Different Race- Different Need

Running for Women In Need with

The Pittsburgh Dream           Center

This will be my 5^th year running some part of the Pittsburgh marathon.  I am running the Half Marathon this year and running it for charity for the first time!  I have joined the Pittsburgh Dream Center team.  The Pittsburgh Dream Center has a mission revitalize local communities and restore people to their God given purpose in life.  They do this by reaching out and building up the hurting and hopeless.

The reason we are running is to help Women In Need.  Women and young girls in the Pittsburgh area, who need assistance both tangibly and spiritually, are the ones we are currently targeting and want to do more for.  Our goal is to help ladies/girls in situations such as aging out of foster care, homeless/transitioning, teenage pregnant mothers, human trafficking victims, and women coming out of drug rehab programs.  We are not only running to create awareness for these women but also to help financially jump start the Dream Center opening a Women’s Residential Discipleship Home.     

        

As part of the Pittsburgh Marathon team, I am collecting prayer and financial support to help make all of this happen.

Prayerfully:  Please keep our team in your prayers that we may all run without injury and raise sufficient funds so that we may free these women to…  “…forget what is behind and strain towards what is ahead… pressing on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called them...”    Philippians 3:13-14

Financially:  You may donate in two ways:

Online at:  https://www.crowdrise.com/RUNTOHELPWOMENINNEED

By cash/check made out to:  Pittsburgh Dream Center        

        Check Memo: Women in need    

       *Your donations by check will automatically receive a tax receipt.*                                      

Mailed to: Pittsburgh Dream Center, PO Box 13, McKeesport, Pa  15135       

Or, handed directly to me- I will deliver to Pastor Gary Brougher of PDC.

Thank you for all of your support!!                                                    Lisa Benton

I have finished the race; I have kept the faith

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
~ 2 Timothy 2:4

My four months of training has finally come to an end.  I am happy to report I survived running a marathon.  The experience was incredible.  I've been thinking for a week straight now what I want to write to all of my followers and I still cannot come up with anything.  It's hard to even describe the feelings I had and still have.  I actually really enjoyed the race, well most of it anyway.  I ran alongside my good friend Nicole and we had good conversation in between praying for all of our friends and families at each mile.  I really enjoyed having someone (all of you) to focus on besides myself at each mile.

We ran a pretty consistent pace thanks to Nicole's coaching.  At mile 19, I was still feeling pretty strong so I picked up the pace which allowed me to finish just under my time goal.  The last few miles getting there were tough to say the least.  I finally started feeling like the race was never going to end around mile 23.  However, right at that time, my mom caught up to me in the car and out popped two little girls (my little girls).  They were so excited to see me running they raced across the road and ran beside me for a minute.  That totally made my day and got me through that mile!  Then came mile 24.  By some miracle, I was still passing people.  I passed a guy who read the back of my shirt (I had written "Philippians 4:13" across my back), he yelled "AMEN".  Again, totally what I needed at that moment.  It reminded me why I was there doing what I was doing.  Throughout mile 25, I prayed and prayed and prayed....for the person that sponsored mile 25...and for it to just end already!  At mile 26, Matt (my husband), met me to run me into the finish line.  I was grateful for his presence.  He tried so hard to be encouraging and get me fired up to finish strong but at that moment I felt so tired, weak and pained.  It was by far the longest mile of my life.  As I neared the finish line and Matt left my side, I looked to my left to see so many friends!  Some of my closest friends AND some of my Incline teenagers were cheering me on!!  I was soooo happy to see them!  My first goal was to finish the race alive.  My second goal was to finish in under 4 hours.  My third goal was to finish in under 3 hours 50 minutes.  I'm happy to report that I finished with a time of 3hrs 48min 55sec!

The feeling of finishing..with a good time..with all my friends and family there..at Presque Isle...was amazing!!  The only word I could come up with all week was "surreal".  I really felt like a miracle had happened...like it was too good to be true...like it was all a dream.  I just could not believe I had actually run 26 miles.  Well, that was what my mind felt.  My legs and hips had no problem doubting what had just happened :)  When I finished running, I could not even walk right.  I didn't know what to expect having never done this before.  I certainly did not expect to be walking like I had just ridden a horse for 4 hours.  Everything from my waist down was in extreme pain and I was walking bowlegged with a bit of penguin waddle mixed in, haha.  Fortunately, after some walking, showering, and ibuprofen, I felt pretty decent. 

It was an absolutely beautiful day.  I had preplanned a big picnic at the beach with all of our friends and families.  I'm confident in saying a good time was had by all.  I felt so blessed to have such support surrounding this event.  It was a day I'll remember forever!

Throughout the last week, I just wasn't sure how to accept that this mission had ended and what to do next.  I am really anxious to get back to running but know that my body needs a little more time to recover.  It's been a busy week which left me with little time to focus and reflect.  This Sunday morning's church service came to be the perfect ending to my story.  At the end of service, a solid 15 minutes were left solely for praying for others....for miracles in healing...for salvation...for whatever someone may need.  I took that time and prayed for all of my marathon sponsors...for their personal prayer requests and for their individual relationships with God.  My training and running 26 miles is done (at least for now) but please know that I will continue to pray for all of you!

If I had to pick one thing that I took away from this experience over the last 6 months it would be that GOD IS WHO HE SAYS HE IS AND WILL DO WHAT HE SAYS HE WILL DO.  I have learned that I am my own worst enemy.  I had no faith and no confidence that I could do this... until I gave it up to God.  God was there throughout all of the ups and downs..giving me exactly what I needed at exactly the right times...which was sooo perfectly portrayed through the last 4 miles of the race.  (Which is why I explained all of that above.)  My faith has been multiplied exponentially.

My prayer now is that others can be encouraged from this experience.  That they listen when God speaks and take action despite their own doubts.  God can do amazing things in and through us when we submit to His will and that is something you will NEVER regret!


The story was titled "Feeling Tired?"  Well, "yes", I was feeling tired..thanks for asking.  (In fact, I have been sooo tired since the race..it's like my body just shut down..all it wants to do is rest.)
The Bible verse for that day read, "He gives strength to those who are tired.  He gives power to those who are weak."  Isaiah 40:29 
That verse was applicable to me during the race right up through now.  Again, God knows exactly what I need when I need it!!..........and He knows the same for you!!  Keep your eyes and ears open.  He loves you and has a plan for your life and don't you EVER doubt that!

Feelings

I have been training for 4 months now and here I am less than 5 days away from running a marathon.  Remember, I'm not a runner...or at least I wasn't for the last 32 of 33 years of my life.  It still sounds weird to hear that word spoken in reference to me.  I didn't even routinely exercise most of my life, haha. 

I sit writing this with such mixed emotion.  Sometimes I feel prepared and sometimes I think surely I could have done more training.  Sometimes I feel nervous.  Sometimes I feel overwhelmed.  Sometimes I forget about the race and dream about the big family picnic afterwards (that being Erie and Pittsburgh family..because all of our friends are like family to us).  What can I say, I love family, friends, and food!  Several times a day I think about whether I should wear shorts or capris if it's 50 degrees at the start of the race...yes, I obsess over the weather which is out of my control anyway.  I feel excitement about spending 4 hours with God praying for all my supporters.  I feel blessed to have such a supportive family, friends, and church.  I feel fortunate for being chosen to do this.  I wonder how nervous I'll be at the starting line and how many times I will have to pee before it starts :)  Will I sleep the night before?  Will I even be good company at the picnic that I'm so excited about or will I want to plant myself in a chair and sleep.  I wonder how many people I have encouraged in some way, shape or form throughout this process.

I feel very excited about finally seeing this goal through to the end...that being the finish line.  In fact, I frequently think about what I will feel at that moment.  Will I be proud?  Will I be happy?  Will I cry?  Will I hurt so bad I won't want to be near anyone?  Will I ever be able to walk normal after such a run?  Will I be tired or will I get one last rush of "I did it" adrenaline before crashing?  Will I be hungry or ready to puke?  Hey, I'm not ruling anything out!  The one thing I know for sure is I'll be thanking God for getting me across that finish line!

Most of all, I expect to feel blessed to know a God of such infinite wonder and to see the results of submission and faithfulness to His will!

Acts 20:24
"I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me- the task of testifying to the good news of God's grace."

What most of you don't know

I have been running for only a year now. I was at the gym last summer and out of the blue decided to hop on the treadmill and see what happened. Much to my surprise, I could run! I had not run more that a couple feet in 11 years (really even before that). Why?

In October 1999, I was in a car accident. Someone did not yield to a light and smashed into me. My car was totaled and so were my knees. I'll never ever forget that night. The pain I felt in my legs was indescribable. In the ER I learned that both of my knee caps were broken. Braces were applied to both legs and I was hospitalized for 5 days. During those 5 days, I questioned if I would ever walk again. Everyone told me I would but if you felt what I felt, you would have had little confidence too. On day 5, my well medicated body stood at the bedside with a therapist (and crutches) on each side supporting my weight. I took a few very painful and slow steps to the door. I did it! So I knew I COULD do it. My next concern was if I would ever walk normal.

I was forced to move out of my house in Erie where I was living for college and back home with my parents (40 min away). I was unable to care completely for myself...or even get from one room to another without help. I had to drop a couple of classes, make special arrangements for another and finish a couple of others by actually sitting in lecture. Really. Where would the world be without moms?! My mom drove me to my classes a couple times a week and pushed me around in a wheelchair with both legs sticking straight out...(remember the braces?) (Side story- because my legs were sticking straight out, the chair was front heavy. She almost dumped me out over a street curb during one class change! Now, I am laughing just thinking about it but it was not so funny then.) She sat outside my classes and waited. She, along with my dad and grandparents, also drove me to physical therapy three times a week when I was not in class and to multiple orthopaedic doctor appointments.

Finally the bones healed and the day came when the leg braces were removed! My legs looked like toothpicks! I am not exaggerating. I had lost sooo much muscle mass during that 8 weeks. Physical therapy continued into the spring semester but by that time I was able to move back to Erie and live with roommates again. I saw a different physical therapist there and really felt like I was progressing with her.

As the years went on, my leg strength slowly began to rebuild. I could at least walk normal but still dealt with pain for quite some time. I was on osteoarthritis medication throughout the rest of college and had to be very careful with my leg positioning. I could not squat down without pain and forget kneeling...that was just not an option.
Finally, over the last 4 years or so I felt pretty normal. I could squat and kneel with only minimal discomfort. Because of all this though, I am very protective of my knees. I used to rollerblade and even snowboard a couple times a year. I have not done either since. I am terrified of twisting or landing on my knees.

Now you see why the thought of running was never even a flicker of a thought in my mind and why I was so shocked when I actually did it for the first time. I felt like I had won the battle. I knew at that moment that my knees were working the way they were intended. Yes, it felt very weird and unnatural but good at the same time. I started slowly increasing my time on the treadmill until Nicole Silvis talked me into my first race. At that time, running a 10K (6mi) seemed so unrealistic but with her encouragement and my strong will to beat that old injury..I did it!

Now I'm training for a marathon. So many people ask me why I am so doubtful that I can actually finish this marathon...now you know. I still doubt that I can complete a 26.2 mile race on my own. I know that I KNOW that it is ONLY through God that I am able to do this. I truly believe that if I was doing it for any other reason than to please Him that it would not be possible. I am literally "Running On Faith."

Again I say, "I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13.


My knees have had a few aches and pains along the way during training but overall have been the least of my problems...until last Saturday. Out of the blue, one of them started aching to the point where I had to cut my distance down during training runs. I took today off from running to rest and refocus. Praying for a pain free 8 miles tomorrow!

My Toe...an update

Not running for a week was much harder than I expected but I knew it was the smart choice. Tuesday night I was sure my toe was broken. After much prayer and rest, the pain subsided very quickly starting Thursday afternoon....after I had already gotten the xray of course. Friday I got confirmation from the doctor that it was just badly bruised and I could increase my activity as tolerated. I went out Saturday for a medium long run and it felt great..as if nothing had ever happened!! God had been SO good throughout this process. There is no doubt in my mind that HE is the only reason this mission has been so successful thus far!

Be Careful What You Ask For

I started my run yesterday at 6:45am.  It was 73 degrees and the dewpoint was 69...that meant very humid!  I didn't think so early in the morning the humidity would make a quick 2 hour run miserable but a few miles in, I was soaked in sweat and breathing was less than desirable.  I was praying for this person and that person but really not feeling the excitement that I normally get when running a long distance (which, by the way, goas was 14 miles that day) because it was so humid.  I decided to ask God to help me out.  I mean, why not, he's clearly come through for me in the past...why wouldn't he come through for me now?!  I said, "God, I'm out here doing this for you..only because you told me to..could I please have just a few tiny sprinkles to cool me off and cut the humidity for a minute?"  Wellllllll, you've read previous posts about how God REALLY does answer prayer?  Again, I called and He answered!!  Not exactly how I had imagined it though.  I kid you not, within 1 minute of that prayer, it rained!  However....instead of just a nice little 5 min sprinkle, it POURED on me for the next 5 miles!!!  I almost quit early sooo many times but I kept thinking how important these runs are towards the final goal so I continued to run, finally deciding to quit only 4 miles early.  Well, God had a different plan.  At 4 miles early, it quit raining and I was nowhere near my car...so on I went.  I ended up finishing all 14 miles in the most water-logged state of my life.

Lesson #1- Be careful what you ask God for...He does answer prayer...but in the way He sees fit :)
Lesson #2- When doing something for God, He WILL see you through to the end.  Whether it be something huge like traveling abroad or adopting a child or something small like running 14 miles in the rain, HE REIGNS YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER and He will make it happen!

*And, that was just pure coincidence that that phrase is what came to me while writing about rain =)

Teaming Up For Missions

Back when I first was deciding to or not to do this, I spent some time talking with a good friend, Nicole.  She has been running for years and has also run a couple marathons so I was turning to her looking for any advice and to get a feel for if she thought I had what it would take to complete 26 miles.  I'll never forget the night she called me (late June)..she was sooo excited to hear about how God was wanting to use me and running!  She said, "I'll run it with you!"  Knowing she had a leg that was giving her trouble and was coming into a busy summer, I was shocked.  I never expected that level of support but wow, was I excited!  She was willing to give up a lot of time in her summer to train for this race and be there to support me not only during training but in the race as well.  We are teaming up and trampling the ground for missions this summer and I couldn't be enjoying it more!  God has shown me a lot through the ups and downs of training but most of all, I've learned to have more faith and leave the details to Him.

Matthew 19:26 
Jesus said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

With all of that said....my toe is in question and Nicole has had off and on trouble with her leg.  Please keep both of us in your prayers that our master physician would keep us both in pristine physical health and able to complete the race to which God has called us.  Thank You!

We Have A Problem

Training has been going very very well.  Really, almost to well for someone who has only been running for a year.  Last weekend I hit the distance goal needed in order to be fully confident I can complete this race.  I ran 22 miles and shockingly, felt as if I had not run at all the next day.  God has been sooo on my side throughout all of this.  Then Monday night came...Meredith, completely by accident, stepped on my toe.  At the time it did not register any pain and we both went about business.  Later that night it was a little sore.  The next day I worked all day.  It was a little sore but did not limit me in any way for 12 hours on my feet.  At that time, the only thing that caused trouble was bending it.  I actually could not bend it at all.  That night I was awoken from my sleep with INTENSE toe pain.  I couldn't step on the foot at all.  I tried to hobble my way to the bathroom to get pain meds but the intensity of the pain caused me to be lightheaded and have to sit down.  Finally, I managed to get some Ibuprofen and make my way back to bed though little sleep followed.  I was sure it was broken.  Laying in bed, I accessed internet on my phone (can you even believe we live in a world where that is possible) and read that I would be looking at at least 4 weeks off from running if it was broken.  I started praying.  The race is only 6 weeks away and even though I am ready now, that would really set me back.  The next day, which is today, I spoke with my doctor and had xrays taken.  I am now just waiting for the results.  I have a lot of faith and believe that it cannot possibly be broken but I also know that the devil is real and would love nothing more than to sabotage this mission.  It is killing me to not be running right now but I also know that it is very important to let this heal.  I know that God is bigger than any obstacles I may run into so while I'm waiting for answers, I will just continue to lean on Him and pray for no broken bones and a very quick recovery.

My. Answered. Prayers.

This post is to give God the praise and glory he deserves.  If you follow this blog, you know that I do a lot of praying while running.  I wanted to take a minute and share with you some of my answered prayers!

~ A family member has been told treatment worked and the cancer is gone.
~ A friend got finite clarity on a job situation.
~ A child has been eating with increased appetite and less problems (not mine).
~ Two husbands of friends got jobs.
~ Two beautiful Christ centered marriages happened.
~ A co worker's house sold.
~ I have remained healthy and injury free during training.
~ My Incline youth traveled safely to and from Mexico and saw God work wonders and change lives.
~ One of my best friends let another group of Incline youth to Michigan safely and experience God's awesomeness.
~ One of my Incline girls traveled safely and in good health to and from Haiti doing God's work...and now has been accepted into a program to do missions in Africa this fall.
God never ceases to amaze me! 

Romans 12:12  "Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer."
Psalm 12:6 "I call on you, my God, for you will answer me; turn your ear to me and hear my prayer."
Colossians 4:2 "Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful."

Opportunity Knocks on the Allegheny Passage

Up to this point, I have done most of my running at Boyce Park.  This past Saturday, I was scheduled for a long run and really wanted some different scenery.  Let's face it, there are only so many roads and trails at Boyce so I end up repeating the same loops many times to log my necessary distance.  Matt's birthday was last weekend and I also wanted to do something he would enjoy.  So, our family took a trip to Little Boston and boarded the Allegheny Passage trail.  We didn't know exactly what to expect but it turned out to be GREAT!  I ran (20miles) of new scenery on a flat ground dirt/stone path while Matt biked, pulling the girls in a trailer.  There was even a fantastic playground for the kids to entertain them before and after their bike ride.  Afterwards, we sat on a little grass ledge overlooking the river and had a picnic together.  It was a great family day...and the town of Little Boston was having their annual town yard sales so we even left with a few new treasures!  We will be going back in two weeks when I run long again...can't wait!

I was in the minority there...most everyone was biking the trail.  Somehow I came into conversation with an older man biking.  He asked how far I was running (I was wearing a camelbak water supply which meant I was in for some distance).  When I told him, he thought I was crazy.  OPPORTUNITY?  I think so!  He biked my pace for the next 15 min while I got to share my entire story.  I'll never know what he thought or if hearing it impacted him in any way but I like to think it did.  After all, God works in mysterious ways and I am confident that He has bigger things to come out of this than just running and raising money but also touching souls and inspiring people to take action towards bettering their own physical and spiritual well-being.

"...that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ..."  Colossians 4:3     ~That is exactly what He did on July 16, 2011!