Dear Friends and Family,
I have been reluctant to share this story because, in no way, do I want to seem like I’m boasting about myself; rather, it is truly God in whom I boast (1 Cr 1:31). (I really understand now what this means!) But, today, encouraged by my mom, I decided to write.
Last May I ran the Pittsburgh Half Marathon; it was one of the best experiences of my life. So, I decided to again run the half this year, but for Lance. So, in February I registered for the half marathon and started to train…Then, on Easter weekend, while on a run in Pittsburgh, I heard God tell me to go for the whole thing. “What?” I thought. “Those people are crazy! I’ve never aspired to do such a thing!” Then, on further thought, I realized deep down I would love to go for it; once in my life I’d love to finish a full 26.2 miles. But, “Did I have it in me?” was the question.
I returned to Baltimore, gave it some more thought, then decided for sure I would set out to run the full marathon, for Lance. (I wasn’t sure if I was crazy or courageous; perhaps a little of both!) I asked my husband, Bob, who ran the Marine Corps Marathon last year to write out a trainning schedule for me; and he did. He said you have to be, above everything, committed to running.
I ran steadily, about three, maybe four times a week (not the six times per week that Bob recommended). Additioinally, I never ran over 10 miles at a time. (To properly train for a marathon you should do at least two 20 mile runs prior to the race.) Nevertheless, I felt ready. I felt so confident. I saw myself crossing the finishing line. I just knew in my heart, through God’s strength, I could do it (Phil 4:13). This feeling of certainty came during my third ten mile run on Wednesday, May 11th.
Honestly, I’m not the person that always hears from God. But, this day he was really speaking to me. I heard Him say that he has Lance; that he is holding him so close. That is just when I noticed a date flashing red on the billboard outside CVS Pharmacy. I came to a stop and looked up at the date, wondering, “What is special about this date? What is God trying to say? I know this is significant…7/12/04…7/12/14…Seven twelve!! July 12th is Lance’s birthday!” Just a little while later on this same run something else occured to me. The shape of my 10 mile route is an “L (2.5 miles down 924, a right onto Rt. 22, and another 2.5 miles then back).”
My first ten mile run I struggled. My second was better, although I took a good fall and cut my hand and bruised my knee. This third run was awesome. I was on track for the marathon; I could feel it. Still, because my running record wasn’t very strong, my mom, dad, and brothers advised me against running the whole thing. But, I am quite stubborn and don’t like to listen to advice 
Plus, I am generally not a confident person. Something was going on here. I had to follow God’s lead.
One day I had jotted down the names of 26 people whom I was going to ask to pledge a prayer for one mile of my run. But, not having done my part in training like I should have, I didn’t feel right making my endeavor so public and asking for prayer for such an undertaking. So, instead, I confided in some friends and my immediate family and asked them to pray.
I jokingly said I was going to put on my t-shirt, “Don’t worry, Lance; I’m not prepared either!” That was my mantra for the past couple months; sometimes in life you just aren’t prepared for what is coming; you just have to dive in head first. That is what Lance had to do. And, in a sense, that is what I partly wanted to do. You’ll never know how far you can go until you push yourself outside your comfort zone, beyond your limits. Again, this is something I never do. But, God was beckoning me and I was trusting Him.
For months I had been thinking about what to put on my t-shirt for the race. Finally, just four days before I left for Pittsburgh, I decided for sure. With my idea and my shirt, I went to a local custom sports lettering store. With great big puppy dog eyes, I asked the man behind the counter if he could print, by Thursday, a scripture verse on the front and back of my light blue Under Armor sleeveless shirt. Of course I told him what I was doing and apologized for coming in so late. After a few moments of silence I said, “What do you think?” He looked at me as if to say, “Do I have a choice?” He came through for me. I paid him the $10 fee and thanked him with a pan of delicious chocolate frosted brownies.
So, Thursday after school, Bob, the kids, and I headed to Pittsburgh. We had a great trip home.
Friday morning Bob and I did one last training run through Hartwood Acres. (On waking up Sunday morning with my buns still sore from Friday, I was thinking we probably shouldn’t have pushed ourselves so hard on Friday doing hills. But, it was a beautiful day, I was out with with Bob, and I was home; I was feeling great…)
That afternoon Dad, Bob, the kids, and I went downtown to the Convention Center to pick up our race packets. Thankfully, I was able to “upgrade” from the half to the full marathon. Either way I would have gone for the full; but I am a stickler for following the rules 
Plus, I didn’t want to be lost on the radar.
Saturday morning there was a 5K (3.1 mile) run to kick off the marathon weekend. Francine, three of Francine’s sister’s friends, Bob, the kids, and I met downtown to run together in solidarity for Lance. Francine’s sister, Rosalyn, sponsored our run and had t-shirts made. They where white with a big gray ribbon on the front. In big bold letters they said, “For the Warriors, Survivors, and In Tribute of the Heroes…Support Brain Cancer Awareness.” We partnered up and went the distance together for Lance. Luckily, my parter was my ten year old son, Garrett, and he pretty much walked; therefore so did I. In my mind I didn’t think I should participate at all in a Saturday run, but my heart couldn’t say no. It was great; Lance felt so honored.
In anticipation of the marathon on Sunday, my mom made a delicious dinner Saturday evening. Pasta with a (light) creamy roasted red pepper sauce and salad. It was delicious. Thank you, Mom! After dinner I laid out everything I needed for the next morning (because it was going to be an early one and I’m not a morning person!). I had my outfit, race number, directions to the parking garage, etc. I had my daughter, Julia, write on my left arm: 4U LANCE. Then I headed to bed.
Sunday morning I woke up bright and early and got ready. So did Bob, as he was running the half. We left a little later than we should. There was one thing we didn’t think of–all the road closures because of the marathon! Consequently, we ended up downtown hitting road block after road block. We didn’t have a GPS and, even after years of driving around Pittsburgh, neither Bob nor I was sure how to get where we needed to be. So, we eventually got as close as we could, parked, and jogged. We finally arrived to the start area and saw runners passing us; the race had begun! We were disappointed that we missed the official start. But, we jumped right in. (Later we realized that we started at about the 1/2 mile mark.) Bob, knowing how I am, kept reassuring me that it was OK. If I indeed finished then I ran the marathon; there was no need to dwell our little mishap. And here I am confessing to all of you our unofficial start! I am honest to a fault! We ran together for a couple miles then kissed each other good-bye. Bob runs at a faster pace than I do and I didn’t want to be stressed with trying to keep up with him. So, I insisted that he run ahead.
The weather couldn’t have been more perfect. A little rainy, then misty, and slightly cool; overcast. Awesome. Can you believe at one point earlier this month I actually asked God for this–for rain on race day! The Lord truly heard me and granted me even this desire of my heart (Psalm 20:4)!
I had a good rhythm and felt fine. I grabbed water every chance I had and used three Gu packs (thick gelatinous nutrition and nergy in a pouch), something you otherwise would never eat unless you were slightly out of your mind!
When I ran the half last May, my praise and worship music really kept me going and carried me. But, this time, it just wasn’t doing it. Several times I thought I would even just turn off the music and enjoy sounds of the vaious bands along the race course and shouts of encouragment from the hundreds of supporters lining the streets. But, I kept the music on. What I really longed for was a companion to run with.
And, as fate would have it, God sent such a companion–an angel, I believe. At mile 16 a girl came up beside me and tapped me on the shoulder. She said I love your shirt. (The front said: IN THIS WORLD YOU WILL HAVE TROUBLE. The back: BUT TAKE HEART; I HAVE OVERCOME THE WORLD John 16:33) I have been following you for the past ten miles and have been so encouraged. I thanked her and introduced myself. As we ran together and talked for the final ten miles, I learned her name was Emily. She, too, was a cancer survivor! She told me she had run several marathons, but was–for the first time–having a really tough time; she didn’t feel well. A few times, at her request, we walked for a minute or two. Then I would look at her and say, “So, Emily, what do you think?” She replied every time, “Let’s go!”
Right before the finish Bob and Garrett stepped into the road; Bob gave me a kiss and said, “Way to go, Ash!” Then, just around the bend there was Mom and Dad, Lance, Julia, and Ryan. When I saw Lance cheering for me, I lost it. The tears started flowing. My heart was screaming, “No, Lance, don’t cheer for me. This is for you; you are the hero!”
My tears were not tears of happiness or relief for having completed the run. I thought I would feel excited and proud of myself, but I didn’t. It was really so much more. It was wanting to always see Mom and Dad and Lance at the end of my road–to always come home to them. It was wanting to always see smiles on their faces and tears of joy in their eyes. It was wanting to always see them well.
At 4:33 Emily and I crossed the finish line together, holding hands, arms lifted high. She said I helped her. And I believe she helped me. That is what it is about–supporting each other and pushing through the hard times, keeping our eyes on the prize (Phil 3:14). I hugged Emily’s parents then Emily and said good-bye.
Just a few minutes later I met up with my family. Lance gave me a flower and the biggest hug and lifted me off the ground. He was crying, I was crying, my mom was crying. My kids looked on; they sensed there was something bigger going on here. Time stood still. It was awesome.
Shortly after the race was over I started to feel funny. I could sense my low sugar level. Thankfully, Lance had for me my favorite–Eat ‘N Park Smiley cookies! That is all I could stomach that afternoon, and a little orange juice. I didn’t feel so great. But was it ever worth it!
How do I feel about it now? Calm, serene, a little strange–like it didn’t even really happen; like it wasn’t me who ran that race. I’ve told a few people “It wasn’t me. It was God, all God. I was merely his vessel.”
My marathon was a testimony of faith and love, a witness to God’s real and living presence. Please do not congratulate me; praise God instead!
4U Lance,
your loving sister,
ashley
I think the epilogue will read something like this: And she checked that one off her bucket list. Never ran another marathon. Just continued to run for pleasure, always remembering that special day the streets of Pittsburgh became Holy Ground. And remembering how God, in all His glory, smiled over the day.
I-70 East heading back to Baltimore…Sunday, May 15, 2011…Around 6:30pm
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