Columbus Marathon

This time last week I was anticipating Sunday's race day. Looking at weather.com I was in deliberation of what to wear! When training, I had always worn shorts and the weather was supposed to be 29 degrees, but warming up to a high of 50- so I decided shorts it would be! Prior to leaving for Columbus on Saturday I went on-line to listen to Charles Stanley-he is a wise preacher from Atlanta. As I clicked on his link to the latest podcast, there was the title of his sermon.....Endurance! I chuckled at the thought-as this has been my theme- I need endurance to run this race! As I listened, Charles talked of the verse from Hebrews 12- to throw off the sin that so easily entangles that we may run the race with endurance. He noted that the Word said sin and not sins- that we all have a weakness towards a particular sin and then went on to talk about runners. Runners do not wear bulky clothes (hence me running in my shorts, :), pick out light running shoes so that can run the race. So with that Word I was off to Columbus. My friend Christy drove to my house and off we went together to Columbus. That night was a carb night and a Wii night! Went to bed at a decent time since we were getting up at 5:40AM!

Race Day!! With my only big races being the Indy Half, I was conditioned to be placed in a carrel, not in Columbus. You made your way to an open space. Since it was 29 degrees, I did have my sweats on until the race and then gave it the dramatic toss to the side- where many donated clothes were to be had. I remember the thought trying to come to my mind that I was about to embark in 4+ hours of running. Thankfully, that thought was quickly shot down- as I could not bear to think what was ahead. Rather by God's grace, I was able to enjoy the scenery! I absolutely LOVE to run in new places. Of course being a post Ohio State student, I am familiar with Columbus, but not running in it! My friend Mitsu was assisting me with being my coach. She was running the half marathon. As we headed around the bend in Bexley I looked over and there was this familiar face- our Governor, cheering on us runners. The trees were absolutely beautiful! There were bands and fans along the way. Around mile 11-12 my best friend, her family & boyfriend and my friend Christy were all stationed on the sideline cheering us on. I felt like I could smile for another two miles! Which did end about that time as Mitsu was heading left for her finish line and I continued. I about wanted to cry- thinking I was off for another 13.1 miles now by myself. So as I thought about spiritual principles- I thought how there is a weeding out of people- when the race ahead is long this is when endurance is imperative and if there is no endurance you are sidelined. As the half marathoners left, so did the number of fans, the bands and all of a sudden the race was feeling more desolate. Thankfully I knew my parents were going to be stationed around mile 15. Anticipating their smiling faces, I spotted them first and started waving- what encouragement is given from people, but especially those we love! Running through Ohio State's campus, it was very apropos that I "ran" into a fellow that used to be part of Campus Crusade for Christ when I was there. We chatted for awhile and he stated that he was now a grad student at Purdue. It was nice chatting as it broke up the monotony of the pounding on the pavement. Running by the new Ohio Union we commented on how much had changed. As Daniel ran ahead, I later met up with a man who had Proverbs 4:23 on the back of his shirt. As I came close, I told him that I liked the verse on his shirt. We talked as well- which again was nice. Then after the water station we went our separate ways. How true that is of life- there are times when we have certain people come in our lives and then they leave. After that water station, there came the longest stretch of the race. Absolutely no fans, a lot of wind, rather dull and lonely. There are times in life when this occurs, but the race must continue. After that stretch, hark there was another band! Now we were approaching 8 miles left in the race! Yippee! There were two additional times that the people that I loved cheered me on- yeah! This propelled me to the downhill stretch of the race. I remember thinking at mile 22- only four more miles! On that Monday I had run 5 and that was what I was thinking about- I had just done this! Then when 3 approached I thought- I just ran 3 miles on Friday. I was forgetting what laid behind- the past 22 miles, but pressed forward with great anticipation of the finish line! At mile 23 I was anticipating Mitsu's return and at mile 24 there she was! She was gearing up as she saw me approach and came back in to cheer me on. We had anticipated that I would be hitting the wall, but by God's grace and the prayers of the saints these legs continued with great endurance. A big thank you to all who prayed! As Mitsu came back, I was about to cry again! My emotions were on a high. Then at mile 25 my discipler and Bible Study leader at Ohio State, Carrie Walker, shouted my name and ran in with me and prayed for me. At this point I was somewhat of a daze; and she prayed for my last mile. Which led me to run the last mile at my fastest time: 9 min 19 sec mile! What a blessing to run the last mile with my fastest time- and the last .2 miles were all down hill- sprinting and then with raised hand in hand Mitsu and I crossed the finish line! Done at last! And a great endorphin rush as well! Praise be to God who allows us to run the race He has for us- oh Lord, it truly can be such a mental race at times- to have the right perspective. Help us to enjoy the scenery along the way and not be bogged down by the load ahead- You are the one that gives us strength! Help us to be thankful at all times along the way- thank You for your grace to run the race and not fall on our face!