIES at all!
John Hanc, running writer:
"I've learned that finishing a marathon isn't just an athletic achievement. It's a state of mind; a state of mind that says anything is possible."
Jacqueline Gareau, 1980 Boston Marathon champ:
"The body does not want you to do this. As you run, it tells you to stop but the mind must be strong. You always go too far for your body. You must handle the pain with strategy...It is not age; it is not diet. It is the will to succeed."
Mary R. Wittenberg, president, New York Road Runners Club:
"A marathoner is a marathoner regardless of time. Virtually everyone who tries the marathon has put in training over months, and it is that exercise and that commitment, physical and mental, that gives meaning to the medal, not just the day’s effort, be it fast or slow. It's all in conquering the challenge."
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