Marathon motivation: Jessica Skye Paul sails across Nike 2009 finish line

For the last 20 weeks, I’ve been staying in contact with my old high school friend, Jessica Skye Paul — Nez Perce and Lakota — as she has trained to run her first marathon. I want to share the e-mail she shared with those of us who have been supporting and following her marathon training program. Well, she recently completed the 2009 Nike Marathon in San Francisco.  Jessica ran the marathon in support of the The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Her running team raised more than $200,000 for the organization. They are still raising money. I will get more information if you would like to donate. Jessica ran in memory of her brother. In the end, she stands as a fine role model for all of us. Jessica and I used to be on the Wachter Junior High track team in Bismarck, N.D.  That is some of the last running she did, if I remember the story right. 

Without further adieau, here’s Jessica’s inspirational letter, a fine account of what it was like to run 26.2 miles for the first time in her life.

As I write this it is hard to believe that I have trained for and ran a full marathon within a 20 week time span. This experience has been one of the most profound of my life for many reasons. Not only did I get to give of myself for a great cause, but I received so much in return. I saw and felt the universe at work. For all the effort I put out there I received so much in return. Kindness, giving, loving friendships, respect and so much love. I am lucky, I have love from my family and friends, this I know and have always known, but the love and friendship, and sense of community that I have felt throughout this experience is truly amazing. I have connected with old friends and made many new friends. Everyone gave so much! We helped a community of individuals who are suffering with cancer related blood diseases and we did it willingly and without reservations. You should all be so proud of yourselves. It is your kindness and generosity that inspired me and lifted me in the most difficult moments of the training and the marathon. I will never forget it as long as I live. Thank you, a million times, thank you.

 Running my first marathon in such a beautiful city really set the tone for my experience. As we gathered in Union Square at 6:30 AM on Sunday with all the other 20,000 runners I felt excited. The music was loud, we were dancing and stretching in the dark….so cool. But when they played the National Anthem and we all started singing together with our hands over our hearts, I thought to myself, I am an athlete getting ready to push myself harder than I have ever pushed myself before at a real athletic event. Even though that is what I felt, I wasn’t afraid or nervous, I felt ready. I knew that people were praying for me and wishing me well and I felt it. Miles 1 – 10 were fun, easy even. The sun came up over the San Francisco bay as we made our way around Chrissy field up our first hill. I looked over the water toward Alcatraz and I thought how lucky I was to be healthy and strong enough to run at all. I was there for people who couldn’t run and for some people who never got the chance see what I was seeing or do what I was doing in their lives. I thought about my brother Bill and knew he was there with me and I feel certain he pushed on up the first hill and the ones after it and through to the finish line. Mama Lisa, one of the coaches grabbed my hand at the top of the hill and said “You are stronger than you think Jessica.” How wonderful to hear. There were hills that tried to beat me, but they didn’t prevail, there were blisters that tried to stop me but I just put more vaseline on them and kept going. At mile 13 one of my running pals was struggling but we managed to get through Golden Gate park onto the Great Highway. The cool breeze from the ocean really helped a lot but it was hard to see the runners on the other side of the highway heading toward the finish line when I had 8 more miles to go. As I pushed through to mile 19 toward Lake Merced I thought this is really hard, but what else have I got to do for another hour and a half but run. I thought, I am so close. It was at mile 21 that I became separated from my running friend. I decided that I had to run my own race and she told me to go on ahead. At that point I started running by myself.

 I just wanted to get away from Lake Merced back onto the Great Highway and knew I was so close to the finish line. Coach Gary Landberg ran with me to the end of Lake Merced and I appreciate that so much. Thanks Coach! You Rock! When I saw the mile marker for mile 24 it started to hit me that I was going to finish. Soon I could see the flashing lights and banner for the finish line, almost there, I am going to finish. I will be a marathoner at 45 year of age. All I wanted was to be done at that point. I looked up and saw the head team coach, Tim, running against the crowd. When he saw me he turned to run with me and he said “Hi Jessica!! You look good, you look strong, you are going to finish and I never had any doubt in my mind about that. You did it, you are so close, enjoy this moment because you have worked so hard and you have earned it.” I started to cry a little and said thank you. He ran with me a little farther and said that I should think about the pain I am in as I go toward the finish line because it would make the victory that much sweeter. I beat the pain it didn’t beat me. Then off he went to encourage someone else pushing toward the finish line. Awesome guy, awesome coach, huge respect and love for Coach Tim Corliss, TNT Trainer, Ultra Marathoner and one of the nicest guys you will ever meet.

 As I could see the finish line all I could think was run as fast as you can and I had this huge surge of energy. I ran faster the last quarter mile than I had the entire race. The announcer kept calling my name and saying “Way to finish strong Jessica, push hard, you’re almost there!” Because he was yelling my name my friend Charles saw me and was right there to greet me. I was so happy to see him because I didn’t have any family members who could be at the finish line. I got my Tiffany necklace, finisher t-shirt and moved through the line to pick up the other mementos. By that time Charles made it into the waiting area and gave me a big hug which I really needed. Thanks to Charles for being there and supporting me, you’re my buddy forever. And to Sandi who waited for me on the median along the Great Highway, sorry we missed each other but knowing you were there means so much to me. Love, love you Sandi! The mother and father of my running buddy hugged me too and told me how proud they were of me, it was sweet and very much appreciated at the end of a long run. Thanks for adopting me for the day.

 I remember hearing Billy Mills speak in junior high about winning the gold medal at the 1964 Olympics in Tokyo (the year I was born). He said that he felt something lift him up and lighten him as he was running toward the finish line. I am in no way comparing what he did in the Olympics to what I did on Sunday, but I did feel something carry me as I got closer to the finish line. My relatives in the spirit world no doubt, all seeing me through to the end. My relatives and friends here with me, praying for me on Sunday morning. All that positive energy and love really came through.

 Mom, Jackie and Jordan, thank you! I love you and couldn’t have done it without your encouragement and support. Mom you inspired me because you are who you are, one of the smartest, strongest women I have ever known. Something I witnessed again a few weeks ago after your surgery. Love you. Jackie, my best friend for 35 years, never waivering in your support, thank you! I love you. Jordan, you make me so proud. I love you with all my heart. Can’t wait to run a marathon with you, you will rock it my girl!

 I will run another marathon within the next 12 – 18 months. I want to continue to raise money with TNT for LLS. I believe in the organization and what they are doing and look forward to sharing more stories with all of you. If you have corporations who match donations or other fund raising ideas please send them to me. I think what I have learned through this fund raising experience will surely help me next time too. It is a great organization and we need to find a cure for cancer.

 In total my run club raised over $200,000 dollars for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). Team in Training (TNT) raised close to 14 million dollars through this marathon. There were over 5,000 TNT runners from Canada and the United States participating in the marathon on Sunday. Thanks to Mentor Stephanie and Cory for your encouragement at every run. You are both amazing ladies.

 So there you have it! Thank you for your support, you kindness and giving spirits. Pat yourself on the back, hug your family close and be healthy. Stay in touch and if I don’t see you soon to hug you personally, expect a huge hug when I do see you or at least me begging you to go for a run with me and then a sweaty hug=)

 With peace, love and gratitude, Jessica

Jodi Rave

 

Don’t cry because it’s over. Smile because it happened. ~ Dr. Seuss