Praying for a Partner

LISA:

I'm supposed to run 14 miles tomorrow.  Niki is still in Steamboat skiing so that means I have to run it alone.  UGH!  And in case you are wondering... Yes, she texted me to tell me that she already ran HER 14 for the week... 11 outside then she finished the last 3 on the treadmill.  She said she "fell once and slipped a bunch" on the 11 miler.  Glad she didn't get hurt.

So,  I need to run in the morning.  I checked the weather and the forecast reads: Cloudy with a 50% chance of rain.  Low of 52.  High of 55.  Winds N 10-20 MPH.  Double UUGGHH!!  Wind, rain, humidity AND warm.  My ideal running conditions are sunny, no wind and in the 30s.  So tomorrow is going to be brutal.  OH, and I'll be running it by myself.  Triple UUUGGGHHH!!!

It's days like tomorrow that make me truly appreciate my running partners... past and present.  A running partner always makes a bad run better.

I've been so blessed with some amazing running partners over the years.

Niki, Val & Me - 2011 Cap Tex Tri

Val - I met Val when my family moved to Brenham.  I was in the third grade,  the new girl at school and one day at recess I was swinging with my only friend at the time, Sandra.  Val marched up to the swing set and announced to Sandra that, "I was HER friend now."  Off we went.  I don't know what happened to Sandra but Val and I have been great friends ever since.   Val and I ended up both living in Austin during most of the 90s.  We did our very first marathons together.  She also got me started in triathlons.  We've had some fun times and still do races together when we can.



Audrau - After moving to College Station in 2004, I was partner-less and hated every minute of it.  Eventually I talked my friend, Audrau, into training with me.  Audrau lives in Industry, outside of Brenham, so every Saturday I would drive 45 minutes to Brenham, we'd meet and run, then I'd drive 45 minutes back.  Crazy, right?  Audrau and I did several half marathons and triathlons together.

Niki, Audrau & Me - Beach Vacation w/ our families

Janet - Then God blessed me with Janet.  I was introduced to Janet the summer of 2006 through a mutual friend.  We decided to meet up the next week for a run.  We ended up running together, almost every week, three days a week, for five years.  Janet moved this past summer.  I miss her dearly!

The 3 Amigas - Janet, Niki and Me at TriWaco

Niki - Niki came while Janet and I were still running together.  Janet's husband was changing jobs and there was a really good chance Janet wouldn't be living in College Station much longer.  I started praying and asking God to bring me a new running partner.  You might think that's silly - praying for a running partner - but a running partner is friend, sister, therapist and so much more... all wrapped into one person.  I desperately wanted someone to fill that space.

That fall (specifically the first day of school in August, 2008) a small group of friends and I met for lunch.  It's a tradition for our group to meet the first day of school every year.  Someone in the group knew of this new girl in town with kids at our school so she invited her to join us.  The girl showed up.  Yes, it was Niki.  During conversation she mentioned she was a runner. Hmmm, she says she's a runner...  We shall see.  :)

First day of school lunch, August 2008

So I said to her, "If you want to run with me in the morning, be at the corner of Congressional and Pine Valley at 5:30am.  At 5:30am a lady named Janet will come out of her house.  She lives right there.  I'll tell her to be looking for you.  You guys will run together to my house.  Don't be late because she won't wait."

That morning I stood in my kitchen looking out the window waiting, like I always did, to see Janet come around the corner, visible only by the streetlights.  To my amazement, this time there were two runners coming instead of one.  I was shocked.

Niki and I have run together ever since.  Sometimes three times a week, sometimes 5.  We rarely miss a workout together - even through Taylor's diagnosis we still did our best to get in our runs... our therapy.  Over the last two years alone we've done four marathons together, a bunch of halfs, several triathlons and a 50 mile bike race.   But more importantly, Niki and her family (like all my previous running partners) have become our family.  

I'm so thankful God answered that very specific prayer for me back in 2008.  What a blessing!  Yes, tomorrow's run is going to be brutal and I'll be by myself but that's OK because my running partner comes back next week!

Vacation

Niki is in Steamboat Springs, Colorado, this week on a Pratt Family vacation.  She's still getting her mileage in... on the treadmill!!!  Sunday she ran 7 miles and today, Monday, she ran 5.   Now, THAT'S dedication!

Taylor

LISA:

It was this week one year ago that Taylor was diagnosed with lung cancer.    On Tuesday of that week Niki and Taylor went to MD Anderson for the first of many, many trips.  On that Thursday,  Janet and I drove to Houston to be with them.   The one thing I hold so dear about that day at MD… we laughed.   Taylor had a way to bring joy to whatever the situation and to whoever was around him.   

This past Sunday my preacher taught on suffering.  God has a funny way with his timing, right?  I didn’t do a very good job of holding back the tears.   Pastor Brian referred to Romans 8, the same scripture that came to my mind so many times during Taylor’s trial.

Romans 8:22-23

22 We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23 Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies.

Taylor’s body literally groaned from the cancer.  Cancer is an evil thing. 

But 2 Corinthians 4: 16-18, tells us:

16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.

The Apostle Paul calls our troubles “light and momentary.”  Why?  Because they ARE when compared to the glory awaiting us in Heaven!  Think about that.  Really… think about that.  Cancer is “light” and “momentary” compared to the “eternal glory” that is to come!   Taylor was an amazing example of how to live life and give all the glory to God while suffering.  I dearly miss Taylor but I know that he is now experiencing the glory!  

March 2011 - Our annual March Birthday Celebration.
5 of 8 of Pratt/Williams have March birthdays... Rosalyn, Niki, Les, Abigayle and Olivia.  

2009 White Rock Marathon & Half Marathon in Dallas.  Our silly pose. 

Last Summer.  Pratt/Williams Colorado Vacation.  

Austin, August 2010 - The kids' first triathlon

Thank You

NIKI:
This is the first time I have ever trained for a race and really wanted to quit.  I am physically and mentally exhausted.  There are days I think about how I could justify quitting and then I think of you...each one of you faithful blog readers with all your encouragement and support...and I smile and suck it up!  Thank you.  As long as God continues to bless me with good health I will continue to count on you for the mental strength and accountability.  Thank you.  So keep reading and I'll keep running!  And thank you.

The 5-Mile Rule

LISA:

One of the most common questions I get about running is, “How do y’all run that far?”  Since N & I started running together we’ve held to a simply philosophy…. run 5 miles at time.   5 miles… totally do-able.   When we do long training runs we run five miles at a time.  We run 5, then stop, knock back a gel (that yucky stuff we eat to keep our bodies fueled), grab a drink of water from our fuel belts, walk a little then set out for the next five.  At mile 10, we stop, get a gel, take a drink, walk a little then set out for the next five.  And so on.  Mentally, the 5-Mile Rule is a lifesaver. 

So at the Austin Marathon last Sunday, we took it five miles at a time.  On race days we don’t stop every five miles, we just run through them.  That’s what race day is about…. not stopping.  But mentally, we keep the same focus.  It probably sounds a little crazy but yes, runners tend to be a little crazy and play all kind of mind games.  We own it.  

The challenge with Austin, as Niki mentioned, is the hills!  From mile 3 to 6 you run up hill.  From mile 9 through 20, you run up hill.  The elevation increases about 500 feet in that 11 mile stretch.   (In contrast, the Houston Marathon increases elevation about 25 feet at any given point.)   So not only were we running A LOT of miles Sunday, we were running A LOT of hilly miles.  The five-mile rule was working pretty well for me the first 10 miles then we got into some of the MAJOR hills.  I decided to implement a strategy within my strategy.  I’ll call it the “6-Cones Rule”.  You know those big orange traffic cones they mark the courses with, right?  When I saw the first ridiculous incline ahead I told myself, “Lisa, just run 6 cones at a time.”  Why six?  I have no idea.  It’s what popped into my head at that moment.  Probably, much like the 5-Mile Rule, the 6-Cone Rule seemed do-able…. not too short, not too long.  Niki is a good hill runner, she loves running up the hills.  They don’t slow her down at all.  Actually, she picks UP speed.  So I used her as my motivation, ran my first six cones, then another six, then another six and tried to pass other runners up the hills.  Next thing I knew I was at the top of that first, big hill.  It worked!  So I kept doing it.  Next thing I knew I was at mile 15 then mile 20.   Only 2 left for our 22-mile long run.  Yeah!  

Then I started to notice the racecourse was beginning to resemble something of a runner’s battlefield.  I turned a corner to see runners splayed out on either side of the road.  Some were obviously hurt and down for the count.  Race day over.  Others were cramping and trying to stretch out problem areas like calves, hamstrings and quads.  Some had resigned themselves to slowly walking/limping.  That’s what happens when you get into those upper miles, your body can rebel and shut down.  At that moment I was overcome with a single emotion - THANKFULNESS!  God gave me a body that, up to this point in my life, has withstood the rigors of marathoning.  I believe that’s a gift and I don’t take it for granted.  So, right there on the course I started praising Him.  The next two miles felt easy as I thanked God and rejoiced.  

So, back to the original question, “How do we run that far?”  Five miles at a time with lots of help from God.  J   

Shortly after mile 22 we saw this man handing out M&Ms to runners!  You don't have to ask me twice.  :)

Finished!  

Austin Full for long run #8

Janet, Niki, Lisa & Madelyn at Galaxy Cafe for our pre-race dinner

NIKI:

Yesterday Lisa and I ran the Austin Marathon.  God blessed us with beautiful weather and an injury-free race.  Saturday the plan was to meet at Target in Bryan and ride to Austin together.  Well, there was a pleasant surprise when I pulled up, our running partner Janet was there to join us.  She chauffeured us and we got to catch up with her.  J moved to Huntsville this summer and will be moving to New Mexico this spring...so lots to chat about.  

We arrived at the expo to get our packets and Janet decided to run the 1/2.  She registered and we shopped around before heading to "Hotel Madelyn" (my sister-in-law's) then to dinner.  

Did somebody say picture?!?!?  

Lisa and I had decided to run 22 miles then walk the last 4.2.  The first 11 miles were like the good ole days.  Me, Lisa and Janet solved world problems, griped about the hills and laughed a lot.  (See photo to left.)  

At mile 11 Janet took the 1/2 marathon route and Lisa and I went on for the full.  We did run 22 miles but after walking about 1/2 mile we jogged the last few in and finished in 4 hours 10 minutes.  Not too bad for what we were trying to accomplish.  Oh, and did I mention the hills?  Running there made me appreciate our rather flat topography here in B/CS.  Madelyn and Janet were at the finish line to cheer.  We grabbed a bite to eat, took a quick shower then headed home.  So, another long run logged, road trip taken and memories made.

Photo op at the Mile 22 sign!

1/2 way trained for Boston.  Woohoo!

Running, Running, Running

LISA:

(Only one blog this week because Niki has been out of town.)

Last Friday Niki was out of town visiting friends so we had to run our long runs separately.  I woke up Friday morning and it was rainy and overcast and I didn’t feel like running so I texted Niki:

Me:  Still in my pjs.  Uggghhh.  No motivation!  Cloudy & rainy.

Niki:  Did 13

Well, enough said.  That was just the motivation I needed to get out the door.   Running partner accountability… it’s a good thing!  So out the door I went.  Thanks N!

N and I are in the phase of our training where we’ve dropped our speed workouts and are increasing our TOTAL mileage for the week.  That means more mid to long runs in our weekly schedule.  We’ve got to get those total weekly miles up so our bodies get used to the constant and prolonged pounding.  

So it was 12 miles for me (13 for Niki) last Friday followed by 8 on Sunday and 12 on Tuesday.  We will do a short 5 or 6 miles on Thursday or Friday then head to Austin on Saturday for the Austin Marathon on Sunday.  It’s a training run for us.  We’ll try for 20 or 22 then run/walk the last few.  The weather is going to be warm and it will be hilly.  It will be a good test. 

It will also be the 13^th anniversary of my very first marathon.  It just so happens that Austin was my first marathon back in 1999!  This is the story of how I started marathoning….

In ’98 my husband, Les, decided to get an Executive MBA.  He chose and was accepted into the Baylor program.  That meant he would work full time AND attend night classes twice a week IN WACO for TWO YEARS.  We were living in Austin at the time.  Waco is a 1-1/2 hour drive ONE WAY.  I realized that if he was going to do that for the next two years, I needed to do something too.  I was working for the Texas Beef Council at the time and had spent the last five years working A LOT and traveling for work A LOT so I thought it best not to focus on more work.    I needed some balance.

I decided on two possible paths…. I would either train for and run my first marathon (up to that point my longest run was a 10K/6.2 miles) OR I would study for and get into law school.  I found a local running program geared for the 1999 Austin Marathon and I went to the bookstore and bought the LSAT study guide (LSAT=Law School Admission Test).  I started working on both.   I studied and I ran.  I studied and I ran. 

I soon realized that while law school would definitely be a challenge (that’s what I was looking for) it really didn’t make sense in the bigger picture of my life.  I was 29, had no kids and law school would cost a pretty penny.    I would graduate with debt, still not have kids and have to work longer hours than before.    So running won!

Now here I am, 13 years later and still running.  It was the right choice for me.  It will be fun to go back this weekend.  I’m sure I’ll spend several miles thinking about all that has happened in my life these past 13 years… I’ve got to think about something while running for 4 hours!   

At the end of race day, Niki and I will have pounded out another long run and finished a good week of training.  And Monday morning we will start it all over again!