I don't know if any of you have been reading emails from the Chicago Marathon website. I have been getting them and skimming through them without really reading them until this morning. This caught my eye and really moved me. Like Kelvin, I lost my dad at an early age. Kelvin's blog was awesome today and I felt led to share this story of inspiration from the website:
Special Installment: Reflections of a 2006 Runner
Sara Donovan of Hinsdale, Illinois sent the following essay through our Inspiration Bank. As we approach the final stretch to race day and the challenge of the race looms, we found her touching experience a perfect way to provide encouragement in the final strides.
Angels All Around Us
As a veteran of 25 marathons, I can testify to the fact that some races are easier than others, but all are challenging at the end. First-time marathoners take heart; all of us possess the ability to persevere through fatigue, aches, and pains in our bodies and through the obstacles our mind presents as the miles wear us down. The marathon is often less about the physicality of running and more about the one’s determination born of a commitment to make the 26.2-mile journey. Many things carry us along on the way to the finish line. There are the faces and cheers of the spectators and the runners all around us. There are the wonderful volunteers, the water, Gatorade, gel, and nutrition bars to sustain us. However, as the miles tick off to 20, conversation and banter die, and we are left mostly with our own thoughts. It is then that the race begins in earnest.
Last year by mile 22, I was very tired. My mind told me that I needed to walk, even to stop. I told myself it was insanity for a 60-year-old woman to do such a crazy thing as run 26 miles, that it was too dangerous. My running partner (who was having a good race) stayed by my side and helped me along – talking, cajoling, encouraging me. By mile 24, I was desperate. I knew I would finish, but I didn’t know how. I saw my family at the water station and pushed off for the final miles.
I began praying. I found myself directing my prayers to my father who had died in 2001. He had been a miler at Marquette University but couldn’t run after devastating leg fractures he sustained when he bailed out of his flaming B-17 in World War II. A memory came to me. Shortly before my dad’s death, I entered his room as he was waking from a nap. “Oh,” he exclaimed weakly with a look of joy, “I was dreaming that I was running!”
So as I shuffled along, I fixed that image in my mind and talked to him. “Help me, Dad, please. I’m so tired. You were a runner. You understand. Run by my side. Hold my hand like you did when I was a little girl. Lift me up and carry me.”
I struggled on, but I had relaxed. I turned to my partner who was saying that we had seven-tenths of a mile to go. “I’ve got it now,” I told her. We ran up the hill at Roosevelt Road, down Columbus Drive to the chute. “Thanks for getting me here,” I said to Debbie, as we crossed the finish line. We walked along among the crush of runners and parted company to find our families.
I was so happy and felt just fine. As I walked through Grant Park to meet my husband, I heard a familiar sound from my childhood that stopped me in my tracks. It was my father’s whistle. “Oh, Dad, I forgot to thank you.” I listened for the whistle again, but it didn’t come. “Don’t go yet, Dad.” All I saw were runners and their families celebrating in the October sunshine.
Angels are all around us. They can’t take away our pain or fatigue, but they are running by our sides or are just over our shoulders. So if you feel low on your marathon journey, call upon your angels. They are there.
I have had good marathons and bad marathons, but last year was my best one. It was the one my father ran with me.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Monday, October 1, 2007
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
Life lessons, Reflections, Thanks (and whining)
OK, Now it's my turn. I haven't blogged in a while athough I have faithfully read everyone else's daily. I have been a little overwhelmed lately with this marathon business. In February it seemed like it would never be here and now it is a little over a week away! How can that be?
Let me get my negative self out of the way right off the bat. Bear with me I am venting. I have not been able to go more that 16 miles without a fracture. What is up with that? Maybe it's because I have spent 52 years of my life ignoring and abusing my body - 2 babies, lots of diet coke, not enough milk, calcium, etc., very little weight bearing exercises, no exercising. Clark has had us on vitamin supplements for years but it is very difficult to turn back time and undo damage already done.
Reflections on my past year:
Gallbladder surgery
Mineral spirits burn to my thigh
Patella Tendonitis
9 stitches to my hand from a glass cut
Heel stress fracture
Tibial stress fracture
Bladder surgery
Things I have learned this year:
1. I HAVE self discipline and self motivation
2. I CAN overcome and bounce back quickly from an injury and/or surgery
3. I CAN have fantastic friends my kids age!
4. There are a lot of folks that have had much more difficult situations than me that are running this marathon and NOT complaining! There are also others such as Carol who have made a difficult decision not to run. That is the kind of person I want to always be! Someone who understands the importance of family and when necessary puts others before self no matter how disappointing it can be. God bless you Carol!
5. If GOD leads you to it, He WILL get you through it!
6. Most people are supportive at the end, but skeptical at the beginning of an endeavor such as this
7. My husband is my BEST FRIEND - he has been by my side every Saturday morning before daylight giving up his morning off (sometimes his only day off for weeks) even though he had to drop out of running because of his knee. He even rode his bike alongside me for 15 miles so that I could be safe on the Ridgeland trails! He has never stopped encouraging me or believing in me no matter how negative I get. Everyone at work tells me how proud he is of me!
8. It is not important that you excell in everything you attempt, it IS important that you do YOUR best
9. It is okay to be selfish at times. Taking time for self improvement is necessary and NOT being selfish
10. It is easier to exercise if you look cute ;-)
11. I CAN walk/run more than 2 miles without it killing me!
12. I do not have to compete with anyone but myself
13. My success and self esteem does not depend on what anyone else thinks or says, only on how I feel about myself
Miles dedicated:
1-7 Mom (her birthday is October 7)
8-15 Clark (he will get me through to the hardest part of the marathon)
16-26.2 Jesus (It will be only through His power that I finish this marathon)
We don't say it often enough but we do appreciate so much Mark & Robin for providing the vehicle and opportunity for our life change. You, Matt and Scotty have all worked tirelessly with little pay to get us all to Chicago and more importantly change our lives. Wayne has volunteered his time and been "on call" for all of us with our aches and pains and we can never repay him. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you fellow MM'ers for your encouragement and support. I have never met a more determined group of people!
Jana
Let me get my negative self out of the way right off the bat. Bear with me I am venting. I have not been able to go more that 16 miles without a fracture. What is up with that? Maybe it's because I have spent 52 years of my life ignoring and abusing my body - 2 babies, lots of diet coke, not enough milk, calcium, etc., very little weight bearing exercises, no exercising. Clark has had us on vitamin supplements for years but it is very difficult to turn back time and undo damage already done.
Reflections on my past year:
Gallbladder surgery
Mineral spirits burn to my thigh
Patella Tendonitis
9 stitches to my hand from a glass cut
Heel stress fracture
Tibial stress fracture
Bladder surgery
Things I have learned this year:
1. I HAVE self discipline and self motivation
2. I CAN overcome and bounce back quickly from an injury and/or surgery
3. I CAN have fantastic friends my kids age!
4. There are a lot of folks that have had much more difficult situations than me that are running this marathon and NOT complaining! There are also others such as Carol who have made a difficult decision not to run. That is the kind of person I want to always be! Someone who understands the importance of family and when necessary puts others before self no matter how disappointing it can be. God bless you Carol!
5. If GOD leads you to it, He WILL get you through it!
6. Most people are supportive at the end, but skeptical at the beginning of an endeavor such as this
7. My husband is my BEST FRIEND - he has been by my side every Saturday morning before daylight giving up his morning off (sometimes his only day off for weeks) even though he had to drop out of running because of his knee. He even rode his bike alongside me for 15 miles so that I could be safe on the Ridgeland trails! He has never stopped encouraging me or believing in me no matter how negative I get. Everyone at work tells me how proud he is of me!
8. It is not important that you excell in everything you attempt, it IS important that you do YOUR best
9. It is okay to be selfish at times. Taking time for self improvement is necessary and NOT being selfish
10. It is easier to exercise if you look cute ;-)
11. I CAN walk/run more than 2 miles without it killing me!
12. I do not have to compete with anyone but myself
13. My success and self esteem does not depend on what anyone else thinks or says, only on how I feel about myself
Miles dedicated:
1-7 Mom (her birthday is October 7)
8-15 Clark (he will get me through to the hardest part of the marathon)
16-26.2 Jesus (It will be only through His power that I finish this marathon)
We don't say it often enough but we do appreciate so much Mark & Robin for providing the vehicle and opportunity for our life change. You, Matt and Scotty have all worked tirelessly with little pay to get us all to Chicago and more importantly change our lives. Wayne has volunteered his time and been "on call" for all of us with our aches and pains and we can never repay him. Thank you. Thank you.
Thank you fellow MM'ers for your encouragement and support. I have never met a more determined group of people!
Jana
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
I have had a great week training despite myself. Saturday, instead of trying to run with you guys (not ready yet for the pavement) Clark and I opted to ride bikes. We rode from our house in Madison to Grants Ferry Road, ate lunch at the Fresh Market Cafe and rode home. The only problem was we left the house after it got hot outside and had to ride in the heat the whole time. We got about a mile from home and I wrecked my bike. I skinned myself up pretty bad but my feelings were hurt worse than anything! I think I tried to do too much too soon and got overtired. I also haven't trained in the heat since the 18 miler when I got my tibial fracture. All of that was the perfect setup for getting hurt and I know better!
Sunday I was pretty "stove up" and rested. Monday I rode the elliptical for 13 minutes and then did water aerobics for 1.5 hrs. Tonight I walked and ran (yes, I did!) on the treadmill for 30 minutes and did the elliptical for 20 minutes. I am trying to build my endurance back up as much as I can without overdoing it. I am not going to try to do 20 miles Saturday. All I need is another stress fracture this close to the marathon! I still don't know if I will feel ready and won't until the week of the marathon, I guess. Right now, I feel like I can at least walk 26.2 miles. I just have been so miserable with these injuries I don't know if it is worth it! Wayne, if you have any suggestions please let me know!
Jana
Sunday I was pretty "stove up" and rested. Monday I rode the elliptical for 13 minutes and then did water aerobics for 1.5 hrs. Tonight I walked and ran (yes, I did!) on the treadmill for 30 minutes and did the elliptical for 20 minutes. I am trying to build my endurance back up as much as I can without overdoing it. I am not going to try to do 20 miles Saturday. All I need is another stress fracture this close to the marathon! I still don't know if I will feel ready and won't until the week of the marathon, I guess. Right now, I feel like I can at least walk 26.2 miles. I just have been so miserable with these injuries I don't know if it is worth it! Wayne, if you have any suggestions please let me know!
Jana
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Felix Espinoza
I bought two small beautiful watercolors from this man at the market here in Seattle yesterday. He is my age, born in Peru without arms and paints with his mouth. He is also an art teacher. He is awesome and such an inspiration!
I started back exercising Thursday and have not missed a day yet. Clark and I have gone to the fitness center each morning or night and I have done the elliptical. One night we water walked in the pool. Yesterday I walked on the treadmill for 30 minutes. Not supposed to yet but I took it slow and was not going to do it if if hurt. My foot feels fine today (a little sore but no more than usual). I am really excited. Got to work on endurance though. I am trying to increase by five minutes everyday until I get up to par.
Oh, and by the way, Clark and I found some hemp granola yesterday at the market. We are having it for breakfast this morning and we don't care what we do after that. Everything is beautiful, man.
Jana
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Exercise feels so good again!
I got on the elliptical this morning for 30 minutes! Yea, me! My foot is still somewhat sore but so much better. I am not going to push it by wogging too soon but will continue to XT on the elliptical and the bike for a couple more weeks.
Clark and I are leaving this afternoon for Kansas City, MO and then on to Seattle, WA. We will be back next Thurs. We are going to see our kids who have recently moved and make sure they are okay. We will miss you guys again Saturday.
MM has been a major "gettin out of my box" for me. The last few years I have done things I would never have done because they were too risky for me. I have always had a relatively "safe" life and have found out that I AM capable of doing things I never thought I could. It has been so cool for people to think of me in the context of "being a runner." At first I was embarassed about it because I have never even been an "exerciser." I thought people were looking at me and thinking "she sure doesn't look like any runner I know!" "I wonder if she knows she actually has to run!" It is amazing the respect you get from people you think have never given you a second thought! It has definitely been a conversation starter! People are definitely impressed!
I scrubbed in the operating room for about 10 hours yesterday. That was another major "box" I had to conquer. I have not worked in the OR since 1992 and never scrubbed by myself - always had someone else passing instruments. I only assisted or circulated so when my Doctor asked me to scrub with him I surprised myself when the word "yes" came out of my mouth! I thought, now what did I just say? Who was that person that answered? Anyway, it was very tiring esp. with my foot, etc. but SO MUCH fun! The time flew by and I actually enjoyed it! And......I actually did a pretty good job once I got the hang of it!
Take care you guys and have a great run Saturday!
Clark and I are leaving this afternoon for Kansas City, MO and then on to Seattle, WA. We will be back next Thurs. We are going to see our kids who have recently moved and make sure they are okay. We will miss you guys again Saturday.
MM has been a major "gettin out of my box" for me. The last few years I have done things I would never have done because they were too risky for me. I have always had a relatively "safe" life and have found out that I AM capable of doing things I never thought I could. It has been so cool for people to think of me in the context of "being a runner." At first I was embarassed about it because I have never even been an "exerciser." I thought people were looking at me and thinking "she sure doesn't look like any runner I know!" "I wonder if she knows she actually has to run!" It is amazing the respect you get from people you think have never given you a second thought! It has definitely been a conversation starter! People are definitely impressed!
I scrubbed in the operating room for about 10 hours yesterday. That was another major "box" I had to conquer. I have not worked in the OR since 1992 and never scrubbed by myself - always had someone else passing instruments. I only assisted or circulated so when my Doctor asked me to scrub with him I surprised myself when the word "yes" came out of my mouth! I thought, now what did I just say? Who was that person that answered? Anyway, it was very tiring esp. with my foot, etc. but SO MUCH fun! The time flew by and I actually enjoyed it! And......I actually did a pretty good job once I got the hang of it!
Take care you guys and have a great run Saturday!
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
I'm a couch potato today!
I haven't blogged in a week or so but I have been keeping up with everyone elses on a daily basis. I am so proud of everyone! I have never been involved with a more determined group. We are going to have so much fun in Chicago. Just hanging out with a group of great people like you will be awesome.
I had a minor surgical procedure this morning and am on Demerol if I say something stupid. I decided that while my foot is healing I would kill two birds with one stone and eliminate this problem also. I can start exercising again in a week. I never thought I would miss exercising!! My foot has still been miserably sore. My boss has been fondly calling me "Chester." For you young things Chester was on Gunsmoke (in the olden days) and walked with a limp. I would much rather be called Miss Kitty the saloon keeper!
I have decided not to get upset about my foot. If I could do something about it, it would be different. I am just going to keep telling myself that it is just taking me a little longer than some to get ready for a marathon. If I am unable to do Chicago I will just keep working towards MS Blues in January and then Chicago next year. I have too many things to be thankful for to get upset!
Whatever happens, Clark and I will be there in Chicago to cheer you on!
Had a great time in Hot Springs with my girls. Clark took us all out for a fabulous dinner Saturday night celebrating my birthday (it was Friday). If you have never been to Hot Springs, there is a wonderful bath house called Buckstaff Bathhouse. It is the only one still open I believe. You can get a hot mineral bath (they scrub you with a loofah), steam sauna, sitz bath and a massage all for about 45 dollars. It is unbelievable! I didn't make it this time because our trip was so short but I sure wanted to.
Clark also sent me flowers for my birthday on Friday. He is not only Dr. Butt but he is the man!
We won't be with you folks again Saturday. I will still be recuperating and Clark is on call. Hope you have a great run. Drink, drink, drink!!!
Jana
I had a minor surgical procedure this morning and am on Demerol if I say something stupid. I decided that while my foot is healing I would kill two birds with one stone and eliminate this problem also. I can start exercising again in a week. I never thought I would miss exercising!! My foot has still been miserably sore. My boss has been fondly calling me "Chester." For you young things Chester was on Gunsmoke (in the olden days) and walked with a limp. I would much rather be called Miss Kitty the saloon keeper!
I have decided not to get upset about my foot. If I could do something about it, it would be different. I am just going to keep telling myself that it is just taking me a little longer than some to get ready for a marathon. If I am unable to do Chicago I will just keep working towards MS Blues in January and then Chicago next year. I have too many things to be thankful for to get upset!
Whatever happens, Clark and I will be there in Chicago to cheer you on!
Had a great time in Hot Springs with my girls. Clark took us all out for a fabulous dinner Saturday night celebrating my birthday (it was Friday). If you have never been to Hot Springs, there is a wonderful bath house called Buckstaff Bathhouse. It is the only one still open I believe. You can get a hot mineral bath (they scrub you with a loofah), steam sauna, sitz bath and a massage all for about 45 dollars. It is unbelievable! I didn't make it this time because our trip was so short but I sure wanted to.
Clark also sent me flowers for my birthday on Friday. He is not only Dr. Butt but he is the man!
We won't be with you folks again Saturday. I will still be recuperating and Clark is on call. Hope you have a great run. Drink, drink, drink!!!
Jana
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