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.

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 If they refuse to get on the bus, their race bib is removed, and they’re officially withdrawn from the race!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.

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

Trust Your Training

It was a simple text message that shaped the next days and months of our lives. I was walking our pups at the park with my husband, Mike, when our daughter, Amy, sent me a message. She asked if I would run a half marathon with her. I looked at Mike and then answered, “sure!”. I don’t recall if I realized that it was a 13.1-mile race I had just agreed to.

My first “long run” was 3 miles, and I wondered how I would make it that far. However, by the end of training, 3 miles was a short run. We each had a specific plan, and we encouraged each other along the way. Not only did we run, we also did strength training, cross training, and even some swimming to build up our strength and endurance.

Amy ended up training to run a full marathon, 26.2 miles. I stuck with the half marathon. It took hard work and consistency, definitely consistency. One time, when wondering if I would be prepared, I heard the phrase, “Trust your training”. After over 12 weeks of training, we were ready.

On the big day, we both felt prepared and excited. Our family came along and cheered us on, which was a huge boost. My longest training run was 10 miles and now I was going for 13.1. Amy was doing double that distance! That’s when the phrase “trust your training” came back to mind. We had both done the work to get ready, now all that was left was to run.

I am very happy to say that we did it! Amy continues to inspire me. She is a marathoner! I am so very glad she sent that text message. We continue to train for other shorter races, and perhaps one day will even tackle a marathon or a half again! What are you training for? With hard work and consistency, you will get there.

“For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.” 1 Timothy 4:8

Trust your training.

Amy finishing her marathon with our family cheering her on.

The Ants’ Rest Day

Every day he carefully stepped over the tiny parade. Countless leaf-cutter ants marched past the front of his lodge on their mission. My husband, Mike was in Costa Rica and saw this continuous line of ants every day until Sunday. That day he stepped out the door, looking to avoid stepping on the ants, but there were none. It seems the ants took a rest day.

I’m in the final week of training to run a half marathon with my daughter, Amy. She’s training for a full marathon! Part of training includes taking rest days. These are very important, because our bodies need time to refresh and replenish. It’s not good or healthy to work constantly or to always be on the go. So, I challenge you to stop. Be still. Try doing nothing for a time. Not even looking at your phone or watching TV. Simply rest.

On Monday, Mike again had to watch his step, as the ants were back on their march, carrying leaves back to their home. After a rest day, both Amy and I also pick up our training, going further and further distances on our runs. The balance of consistent training and rest is preparing us to accomplish our goals. What goals are you training and resting towards?

“Six days you shall labor and do all your work, but the seventh day is the Sabbath of the Lord your God. In it you shall do no work: you, nor your son, nor your daughter, nor your male servant, nor your female servant, nor your cattle, nor your stranger who is within your gates.” Exodus 20:9-10

Take a break.