Running the DC Marathon March 2011

APRIL 16 BOSTON MARATHON

Today was the Boston Marathon.  I wasn't there.  I was supposed to be running today.  Never in a million years would I ever have thought that my life would be where it is right now--a bald, chemo breast cancer patient.  At times it is so hard to wrap my head around what has happened to me over the last 5 months.  To be honest, sadness often tries to swallow me and the days leading up to this one were especially difficult.

First of all, you must understand, that for me to qualify for this race was nothing short of a miracle in itself.  Darla has been running all her life--it's just who she is.  Me?  I'm a late bloomer!  I never even started to take exercise seriously until I was in my late thirties!  I was never a "runner."  Didn't even think I could, would or should try to do that!  But, as I exercised and became stronger, my dear friend encouraged me to try a 5K.  And that January, I made the mistake of making it a "New Years Resolution" in front of my friends.  After months of badgering--"Did you sign up for your 5k yet?"--I decided the only way to get them to stop haggling me was to get it over with!  And so I did.  I found out that I loved the competitive "race" atmosphere and the adrenaline and the post race snacks!  Darla suggested we start training for a 10 miler.  Really?  Could I actually do that?  We started running.  And each time we got together to run we talked, laughed, complained and enjoyed catching up with one another.  We ran in the dark, in the rain, through the wind and became stronger.  After running the Broad Street Run in Philly, Darla challenged me again.  How about a half marathon?  Each mile conquered gave me an inner strength I didn't know I had.  But a full marathon?  Now that's another animal all together!  But the challenge was just too tempting to let go.  And so in March of 2011 I ran my first marathon and my time qualified me for Boston.  The prestigious Boston Marathon--I never dreamed that I would be able to accomplish that goal. So, when the cancer came and snatched this (and so many other things) away from me--well. . . you can see why the days leading up to April 16 were a bit hard to handle.

Both Darla and I desperately tried to find a way to defer my time and run in 2013.  Darla emailed the Boston Marathon Association and explained the situation.  They said NO DEAL.  We don't do that for anyone or any situation.  5 days before the race we hatched another plan.  Joel and I were going to drive up to Boston on Sunday and I was going to jump into the race at mile 18 and run the last 8 miles to the finish.  At least I would be a part of the experience.  I had been feeling so good through the chemo that I had ran 8 miles just a few days before and knew I could do it.  Called my doctor just to get his approval and he told me to FORGET IT!  Didn't want me to run!  The Friday before the race I made one last phone call to Boston explaining my situation and they told me, very politely . . . ABSOLUTELY NOT!  I emailed Joel--IT'S OVER.  And cried.

Saturday morning came and I knew Darla was headed up to Boston.  The forecast was calling for temperatures in the 80's--NOT good running weather!  Around 11:00 Darla emailed me and told me to check out the Boston website.  The race directors had decided--due to the heat--to give runners the option this year to run in 2012 or choose to defer until next year!  I ran to my computer to see if this could honestly be true!  IT WAS!  I was yelling and crying in my kitchen and called Darla on the phone immediately.  Crying.  Laughing.  Yelling.  Hope Restored.  I will be able to run The Boston Marathon in 2013.  God sent me a miracle--wrapped it up with a big bow and dropped it into my life.  Only 2x in the history of the Boston Marathon have they allowed runners to "defer" and run the following year.

It has caused me to think and has reassured me that there is a God above who cares for me.  Does He see me (among the millions). . . struggling, crying, fearful, hope slipping through my fingers?  I believe He does!  In the middle of pain and grief God is sometimes very hard to see.  The "whys" and "unfairness" of situations often take center stage and it is difficult to see God leading the way.  But on Saturday, I believe he showed Himself to me and placed into my hands a symbol of his love and faithfulness.  It will always be a miracle, just for me!

Darla holding our bib numbers.  That's mine--16790--look for me wearing it in 2013!  YIPPEE!

10 THINGS GOD WANTS YOU TO REMEMBER.

I AM FOR YOU.

I LOVE YOU.

I BELIEVE IN YOU.

I WILL NOT FAIL YOU.

I WILL BE WITH YOU.

I WILL PROVIDE FOR YOU.

I WILL BLESS YOU.

I WILL GIVE YOU REST.

I WILL STRENGTHEN YOU.

I WILL ANSWER YOU.