The Finish Line

Sweet Victory-Karen (aka, "Team Mary") crosses the 10k finish line at the Nun Run in Glendale today.

Team Mary finished 6.2 miles in 62 minutes (unofficially). That's not bad for a beginner. It was a gorgeous day; a bit of chill to the air, wedgewood-blue sky. Me and about 500 or so others arrived around 7:30 this morning for the 1st annual Nun Run to raise money for the Desert Nuns new home in Tonopah, AZ.

It was transformative.

Running alongside other participants all with same goal in mind was a moving experience. I started off all "adrenalined up" my first meter and realized "Hey, I need to regulate this rush of super power or I'll be dead by mile 2".  This kept happening as I past each mile marker thinking to myself: "I think I can, I think I can...Lesson #1: Stay in the present moment. 

As I zoned during the run, I had some moments of recollection about how the body is truly an amazing machine. For as much as I have abused my temple over the years (yes, I am a former pack a day smoker) I found the most overriding feeling was thankfulness and appreciation for all the ways I get to serve God and others around me. I got a new lease! Sincere gratitude for the many lovely friends who pledged their prayers and dollars and who kept repeating"You Go Girl". I've just decided to make it my personal mantra.

Lesson #2: Gratitude is a delicious attitude.

Which leads me to Lesson #3: Don't get over-emotional when you're trying to run...it starts to feel like there's a boa constrictor wrapped around your throat and upper chest. This started happening when I saw the final mile marker, imagined all the people who have inspired me along the way, and thought to myself: I am just one little person out here today however there were a lot of folks all over the place who are doing great things for God's glory. Gulp. 

So the credits...here you are. The real stars of the show.  You put your money where my feet were!

THANK YOU for helping me cross the finish line.

Ron, Jake and Karsten

Charlene and The Whitfield Family: for challenging me to do 10k instead of 5

Cathy and Jim

Deborah

Ray and Robbie

The Nikas Family

Anne Iles

Kay and John

Chris Christian: yes, that really is her name

Dorothea

Diana

Karen & Iver

Jeanne

Lyd

Kay A. 

Christy

Maggie M: The Inspiration behind Team Mary

Honorable Mention: Kathryn Cornella and Fat Jemma: You were the reasons I started running 2 years ago.

Honorable Mention: Dr. Joe Gibson: You were a silent motivating partner.

The Poor Clares of Perpetual Adoration: Who continue to inspire us by their life and devotion to Our Lord and who, through your prayers and sacrifices are making a beautiful home of worship a reality.

“Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win. Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one. Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing. No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Cor 9: 24-27)

Run so as to win.