Family Matters: The Incomparable Joy of Togetherness

When I was eleven years-old, I nearly lost my left hand in a lawnmower accident. I can close my eyes now and remember it all so vividly. The doctors told my parents that they would try to reattach the fingers, but that they may have to go back and remove them if they did not reattach properly of if an infection took hold.

“Even if the procedure does work,” they warned, “she may never have full use of her hand again.”

I was conscious during the surgery. I remember screaming as loud as I could. I was terrified they were going to cut off my hand.

“Don’t cut it!” I yelled. “Please! Don’t!”

The doctors did an amazing job repairing my hand. I remember the faces of my family as they gathered around my hospital bed, kissing me, consoling me, telling me how much they loved me. I can see the face of my brother, Stephen. His blue eyes radiated love. What would I have done without that love? Where would I be today had my family not been there for me?

Last year, I was sitting in a hotel room in New York City with Sister Marybeth, right across from where we were going to be on the Today Show the next morning. It was three days before the start of Run Hope. Traffic was humming away outside. My heart was buzzing. I told Sister Marybeth I was going to call my brother, Stephen, who now lives in New York and works as a writer and artist. It had been over eleven years since I last talked to him.

When we were kids, Stephen and I were very close. We played and hung out together. He was incredibly smart. In high school, he was always bored with classes, finishing books long before the rest of the class. He loved sports and was very good at ice hockey.

We were similar in many ways and so different in others. But, our bond was incredibly strong. When I ran my first marathon, I was so afraid that I wouldn’t make it to the finish line. One week before the race, without any training, Stephen announced he was going to sign up and run it with me, just to support me to the end.

Eleven years is a long time to live without your brother. It broke my heart that he was not a part of my life. In all those years, I called and left messages, sent cards and letters, but never got a response from him. I desperately wanted to hear from brother.

“Let’s pray about it,” Sister Marybeth said as I moved to pick up the phone.

The line rang and rang. I waited nervously. Then, his voice message came on. I recorded my message:

“Stephen, it’s me, Lisa. Please return my call. I’m in New York and I’d love to see you or talk to you.”

The line clicked out and it was over. I can't discuss it all right now, but in the book I am writing, I will go into detail about why Stephen left our family life for so long. All I can say is that when my brother showed up in Central Park for Run Hope on his roller blades and then ran three miles with, I was overjoyed. I felt like we were kids again. My heart was filled to the brim with love, just like it was that day in the hospital, when I was just a scared child looking up to my family for comfort.

While in New York, Stephen and I talked and laughed and shared in the joy of being together. Eleven years of waiting just dissipated. It was no longer important. I didn’t care about the whys. With my brother back in my life, all I could feel was happy.

Stephen and I understand each other. Our connection is deep. I can share absolutely anything and everything with him. Our reunion was cleansing in many ways. Forgiveness healed our hearts. New York marked the start of a new beginning, a new chapter for both of us and for our whole family.

Run Hope was a family project. It wasn’t just about running. It was about gathering together as a singular, powerful force to make a difference in the world. My mother and father came out to see me. My husband and my children. My sister and my brothers. Old friends whom I hadn’t seen in years. Aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces, my in-laws, students. All came out to support me. They guided me through the most challenging project of my athletic career. They believed in me. With them by my side, the impossible became possible.

George Eliot once wrote, “What greater thing is there for human souls than to feel that they are joined for life - to be with each other in silent unspeakable memories.” She may well have been talking about family, because there is no deeper, more meaningful connection than the one we have with those closest to us.

The Challenge of Lifetime: Continuing the Selfless Journey of Run Hope

"Give, give, give and when it hurts keep on giving." -Mother Teresa

"Alone we can do so little, together we can do so much." - Helen Keller

Almost one year ago, on April, 19, 2010, I stood in a little park in Morristown, New Jersey, ready to run the first 50 miles of my 2,500 mile journey through America. Many people showed up that day. Old friends. Runners I had coached years ago. The media. A beautiful circus of people! It seemed no matter which way I turned, someone was calling my name or pointing a camera at me or at Sister Marybeth. I was a racehorse ready to run!

"Why are you doing this," an interviewer asked me. For a moment, I was at a loss for words. I couldn't process fast enough all the things I was feeling. I glanced over at Sister Marybeth, dressed in her full black habit. Part of the order of the Religious Teachers Filipini, Sister Marybeth had to wear a black wool tunic and headpiece at all times, even while running. I noted my friend's blue Pearl Izumi running shoes. The Running Nun. I smiled to myself: it felt so good to know that Sister Marybeth was with me, supporting my wholeheartedly. She would be embarking on her own journey, running 20 miles a day. It filled me with resolve and a sense of peace.

"I'm running for orphans all over the world," I told the interviewer. "There are over 64,000 orphans right here in America."

Sister Marybeth taught me the incomparable joy of running for a purpose, running for a reason other than personal gratification. Helping others became the motivating force behind my athletic endeavors; indeed, it became the driving philosophy of my daily life. People run for many different reasons. Some people run to lose weight. Others run for peace of mind. I was running to help the less fortunate. All the money raised during this project would go to two charities: AIDS Orphans Rising and the Dreamchaser Foundation, which also helps orphans all over the world. My focus was on helping children. Everyone, especially children, deserves a life of dignity and grace. A fighting chance.

Immediately, I thought of my own two daughters. Little Annabella and Gabriella. When I envisioned their beautiful faces, I couldn't help but think of the thousands of children out there with no home and no one to look after them, no one to hold them when they got scared, no one to tell them how wonderful they are and how much they are loved. No one who cared. But, I did care. I aimed to provide these children with food, clothing, shelter and educational opportunities. To give hope. That was my mission, pure and simple, deep and true.

One million dollars. That's how much money I wanted to raise. It was an ambitious goal. Several people told me it couldn't be done. But, I had faith. I had thought about it long and hard. I kept turning the number over and over in my mind, feeling its contours like a stone in hand. One million dollars. It seemed so possible. My logic was this: if I got the word out about my project to a million people, and each of those people gave just one dollar, I would reach my goal. Pretty simple. One dollar didn't seem like such an impossible thing to expect of people.

Even today, a full ten months and 22 days later, it seems so possible.

During Run Hope, I learned so much about suffering. My definition of an “orphan” expanded as I educated myself on the socio-political issues surrounding human misery. War. Genocide. Torture. Disease. Poverty. All were of direct concern to our mission. Even beyond those issues, our mission grew to include extending love and kindness to any person in need of help; I wanted to reach out to every man, woman, and child, who is without family or loved ones to care for them; the poor and the homeless, the abused and oppressed, the sick and the dying.

Please do not make the mistake of thinking that these problems are far removed from our own environments. We don’t have to look very far beyond our own hometowns to witness the tragic circumstances so many people endure on a daily basis. If we simply open our eyes, we will see the suffering around us.

On January 18, 2011, my friend and hero, Balei Chinski, passed away after being in a coma for five days following a burst brain aneurysm. She was just sixteen years-old. Balei spent 47 days in ICU and 5 brain operations. In her final days, she was so weak that it was difficult for her to even talk. She would scream out in pain because her head hurt so much.

Her mother, Cheryl, watched her little girl go through operation after operation, hoping things would change for the better. She watched her baby endure so much pain. "I am tired of fighting, but you know I will," Balei assured her mom.

Cheryl lost her job. As a single mother, this was a devastating blow. She spent all her time by her child's hospital bedside. Soon, her and her three other daughters became in danger of losing their home. They had hardly a dollar to their name. Without the help of the community, their situation would have been hopeless. So many people reached out to help, and they provided Cheryl and her daughters with the light of hope in the darkest of times.

My friends, this is the power of love. It is the mission of Run Hope. What I did last year - running 2,500 miles through America - was just the tip of the iceberg. A drop in the bucket. There is so much more to be done. But, I can’t do it alone. I need your help. Together, we can truly affect and make a difference in someone else’s life.

This doesn’t necessarily mean giving money. If we all would just allow compassion to enter our hearts and learn to view the world in a different way, then we can be an example of good will to others. Learning to live selflessly is a lifelong process. We have to start somewhere.

As of today, Sister Marybeth has reported that we have raised close to $700,000 from Run Hope. Everyday, money is coming in. Our hope is that by April 19, 2011 - one year since the start of the run - we will reach one million dollars. We are so close. People all over are doing their part to help. On September 1, 2011, my friend Sandra Powell will continue the Run Hope mission by setting across America to break the women's transcontinental crossing record.

I want to challenge you with something, a project. I will do it, too. Over the next week, you and I will reach out to someone less fortunate. It doesn’t have to be anything huge. One small gesture can mean the world, whether it’s volunteering an hour at a local charity, giving a dollar to a worthy cause, or just making someone’s day a little brighter with a smile and a few kind words. There are a million different ways we can make the world a better place. Let’s start now!

Road to Recovery: The Journey of Run Hope Continues

On March 3, I went into the hospital to have my cast removed. Tears welled up in my eyes when Dr. Mo Brown got it off my leg. He sawed at the rock-hard fiberglass material until the length of it was split in two. Crack. Instant relief! The cool air rushed in, and I was free. With a loud clank, the molding fell away and onto the table. For the first time in months, I was unrestrained. All at once, my depression seemed to melt away. This was the day I had been waiting for. I wanted to run, jump, skip and play. I had even brought a pair of running shoes with me to leave the hospital in.

“Not so fast,” Dr. Moe said. “We need to keep your foot in a walking boot.”

“For how long,” I choked out.

“Six weeks.”

If I closed my eyes, I could relive the moment as if it were yesterday: the baking heat of a Texas summer, the road beneath my feet. I could hear the friendly chatter of the crowd as they ran with me towards the camper. I could see their smiling faces. I was smiling, too. Then, my foot rolled from under me. The pothole was so tiny. Hard to believe something so small could be so pivotal, so absolutely critical in my journey through America. I ran the rest of the states with a broken foot.

For six months after my run, the doctor had me wear a boot or a cast. I thought my foot would heal with time. I never expected what would come next: on Dec. 27, I had to undergo major surgery. They removed the broken bone and repaired the torn tendons. Without my family and friends by my side, I could not have made it to where I am, right here and now.

After the surgery, the foot had to remain completely non-weight bearing. Life continued. Days trickled by. I sat around feeling sorry for myself. A deep depression overtook me. I watched the world go by and I grew somber. I wanted to run but I couldn’t. The bitter despondency of inactivity took hold of my mind. I went from being in the best shape of my life to being in the worst shape. I felt isolated in my sadness. On top of that, the pain from the surgery was so intense. For about five days afterwards, it took all the strength I could muster to simply get out of bed and face a new day.

For those of you who know me personally, this is very unlike me. I remember when I turned 47 years old and got very depressed, some kind of mid-life crisis. What did I do about it? I gave myself a week. One week to get over it and get going. Being still is just not a habit of mine. Neither is feeling sorry for myself. The moment you stop living is the moment you start dying. I choose to live a vibrant, passionate life full of zeal for taking on new adventures and helping others. However, I do believe that sitting still for those few days was absolutely necessary; it gave me time to listen to God. How often do you take the time to just sit still and listen?

Suddenly, I had a revelation. As I sat there in the hospital, staring at the pieces of my split-open cast and the sutures on my foot, I realized I’d had it all wrong. Ever since I finished the run, I had thought of the journey as being finished. In my mind, the mission was over; Running Hope to America was complete. How wrong I was! It hit me that the journey was not yet done. This – this very moment – was part of it. Everything. The surgery. The cast. The boot. It was all part of a life-changing odyssey, something I had taken on willingly in the service of God and his children.

What was I waiting for? My foot might have been useless, but the rest of me was good to go! Over the days, I got really good with my crutches. My upper-body strength improved every week. I worked out on the arm machine to get my muscles strong and toned. I set little goals for myself: first, I wanted to cover 200 yards on my crutches. Then, I increased the distance by 200 yards every other day until, before I knew it, I was up to 2.8 miles. I remember that day, too. It took me an hour and a half to complete the distance. By the end, I was so exhausted. But, I was also very proud. Having goals is so very important for all of us.

Since then, I have made enormous progress. Badwater is in my future. You heard right: this summer I will be attempting my tenth and final crossing of Death Valley in what has been called “the toughest footrace on the planet.” My excitement knows no bounds. The purpose of this venture will be to raise money for AIDS Orphans Rising and orphans all around the world, big and small, young and old. There are so many orphans right here in America alone!

In the end, it’s all about raising money for children. Every person can make a difference. It’s the reason, I can push on. It’s my strength, my guiding star. It’s what Run Hope was all about. There is no greater joy in life than giving selflessly to others. Right now, I am in a boot, but, soon, the boot will come off and I will continue to run for the cause.

My first walk with the my boot took me a full hour to complete. On the road, I spotted 70 cents. Pennies from Heaven, my friends! Do you know how much joy this seemingly insignificant amount of money brings to my heart? Did you know that just six cents can feed a child in many countries. Think about that. It’s a wonderful cause that I am a part of.

You can be a part of it, too. Together, we can make a difference. This year, my wonderful friend Sandra Powell is going to attempt to break the women’s record for the transcontinental run. Sandra wants to carry the torch and continue to raise money for the children. I ask you to open up your heart to the true joy of giving. Donate today by visiting www.runhope.com.

What's Your Gift? Just do it!

It’s day 27 and it’s been quiet today. As requested, people have given me some space for the past couple of days allowing me to breathe and get out of my despair on my own.

Today’s a new day and I’ve come back from the darkest dark that I’ve ever experienced in my life. I never gave up the faith and hope, but at times like these you can’t help but question it.

I’ve run marathon after ultra marathon, like the Badwater Double and the Marathon des Sables, but nothing has been as challenging as this. What makes it worthwhile is remembering all the people that can benefit from this – just a little bit of sacrifice on my part and others will have food in their bellies and options for life. It’s a small price to pay.

It’s been an emotional rollercoaster so far, and I don’t doubt that it will get any easier – although one does hope. One minute you feel like a peaceful warrior moving through space and as soon as you start feeling great about it all, you get smacked down to the ground again.

Thank God for Sister Mary. If she prays for my feet with Holy water, my feet are going to feel better! So, I have to keep my faith with her around; we agreed that I am allowed to ask questions if I want, they’ll always be answered!

Why are the wisest people around me right now children? I get the most inspirational, real, heartfelt and connected words from children. Two little sisters showed up with a sign in Kentucky the other day, saying something like, “Go Lisa!” Everyone knows that that day was a very challenging day for me. I was feeling horrible, things weren’t going well and I was on the brink of a breakdown. I thought, God, if you really want me to do this you have to pull me out of the darkness some way, some how.

A little while later the six year old came over to me while I was crying off in a corner somewhere. She said, “What’s wrong?”

Of course normally I wouldn’t show my emotions, especially to a six year old. But I responded with a question, “What do you do when you feel so down and out that you feel like you just can’t keep going?” She answered back, “Well, you made a commitment to help the kids, right?” “Yes” I said. To which she responded, “Then, I think you’ll be a little tired, but I know you can do it.”

I went up to the girl later and told her, “You have no idea how much you inspired me today… Thank you!”

Moving out of despair is not always easy. Our minds can become clouded, our bodies fatigued, our emotions will say NO to every offer of help. But, after the other day I’ve made a commitment to myself to be open to receiving help and advice, especially from children!

One word, good or bad, can change the path of your moment, week, month, year or life. Don’t ever assume that your words don’t mean anything. The smallest ripple in the sea can create a title wave. Greet people with a hug, a smile, say I love you, inspire them to have a better moment somehow.

When people feel inspired, their true gifts shine through. Those gifts can benefit millions. So never assume that anything you do is small and insignificant. Sometimes we need reminding of how amazing we are. You can remind me, and I will remind you...

Then we can take our gifts and spread them as a force of good across the planet to heal and help wherever necessary!

I’m doing my thing. Are you doing your gift? Do you even know what it is? Please find out and, as one of my sponsors says… Just do it!

With Love,

Lisa

God, Give Me Grace... in Memphis

Today we’re in the 24^th location, Memphis Tennessee, on the journey of Running Hope Through America. We’re at the largest urban park development in the US, Agri-Center International.

It took 14 states to get into a rhythm and by the 20^th state, in Louisiana, I thought I was in great shape. All my aches and pains went away, and it was a significant milestone that my family, team and I celebrated. I guess I was wrong…

Over the weekend I got hit with fatigue, pain – both emotional and physical. Now I have to dig deep into the well of my personal process that I thought had dried up a while ago, thinking I had everything figured out. So, I have to ask myself, “What else is there for me to learn?”

Sister Mary Beth says that this journey, for me, is like the last year of a nun’s novitiate. She says that it’s this year that tests you the most, and the year that shows how attached you are to your ego. “Ego? I don’t have any ego about this,” I said. But after thinking about it, I know she’s right…

People come out for a day, maybe they’re marathon runners that have done 20 or 30 miles, and they are so excited that they get to do their first 50-mile run with me.

My feet are killing me, the balls of my feet especially, my legs, and my hips. With people around I feel like I have to perform – I’m a professional athlete after all. If you’re up ahead of me, I have to keep up with you, if you’re behind me I need to stay behind. I want people beside me when if we’re running together. And, I don’t want them to see the pain that I’m feeling inside.

Someone said, “50 miles? How hard can it be?” People forget, this is not a 50-mile run, this is a 2500-mile run broken down into 50-mile segments. They also forget that I’m doing this almost every day. They get to go home, relax, watch a movie, be with their families and recover the next day. I miss my children a lot, and after a hard twelve-hour day of running when I need them most, I get to try and relax in a bumpy, uncomfortable RV without them.

So, because of all of this I need to be left alone… just for today. I know that I have to take this breath by breath, one foot in front of the other… just keep moving forward, with Love.

My friends from Trinity Cross, Brian and Coleen Rossi, came out to Dallas on Sunday. What a day that was! When he showed up in his wheelchair and reached out to put his arms around me for a hug he said, “I can feel your pain”. I said, “Brian, my legs hurt.” He said, “Mine do too.”

This 13 year-old kid has been through so much more than most adults, he really does understand. He says, “I don’t know why God chose me for this, but he did; and to do this Run, he chose you.”

So many children and people in the world are suffering, and they do it with dignity and grace. I feel like I’m not doing that well today, or yesterday. I’m not suffering with grace, I feel tortured. But, Sister Mary Beth is the divine force behind our effort. She’s amazing, and I’m so lucky to have her by my side. I truly don’t know what I would do if she wasn’t here.

Our goal is a great one, $1,000,000 to save lives, feed children and make their lives better! I am most certainly grateful that people show up to run, it makes our effort come alive! But, PLEASE lovely supporters… remember this is a fundraiser! If you show up, please give something for the cause.

And… for the record: I never realized it was going to be this hard.

My orthopedist says that I can’t run today, or tomorrow… so I’m walking and jogging a little.

Thank you to all the people that support RHTA, please come and joint the race one day in your city if you can. Give what you can and show your support, help us to achieve a goal that will change the lives of thousands.

Love,

Lisa

CELBRITY UPDATE #4: Partying Hope Through America

Yes, it's M here again, with your celebrity update.

Like many celebrities, Lisa likes to party hearty. And Sister Mary Beth? Don't even ask. If I had known about how she parties I would have put a line item in our production budget just for bail and hotel damage fees.

What's that? You thought Lisa was doing this out of the goodness of her heart? I'm afraid not. No, Lisa is doing this for the finishing shindig(s) hosted by our sponsors at the Spud Drive-In and Teton Springs Foundation.

On the Big Last Day of RHTA, Lisa will begin her run by doing loops at the Teton Springs Lodge & Spa; for those of you who participated in the "80 for Haiti", you will be familiar with the course. To get the full RHTA experience, we recommend staying overnight at Teton Springs on the 18th so you can wake up and join Lisa as she starts her laps at 5:30 AM the next morning.

After 44 miles or so around Teton Springs Lodge, Lisa will do her last miles from TS to the Spud Drive-In. And there the partying shall commence.

Yes, it's a come-as-you-are humdinger at the Spud Drive In, with a RHTA highlight reel being shown on the Spud's Only-One-in-the-Entire-United-States-of-America digital projection system.

Then after folks get all sorts of crazy, they can stumble back on over to the Teton Springs Lodge and get in a disco nap before hitting the Teton Springs Running Hope Through America brunch the next morning.

It's going to be a grand time, but I suggest you start making your reservations now. (No reservations needed for the Spud; Brunch tickets will be available shortly; to book rooms at Teton Springs, call 877-787-8757 or visit www.tetonsprings.com.)

And listen- do us a favor. If you see Sister Mary Beth doing keg stands, don't encourage her behavior, all right?

CELEBRITY UPDATE - DAY.... WHATEVER.

M here again with this update:

IT. IS. HOT.

4 days ago we were in a "winter weather advisory" in Pittsfield, VT. It rained which became sleet, which in turn became snow, which piled up a good 10 inches by morning.

But noooooooooo.... just a few states later, here in Maryland, it's 92 degrees. Oh, how we suffer. I mean the crew, of course. After all, Lisa gets that nice breeze from running, right? She should realize how lucky she is.
Yes, more paparazzi showed up. I'm sure they were looking for me, because they asked where the Athlete was. But Lisa was wearing sneakers and running shoes, and I was in the RV eating a donut, so they probably thought that Lisa was the Athlete. Really, I didn't mind. I'm not the kind of girl that needs to hog the spotlight. After all, it's the little people who helped get me to where I am today: in the RV.

Tomorrow we're off to Martinsburg, WV to run at the Martinsburg High School Track. I've got a following among the pre-teen set (mainly in Japan) so I'm going to brace myself for the onslaught. I swear, those girls can scream so loud when I pass by! Maybe I'll put Lisa out there as a decoy again tomorrow. After all it worked really well today-- no one even noticed me.

And I got to eat an extra donut.

CELEBRITY UPDATE - DAY THREE

M here again.


Yes, I'm a little late. In fact, we're on Day 6, and I'm only just now doing a Day 3 report. But it's hard keeping up these Hollywood types.

Lisa's really changed. Now that people recognize her on the street (folks recognize her from CNN) she's taken to wearing sunglasses at all times. Even at night. You wouldn't even believe Sister Mary Beth. Yesterday she punched out a photographer that got in her face. She's started hanging out with Sean Penn, too.


Avon, Connecticut was great -- weather was perfect and the run was an out-and-back on a Rails to Trails path. The only damper was a call from Sister Mary Beth who had been in New Jersey the previous night and was driving up from Morristown to Connecticut; she told me her car had broken down right by the Tappanzee Bridge. But I knew better -- Sister's always in rough shape the morning after when she hangs out with Lindsay Lohan.


Meanwhile two Shenipsit Striders showed up and banged out a good 50K with Lisa and Sister Mary Beth while Mike and Mike set-up and handled logistics, Ashley made one PB&J sandwich after another and I fielded requests from the media (seriously.)


Sister made her way to the run thanks to her good friend Pat, who not only picked her up and brought her to Avon, but was nuts enough to drive to Providence as well.


CT NBC showed up for an interview, a link to which I can't find anywhere - I promise to call the producer today. Then the lovely Kristine Thompson from the Orphan Foundation of America called with an interview request from CNN.


The day ended around 6:30 and Lisa came back to Juan's for a few sips of wine (I thoughtfully finished the glass for her so she wouldn't look ungrateful), an ice bath, a great spaghetti and turkey meatball dinner and a drive to Providence, RI.


The next morning while we drove to the location at 4 in the morning, Pat drove Sister Mary Beth back to Morristown so she could receive an award from the Girl Scouts of America that evening. I suppose it was just a "coincidence" that the Sisters were having a rave at Villa Walsh at that time.


I'm telling you- things have changed. But of course I'll keep you updated about that.