After spending the last three years working full time as a personal trainer for TCRH Wellness Center there was little time or energy to set personal goals.  I was greatly privileged to help others set and achieve their goals.  I trained with them at their levels which meant I lost a lot of my own fitness ability I had achieved in the past.  After Duke Lifepoint terminated  full time personal trainer positions I threw myself into Masterpiece Fitness contracting out of  my own business.  This allowed me to actually have a life of my own again.  One of the great rewards was have the time and energy to do my own workouts.

I decided I needed to set a goal for myself for a change.  I resolved to do the 50 K on the New River Trail in October wanting to support the trail and local events.  I had not done any distance running to speak of in three years.  My last marathon was 24 years ago as I started doing triathlons instead.  The longest I had run was half marathons, and I hadn’t done one of those in the past three years.

As I thought about the training and hard work I was committing to,  I decided to pull a marathon out of my bucket list I had always wanted to do.  This plan was  to go run the Redwoods in California.  I had tried to make it happen several years before, but it never materialized.  When I checked on the date it was the weekend after the 50k.  I vacillated and decided to head for California to do the Humboldt County Marathon.  It boast of the oldest, and largest population of Redwoods in the US.  That was more than I could turn down.  I gave up the 50k and decided I would attempt it another year.

I began the long, arduous training that every marathoner goes through.  I struggled as never before because I set unreal expectations for myself.  I thought I could just pick up where I had left off, and it didn’t happen.  I tried to work on distance and speed at the same time which you should never do.  The result was discouragement and disappointment.

On July the Fourth, wanting to support Carroll Wellness Center, I signed up for their 5K run.  I took off feeling great and pushing hard the first mile.  As I topped a steep hill on Virginia Street I popped my calf!  I felt the pop.  I even thought I heard it!  Yes, agony followed, but I was determined to finish the race hobbling along, which I did.  I paid dearly for that race, even though I still won my age group and the masters.  I could barely walk and was unable to run for over a month!  In the middle of training for a marathon that is the last thing you want.  You have a schedule with ample time to train but not if you are laid up for over a month with NO running.  I was devastated, but still determined.

I attended the Bear, an annual 5 mile run up Grandfather Mountain,  as a spectator for the first time in my life.   I went with girls I had been training to do this run for the first time.   We had registered in February because this race fills up immediately after going online.  Injuries never accommodate schedules.   I did enjoy it much to my surprise.  It was great cheering and supporting Alice and Bonnie, my first time runners, for this extremely challenging run.

I had also signed up for a 10k race in August, Springmaid Splash Trail Run.  You run through a river four times and climb some hellacious ridges.  It is one of my favorite trail runs, and I decided I wasn’t sitting this one out.  I was going to see what transpired.  I prayed;  Oh how I prayed.  I began the first mile in a plowed field which wasn’t great on the calves.  On the third mile I was wondering how they would get to me to deliver me out on the four wheeler.  Trail runs are not always accessible.  I just kept running, scared to death I was going to rip the calf again.  However, as I praised and worshiped God for every step something happened.  I lost my fear and inhibitions, and I began to pound the downhills letting her rip!   I held nothing back.  The pounding seemed to actually help my calf!  I kept feeling exhilarated and more confident in what the Lord seem to be doing.  I picked up my pace and it felt so good to run again!  I finished well winning my age group.  I did it in 1:05:35 which is a 10:37 pace per mile. This kind of trail running is considerably slower than road racing.   It was slower than I had ever done it, but I was so thankful to be running again.   My heart was overjoyed!

As a result of my success I began intensive training on returning home.  My calf was sore and tender, but not painful.  I began increasing distance once again.  I ran 10 mile runs, progressing to 12, 14, and then 16.  I discovered a great 18 mile run by not paying attention talking with my running partner rather than watching for a turn on a backwoods country road.  We continued running and taking turns and  our 13.5 mile run became an 18+ mile run.  This was in September.  It was an unusually hot day, and even though we laid in a cold creek at one point with my dog, it still took its toll.  We were both nauseated and exhausted by the end of that run. Neither of us was prepared to do an extra 5 miles!  However, we were thrilled with our new route.

I had signed up for the Virginia Challenge as a team member.  This year I was doing the run.  The past 3 years I had done the kayaking and I welcomed the change.  I was to run the last leg, a half marathon.  It was a glorious run.  It rained the whole time I ran.  I loved it.  It kept me cool, and I found the rain exhilarating.  I finished it in just over two hours so I was pleased.  I actually was pleased to be running with no injury.

After the challenge on Saturday, September 21, I had scheduled my first 20 mile run the following Monday.  I am pushed now as the Marathon is just around the corner.  Monday was the only day I had only one client so I had to do it.  I headed for the New River Trail with Lady Godiva, my chocolate lab and faithful running partner.  I hurt the first 6 miles from the race Saturday.  I was stiff and every step required more effort.  I really doubted I could make it 20 miles.  As always I was praying and talking to the Lord as I ran.  I prayed for strength and I praised Him for how far He had brought me thus far.  I really loosened up, and hit my second wind.  I was invigorated by my great success and astounded at what my body was producing after the half marathon I had just done less than two days ago!  The thought came to me:  I think I could do the 50k and the marathon!!  Even though I had done less training than the norm and suffered more injuries I felt strong today!

I said, “Lord I sure hope this is coming from You, because if not I will never make it.”  I meant it, and knew it was true.  Just before this statement I had been praying for God to continue to show Himself strong in me as He always had in the past.  I acknowledged that  I am older, but to please still allow me to bring Him glory.

I felt I heard in my spirit, “If you want me to show Myself strong in you give Me the opportunity.”  Wow!  Are you sure, Lord?I promptly came home and registered for the 50K.

I felt a lot of pressure as a result of people’s reaction to my new set adventure.  I was told as usual I was crazy.  I gave my usual response, “Crazy people have the most fun in life.”  I pressed on with my training.  I thought I would just do the 50k as a training session.  Some training session!  I broke all the rules as usual.  You are suppose to taper off training in the last month.  I was attempting to run 11 more miles than I had ever run one week before the marathon.  I just had to see if it could be done.  I had to give God the opportunity to do whatever He chose.  I was giving Him an opportunity to show Himself strong in a busted up 56 year old woman from having a horse sit on top of her and roll to get up.  This body had four babies in six years and nursed all the above.  I know I am fearfully and wonderfully made.  I believe with all my heart the body is the masterpiece of God.  I believe it is capable of so much more than we know.  We limit ourselves in our minds.

I showed up and ran the first half of the 50k at a great pace.  However, just after the turn around I began to lock up.  I began to experience agonizing pain in my knee on my right leg.  It reduced me to walking and I had not even gotten to the 20 mile marker!  I had over 12 miles to go!  It was so frustrating to be walking for so long.  It hurt to badly to push any harder, and I had to remember I had a marathon to do in 8 days.  I completed the 50k with prayer and intercession.  I really was ready to get off the trail, and not see all of its beauty for awhile.

I finished the last mile with a fellow runner who caught me on the last mile and we were able to finish together which was great encouragement.  Not only did the Lord provide Tony, but the McPhersons, friends of mine, were there to cheer me on.  Charlotte a massage therapist, did a massage on my aching body.  Many friends showed up.  Bonnie, my fellow marathoner, and Mike a dear brother to name a few.  I was terribly disappointed in my time and humbled, but very thankful I was able to finish.  Just finishing a 50K was quite a feat as I was under trained to say the least.  Yes, the Lord had showed Himself strong.  I actually placed in my age group and won a camel back!  I went home with a thankful heart for a Great God, good friends, and an amazing body.

There was little time to rest.  We headed for Charlotte on the following Tuesday, spent the night, and flew out on an early flight headed for San Francisco.  I was still slightly sore from Saturday.  We arrived tired and happy after smooth flights.  We spent the extra 3 hours gained from time change touring San Francisco.  I did a hand stand on the Golden Gate Bridge!  We spent the night in Sol Salito and enjoyed our view of San Francisco at night as we dined on fresh seafood outside by the bay.  The next morning we hit Highway 1 and headed north.  Incredibly beautiful drive!  I so enjoyed the Californians.  Everywhere we went they were so warm and friendly.  We spent a couple of nights at a bread and breakfast on the coast touring and hiking the surrounding area.  Met folks from India, Italy, France, and  people from all over the United States.  I loved it!

On Saturday we headed for Humboldt County.  We got into the big redwoods and they were everything I dreamed.  How awesome and majestic!  We picked up our race packets and drove the course.  The first half marathon was a little disappointing at first.  It was a paved road the whole way.  It is defined as the “Avenue of the Giants.”  However the second half was incredible!  It was the road less traveled, as I always prefer.  It was quite spectacular and I knew I wouldn’t have to share it as much with others.  Sorry, but I just wanted some alone time with the Redwoods.

It was a chilly morning in the 50’s.  You had the usual fog for that area in the early hours.  We ran the first half with all the half marathon runners.  There was 649 half runners and 143 marathoners.  It was pretty congested.  I had no idea what was going to happen as I approached the starting line.  I had not ran since the 50K.  I had no idea what my body was going to do.  The gun went off, and I just ran.  I was raising my hands to the Lord as I was living out something I had dreamed of for so long.  I was having church on Sunday morning with my God running the Redwoods!  I felt like a million dollars!  I was elated!

Unfortunately at the first turn around after only running just over 7 miles my knee went into excruciating pain.  I am thinking NO!  This can’t happen.  I prayed;  Oh, how I prayed.  I was reduced to walking in just over 7 miles.  I really thought I couldn’t finish the half.  My heart sunk to an all time low.  I was battling anger with the Lord.  I know that takes audacity, but I had it.

I asked the Lord, “Couldn’t we just do it the easy way for just once?  You know, where You just touch me, and heal me, and I run like hinds feet on high places??”

Isn’t it ironic, the girl who has never done anything the easy way in her life is now acting like it is God’s fault.  Like God really owes me anything!  I quickly repented.  I thanked God for all He had done!  I was there.  I was still able to walk.  I had just completed a 50K.  I turned my heart to praise my amazing God.   I was surrounded by His majestic glory reflected in the Redwoods!

When I got to the end of the first half marathon wild horses could not have held me back from making my left turn onto the  road less traveled.  That road led me to beginning of the second half of the marathon.  I actually was running for short increments till the pain was unbearable in my knee.  Then I would walk, give it a rest, and then attempt running again.  I now had what had motivated me to make that turn: the Redwoods to myself.  The 143 marathoners were spaced out by now.  I was alone deep in the Redwood forest.  The silence was truly golden and so was my awareness of God’s presence.  I was overwhelmed even though in a lot of pain.  It was worth every step to me.  I no longer cared about my time.  I just drank it in.  Only the Lord and I shared those moments in the Redwoods as was so fitting.

I was approaching the turn around for the last 10K of the marathon.  I was hungry and beyond tired.  I was in agony more than not.  The aid stations had nothing but Gatorade and water.  No power gels or protein bars were available as I was assured they would when we picked up race packets.  At one point I noticed a young girl who would pass me when I was walking, and then I would pass her when I attempted running again.  This went on several times, and finally she said good job to me as I was passing her again.  I really didn’t want conversation as I was struggling with each step.

I looked her in the eyes and expressed adamantly, “ It is nothing but the grace of God!”

She looked at me and replied, “It really is isn’t it?”  She said, “You see, I was in a wheelchair and God brought me out of it to do this today.  I had a brain aneurism and it left me paralyzed on my right side.”

I exclaimed, “He did me also!  How great is God to allow two Jesus girls to finish a marathon together that He has brought out of wheelchairs!  No one gets it like we do!  What we shared at that moment was gratitude for grace and healing that only someone who has been in a wheelchair can know.

I was actually running again, and had ran the longest increment all day, when I stubbed my toe on a piece of broken pavement.  I was unable to bend my knee to lift my leg high enough to avoid it.  I almost fell head first, and it felt like my knee was ripping out.  I was quickly reduced to walking once again.  We only had about 3 miles left and I asked the young lady to not stop running.  She had ran the whole way without walking, and I didn’t want her to now with so little to go.  She agreed, and we were to see each other at the finish.

I was so elated to see her pick up her pace and heading for the finish thanking the same God I was.  Again, I wouldn’t have missed that experience in order to avoid the pain I was experiencing.  I prayed some more, and I asked the Lord to allow me to have a strong finish.  I was inspired by my dear friend.  I began to attempt running one more time.  I was nearing the last mile.  I so wanted to run.  I was running!!  I found myself passing three people on the last mile!  I finally could see the finish.  Yes, I lifted my hands to my God Who had shown Himself strong in my life once again.  I finished!  I finished strong!

I learned something new.  It was about the experience more than about a time.  Before I had always measured success by a clock.  Life was different this time.  What I experienced in both the 50k and the marathon showed me how little minutes and seconds mattered in the long spectrum of life.  Had I allowed my priority to be a time I would not have participated in either event.  The Lord taught me things during this time that cannot be penned.  It is truths and revelation deep within my spirit.  It is eternal things that had to do with eternal people.  I am humbled by God’s goodness and grace in my life.  My greatest goal is that He be glorified in my life however He chooses.  I no longer try to dictate to Him how He needs to do things.  I just watch expectantly and trust in His love.  That my friend, is success.

So what happened when I got home?  On November 9, I ran a 10K in Mt Airy and won my age group finishing in 54:58.  It was glorious!  Once again, I ran with no pain, except from exertion.  This was two weeks after the marathon.  On November 23, I ran a half marathon!  I placed 3rd in my age group, but what I was most excited about, I knocked almost 2 minutes off my time from the Va Challenge in September before the 50k and marathon.  I did it in 2:02:44 which was holding a 9:23 pace for a hilly course.  I did the Va Challenge half in 2:04:10 on a flat course in the rain.

So with ending my 2013 successfully more ways than one, I look forward to 2014.  I am proud of my accomplishments, and they did not come easy.  For me it was worth it all!  May I encourage you to step out and do something radical.  It makes life exciting and worth living.   2 Chronicles 16:9 states, “For the eyes of the Lord move to and fro throughout the earth that He may strongly support those whose heart is completely His.”  May I encourage you to make your heart completely His, and allow Him to show Himself strong in you in 2014.   Wishing you  a blessed and prosperous New Year from Masterpiece Fitness