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Today my friend Kelly Nash will push herself to the limit. She’ll climb on a treadmill at 9 a.m. and she’ll keep running for 24 hours to raise money for people with developmental disabilities — and to prove to herself that she can do it.
She has run marathons and ultras, 5Ks and 10Ks and she trains religiously. So, if anyone is prepared, it’s Kelly. Still, this is a stretch even for her. The most time she’s ever run is about 12 hours and now she plans to double that in one swoop.
It’s a little crazy, sure. But isn’t there a part of you that’s itching to challenge yourself in a big way?
Most of my decisions fall back to what it will cost me. Do I really have the time? Is it worth the effort?
I suspect Kelly’s questions are different. At least I know they are today.
Isn’t it worth a try?
What if I just keep putting one foot in front of another?
Is this really my limit or can I do better?
Lord, please be with Kelly today as she challenges her body and her mind. Strengthen her and give her courage. Cradle her in your arms — for that is her goal, to always be running toward you. I know running is one of the ways that she connects with you, Lord, so let this be a day that’s full of blessings and full of your love. Thank you for everything. I love you. Amen.
About Marketta Gregory
I never meant to be a columnist. I trained to be a newspaper reporter -- one who tried to her best to be objective. I covered religion for a few years and felt like it was the best job a curious woman like me could ever have. Every day I got to listen as people told me about the things that were most important to them, the things that were sacred. But the newspaper industry was changing and few papers could afford to have an army of speciality reporters. So, I moved to cover the suburbs where, as luck would have it, they have plenty of religion, too.
Eventually, children came into the picture. One by birth and another two months later by foster care/adoption. I struggled to chase breaking news and be home at a decent hour, so I made the move to what we journalists call the dark side: I took a job in public relations. (Don¹t worry. I work for a great non-profit, so it¹s not dark at all.)
When I gave my notice at the Rochester (N.Y.) Democrat and Chronicle, the executive editor asked me to consider writing a column on a freelance basis. She didn¹t want the newspaper to lose touch with its religious sources, and she still wanted consistent faith coverage. I was terrified. It took me about 10 months to get back to her with a solid plan and some sample columns.
And so it began, this journey of opening up my heart to strangers.
