At Mile 20 of the Annual California International Marathon in Sacramento, CA is an infamous water station decorated with an arch that looks like a solid brick wall. It’s scrupulously tormenting especially when you actually hit the wall when you get this far running.
That’s what happened to me in a marathon seven years ago. At Mile 20, I started to fatigue. I could feel spotty tingling cramping sensations on my calf muscles. My legs were starting to feel heavy instead of the fleet footed strides I did the last 20 miles. I started to worry for I knew I was bonking.
But I had to dig deep. When the body starts to fail, the mind takes over. I remembered what my wife gave to me at the starting line. She gave me two folded pieces of note inside a Ziploc Bag. She tucked it inside my fuel belt and told me to read it somewhere around Mile 20.
A note from my son to me during the San Francisco Marathon in 2005. |
A note from my late wife to me during the San Francisco Marathon in 2005. |
As you know, my wife was never able to run a 10k easily, nor a half, nor a full marathon with me. She did run a 10k in 2006 but it turned out to be a very difficult one for her. One month after that 10k, her cancer came back and metastasized. My son was 8 years old when he wrote me that note; he is 15 years old now. He is “retired” from running for now and is doing other sports. Even when my wife is not with us anymore, she and my son are still my inspiration to keep me going. Especially when I “hit the wall” in my life’s journey.
On September 23rd, I will be running the Half Moon Bay International Marathon in Half Moon Bay, CA. in prayer for your special intentions, especially for families who have lost a loved one or ones. Send me your prayer requests by posting it here or on my Facebook Page, http://www.facebook.com/prayingrunner or by sending me an email at prayingrunner@gmail.com.
Back page of the same note written on the hotel pad. |
From my wife during the San Jose Marathon in 2006 |
She wrote: Dear Love, I'm praying the rosary for you now and I will again tomorrow. I feel thankful for you offering this run to me. I feel very blessed having you do all the sacrifices to take care of me. Thank you so much for still seeing me as the home of your heart even if I don't look attractive and that I can't do most what I could do in the past. But I know I'll get better. I can still be "normal". I'm looking forward to that. I'm glad Tim and I are here with you. I LOVE YOU SO MUCH & SO MUCH. Loves, Jinky.
Thanks for sharing the notes. Always praying for you and your son and beautiful wife. I also always ask for her prayers as well when I run. God bless you!
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