Mile 18

“You’re in the middle of a run when things start to fall apart. Your legs feel like concrete, your breathing grows labored, your strides turn into a shuffle. Negative thoughts flood your mind, and the urge to quit becomes overwhelming. Unfortunately, if you run long enough, you’re bound to experience this some day.” – Runner’s World article by Nancy Averett WEDNESDAY, MARCH 2, 2011

I did a race walking marathon in 1998 in Anchorage, Alaska for the Mayor’s Run during the summer solstice. It is one of the accomplishments that still shocks me that I did. One of the things that seasoned marathoners kept talking about was “The Wall”. It’s that point in the marathon when you feel like what was explained above. I trained for about nine months and when I got to about mile 18 this was when I hit my wall. Thankfully at this point in the course there were so many people with signs cheering us on. One sign cracked me up. It said, “I LOVE SWEATY WOMEN!” I needed a good laugh right about then because I was going to start crying. The cheering was like a shot in the arm. I did finish the race and when I crossed the finish line and heard the announcer call out my name I cried like a baby. I’d made it even though mile 18 threatened this victory.

Last night I was talking with someone who was at their own mile 18…fatigue, discouragement and the doubts were in full effect. I was the one holding the sign and cheering them on. I know today it is for them and one day it will be for me too. We all have our “mile 18 days”, and we need each other to hold up those signs and remind each other that, “WE LOVE SWEATY PEOPLE!” LOL!

We are in the race of our lives, my friend, so let’s be there to cheer each other on and to my sweet Mile 18’er out there facing the day, I love you. God’s got you!

Isaiah 40:31 (NIV)

³¹but those who hope in the Lord
    will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
    they will run and not grow weary,
    they will walk and not be faint.