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

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.

Off and running.....

The Boston Marathon just started about 8 minutes ago, and Lisa's already logged 21 miles.

The local news was here to shine a big bright light in Lisa's eyes and capture it on film. And we were incredibly lucky that the unbelievably talented Tom Sperduto showed up which means we'll have more incredible photos like the one to the left.

Are they cute runners, or what? Hubba hubba.

We'll start tweetin' soon so look for information on that. And while you're keeping a look out for new stuff, we'll let you know when you can start tracking us all across the country with our fancy-pants Satellite GPS Messenger from Spot!

LISA'S 810 - No Change for Badwater Route

The course shall remain the same, so sayeth Badwater Race Director Chris Kostman at exactly 10:36 PM PST, or.. approximately 1:30 AM New York time, where I had just finished posting My Big Scoop on the re-routing of the Badwater race course, complete with graphic. Dang.

Well, it was officially announced that they were going to "almost change" the course, but didn't. So cheers all around, L810 goes to Whitney!

Here's a shot of Lisa snapped by the race director himself, not long after Lisa's 10:00 AM start.

(Lookin' sharp in her Moeben sleeves)

STAGE TWO, DAY ONE - midafternoon update

I was only able to speak to Lead Crewmember Leigh Corbin for about 45 seconds today, but that was basically all I needed to find out how Lisa is doing.

Lisa is doing amazingly.

Lisa is an hour ahead of schedule.

How a person can smile after running 177 miles through bats and blisters is something my brain is having a hard time wrapping itself around, never mind having done all that and still having the Badwater Ultramarathon ahead of you.

But Leigh assures me that Lisa is just unstoppable. Also note that Leigh will have internet access tonight when she gets to Lone Pine, so all comments posted here will find their way to Lisa on the course.

More updates (and photos) as I get 'em. You can also check out the webcasts at the Official Badwater site, which also has some great snaps of Lisa and the gang.

LISA 810 - stage one is finished!

After an incredible journey, crew leader Leigh Corbin had enough energy left to give us a full update.

"I am sitting in the crew van and it is almost 10 at night trying to get a signal. I am unable to get many pictures out becuse the signal is so weak. I happen to be listening to the rain pour down right now as I write.

Lisa is doing great. We finished stage one at 1:18 AM this morning. It was the first real night's sleep that we have had since we begun. My cell phone is no longer working so I can not send pictures that way.

Things were tough for Lisa as you would expect. Suffering is part of what Lisa does, and she dose it well. You would be hard pressed to find a woman as kind as Lisa. Even when in pain and struggling, she is always thinking of those around her. She is kind to everyone, even at 2 AM.

Lisa has handled herself like the pro that she is. Strong beyond words. She says that she would not have made it if it had not been for Sister Mary Beth.

Lisa has had some strange challenges while out on the course. One night she was attacked by a bat that had gotten caught in her hair. Last night just as the sun was getting ready to set, she was having hallucinations and thought she saw Indians climbing the mountains with no robes. This sent her into a silly spell and she did not even realize that the crew had put her feet into an icey water bath to cool them off and help to reduce the swelling. This is always painful but was done before she even realized it.

She has absolutely enjoyed the route that had been created for her to run. It was very scenic and beautiful. Early this morning as she touched the Badwater plaque where the race will start on Monday morning; she had great relief. She had done it and with few problems physically.

Her feet are in great shape and her stomach held out till the end where it started to give her a hint of a problem. She feels very determined and knows that many prayers will get her through, that and having Sister Mary Beth by her side. That is an amazing duo! Here is a picture of Lisa at the finish."

Thanks Leigh! Tonight I'll be posting a photo gallery of shots Leigh has sent me on the "updates" page of lisas810.com -- check it out!

It's finally here! ...and so is the Today Show

Greetings, everyone-

I'll be subbing for Lisa while she's on the road from Las Vegas to Mt. Whitney, keeping everyone updated on her latest whereabouts.

As you can see, Sister Marybeth has arrived, and here she and Lisa are with the 810 Quilt. The quilt will be making the trip along with Lisa -- through the desert, up Mt. Whitney -- after which it will be auctioned on the Lisa's 810 Ebay site. Stay tuned.

As I write, Lisa and Sister Marybeth are giving a public lecture about "Running With A Purpose" at the St. Joseph Husband of Mary Catholic Church Parish Hall in Las Vegas -- in fact, the very spot that Lisa will set out from at 9:00 AM tomorrow morning.

And with her at the start of the 810 will be a crew from the Today Show and the local NBC affiliate in Las Vegas, KVBC. We don't know if they will be airing the piece live or at a later time, but we will let everyone know as soon as we receive word. For those of us outside of the Las Vegas area, we can watch the KVBC live at their website, http://www.kvbc.com.

So far there has not been any indication that Leigh has lost her kids' inheritance at the blackjack table, nor news of George having married a dancer from Cirque de Soleil. Hopefully they will make it until 9:00 AM tomorrow and leave Las Vegas as free of sin as when they arrived. Ahem.

And don't forget to check out www.lisas810.com to fly over the course Lisa's running and to get the latest news and, of course, to donate to help the cause. We're already at $240,000.00 -- help us reach the goal of $500,000.00!

-Marianne