2014 Prairie Spirit Trail 50/100 mile run

2014 Prairie Spirit Trail 50/100 run

The story starts with the Friday night packet pickup.  Our original plan was that I would run with Michelle Lewis the first 50 and Shannon Briscoe would run the last 50 with her.  Actually, the first "original" plan called for me to run the whole 100 miles with Michelle.  Because of injury, this was not going to be possible so we came up with the next one.  Little did we know, God had a much better plan.  In fact, we found out, He had everything set in place to make for one amazing testimony. 

We get to the packet pickup and Shannon felt God telling her to sign up for the 100.  Even if she only completed 50, she would still be allowed on the same course so we could both start with Michelle (the 50 mile race started later so it wasn't an option).  The only problem was registration was closed.  Heike, Shannon, Laura, Hopee and me gathered for prayer right there at the packet pickup and prayed God's will be done and we went off in search of the race director.  After stating our request and reassuring him that we wouldn't die on the course he agreed to let her enter.  Only problem now was cost.  It was $225.  Shannon only had $125 to spare.  We went back to the hotel room and prayed again.  We only had 45 more minutes before closing time when my husband donated the $100 she needed.  God put His plan into action.  Back to the packet pickup to register and then to get some rest. 

 Didn't get to sleep until about 12am then up at 4:30 for coffee, prayer and a protein bar.  Michelle had arrived to the hotel at about 11:00 pm so only had a few minutes to talk with her.  I was anxious to get running and talk some more.  We all felt that she was troubled and wondered if she was the reason we were there.  Whatever God's plan was would soon be revealed. 

Arrived at the start by 5:30 and was greeted by Sara Ochs, a team 413 member from Kansas City. She was there to bring us coffee and pray with us.  Love my TEAM 413 brothers and sisters!!

Shannon Briscoe and Michelle Lewis

A big hug for Sara Ochs

Heike, Laura, me, Michelle, Shannon and Sara

Lisa Doss Shipp hugging Sara 

 To our surprise, Robert Horton said a prerace prayer for all the runners and then we moved into the starting line.  It was still dark outside so we used our headlamps and knuckle lights to maneuver the first 5-6 miles of the course.  Before long, Shannon, Michelle and I were settling into a rhythm and the conversation immediately turned to God.  As we suspected, Michelle's heart was troubled.  She had been searching for something to fill the ache in her soul.  Like most of us, the world and bad decisions brought her to places she never thought she would be.  As we listened to her life story, Shannon and I were overcome with love for her. 

Shannon and I have both been at the bottom and we shared similar stories of our lives before Jesus saved us. I find it funny how people can assume that Christians have always led a "righteous" life.  Not for this girl!  And certainly not for most of my other sisters.  We all have a past.  It's only by God's grace that any of us get through this life with a shred of dignity.  As we shared more of our testimony, Michelle shared more of her struggles.  Shannon and I spent the next 20 miles telling Michelle of how and why Jesus loves her.  We cried.  We laughed.  And we felt the presence of Jesus on that trail.  He cared so much for her that he sent us to tell her!!!  The stories we shared were from our heart. They were real and they were about a God that lifted us up from the pit we were in and placed us into a group called TEAM 413 to share with others the goodness of Christ. 

Michelle accepted Jesus that day.  She needed Him, He was waiting and they embraced on that Prairie Spirit Trail.  At about mile 30, Shannon and I told Michelle to go on.  We wanted her to go after her goal of reaching 100 miles.  During that time, though, we had talked about how we all had nothing to prove by pushing ourselves.  As Christians, we were here to do what God wanted us to... nothing more, nothing less.  Shannon and I knew that our job was done and that a medal would be only for the world to see.  We didn't need it.  As we watched Michelle run off, we began to cry.  The power of seeing God work and knowing that He used us was overwhelming for both Shannon and me.  We spent the last miles talking, laughing and praising Him. 

Heike and Laura had been at every stop along the route to provide support (Lisa had to leave because her daughter got sick), encouragement and massage.  Heike had to tape me up several times as different body parts started to hurt.  What a day!  After we finished, we joined them to be the support to Michelle as she continued on.  To all our surprise, she was on fire!  She was so full of joy and never stopped smiling!  We didn't know if she would/could finish but we knew we would be there by her side the whole way. 

At mile 40, I broke out into hives and swelled up like I had been stung by bees.  My feet were so swollen I couldn't wear shoes.  I made it another 4 miles and decided I was done!  Shannon took my bib and finished at mile 50 (she's a trooper!) where she was met by Robin Chevalier (another TEAM 413 member and dear friend) who came to cheer us on.   I went to sleep on the grass and the support van followed Shannon.  Meanwhile, Laura had donned her pacer bib and was running with Michelle for 10 miles (Michelle was way ahead of us).   After my nap, my husband took me to the checkpoint where Shannon was finishing up and we were off to the next one to aid Laura and Michelle. 

They both still looked pretty good (mile 61 for Michelle, 10 for Laura) at this point so they decided to go on (we made Laura take her phone this time).  Off we were to the next checkpoint.  Then we get a call.  Laura says, "Um, I can't keep up with Shannon and told her to go on and now I'm out here in the dark and I'm cold.  Come get me!"  It seems, she underestimated the amount of time she would be out there and was not dressed for it.  We searched and searched for her and couldn't find her.  Meanwhile she calls us excited and says, "God gave me a flashlight and it works!"  She had looked down and found a flashlight to brighten her way in addition to her headlamp. By waving that flashlight, she caught the attention of another support van who picked her up (we still couldn't find her) and brought her back to the checkpoint where we met her.  We all had a good laugh at that, especially Laura as she thawed out!  By the way, she told us that we sucked at search and rescue missions.  How funny! 

Michelle made it to mile 77.  By this time, we were all snuggled in the van napping.  Heike in the driver seat, me in the passenger, Shannon in the floor and Laura spread out on the back seat.  Michelle knocked on the window and told us she was done.  Said she just couldn't go on and told us the story of a dog that led her the last mile (a dog no one else saw).  Can't help but think it was a guardian angel. 

We got back to the hotel and everyone crashed!  We woke up about 8am and everyone had a smile on their face.  Especially Michelle.  Heike gave her a massage and stretched out her muscles.  After we all got a much needed shower, we had breakfast where we chatted like old friends.  I don't think any of us will ever be the same again.  God took a group of women on a journey that only He could have orchestrated.  We were all in awe at God that weekend and found a new appreciation for our bonds with our sisters in Christ.  God willing, we all vowed to do it again.  Can't wait to see what God has in store for our next adventure. 


A forever group of friends bound together by a love for Christ