Bob Potts Heritage Trail Marathon....for Suzie

Of all the places I've run this year,  Pennsylvania residents have welcomed my marathon efforts with support and encouragement unlike anywhere else.  I arrived in York, PA on late Saturday afternoon, just in time to pick up my race packet before the expo closed. I got a chance to meet race director, Sean Potts who hosts this marathon in memory of his father Bob Potts. Bob was an original member of the York Road runners and avid marathoner himself. Running each of my marathons this year for a different orphan in South Africa has made every step of this journey so much more personal. Sean's efforts to organize an event like this in memory and honor of his father is truly a wonderful personal tribute. I was excited and honored to be a part of the 2nd annual race, and once again hopeful to feel better physically. 

Getting ready race morning at the Yorktowne Hotel

I got to interview with the local TV station, Fox 43 before the race. It was great to have the chance to share what I'm doing this year and spread the word a little farther. This race was for Suzie, and every chance I have to share a little of what I'm doing for these children, is a chance to make a difference, to bring hope, to their lives. Suzie is 12 years old and orphaned. She lives in the Ngqeleni District of the Eastern Cape of South Africa and stays with her grandparents. In school she likes technology and says she wants to know more. She enjoys dancing and wants to be a nurse when she grows up. Regardless of how my body feels, I knew what mattered most was crossing that finish line for Suzie and that's all I was going to focus on.
 

 Suzie

Everyone getting ready for the start

I started in the back of the pack, knowing that would be my place for the entire race. Even before the gun signaled the start I knew that I'd be one of the last to finish and that was difficult to accept mentally. The runner in me is dying to break free and flow with a fluid rhythm, to feel the pure joy of your feet hitting the trail, the wind on your face. Like being on a diet, restricted from ice cream, you looking at it longingly, feeling as though you can almost taste it. That's what running has become now. I remember how great it feels, but with that first step, it returns to just a memory. I quickly accept the reality that my body is fighting against my will.

 Out on the trail

I started taking walking breaks almost as soon as the race began. As has been the case for the past couple of weeks, I started with quite a significant limp in my left leg. After a couple of miles, my muscles warmed up, and I was able to look a tad less gimpy. Still, it was another "limp your way through the day" marathon.  Knowing I had 6.5 hours to finish the race, I didn't concern myself with my pace. Given the issues I've been dealing with, I think the easier I can take these races the better. It's hard for your body to heal when your having to stomp out another 26.2 every week. I hoped that less pounding and more walking might add less stress to the muscles/joints, enabling my body recover better.

 Beautiful views from the course

Shortly after the start of the race, I found myself lacking energy. I didn't sleep well the night before (as is often the case when I'm traveling). I have a tendency to wake up throughout the night to check my clock, as I'm always worried I'm going to oversleep. I guess that worry keeps me from getting into a deep sleep.  But as that's the norm, not the exception, I didn't think it was sleep deprivation leaving me feeling sluggish.  Perhaps my body is just feeling total burnout from the past few months of days that seem to never end.

Very unique art!

Frustrated, but determined, I limped along and was ever thankful that my friend Brent was willing to stick by my side, despite my ridiculously slow pace. Ironically, we were both running this marathon as #40 (as far as lifetime marathon #'s go) and as we were far behind almost everyone else, we kept one another company. As slow as the miles were, I was glad every time we passed another mile marker.

 Volunteers keeping us entertained and hydrated!

The out and back course took us on the York Heritage Rail Trail and it was a beautiful run. In a lot of ways it reminded me of the W&OD Trail near my home where in the past I've done so many of my long training runs. You get to a point where you feel at one with the trail, knowing every nick and curve along the way. Like the W&OD is to me, the York Heritage Rail Trail is for Brent. I gave him the unofficial clean up award for picking up as much trash as he could as we carried along on our little 26.2 mile journey.  

You couldn't have asked for a prettier place to run

We came up to a street crossing on the trail and there was Frank, another runner whom had run the Garden Spot Village Marathon in April and has been encouraging me on this journey. I didn't expect to see Frank, as he plays music at both of his church's services on Sundays, but he made it work so that he could find me and show his support. For someone to go out of their way like that, well, all I can say is that it meant a lot. As I continued on I was met with more and more encouragement. As runners hit the turn around point, they made their way back, running facing me. Many shouted, clapped and cheered for me. Several people said I was their hero or awesome job. It was so great to have their support, but inside, I felt so unworthy of their words. Here I was literally limping along. Right now I'm not the strong runner I have been, the one I want to be. Right now I'm broken and my only hope is just to finish. Right now I can't claim to run marathons, but just complete them. Having to finish a race 2 hours slower than what your body is normally capable of is humbling. Knowing that even as slow as I was going, I was still using every ounce of what I had in me to push through was equally humbling.

I love tunnels!

As I got farther and farther along another stress was added to the mix. I had a late check out for my hotel room at 1pm, but given how slow I was going, I didn't think I'd make it back in time. Like answered prayer my Facebook friend Marlin showed up on the course. He came out to see if I needed anything and I explained about my hotel situation. He told me not to worry about it that he'd take care of it. He met up with me a couple more times again before the finish, just to see if I needed anything else and to let me know he'd handled the check out issue for me. I was so thankful for his help and support! Once again I was amazed at how much people have gone out of their way to support me in this.

As the hours dragged on, the temps kept rising and I found myself walking more. If I had been tired before, I was exhausted now. I knew that every step forward meant one step closer to the finish line. I finally took that last step, 6 hours, 24 minutes after having started.

But the real finish was the peace in my soul. A part of me has been so unhappy, so depressed about my physical state these past few weeks. Before my injury, I had envisioned myself running these marathons and finishing strong. I have had to accept what's happening to me physically, knowing that if all I can do is manage a limp/run for the rest of these races, so be it. My goal has always been to do these races for Suzie, Nellie, Liza, Carrie, and all the other children I've been raising funds for. It's about changing their lives, giving them a new beginning. In the process it's changing mine. It's not been for a goal time. It's not about me going out there and feeling amazing. If I have to sacrifice my love of "running" through this process, I'm willing. This is not about any glory due me.

I finished the marathon and was greeted by Sean Potts, Marlin and Robert, another Facebook friend. I was glad to be done and felt incredibly blessed to have had so much support this weekend.

 Finishing with Brent

With Sean Potts at the finish

"That which does not kill us makes us stronger" - Friedrich Nietzsche