For the Fun of It

LISA:

Remember the movie Forrest Gump?  Forrest starts running.  He runs for three years, two months, fourteen days and sixteen hours when he suddenly just stops.  He turns around to the group of runners following him and says, "I'm pretty tired.  I think I"ll go home now."   And his running days are over. 

I had a similar experience on Tuesday.  I went out for an 8 miler.  After 1.57 miles I stopped.  I just stopped.  Mentally I was done.   Not just done for that run on that day but done with it all.  After 8 straight months of constant training, I had officially run the fun out of running.  Like Forrest, I was tired and I went home.   

I realized it was time to stop focusing on training and start focusing on the end result of our training... our trip to Boston!   I’m so ready to be there.  Enough of all this training stuff, it's time to get on to the good stuff!  (Going to Boston was really just a good excuse for a fun girls trip anyway.)   

Niki and I leave next Thursday - one week from today!  Neither of us have been to Boston so we're excited to experience the city.  If you have recommendations for things to do and/or places to eat, please email one of us.  We leave Thursday but the race isn't until Monday, the 16th, so we have several days to enjoy the area.  

If you're not familiar with the Boston Marathon, it's quite the event.  At every other race I've done, you register months in advance, then you MAY get an email or two before race day, you show up for packet picket up and get your tshirt, race number, etc. then arrive the next morning for the race start and you're off.

Not Boston.  First I got a letter with my Confirmation of Acceptance (see photo).  Then I got - again, in the mail - my official Number Pick Up Card with a big Welcome packet (see photo).  In addition to regular mail, I get a weekly email from my personal Boston running coach with training tips and such.  AND, I got a racing shirt from my charity, Children's Hospital Boston (see photo).   Wow.  These people are serious.

The most interesting thing about Boston to me is race morning.  I've heard about it for years and can't wait to actually experience it.  Unlike other races where you just find a parking spot somewhere close to the start line, then run a big 26.2 loop and come back to the finish, the Boston Marathon actually starts in the town of Hopkinton which is 26.2 miles away. You start in Hopkinton and run to downtown Boston.  To make all that happen, runners ride school buses from downtown Boston to the start in Hopkinton.   I don't know exactly how many runners run Boston but I know that there are at least 22,112 because that's my race number!  So over 22,000 runners have to be bussed from Boston to the start line.  Can you imagine the logistics of that????  Buses run from 6am to 7:30am.  Runners get to Hopkinton then have to hang out at the Athletes' Village for HOURS because the first wave of the marathon doesn't start until 10am.  (There are three wave starts to get all those runners on the course in a somewhat orderly fashion.  Niki and I don't actually start until 10:40am.)  

The Athletes’ Village is the holding area for runners until the race starts.  It’s staged at the local high school/middle school campuses.  22,000 plus runners basically camp out.  I’ve been told by past Boston marathoners to 1) dress warmly 2) bring something to lie down on and 3) bring something to read.  I read on one website where a runner suggests grabbing the local Boston newspaper and two trash bags, then once at the Village, take the paper apart, ball it up and stuff it in the trash bags to create a makeshift bed to sleep on.   Really?  What have I gotten myself in to?  Am I running a marathon or going on Survivor?  I’m afraid it may be a little of both.  

Boston Marathon Athletes' Village

We leave for Boston next week and whatever comes our way, there’s one thing I know FOR SURE… Niki and I will make it fun.  That’s what Boston is about for me and I’m so ready for it.   After my experience Tuesday when I just stopped, I now have a new mantra to repeat in my head on race day... Run, Forrest, Run!  It's time to put the FUN back into the RUN and I plan to do exactly that!   

 

Don't Worry. Trust.

LISA:

Every run right now is hard.  I don’t know if it’s the warmer temperatures, my diet, conditioning, attitude or what.  I can’t remember a training time when I’ve dreaded a run then got out there and dreaded it while running.   Oh yes, I’ve dreaded going out and doing an 18 or 20 miler in the past but always when I actually hit the road I start to enjoy it.  Not this time around. 

I’ve also been plagued with injuries.  That’s not common for me either.  I’ve run for 20 years pretty much injury free.  Not this year.   I’ve had issues with my right hamstring, then tendonitis in my left foot, then a tear in my left quad, then I was sick with the gunk/allergies/upper respiratory infection for 10 days over Spring Break and then this week I started having pretty severe pain in my right quad/IT band.  With all of these physical and mental obstacles I have asked myself, “What is God trying to teach me?  And why am I not getting it!?!?!” 

Niki and I are in a bible study on Mondays.  I know what you’re thinking, “Jeez, those girls spend a lot of time together… running, coaching basketball, bible study.”   I know!  And guess what?  We never seem to run out of things to talk about!  J 

Anyway, back to bible study.  We are studying a book called Respectable Sins.  It is about sin but not what some would call the obvious sins of our culture (murder, adultery, idolatry, etc.) but the subtle sins that we may overlook (pride, selfishness, anxiety, frustration, impatience, unthankfulness, etc.).  One of the sins that has really stood out to me during this marathon training (because of what seems to be an endless list of physical and mental obstacles) has been the sin of worry.   This is the typical conversation that would normally be going on in my head right now: 

What if this pain in my quad doesn’t go away?  Did I tear something?  Should I run my long run this week or just stop running until Boston?  If I stop running will I be able to do all 26.2 in Boston?  What if I’m still hurting on race day?   What if I can’t run Boston?  What if I can but it’s just a horrible race day because I’m not physically ready? 

BLAH!  BLAH!  BLAH!   Right? 

I said “would normally be going on in my head” because thanks to our bible study I’ve really tried to focus on the fact that worry is a sin.  The opposite of trusting in God is… worry.  The bible is very clear on this topic:

1)  Matthew 6 :25 - Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear.  Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? 

2)  Matthew 6:27 – Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

3)  Philippians 4:6 – Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. 

Yes, normally I would have let all these issues really take a toll on me but now when these thoughts start to creep into my mind I try to put them aside and simply give them to God in prayer.  It’s very freeing! 

I don’t know what God’s plan is for me on race day.  But like Niki and I have always said, our love of running isn’t about race day, it’s about the journey TO race day.   So if I get to Boston healthy, great.  If not, I can’t worry about it because God is in control, not me.  He, at times,  uses all kinds of suffering to refine and purify us and obviously I need a lot more work!  God’s plan is always perfect.  I trust Him.   J  Boston get ready, Niki and I are heading your way soon - healthy or not! 

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Some recent fun photos for you:  

Our recent March birthday celebration.  Each bday boy & girl had to wear a name tag with their age on it!  Oh yes, AND a silly birthday hat.  I love being the party planner. :)  

Me & Chalon.  Our name tags read:  It's NOT my birthday.  :(

It finally happened... I showed up at church in my workout clothes last Sunday!  After our 10 miler I threw on fresh running pants and top and made it to church just a few minutes late.  Unfortunately I was still sweating!   My favorite Church Greeter, Bill,  always says, "I thought you were going to wear your running clothes to church!"  Well, I finally did so I made him take his picture with me to prove it!  

Too Much Va-ca

NIKI:

After 2 weeks on vacation (aka not running) we returned to work for a 20 miler on Thursday.  The weather has definitely warmed up a bit and the wind has picked up.  All of that combined led to getting 15 out of 20 miles done...ok but not what we planned.  I would like to thank John, our speed trainer, for joining us on a portion of the run...it was so good to chat and pass miles and get pointers for the remainder of the training...Thank You John Jasper!!!  Oh, and I should mention that "vacation" really meant Lisa was sick and if you remember from one of my earlier blogs...I run because I have a partner...so no partner equals not running for Niki.  It was a good reminder that I run often because it hurts too bad to restart after too long of a break.  

Roadside break... John, Lisa and Me

We are sitting 3 weeks out from Boston and continue to pray that God provides strength, power and determination to get us to race day.  Thank you for your support and prayers.  3 weeks...I'm so ready to be finished!!!

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.