Thursday, May 13, 2010

20 States and 1,000 miles

Hello wonderful friends and supporters of Running Hope To America. Lisa has run and walked 1,000 miles. The past 4 days have proven that Lisa is getting in shape as each day goes by.
The plan for Lisa all along was to be in shape, strong with core work and start this journey in shape but not in great shape. Seems crazy right? Lisa's thoughts were that she would be in shape by state 20, 1,ooo miles in the 2,500 miles. If she would have been in great shape she would have been over trained by state 20. It has proved to be working! Lisa ran her very best so far yesterday in Louisiana where she was surrounded by her family. What a joy to watch how this has all come together and how the plan Lisa made for herself physically, mentally and spiritually is working. The past week has been cold and then very HOT and HUMID..the worse the weather, the worse the conditions the better Lisa runs and walks. Really something amazing to watch. Lisa is now able to walk between 13.5-14 mph all the time and a 9 min. mile run seems easy. Most days it takes 10 miles of good walking to recover from the day before. In Louisiana Lisa knew it was going to get very hot and humid and was able to run and walk well the first 20 miles which blew us all away! The focus, determination and the power behind this project has blown us all away. The love, support and generous giving of people all over the USA has simply been touching. People are so good, we just need to step out and ask for help.
Many have asked about blisters??? what blisters? Lisa started with 3-4 small blisters but now has no blisters. Sister Marybeth prays over Lisa all the time and the magic between these two women is something extraordinary. The love of children and the will to suffer to see that others have a better life.
Sister Marybeth is running 20 miles each day. People from all over are coming to run and walk with both Lisa and Sister Marybeth. Lisa has asked that all who are coming to run with she and Sister to know that after the first 15 miles she will need space and to be on her own. It has become very difficult many days to deal with the heat and all the sleep deprivation that talking and even listening becomes draining. If you have questions for either Lisa or Sister Marybeth please ask them in the first 15 miles, when they take a break or at the end of the day. You can also post questions on the Running Hope To America facebook page.
We are so, so thrilled and inspired that so many are coming out each day in each state. Your support is beautiful and we are so blessed and thankful. If your goal is to run 50 miles with Lisa please know that after 15 miles you will need to either run ahead or behind Lisa on the course.

Right now on the road Lisa and Sister Marybeth are only getting about 4-4.5 hours a sleep each day. A day looks like this:
4:30 am wake up
5:30 start and then continue all day for 12-14 hours with few breaks for ice bath.
8:30 pm eat dinner, shower, stretch and get ready for the next day. Drive to the next state,
Lisa is not able to sleep well at all in the RV with the moving so she falls asleep around midnight when we arrive to the next state. There are some long drives ahead of us. We ask you all to pray for the safety of the crew, that we can stay on schedule and that we continue to get the word out about the orphans.
We are still in need of a few hotel rooms along the way, plane flights to Hawaii and Alaska. If you can help or know anyone who can please let us know.
Below are some photos from the run..The one of Sister Marybeth and Lisa is at the 1,000 miles!!!!
God Bless and Love you all.
Team Running Hope!



























9 comments:

Jarom's Running Page said...

What an amazing journey Lisa!!! You are inspiring the nation :o) Jarom - see you in Utah soon

Anonymous said...

How are you verifying and documenting the distance each day? Are you publishing route sheets, splits, GPS maps?

Also, when Lisa claims to have raised some 4+ million dollars for charity where do those figures comes from?

Jim McCord said...

Go Lisa and Sister! See you guys in KY! Can't wait!

Unknown said...

Thinking of you always and praying for your safety all the time.
Hugs to everyone,
Tess

Greg Pressler said...

Anonymous...man up a bit, leave your real name...then ask the question.

Lisa is verifying her distance a variety of ways, including the use of a wrist-mounted GPS worn each day.

Most days, according to Lisa, she's running EXTRA mileage so snarky anonymous commenters like yourself will be pleased. She doesn't have to document any of her miles: She's never stated that she's aiming for a record of any sort. Nor is this a race. It's merely one incredible woman's incredible journey to raise a boatload of funds for an important cause.

Speaking of fundraising, what's necessary for documentation of how much Lisa has raised to date? Will you take a nun's word for it...or isn't that enough for you? The figure ($4.5 million) comes from Lisa's friend and mentor Sister Marybeth herself, who has distributed the majority of those funds over the years to help women and children in need.

Of course, if you want personal documentation that Lisa is covering each of the 50 miles per day, I'm certain that you are welcome to join her either on foot or on bicycle and accompany her on her journey. You can carry the humble pie yourself, pal.

In my experience, you can either contribute to a positive humankind experience or do your best to detract from it. It's your choice.

Greg Pressler

Lisa Smith-Batchen said...

Thank you all for the comments, they are appreciated. God Bless you all.
To get the 50 mile distance each day we have a state leader who is marking a course for us. Most are an out and back or a loop.For the first several states Lisa did not even have a watch she only ran and walked on her best effort and we all marked the laps. It became clear that Lisa was running extra miles most days because even running to get the bathroom 1/4 mile in Central Park should count. Every step counts! In Maryland Lisa ran 52 miles and it was 97 and very humid. The courses have been googled and calculated the best people can and Lisa now wears her own brand new Garmin 310 that holds a charge for 20 hours. The Garmin is very accurate as far as we can tell with the distance, mileage and pace of each mile.This is not a race, this is not a world record attempt. To bring Guinness world book on board costs a great deal of money.At the end of the day Lisa's Garmin says 50 miles and when it says 50 miles......then we celebrate. This is one very difficult undertaking Lisa is doing. She is suffering with great sacrifice for many children and if anyone knows her heart,her desires it is God.For many days people ran all 50 miles with Lisa..all wearing a Garmin. This became exhausting and left me with great concern for Lisa's well being. Talking and listening all day is difficult although we are full of gratitude for all those who are coming to support. They are coming to be inspired but they are also inspiring Lisa and our team.We have Lisa now doing the first 15-25 miles with all those who show up. Then we send her off for 5-10 miles on her own and with her music. She then does all the last miles with many people or Mike on the crew. Pray she can continue to do this amazing run for the children, it is all for the children.
I am the one who has kept track of all the money raised over the last 18 year's with Lisa's running and the total is 4.5 million just as she says it is. You may consider coming to visit some of the places where the children are.If you have any questions you may also call me directly.916-202-6382 If anyone would like to match what Lisa has accomplished with her efforts we would love to have your help. $1 does make a difference. www.runhope.com
God Bless you
Team Running Hope and Sr Marybeth Lloyd

Lisa Smith-Batchen said...

Thank you all for the comments, they are appreciated. God Bless you all.
To get the 50 mile distance each day we have a state leader who is marking a course for us. Most are an out and back or a loop.For the first several states Lisa did not even have a watch she only ran and walked on her best effort and we all marked the laps. It became clear that Lisa was running extra miles most days because even running to get the bathroom 1/4 mile in Central Park should count. Every step counts! In Maryland Lisa ran 52 miles and it was 97 and very humid. The courses have been googled and calculated the best people can and Lisa now wears her own brand new Garmin 310 that holds a charge for 20 hours. The Garmin is very accurate as far as we can tell with the distance, mileage and pace of each mile.This is not a race, this is not a world record attempt. To bring Guinness world book on board costs a great deal of money.At the end of the day Lisa's Garmin says 50 miles and when it says 50 miles......then we celebrate. This is one very difficult undertaking Lisa is doing. She is suffering with great sacrifice for many children and if anyone knows her heart,her desires it is God.For many days people ran all 50 miles with Lisa..all wearing a Garmin. This became exhausting and left me with great concern for Lisa's well being. Talking and listening all day is difficult although we are full of gratitude for all those who are coming to support. They are coming to be inspired but they are also inspiring Lisa and our team.We have Lisa now doing the first 15-25 miles with all those who show up. Then we send her off for 5-10 miles on her own and with her music. She then does all the last miles with many people or Mike on the crew. Pray she can continue to do this amazing run for the children, it is all for the children.
I am the one who has kept track of all the money raised over the last 18 year's with Lisa's running and the total is 4.5 million just as she says it is. You may consider coming to visit some of the places where the children are.If you have any questions you may also call me directly.916-202-6382 If anyone would like to match what Lisa has accomplished with her efforts we would love to have your help. $1 does make a difference. www.runhope.com
God Bless you
Team Running Hope and Sr Marybeth Lloyd

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