Article May 28, 2007 Issue

running close to God

Stephanie Hood, a long-distance athlete from Canada shares her joy in running.

BY KIM SHIPPEY

We got together to talk about athletic competition, and especially our mutual delight in middle-and long-distance running. Instead we spent most our time talking about spiritual progress—though we agreed this was time well spent.

"This whole running experience is about becoming closer to God," says Stephanie with undisguised enthusiasm. "And when you get closer to God, you know yourself so much better—your true self, your spiritual self."

Stephanie grew up on the prairies of Manitoba, in Central Canada, about 30 minutes north of Winnipeg. "I loved nature and the wilderness. There was always so much space to run around in. We had trails that would go for miles. They gave me such a complete sense of joy and freedom."