"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us." Hebrews 12:1
I participated in my first marathon of any type last spring. I was working with a group of very convincing teachers who talked me into the school "walking group". Well, I had been a part of this in previous years, but somehow last year they talked me into the big race. My sister had also decided to run in the race and really didn't give me much choice. It was either do it or do it.
I entered my first official race on April 3, 2010 (my 29th birthday) and completed a 10 miles. It was hard, exciting, exhausting and I loved it! I enjoyed pushing myself farther than I had ever done in my life. What a way to start out another year of life. I was very proud of myself for accomplishing the race. Next up the big one. . .13.1 miles in a mini marathon. I was told that after completing only 3.3 miles in a park here in town that I would be ready for the mini marathon. The hills were the hard part and that is what we practiced on 3-4 times a week. The rest was just endurance.
Endurance?!?!?! Endurance is the hard part for me. I am the one who during basketball practice running would talk about what I was going to go eat after practice was over. We would converse while running about what we could eat due to the extensive running that day. Just make it one more lap, one more lap. . .endurance has never been my thing. Speed is not really my forte' either, but endurance was not for sure. I could make it through a game in basketball, I could make it through sprints in a softball game. I was not the cross country runner. That runner was my sister, I enjoyed watching her run but I never dared to do it. I hate running! I hate speed walking! WHAT AM I DOING?!?!?!? These were all things that went thru my head, but I still signed up and paid my dues for the 13.1 miles that now were awaiting me.
I absolutely loved training for the mini-marathon. I enjoyed brisk walks/jogs thru the park as spring came. I enjoyed talks with the other friends who trained with me. I enjoyed my cross training days of swimming laps in the pool. The serenity of the water, the feeling of accomplishment after each work out and the extra energy I now had. I truly loved training for the mini-marathon, but the thought of the 13.1 miles at one time petrified me! I was scared out of my mind. I just knew I wouldn't be able to do it. I wouldn't finish.
Race day arrived. My sister was ready and I don't know how much she really slept the night before. My dad had just gotten in from working 3rd shift. Elyssa and I stayed over at my parents that evening so I could leave early in the AM for the journey I was about to embark on.
So, my dad gets in from work and drops my sister and I both off about a block from the starting line. It was an overcast day with rain in the forecast. Actually, we had tornado's in the forecast :-/ Yes, bad weather was brewing and we were in for 13.1 miles. My dad left us to have a flat tire moments later. He was unable to reach any one being that we were in a race and my mom was at home with the kiddos (Landon and El), and he had no cell phone with him. Thankfully, by the time we reached the finish line he, my mom and the kids were there to get some post race photo's. BUT, back to the race.As we began the race adrenaline set in. I cross the starting line at a good paced run. You have to run across the start/finish due to the photo's being taken. I was make aware of this during my first race, that papa john's 10 miler a few weeks prior. Always "pose" for the camera, haha. Well, with that adrenaline pumping I just kept running, running, running. Keep in mind that I prepared myself to walk around a 12 minute mile. That's where my time was at. . .I run and run with a fellow team-mate. She kept pushing me but said "we can walk any time you need to". I ran the first four miles of the race. Bathroom break for her. We ran a little more, but then slowed up and met up with some other team-mates who were walking. We made it into Churchill Downs and on down fourth street. I was thinking "they were right, I CAN do this. It's just endurance". About the 8th mile the sun comes out. For most the sun out in the spring is a good thing, when competing in a grueling race such as this~the sun is not something you want to see. The sun is OK if still in the shade of the trees, but now the temperature was starting to rise and the sun was beating down. We were now in the downtown portion of the race and no shade at all from the sun. Around mile 9-10 I begin to say to myself over and over "you can do this, you can do this, just finish, you can do this". I'm at a fast pace and have now lost a few of the team-mates but caught up to one of their daughters. I keep their faster pace, but by this point am just thinking I will collapse. "I HAVE to finish, I HAVE to finish!" is running thru my mind. I pass by a few first aide tents and think, I just need to sit down and rest. Then I rethink that option, IF I sit down I will never get back up. I get to mile 11 marker and I think "I've got this". There were a few bands, DJ's and fans to keep up going along the way. I hit mile marker 12 and I KNOW I have this. I can do this. . .then comes the hill. I think I am at the finish line and it's a hill that I've walked a million times when visiting the park downtown. It never seemed so steep in all my life! It was horrible, I couldn't finish. All hopes of finishing were leaving my mind as I pushed myself up that hill. I HAD to finish though. I see the team-mates daughter just ahead of me, I catch up. They decide they're running across the finish line, a sprint to the finish. I say "you go ahead I am doing good to finish. I cannot sprint over the end". Everything that was in me was depleted, my adrenaline had left me many miles back, the sun was taking a toll, my entire body was pushed harder than it ever had been pushed. I turn the corner and see the finish line. I'm just trying to keep my legs moving to get over that end. I cannot sprint, I try but my legs wont let me. I don't even know if I can make it over that finish line just about 2 blocks from me. It seems like it is moving as I'm moving. Just then I see my beautiful daughter come running at me from the side line. She had climbed thru the gates blocking the crowd out and run to my side. She grabbed my hand and literally brought me across the finish line. This little 5 year old gave me everything I needed to finish that race. I was holding back tears, because she had no idea that she was the reason I got across that line. She was so happy. She was skipping and trying not to smile. As I crossed that finish line, hand in hand with my daughter, I felt amazing! It's a feeling you cant understand until you cross that finish line, that goal set before you. It was the best feeling ever.
Now, I wont lie. . .just a few minutes later I felt like I was going to die from exhaustion BUT that moment was amazing! It was almost indescribable. I later found out my sister was behind Elyssa getting out to me, but I was so thankful. I had set before me a goal that I never thought I would accomplish and here I did it. I completed my first mini-marathon at 29. Well, now that you know my history of "racing" I am embarking on yet a new adventure in the racing world. I have joined a relay team for the FULL marathon this year!!! It actually isn't going to be as many miles just for me but I will be running the entire way. I will be RUNNING!!! The one thing I hate, but I'm signed up again. The reasoning behind this relay team is a great cause. This is why I signed myself up. I also have begun to realize that I need to set these goals. Reaching that goal and completing the race set before you feels amazing. I've never fully understood that until now. I was an athlete from the age of 10, but never truly understood it until last spring. I also now understand the scriptures a lot more as well. Philipians 4:13 comes to mind as well as my favorite in high school (I used to write it on my shoes. We saw Brian Kiser from UL do it and it was then the "cool" thing to do) II Samuel 22:31-39. I have several more, but am having trouble actually finding them.
I have finished this entry up by adding the letter explaining the new adventure I have begun this year. It is not only just running, but we are "Running with a purpose". I hope you are able to read and keep us in your prayers as we run on April 30, 2011. Also, please remember to keep the Partin's in your prayers as they have this full time ministry overseas. I hope you have a blessed evening.
My sister Emily and I are participating in the Kentucky Derby Full marathon (26.2 miles) on April 30, 2011 in Louisville, KY and are running on a team called Run With Purpose. All proceeds will fund the mission work of Will and Audrey Partin in the Dominican Republic and Haiti. Would you be willing to sponsor us for an amount per mile or give a one-time donation?
Will and Audrey are full-time missionaries in the Dominican Republic. They do a variety of different things that include heading up the Sports Outreach Team, hosting teams who come and serve, leading Bible studies and coordinating many of the logistics of G.O. Ministries. They are also committed to helping fulfill God’s plan of restoration to His people and His creation by feeding kids in their Nutrition Centers and supporting the Nationals to minister and reach the lost in their own communities!
Since every missionary with G.O. Ministries raises his/her own support, would you be willing to pledge or donate today to help them pursue the vision that God has placed before them?
After the full marathon, Emily or I will be in contact with you to let you know of our completion of the race; and to collect your contributions. Please make your checks payable to G.O. Ministries and write “Partin/running fundraiser” on the memo line. We will collect checks and then send them all at once to G.O. Ministries. All contributions are tax-deductible and can be mailed to either of us. Please e-mail me at Mandee033@gmail.com for further information on the address to mail to.
Please let me know by simply e-mailing me back the amount you would like to pledge: Mandee033@gmail.com .
If you would like to visit The Partin’s ministry Blog or receive more information about G.O. Ministries, please visit the links below (you can also donate via their blog).
http://www.go-ministries.org/
http://www.dominican-updates.blogspot.com/
Thank you so much for your donation!
Blessings,
Amanda Clark and Emily Clark Howell
G.O. Ministries
11501 Plantside Dr.
Suite 14
Louisville, KY 40299
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