how I spent my Sunday morning.
The day finally came. It was time to race. I had trained for 4 months, I had bought the new running clothes/shoes, I had fully hydrated the week before, I made the 5 hour drive down, and I had my "carb" load the night before. The forecast had predicted 100% chance of rain between 2am-noon. They were spot on for sure. I laid in bed Saturday night, anxiously awaiting my phone to go off at 5am telling me its time to get up. I knew I wouldn't sleep (well). I heard the rain start around 2am. I told myself, "it's only a drizzle, maybe it'll just stay like this until I'm done running." 5am came around, I slowly got up, got dressed and began the mental preparation. Ate a small bowl of oatmeal along with some coffee to get me going. I walked out on the balcony...the rain was pretty steady at this point. Great. So many parts of me wanted to just say, "I can't run in the rain" and just crawl back in bed. But I didn't. For some reason, I knew I'd regret it if I didn't run. My aunt and I got in the back seat of my 4runner, with my dad and my uncle in the front and drove to the starting line. I would describe it pretty much as a downpour at this point. They dropped us off and told us they'd see us in a couple of hours. A couple of hours. I would spend those "couple of hours" running nonstop...in the rain. I still wasn't happy about running, I was actually a little mad. All of this time and training I had dedicated to this one run was all for nothing. The race began and immediately my attitude changed. I forgot about the rain, the hundreds of runners around me became invisible, and my mind was set on my music. The first 2 miles were a good warm up, but it wasn't until mile 3 that I felt the energy build.
This is what I saw as I rounded the corner entering mile 3 (minus the sun and add some rain). It was beautiful. And not only did the view get me going, but as I was rounding that turn, the chorus of the song "Awakening" was hitting in its bridge...
Like the rising sun that shines
From the darkness comes a light
I hear Your voice and this is my
Like the rising sun that shines
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
From the darkness comes a light
Awake my soul, awake my soul and sing
It was incredible. From that moment on, I was praising Him the entire way. Miles 4,5,6 and 7 went by so fast that I didn't realize I was so far in until I came to the Wright Brother's Memorial...yet another incredible moment with the Lord.
I was rounding the corner to start the run around the base of the memorial and the chorus of "What a Savior" was playing. I wouldn't consider myself an emotional person at all, but right then, tears filled my eyes and my aunt told me she saw my hands go out in front of me with my palms towards the sky and she said I looked so joyful and peaceful. Granted, I didn't realize this was happening until after she pointed it out after the race. But at that moment, I felt the Lord. I know it sounds weird, especially when I'm running in a race. But I did. I felt Him. He gave me incredible joy in that moment and so much energy. I was renewed at mile 8 and He gave me the strength to finish strong.
Two of my dear friends jumped in at the final 2 miles to help me finish strong. Those last miles were hard. It was all hills and mud. But I finished and I praised Jesus the moment I heard my name announced as I was crossing the finish line. He carried me those 13.1 miles. He kept me safe and injury-free. He renewed my soul when I was least expecting it. What a Savior I have.
6:15am - About to leave for the race
Post-race picture (it may not look like it, but we are soaked)
Strong finish with these amazing women :) Love them dearly.
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