Last Saturday, I lined up to run the 35 mile Georgia Jewel. You likely know that already if you're reading this. You know it because I've been talking about this race for 5 months. I've been training for it and dreaming of crossing my first ultra marathon finish line. For 15 days leading up to this race, I wrote a countdown series - (Countdown to the Georgia Jewel). And to be honest, I intended the conclusion to that series to be much different from what you are about to read. I planned to share what it feels like to be an ultra marathoner. Today, the reality is, I have no idea how that feels. Before starting the race Saturday, I posted this - a segment from the final entry of my countdown series: "That is my journey today. To feel small. To discover that my faith is bigger than myself, it's bigger than the words I cling to in the bible. Me and those words - we are mere reflections of the larger than life God who loves me. The God who will see me through this day, and triumphantly through this race." When I posted that, I knew what triumphantly through the race would look like. But in the end, I didn't finish the race. My picture of triumphant was dead. But driving home yesterday, God started to draw a different picture of triumphant for me. He helped me discover a faith bigger than myself. To The Starting Line We Go |
I interviewed Gregory Byerline on my podcast prior to the Georgia Jewel. He's become a great friend, a meaningful part of my life. An interview with Gregory Byerline. | This journey would not have been complete without Nicole, Lori and Andy. Their efforts leading up to and during this race will remain sources of strength in my life forever. So grateful. |
Lori Perez climbing Mount Baker | Nicole Williams crossing the finish line of her first ultra |