The Fargo Marathon ended up being a true test of perseverance.
Hebrews 12:1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us
run with perseverance
the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Friday evening my sister, Erika, and I wandered through the expo, snapped pictures and then went to our hotel to mentally prepare. When I run a marathon I like to pray for people through the miles. For each mile I write the name of a person who has a need and save miles 21-26.2 for people who are carrying an overwhelming burden. This year I had more people with hard situations that 6 miles and spread them throughout the first miles too.
This race was in memory of my friend, Kristie, who loved the Fargo Marathon race events. Her sister sent me a pic to remind me that I would not be alone. I would learn in the final miles how true those words were!
Race morning, we were tossing and turning at 3:30, and decided to just get up for the day at 4:30. I usually bring my own coffee, yes I’m a coffee snob, but didn’t this time and the hotel coffee was terrible. I was beyond nervous and nauseous.
We ended up stuck in traffic so my sister was running to the start of the half marathon. We really aren’t hugging people but she gave me a hug, which had me tearing up and then I was off to warm up, finish eating, hit the bathroom one more time and get to the start line.
My goal for this race was a Boston Marathon Qualifying time. I lined up by the pacer (a person who carries a sign for the whole race with the specific pace they will be running) closest to my minimum qualifying time.
The temps were around 50 and sunny, I was not cold at all. The pacer took off, sometimes the initial start is fast until people settle in, so I just fixed my eyes on him, starting praying and running. Mile 2 side ache, I breathed through it and was good to go by mile 3. I noticed that the pacer was running about 20 seconds faster per mile than his little sign stated but kept pushing on.
After 8 miles of pushing the pace my legs started to feel heavy and I had to choose to keep pushing or back off. I knew if I kept pushing the end of the race it could be extremely difficult.
Mile 13 I was experiencing extreme nausea. The drop out tent was there tempting me. I heard our physical education teacher’s voice in my head, “Show Grit Never Quit!” I kept on and started doing running math, which means that 1 plus 1 equals I have no idea. Anyway I realized that if I decided to walk it was going to take me a VERY long time to finish. I was going to have to do something to get beyond the nausea. This was not my first round with nausea during a marathon, a hot weather marathon in Duluth had me down and out before. I knew I would need to keep fueling and hydrating to finish.
I messaged two of my sisters who were coming to watch me in the later miles. Somewhere in the teen miles my sister, Theresa, appeared like an angel to save the day! She jumped on and off the course bringing me water, anti nausea/anti diarrhea meds, tums (which they had to ask a stranger for). I could’ve been in the Pepto Bismol commercial “When you have nausea, heartburn, indigestion, upset stomach, diarrhea….”
I had some really rough and painful miles, somehow ended up praying for one of the people on my list for two miles and I have no idea which mile. The last 3 miles the meds had kicked in and I was able to build my pace back up to Finish Strong for Kristie.
This race certainly didn't go according to my plan but this morning I prayed that God would direct my steps.
Proverbs 16:9
We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.
He certainly did first by slowing me down and then providing my sister to pull me through the final miles. Like Kristie’s sister told me I wouldn’t be alone. So I’m still chasing that BQ (Boston Qualifying time) and by now you’ve probably figured out I don’t give up easily. Run with Perseverance!
A huge thank you to my support crew!! All three of my sisters, my nieces and nephew. All of those who prayed me through the miles! My husband who takes on all the extras at home while I'm chasing a dream.