In a normal half marathon setting, as you move along you are
encouraged by supporters that cheer you on and offer you water. My 14 mile hike on the Tanawha Trail
was not quite the same experience, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t have
supporters along the way.
I can’t write about this journey without mentioning how awesome
my husband was during it all! We started off arriving at our “lunch” point
quite a bit early and he rushed up the path all alone with a cooler, bread,
peanut butter and jelly, snacks and a gallon jug of water to refill our
camelbaks while we sat by the Boone Fork River with our feet in the water
taking a break.
Originally I had posted about this hike asking supporters to
come and meet us at spots along the way to give it the “race” feeling, but up
until Mile 11.5… my husband was the one who was there. He gave his entire day
to drive up and down the parkway getting us supplies and meeting us for water
refills and offering encouraging smiles. His support is appreciated GREATLY!
After our 2nd meetup with him, we were entering the
“Rough Ridge” zone of the hike. Believe me, I never fully realized the meaning
of Rough Ridge up until this point. Sure, I’ve hiked this beautiful section
before as a small mile out and back hike, but on this journey, the Rough Ridge
became our “wall”.
Every runner or
marathoner will tell you that at some point, they hit a wall when their body
tells them that they can go no further. It’s actually a real thing, caused by
the depletion of glycogen stores in the body that can leave you feeling
fatigued and without energy.
Rough Ridge was the 9 ½ mile point for us. It was a steep
boulder hopping climb to an elevation of 4773 that afforded breathtaking 360
degree views of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Getting to the top of it was
exhilarating! 
But the most
incredible thing was the green. Everywhere we looked the color green was
climbing up the mountains. Just the week before, it was still mostly brown, but
on this Mothers’ Day weekend, spring was racing up the mountain right with us.
It was honestly breathtaking. I’m used to the “Blue” view… but
this kaleidoscope of green felt dreamlike. Every different type of tree had a
slightly different shade of baby green. The fact that we didn’t have blue skies
didn’t even matter.
From up here… only the views mattered. Our tired legs didn’t
even seem to care about the depleting glycogen stores.
We explored the
cliffs and played around taking pictures for a while. Momentarily we felt like
our journey was over.
Until we noticed that bridge over
there in the pictures. That bridge is our destination, or rather, the mountain
top BEYOND that bridge is our destination.
From up here, I think the realization that we still
had a long way to go was starting to sink in.
I’ve felt that way in life
before too. I’m very aware of the fact that I’m FAR from perfect. I’m FAR from
who I was created to be, and who I want to be. Sometimes, when I get a glimpse
of just how far off I am … it can be a little overwhelming. Sometimes, it even
seems pointless. And that can leave me not wanting to even try anymore.
I remember
clearly sitting atop the highest peak on Rough Ridge thinking those same
thoughts. Thinking, this is good enough. This is far enough. Let’s just settle
here. I even felt peace in that moment and I knew that Jesus was going to love
me even if this was as far as I got.
Then I stood
up, stretched, and said, “let’s do this!” and started down the steep descent of
this current mountain crest with my friends by my side. We didn’t talk much at
this point. I think we were all sorta lost in our own thoughts… and we continued
down…. and around, and down some more, and through the boulder field… each of
us beginning to become aware of just how exhausted we were.
Have you
ever experienced something exhilarating and amazing only to be followed by a
low point… a crash?
This is what
we were going through for miles 10-11. The low. The down. The “what goes up,
must go down” moment.
Just when I
was about to stop and give up, I thought to ask Jesus where He was at that
exact moment. I was in the “lead” at that time, and noticed my 2 friends were
slowing down behind me and I was starting to feel like they didn’t want to be
with me anymore. (I mean, this was “my thing” and they were just along for the
journey right... they were probably feeling pretty sorry they had agreed to
this by now!)
When I feel
alone like that, I’m learning to find Jesus with me in the moment. Since He is
Immanuel, God With Us… why not ask Him to let me see where He is??!!
So, in my
head, I asked Him, “Where are you now Jesus?”. And I got a glimpse of Him, just
ahead of me on the path, turned backwards kinda jogging backwards… full of life
and energy… with a glint of excitement and love in His eyes.
He was waving me
forward saying “Come on!” I felt a huge surge of energy burst through my veins
and my pace picked up. I felt like I was skipping along the trail, hopping over
rocks effortlessly, chasing after my leader who was so full of life it was irresistible!
I turned around and saw that my friends had fallen back behind me quite a bit
so I shouted back to them to encourage them as well.
I reminded them that we
were not alone on this journey and kept pressing on...
"But those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." Is 40:31
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