If you have ever run, or walked even, for more than thirty minutes, you know it can get a bit boring. Music helps. If you run alone, like I often do, my mind tends to wander and the music fades into the recesses of my mind. Thoughts wander, I can be creative and think about story lines or even write an outline to my next book.
I think I started praying during my runs when my son joined the Air Force. The prayers had a calming affect on me, helped me to focus on something other than my physical state. So, my obvious next step was to focus my prayer, be specific, incorporate it into my daily running routine. Eventually it became a habit and I craved those times outside alone with God.
This past Sunday, was my second Disney marathon. I decided about a week prior to continue the habit so I posted a request on my Facebook page: I'm running the Disney marathon on the 12th. Every person who comments, I will pray for you for one mile.
My to my surprise, the slots filled up fast! Some people simply commented with 'good luck' and other were very specific. Wanting to fulfill this promise to the best of my ability, I typed out the list, in order of postings, with each and every prayer request. Then, I printed it out, laminated it, and stapled the prayer list to my camelpak.
I knew the first few miles were going to be run in the dark so I read over the list several times a few days prior to the race and even prayed about praying. Overkill? Not a chance.
At 2 a.m. Sunday morning I jumped out of bed. Who can sleep? I had packed the day before so all I had to do was get dressed, make my oatmeal, and leave. At approximately 3 a.m. I merged with a line of cars at the Epcot parking lot, followed the car in front of me to my spot, expertly directed by Disney volunteers. By this time I was hungry, or maybe that was my nervous stomach growling. In any event, I sat in the back of the car and ate breakfast while watching the cars file in.
I thought I was parked very close to the entrance of the staging area, however, I had not realized there was a new procedure. Bag check. It did not occur to me that in the wake of Boston we would be subject to tight security, however, I and everyone else took it in stride and I believe we all felt much better about our safety.
Once inside, I wandered around and took a few photos.
After this shot, I quickly put on my jacket. The temperatures were cooler than I had expected, thank the good Lord above. Saturday it had been 80 degrees. At this point in time it was 60 and dropping. See that white piece of paper above my right hand? That's my prayer list.
At about 4:30 a.m. we, all 25,000 of us, began our twenty-minute walk to the starting corrals. For those unfamiliar, the runners are grouped in order of expected finish times in "corrals" cordoned off by orange mesh fences. The wheelchair racers are in the front, corral A consisted of the elite runners and this year the few people who had run all 20 Disney marathons.
I was in corral H. The last corral was P. You get the idea, there were a lot of us.
At 5:33 the first gun went off. Every 5 minutes thereafter the next and subsequent corral started. As each corral leaves, the group behind moves slowly to the starting line so we all start from the same place. I decided to run with a pace group this year. Not sure if it was a good idea or not because it was so crowded and I had a hard time keeping the pacer in sight as she cut through the slower runners ahead of us.
The reason I wanted to run with the pace group (which is a group led by someone who keeps a steady pace/speed the entire length of the course) was my prayer list. I wanted to be able to focus more attention on praying and less on whether or not I was going too fast or too slow. Typically I start out fast and slow towards the end. For the most part, it worked. I had the first two names on the list memorized so as soon as the gun went off I started my prayer.
Every mile was marked with a large sign and the time. I ended each mile with a word to the Holy Spirit to continue my current prayer and then began with, 'Father, the next prayer mile is for...". By mile three it was still dark and I could not see who was next so I began with someone who I knew was on the list.
This went on fervently for about 15 miles until I started to tire a bit. I continued to pray, however, I had to refer to my list more and read the prayer request over and over. My brain was fatiguing. I lost sight of my pace leader around mile 18 or so and began interjecting, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength" into my prayers. At one point, I cannot remember which mile, I dropped my list. I stopped mid stride, turned around and retrieved it. God must have been parting the sea of runners because there were plenty of feet that could have run over me.
Feeling tired, and losing energy, I reached behind me into my Camelpack to retrieve my snacks. I promptly spilled half of them then dropped two of my energy gels. Had never done that during any of my training runs. Oh well. I kept on running and kept on praying.
I re-energized once I saw mile marker 20. My prayers picked up as well as my speed. The last few names on the list didn't have any specifics but I lifted them up to the Father as best as I could over and over again, mile after mile, with the insertion of Philippians 4:13 as needed.
Mile 26 was heard before I could see the sign. The Hallelujah choir singing their heart out made my heart skip a beat. I was almost at the finish line!!! I read over the names on my prayer list one last time, sent up a final prayer to the Father then ran as fast as my tired legs and spent brain could carry me. I was crying and laughing all the way to the finish!
I took this silly 'selfie' before a nice volunteer took the photo below.
My time.
This race is my third marathon. My performance was better than last year. It's a good accomplishment for my 48 years on this planet. However, I am most proud of the fact that I did what I set out to do. Prayed for friends and family, people who entrusted their hurts and needs with me to intercede with the Father. Of course, we all can pray for ourselves but how comforting is it to know that someone cares enough to pray for you no matter how small or large the burden? I am truly humbled by this experience. Thank you, all of you who asked me to pray. I did. I prayed for you by name. I prayed for what you asked me to. I took this self-given assignment seriously and I hope that God is proud of me. Not for running a race, but for loving you. I only wish the course had been longer. My race is not over, will not be over until God calls me home and I hear those words, "Well done, good and faithful servant."
P.S. I finally said Amen when I got in the car to go home, by way of church. I made it to the last half of Sunday School!
