Tag: Coastal Delaware Running Festival

Don’t Let the Bus Catch You!

She could have gone faster; I know it. Yet, she stayed by my side and finished next to me. That’s my daughter, Amy! I am extremely grateful for her and for our relationship. We spent 4 months training together through rain, snow, freezing weather, sickness, and injuries, along with our normal everyday activities, in preparation for the Coastal Delaware Running Festival marathon. Now race day was here. 

Amy, inspiring me step by step.

Around mile 11 we spotted our family. My granddaughter, Adina, held up a sign that said, “Don’t Let the Bus Catch You! Go Go Go”. The marathon had a time limit, and yes, there is a bus that picks up runners who don’t make cut-off times at certain points. If they refuse to get on the bus, their race bib is removed, and they’re officially withdrawn from the race! There’s also a “sweeper” pacer who runs at the slowest qualifying pace. Our aim was to beat the sweeper and beat the bus. 

Adina, Dave, and Senna encouraging us along the way.

Senna, my other granddaughter, also held up encouragement, Taylor Swift style. Both my husband and son-in-law had signs, as well. My son, Dan, helped us out by taking care of our dogs so we could stay in Rehoboth the night before to be ready for the 7am start time. My family is incredible, and I love and appreciate them so much. They make life rich! We are all meant to enjoy life with others. God designed us for family and community. It’s a lot easier not to let the bus catch you when you don’t go it alone. 

The finish line.

We did make all 26.2 miles in time and are official marathon finishers! Afterward, another runner asked when our next marathon would be. My immediate answer was never! The plan for me all along was just once. However, we do already have our sights set on a half-marathon in November. Maybe we’ll even follow the advice on my husband, Mike’s sign, which said “Must Go Faster”.

Loved seeing these guys and their signs.

“Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their efforts. For if either falls, his companion can lift him up; but pity the one who falls without another to lift him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10)

“Solitary was teaching me that it was not possible to be rich alone.”

– Corrie Ten Boom

Collecting swag and a banana.
Dan on a previous adventure.
Love this family!
Almost there – kind of.
Fun encouragement.
We did it!

A Sideline View

It is a carefully designed plan, building week by week in preparation for the big day. I’ve enjoyed crossing off each mini-goal achieved and the growing number of X’s. Then unexpectedly the training came to a halt for me a few weeks ago, hopefully a temporary one. 

Before a half marathon.
After a half marathon.

My daughter, Amy, and I started preparing back in December for the Coastal Delaware Running Festival marathon next month. We’ve been running longer and longer distances and doing cross training, but then I developed an injury that sidelined me. 

My husband, Mike, always has the best finish line photos!

I am hopeful to jump back in and finish preparing very soon. In the meantime, I’ve been trying to enjoy the sideline view. Sometimes our plans take detours; sometimes our plans change; sometimes our plans fail. That is why it is such good news to trust in God and His plans.

A family 5K!

This week I hope to pick up where I left off and add more X’s to my training schedule. As I do, I know there is something to be learned from every situation. Perseverance and patience are just two of the lessons I’m in the midst of right now. What have you been learning from your view? 

Here are a few more views along the way from various runs…

“God – his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is pure. He is a shield to all who take refuge in him.” (Psalm 18:30)

“The Lord has shown Himself to be a true helper. His name is Shaddai, the all-sufficient God. So let us live in close fellowship with Him, drawing daily from His well.”

– Charles Spurgeon