Countdown to Two Oceans Marathon Back to Back Challenge
In just over 48 hours, I will be embarking on a 112km. Some have deemed it silly while others think it is outright insane. There have been moments when I have weighed these statements to find some reason not to go ahead with the challenge but the desire to see the millions of orphans in our country and continent by far supersedes what the body will have to endure for those long hours on Saturday 30 March 2013.
A certain numbness has come over me, something of a peace that surpasses all understanding. My back aches and my neck in knots but the race will be run.
I am thankful to the many individuals and organisations who have offered support right from the beginning. Newkidz on the Block for spurring on what started out as a mere concept. Radio Tygerberg, Hectic Nine9, Daily Voice, Runners' World and many more for helping us get word out about this initiative. If one child finds a loving family and home then this Mission Possible would be deemed a great success.
While looking for inspiration, I found some in the words from Chariots of Fire said by one Eric Lydell;
"You came to see a race today. To see someone win. It happened to be me. But I want you to do more than just watch a race. I want you to take part in it. I want to compare faith to running in a race. It's hard. It requires concentration of will, energy of soul. You experience elation when the winner breaks the tape - especially if you've got a bet on it. But how long does that last? You go home. Maybe you're dinner's burnt. Maybe you haven't got a job. So who am I to say, "Believe, have faith," in the face of life's realities? I would like to give you something more permanent, but I can only point the way. I have no formula for winning the race. Everyone runs in her own way, or his own way. And where does the power come from, to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said, "Behold, the Kingdom of God is within you. If with all your hearts, you truly seek me, you shall ever surely find me." If you commit yourself to the love of Christ, then that is how you run a straight race."
Eric Lydell
Eric was such an amazing guy, as are you such an amazing woman Edeline!! One of Eric’s fans reminisces about him saying :“I remember an incident concerning him. When I lived in Edinburgh I went to Craiglockhart to see him running in the 100 yards sprint at the University Sports, which, incidentally, he won, beating his own record at the time. Prior to his event a coloured student was wandering about, awaiting his event. Not a single person was speaking to him. He seemed so much alone, my heart went out to him, so much so that I felt like going to talk to him myself. To my great joy, Eric went up to him, put his arm in his, and engaged him in a friendly conversation until his event was due. I thought it such a beautiful Christian action, and it has lived in my memory ever since. How like the man, was it not?”
ReplyDeleteA Student, Edinburgh University magazine in December 1923 recorded that: “Ninety-nine men, gifted with Eric’s prowess, would now be insufferably swollen headed, but here we have the hundredth man. Here is a man who hates praise and shuns publicity, yet is deserving of both. Here is a man with a mind of his own, and not afraid to voice his most secret feeling on a platform if, by doing so, he thinks it will help his fellows. Here is a man who has courage, and delights to accept a challenge, be it for the sake of his School, his ‘Varsity, his country or his God. And lastly, here is a man who wins because he sets his teeth, quietly but firmly, and always plays the game. Everyone is fond of Eric.” ...again much like you Edeline
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