My running band

In last month’s Runners World, Kristen Armstrong wrote an article about why we run.  Many of us run for many reasons.  Some for cancer research, some to raise money for good causes, and others for achieving the goal of “the first time I’ve ever run this distance.”

My last marathon I focused on enjoying the sites of Vancouver.  I had a great running group from Vancouver who gave me an excellent tour of that city.

My race on Sunday is 26.2 miles outside of Steamboat Springs.  It is beautiful but doesn’t offer to many sites other than mountains, streams and beautiful trees to look at.

Many racers wear running bands.  Usually these bands have printed on them mile splits which are designed to help the runner finish in the time previously set by him or her.

Instead of mile splits, I am making a prayer band.  There have been 10 families (ours included) that have been lingering on the top 10 list since April. There has been a huge lull in referrals and many of us are very discouraged.  Court closes August 1 and the likelihood of bringing our child home before the closure seems to be getting smaller and smaller.

I will be running with these ten families on my wrist (or bib…haven’t decided where I will write it yet).  From mile 15 to 25 I will be praying for each family, dedicating a mile for each child represented.  I know that the distraction will help but even more, this entire marathon training has been about preparing for our child.  I can’t think of a better way of celebrating the culmination of that work by praying for these precious children to come home to their forever families!