The Ultra

Running 50 miles. Some people wake up each day with this feat immediately on their mind. Training constantly, preparing both the mind and body for completion. For others, this activity will remain unthought of for their entire lifetime. It won't even cross their mind, and if it does, the individuals that take on this task are often thought of as absolutely insane. My boyfriend is one of them :) And on Sunday he ran 50 MILES!!

Let's take a second to digest this. 50 miles. Think of what lies within 50 miles of your current location. Your state capital? A large city? An ocean? Another state? Definitely another zip code. CRAZY!!

So he took on the Ice Age Trail 50 Mile Run. The night before, his biggest fans went on a sign-making frenzy, keeping with the theme of Cool Runnings of course. We created a new nickname for Michael, "Junyah" - very appropriate since he really is Michael Jr., and because well, it's a funny part of a great movie. So our signs were obviously fantastic, and we were ready to be the best cheerleaders possible! He started in the wee hours of the morning in 35 degree weather. The rest of the day was composed of torrential downpour trading off with intense hail, separated by quick glimpses of sunshine. I joined his family and roommates and we drove from aid station to aid station, catching a glimpse of him as he'd run across the street, throwing him a ham sandwich and some more gatorade. We'd be napping in the car, waking up in disbelief that Junyah was still runnang! He looked great for the first few hours and then his face transformed from smiles to a look of intense determination. He'd come out from the forest trails and he couldn't see two feet in front of him, but he could see the finish line. After 11 hours he achieved his goal, crossed the finish line and ran straight into a hug :) After a wild day, he can now add the title of an ultra-marathoner to his list of accomplishments, and I could not be prouder!

Get Motivated

One of our professors spoke to campus about her experience as an ultra marathoner,

specifically her 135 mile run through Death Valley.

135 miles. Running. through Death Valley.

Please take a second to wrap your mind around this.

I ran my first marathon this past fall and it was truly an amazing experience-physically, emotionally, and spiritually. But by mile 23 I was ready for a wheelchair, and during the last half mile, my vision was blurring and my hands were starting to tingle. I was in constant prayer, asking God for His legs and repeating a verse from Isaiah, "I will not grow weary."

That was 26.2 miles over flat Chicago land in nice cool weather.

She ran in 127 degree heat. Bread turned to toast right in her hands. She went through 6 pairs of shoes after the soles melted underneath her. She climbed a nearly 13,000 ft. rise in elevation.

No problem, right?

After 38 hours of running in these conditions, she crossed the finish line.

She titled her speech, "Get Motivated," and spoke of the physical and mental training required for such a feat. We were left stunned. It is truly amazing what the body and mind can do. Really, anyone could complete this task. You train physically, and you strengthen your mind. But to have the heart, (and slight insanity) to actually do such a thing is awe inspiring.

As she was describing her journey, I couldn't help but stare at the cross hanging on the wall above her head in the lecture hall. (Another reason why I love my school.)

To take on something like this without faith seems impossible. An ultra-marathon through Death Valley can be completed by anyone, yes, but not alone. He is the one that strengthens us, carrying us through each mile and opening our eyes to hardship in order to see the intense beauty surrounding us. I feel like an experience like that would change you forever, opening the door to a new level of living. A new high, a new strength, a new perspective and a new life.

Needless to say, I got motivated.

"We drench ourselves with the grace of exhaustion, and the ecstasy of knowing we are worthy to receive it."