I need all the help I can get this year, with only 8 days left before I run my annual St. Jude 1/2 marathon. I am: the least prepared ever, 10 lbs heavier, and 1 year older.
To help reduce stress I have lowered my expectations:
don’t keep up the pace, instead aim to finish without injury;
shift from “run all the way” to run slow and walk when necessary;
let go of the desire to achieve a great time and instead focus on enjoying the experience.
The goal is FINISH.
With this being the 6th year I have run this race, my long goal continues: to complete this 1/2 marathon, and raise a minimum of $5000 for St. Jude every year, until I can’t walk, when I hope to someone push me and continue raise funds for St. Jude.
Past experiences have been
get too excited and start out too fast
start to feel my right knee tweak around mile 6
suddenly around mile 7 my gut starts to turn
miles 8, 9, 10, 11 uphill, dark, begin to question why I do this
As well as adjusting expectations check out these mile by mile foci. The summary for each mile will be written on my arms and a playlist created that accompanies the journey (I will be sharing this time next week).
Theme: “I do not run alone”
Smooth, steady, strong, SAFE…
Mile 1: Surrender
Prayer:
“God, set my pace. Steady my heart. I give this run to You.”
Release pressure
Release outcome
Receive presence
Donor focus: “Their belief moves my feet.”
I picture everyone who supported me standing at the start line, with hands on my shoulders:
“I’m not racing yet. I’m arriving”
Mile 2: Run with gratitude
Breath prayer: Inhale: Thank you
Exhale: for this body
I find my rhythm and feel the gift of movement. Tall chest, soft arms. This is where nerves fade.
Donor reflection: Each breath is a thank-you letter written with my lungs.
Mile 3: I’m being carried
This is where adrenaline settles. I check “am I breathing easily?” “can I smile”
Prayer: “Strength beyond my own lives in me.”
Imagine: prayers spoken for me
Imagine: encouragement sent to me
Imagine: generosity flowing toward me
All of this becomes energy in my stride.
Mile 4: Run in service
Shift from self to purpose:
“Who needs this mile today?”
As I run, I offer the mile for:
friends struggling, those who are sick, others grieving, all who believed in me when I doubted myself.
Mile 5: Embodied gratitude
This is living prayer through motion, I notice:
heartbeat
breath
legs working in rhythm
I am warm, loose, and in control
Mantra:
“My body is praise in motion.”
As I run, I offer the mile for: friends I miss (who have died), friends I celebrate (who are thriving beyond cancer)
Mile 6: Halfway
Prayer: “When I am weak, be my strength.”
Let effort dissolve into trust.
Donor reflection: I am spending what others gave, wisely and faithfully.
Mile 7: Presence v perform
This is my sacred middle ground. Not dramatic or flashy, I am steady faithfulness.
Spiritual truth:
Consistency is devotion made visible.
Run gently. Run attentively. Run humbly.
Mile 8: Carry their stories
One by one:
I see their faces
I speak their names
I dedicate a few minutes to each
Let love become momentum.
Mile 9: Faith when it’s tough
Prayer:
“Give me endurance of heart, not just body.”
I am not proving strength
I am practicing perseverance
Mile 10: Joy in effort
Look around. Notice life happening. “I am alive enough to do something difficult and meaningful”
Mantra:
“Joy and effort can live together.”
Smile: smiling matters.
Mile 11: I am upheld
When my body tires, I remember:
I am supported by:
generosity
prayer
love
purpose
Visualization:
I am running inside a current of grace moving forward with me. “I am not pushing alone, I am being carried forward.” I see and feel held by every donor that is part of this race.
Mile 12: Sacred perseverance
This mile is the holy ground.
Every step says:
thank you
I remember
I honor
I continue
Prayer:
“Let my finishing be faithful.” This is for EveryBody….
Mile 13: Witness goodness
“Soak this in” Look around. Take it in.
I am about to complete something meaningful.
I showed up
I stayed steady
I honored what was given
I ran with love
“Gratitude fills my chest, my heart, my soul”
FINAL reach 0.2 miles “Dedication”:
“This is for all of us.”
I cross the finish line surrounded by:
every donor
every prayer
every encouragement
every person I carried in my heart
I do not finish alone.
We finish together.
FINISH LINE BLESSING
Hand on heart
“Thank you for the strength given, the love carried, and the purpose fulfilled.”
I stand still for a moment. I receive the felt sense completion (and celebration relief)
and then I CRY! :-)
Please help us cross the finish line with a donation of ANY amount, even $5 is SUPER appreciated.
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