Back in July, my husband decided to run his first Ultra Marathon and signed up for the JFK 50 Miler. He was pretty excited about it and I was excited for him. As stated in my earlier post, towards the end of the training cycle leading up to the race, life stresses happened. He didn't train as much as he would have liked to and our spirits in general were just down. When I started this blog, I was on my way to mentally healing and moving forward. The race this past weekend capped it off and closed that chapter for good.
Here's a little recap: I spent Wednesday night shopping for healthy road snacks, doing laundry and cleaning. I packed cucumbers, peppers and tomatoes in baggies for snacks and made turkey sandwiches for lunch. I also bought some pretzels and Baked chips for a snack and a case of bottled water. We departed Thursday afternoon and headed off to the east. There was still a black cloud hovering over due to my having to discuss a few issues with my former employer about a few things and that kind of tainted the good mood we were in as we drove off. We spent the night in Youngstown and then headed to Hagerstown Friday morning. Upon arrival, there was such a great vibe that came over the both of us. The old historic town was just too cool for words and it was a nice treat to be out of the big city and all of the stresses that go with it. We arrived to our hotel and it was the hotel that hosted race packet pick up. May I just state for the record that Ultra runners are some of the most down to earth people I've met? Their presence and the aura of the surrounding mountains, fresh air and calm atmosphere was just what our souls needed.
Martin and I headed off to a really cool, local italian restaurant for dinner. It was a neat little place located right inside a small strip mall and it was run by 3 people - literally. As Martin and I sat there waiting for our dinner I grew impatient, as all I ordered was a soup and a salad. He ordered spaghetti and meatballs and soup. We noticed a lot of locals eating and a few fellow racers as well. About 1 hour after our arrival, we still had nothing. I started getting antsy and irritable because I was tired and hungry and I'm impatient by nature. Martin told me to relax because there were only 3 people working there (including the chef) and that we're just used to everything being so fast because of the big city. He was right! At that moment, I realized I was being taught a valuable lesson...right there in that moment of time. It was subtle, but God was reminding me that I had talked to Him and sought His guidance and He was letting me learn. I stated that I'm impatient by nature and this is a downfall; something that needs to be changed. Impatience has caused me stress, running the gamut from road rage to running/training/losing weight. Part of becoming who I desire to be and how I want to reach the goals I set will require patience. My lesson began on Friday night.........
Saturday morning we get up at 5am, get dressed and head out the door with our dog, Hana. We drove to Boonsboro and met our friend, Kevin Fitzgerald in the high school gym. Martin was a bit nervous because this was a new experience for him. I was nervous, because I've never crewed for anyone before. After the race director's speech in the gym regarding trail conditions (yes, 15.5 miles of the race is run through the Appalachian Trail), we headed off to the start.
Begin next lesson: work on determination. I have seen runners at many race distances, however, there was something really different about the faces of these ultra runners. You could just look at there expression and into their eyes and it was as if a switch went off in their minds and they were now in "race" mode. I cannot explain it, but it was something really intriguing to me. My initial thought? "wow, so this is what determination and wanting something really bad looks like". My second thought? "wow, I actually, really do want that feeling". Martin and Kevin started jogging to the start line and I was in tow about a block behind for 2 reasons: 1) I couldn't keep up because I'm out of shape and 2) I had a backpack full of supplies for the day on my back, a bag full of food on my shoulder, my purse, a coffee in one hand and my dog on her leash in the other hand, all while running in UGG boots (not advised unless you want blisters). I made it just in time to give Martin a kiss and he took off and began his incredible journey; one that would stick him for a lifetime.
Our friend Kevin and I headed off to a pancake breakfast put on by the local Boyscouts. We met some really, really cool people inside the church gym. We spoke with locals and they kept stating how impressed they were that people were running the Appalachian Trail, as the Trail was never meant to be run on. The crowd was a mix of other support crew members and local residents. After a great meal, Kevin and I headed off to the first meeting place and handed Martin his banana, Stinger Waffle and bottle of Hammer infused water. It was at the second location that Kevin said he wanted to run with Martin because he knew it would be a tough stretch for him. After all, it would be mile 27 that he met up with him and he committed to running to mile 38 with him. I departed Kevin and Hana and I drove off to the third meeting location, Taylor's Landing. While driving there, Hana was sleeping in the passenger seat and I was privileged to drive the winding roads through the hills with unbelievable views with windows rolled down. Kid Rock's song, "Born Free", was playing in the CD player as I absorbed the views and smells of my drive. I saw tree tops meeting top to top above me on the road, creating a tunnel as if to say, "welcome to the mountains, may you take a piece of them with you". I passed Civil War markers and farm houses with horses. The skyline wasn't full of buildings and planes, rather, mountain ridges and pine trees.
Upon my arrival at Taylor's Landing, Hana and I mixed Martin's Hammer drink, peeled his banana and unwrapped his Stinger Waffle. I was blessed to have a little over an hour to take in the most amazing views. I stood in front of a wide river that flowed with a lot of force. I remember closing my eyes, hearing the sound of the wind blowing and the river rushing past. I bottled those sounds and feelings connected to them in my mind. It was like nature opened up her home to me for that moment in time. Martin and Kevin approached and Martin continued on. Kevin and I drove off to the final meeting place, which would be mile 46. Kevin said, "Lisa, why don't you go up the road a little bit and get ready to run with him. This will be the last location where you'll get to do so". I changed out of my UGGs and into my running shoes and headed up the road. I saw Martin cresting the hill and began to run with him telling him he could do it and that he only had 4 more miles to go. I told him to keep up the great job and keep going, 1 mile at a time. On the drive to the finish line, I realized that I need to say stuff like that to myself, too.
At the finish, Martin ran strong and proud. I cheered strong and proud because I was so excited for him and so proud of his effort and impressive finish. I was also consumed with a lot of happiness and peacefulness; something happened at Taylor's Landing. I can't describe exactly what, but God spoke to me through nature and healed my soul. God healed Martin's soul throughout the race and being in nature.
I met him at the finish line right after he crossed and we hugged and he cried. He was so overwhelmed with pride that his soul celebrated by letting tears flow. We kissed and we knew that the black cloud was gone and that the stresses of the prior month(s) were long gone. Our souls had been cleansed and our minds put to ease.
November 19, 2011 at 7am.....it's amazing what can happen 7 hours and 45 minutes later....
Beautiful. Thanks for sharing!
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