Week 12

I can hardly believe that I'm in my final month of my training for the Madison Marathon! This past Sunday I ran 18 miles and give great good thanks to my friend Deborah and to Cindy for riding along with me and talking me through the 3 hours and 21 minutes it took me to go this far.



This was by far the hardest run I've done so far in terms of how I felt when it was done. It's taking me much longer this time to recover to the point where I'm walking without pain our stiffness. But thanks to my chiropractor, Dr. Dawn at Pro Health Chiropractic in Sun Prairie, and lots of time spent with a foam roller (my new best friend) and stretching, I'm feeling much better today (Wednesday).



This coming Saturday I run 12, the week after that it's the famed 20 mile run, then another 12 and then it's time to taper down for the race. I still find it hard to believe that I'm actually going to do this. I also am somewhat amazed that every week I eventually get to the point where I'm LOOKING FORWARD (?) to that long run. It's crazy but there it is. I like doing this and I still can't believe I can say that.



This week I decided to memorize Psalm 23. I wanted to have at least one complete Psalm under my belt as a resource for the marathon itself but also just to have some scripture memorized for the times in life when words of scripture running through my mind might come in handy.



I've also been thinking that even though my marathon training is winding down the people of Haiti have only really just begun the marathon of recovery and rebuilding. I pray that all who have followed these efforts of mine will continue to remember to send good thoughts to Haiti, to the people of that nation, their government and to all of the world community that is involved in that country. I pray we involve ourselves with humility, with a desire to cooperate and share resources with one another and with as few of our own agendas on the table as possible.



And so I pray Psalm 23 for myself and also with the people of Haiti in mind.



You, O God, are my shepherd, I shall not want.

You make me lie down in green meadows;

You lead me beside still waters;

You restore my soul.

You lead me in right paths for your name's sake.



Even though I walk through the darkest valley,

I fear no evil;

for you are with me

your rod and your staff they comfort me.



You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies

you anoint my head with oil;

my cup overflows.

Surely goodness and mercy

shall follow me all the days of my life

and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord my whole life long. Amen.