Go Far in Fargo....for Abigail

I started this blog Sunday and was finishing it up Sunday night, but got sucked into having a glass of wine and watching the Lost finale with my husband Jeremy. I don't get it, but I guess since I haven't watched any of the previous 6 seasons episodes, that is to be expected.  But onto this weekend...  I got into Fargo on Friday and took advantage of having some extra time to do something I rarely do, going shopping. I made a few necessary stops and then headed to one of my favorite stores, Target. There must be some kind of stress relieving chemical reaction that occurs when I shop at Target. I don't know how that works, but it's awesome. I walked out with a new bikini top from the clearance rack and a bag of Peanut M&M's.  Perfect!

 The sign says it all!

Fargo was having a little heat wave and it was an insanely beautiful day. I drove all around the area, getting a feel for the neighborhoods and enjoying being in a new place. It's always an adventure going on these trips. While sitting at a red light I noticed the advertisements on a car next to me. A lot of times I'll see something and think I need to take a picture of that, but never do. This time I whipped out my camera just in time as the light turned green. I just thought it was a rather odd marketing combination and it made me laugh.

The expo was at the Fargodome and I took my time browsing through the vendors.  I got to meet up with my Facebook friend Frank and his friend Jon, both of whom were both running Fargo as their first marathon. I'll never forget my first marathon and I'm always excited for people who are entering into the uncharted territory (virgin marathoners as I like to call them) of the marathon distance. Only about 1% of the population completes a marathon in any given year and anyone who's ever crossed that finish line has a story to tell.

With Frank at the expo

Race morning I shuttled into the Fargodome and had plenty of time to talk with people and stretch before the race began. With almost 20,000 people completing in the different weekend races (5k,10k, half and full marathon) it was packed!

I headed outside to get ready for the start and into the rain (which I hadn't planned on). The rain came down, the Canadian and American anthems were played, a prayer filled with scripture was said and the race began.

I started off with what has become my recent regular limp/run fashion and was thankful that although irritating and awkward from a normally running gait, it wasn't as painful as the previous week. Any improvement is always a good sign. I was just going to roll with it. After the first couple miles the rain stopped and I was into a decent rhythm. At one point early on runners were facing in both directions and as I watched the fast runners coming toward us I felt a surge of energy. It's been very difficult and frustrating to not be able to move the way you want to, the way you know your body should. The drive, the motivation to run uncompromising hit me with overwhelming force at that moment. I told myself over and over again, "Screw the pain and RUN!"  I tried. I don't know how close I came to having a normal running gait, but I pushed for it. I felt that surge and I tried to go with it.

 Awesome fountains

All through the race I would watch the people in front of me, watching their rhythm, their gait and I'd mentally try to focus my body to do the same. I kept telling myself, "Don't limp.  Don't hobble.  Force yourself to run. Force your muscles to work the way they should..." I don't know how effective it was, but I know how powerful mental focus is with weight training and I was taking that approach for the running mechanics.

This flag was massive and beautiful!

Fargo was all about little steps, little milestones. As the miles continued on, I focused on the little goals I had set. I had brought my phone with me (something I normally don't do) and decided to use that to stay focused and motivated. I aimed to hit different mile marks and then text my husband Jeremy.  I texted at 8 miles and then again at 13. I was going to try and go to mile 16 before I called, but at 14.5 miles with the sun up in full force I found myself wearing down. I called him quickly and told him I would call again at mile 18. It was the perfect focus to keep pushing through. I feel like my body has been fatiguing quicker than usual the past few weeks. Aside from my lovely IT band/knee issue, I've just felt drained. I suppose part of it has to do with the fact that these marathons are taking me quite a bit longer than they normally would. When it takes 1.5-2 hours longer to finish the distance than normal, it's just that much longer  to have to stay focused and that much more time to be on your feet. Mentally its been difficult to cover the distance so much slower.

 Colorful bison art - love it!

Another fun bison in downtown Fargo

Nevertheless, Fargo was magnificent for the amount of crowd support on the course. We ran through a lot of residential neighborhoods and it seemed like almost everyone came out to cheer us on. I don't think I've ever been to a place where so many of the residents brought out their speakers to play music for the runners to enjoy. I seriously lost count of how many homes had done so. Many people made banners and set up their own water tables or got out their sprinklers to help us cool off as the temps rose. It was obvious that Fargo prided themselves on their hospitality and we're very happy to have us running through their city.

 The signs and support was awesome!

I thought about Abigail. She is the girl I was running for and the reason I continue to push through these marathons, even as they have become physically ridiculously difficult with my injury issues. Abigail is 13 and orphaned. She lives in the Ngqeleni District of the Eastern Cape of South Africa with her siblings and extended family. She likes playing soccer and wants to be English teacher someday. I thought about her playing soccer and thankful that she is able to be a kid in that way. I hope that she is able to pursue those dreams of being a teacher, a role that gives so much to so many. I do believe that through my running and raising funds for these children that lives will continue to be changed over and over. It's not just about one child, as each life impacts another. Who will Abigail impact in her life? Who will you impact? It's the choice we make every day and are often not even aware of it. I knew people saw my crazy running gait and had to wonder why would I push myself when it was obvious my body didn't want to. I hoped they would look on my back and see why. Abigail is why and more than reason enough to.

 Abigail

I came across two very inspirational people on the course in the second half of the marathon.  Rollie Johnson was running and pushing his friend Rory Eidsness in a custom made cart aptly named "Chariot of Fire." Eidsness, a former Fargo fireman of 19 years suffered a stroke 4 years ago and has since had very limited movement throughout his body. This was a dedication like nothing else, and in my already compromised emotional state, it brought a tear to my eye.

 True friendship and dedication

I made it to mile 18 for my phone call to Jeremy and told him I'd call again at mile 22. During the next 4 miles I focused on a run/walk strategy. I came across several people who were walking and I'd stop to talk with them for a minute. I enjoyed those few minutes of conversation and then I'd continue on, focused on getting to mile 22 for my call. Bringing my phone along had turned out to be the best motivation. I was very committed to not calling until I made it to whatever mile marker I had planned on. So during that talk at mile 22 I told Jeremy I wouldn't call again until I had crossed the finish line. Those last 4 miles were painfully slow. I passed quite a few people who were walking, but I felt like I had no energy left. It was just the will pushing me through and the will was going rather slow. A part of me really wanted to give into the temptation to call home again, but I knew I had to follow through with my goal. All I had to focus on was getting to the finish line.

Running under the canopy of trees was so beautiful

Fargo was a super cool experience as we got to finish inside the dome. I wished I could have sprinted to the line, but I gave it what I could and was so happy to have finished! It was a 5:38 finish and as slow as that was I knew I did what I could and what I needed to do. Now 4 1/2 months down, I was really glad to have made Fargo part of my journey. I was very impressed with the whole experience and the race director did a wonderful job.

Inside the dome after finishing - getting hot pizza! Always the best!

After finishing I turned over the medal and read the verse inscribed on the back. It couldn't have been more perfect. "Let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us." Hebrews 12:1

The Fargo Marathon is just a race - but the race set before us is the life we live and how we choose to live it. Fargo was a good reminder of that truth.

Me in my Fargo top