SPORTS February 25, 2008 Issue

GOD SETS THE PACE

HELEN STEVERMER

HAVING SWORN OFF RUNNING many years ago, I was an unlikely candidate for the challenge. Yet, in a moment of friendly banter, I'd volunteered to participate in a marathon relay race. How far would my portion of the race be? Anywhere from five to seven miles, I learned. Even the shortest leg would be three times farther than my longest run, completed before my now-college-aged son was born.

Nervous about my decision, I heard echoes of my son's familiar words, "What's the deadline for dropping this course?" As a student of Christian Science, I knew that personal history and body condition were subordinate to spiritual conditioning. So I was glad to begin with what I considered to be the ultimate training staff—the Bible and the writings of Mary Baker Eddy. Soon I began keeping a training log, writing down ideas that buoyed me as I ran. Here are some highlights:

Training began in Kansas City in July. During my first run, I felt a sharp, unyielding pain in my knee. I remembered that this nagging problem was the reason I'd stopped running years ago. Although I was a student of Christian Science, I doubted my ability to handle the challenge through prayer. As I plodded home in my new running shoes, it felt as if I were facing a showdown with a bully.