In 2014, I ran my 4th marathon and ended up having to go to the ER for dehydration and nausea. I wrote a little about it in “Helpful Tips When You’re Sick Before Race Day”. In that post, I mention that I didn’t know why I became dehydrated. For a time, that was true. I had some ideas but hadn’t tested them out yet. My family didn’t want me running another race that would land me in the hospital and really, that wasn’t my idea of fun anyway. So I shelved my 6 yr old dream of trying to qualify for the Boston marathon and focused on short races where dehydration wouldn’t be an issue.
That was fine for a while but after a few years, I felt healthier and stronger and didn’t want to leave the marathon where we dropped it. I felt like I could show my kids and myself that even if you fail hard you can heal and learn and do better next time. At the same time I didn’t want my kids see their mom have a stroke for her hobby. I needed a plan and the first step was to figure out what went wrong.
Going back to 2014, my wrongs were many. Let me count thy ways! Ever hear of the rule “Nothing new on race day”? Well, that didn’t stop me from trying a new gel and hydration drink the week before the race. During training runs, I didn’t eat or drink much. The longest runs on the plan were 16 miles and I only needed one gel to finish each. The drink I chose to try during the week leading up to the race had sorbitol in it and I have IBS. I’ve since learned that sorbitol can cause IBS symptoms to worsen — and worsen they did. Clueless, I chalked it up to race nerves and continued to drink this new drink even throughout the race. Pair all that with 5 never-before-tried caffeinated gels and you can cue the nausea at mile 20 and the dry heaving by mile 23.
A Better Marathon Plan
If I was going to do this again, I decided it’s important to get my whole system ready for race day — stomach and gut included. For me, this would mean holding myself to a gluten-dairy-egg-free diet to curb IBS during training. A handful of supplements such as probiotics, digestive enzymes, turmeric, fish oil, glutamine, B5 and a multivitamin help so much too. That might actually be a cupboard full of supplements! It would also mean eating and drinking my race nutrition throughout my long and short training runs. Additionally I felt it would be important to do some runs longer than 16 miles and at least one 20 miler. That way I could see how my body responds to all the eating and drinking and running.
Forgiveness and Second Chances
Training went very well and after the 20 miles, I felt ready for 26.2. But there was the matter of my husband and family not being thrilled about another marathon. It was a sad day for him and the kids to visit me in the ER and here I was saying “Sorry about that but do you mind if I do it again?” My husband graciously gave the ok to try another. It really did remind me of when Peter asked Jesus how many times he had to forgive someone who kept irritating him. 490 times was the answer. Not that I encourage irritating your spouse and family because you have 490 “get out of jail free” cards but their sweet mercy here is really something to treasure. I’m very thankful they trusted me and my improved health even after all the dumb choices I’d made in prior races.
Not only was I forgiven but I was also given a second chance. From another story about Peter, the Lord can do great things with a second chance. In Luke 22: 54-62, Peter refused to tell others about Christ and went on to say he himself didn’t know the Lord. But even after that, Christ gave him another chance. Peter went on to be the “rock” upon which the church was built. He told countless others about Christ and helped spread the Gospel to many nations. Giving someone who’s failed you a second chance can feel like a risk. But God shows that someone who has failed once may work harder so as not to fail again.
The Race
Two weeks later, I finished my 5th marathon and not only did I steer clear of the hospital, but I didn’t even need a nap the rest of the day. It was a breakthrough to finish feeling so well. For me, running and racing is not just a hobby but great motivation to take care of the body God gave me. When you also have an issue like IBS, a goal to guide you to eat right and maintain the supplements becomes even more important. My family’s willingness to give me another chance allowed for a very special day and more special days to follow. 7 weeks later I ran another marathon faster than any I’d run before and finally snagged my Boston qualifying time! That’s a whole other story and I hope to share it very soon.
Matthew 18:21-22 ESV
Then Peter came up and said to him, “Lord, how often will my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? As many as seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you seven times, but seventy times seven.
Proverbs 17:9a ESV
Whoever covers an offense seeks love.
