The physical pain I felt was worse than natural childbirth! However, the idea of quitting never once entered my mind. I now know why they call calf cramps “Charley Horses.” It’s because it literally feels like a big mean horse has clamped down fiercely on your muscle, with sharp teeth, and won’t let loose. Even after we got the scary spasm quieted, the pain only lessened a little and so from mile 6 to 26.2 I ran with that awful, awful pain.

But, you know what? The power of that painful spasm DID scare me, but throughout those 20 miles I CHOSE not to fear another cramp coming. My calf threatened to cramp several more times, but I’d stretch it and only whimper a little, then smile and run more.

Once, I barely STARTED to think I couldn’t endure it (About mile 19). I was close to tears and cried out in prayer and something supernatural occured then. Believe it or not, ALL my pain went away. It felt like a comforting blanket was draped over me and I felt no pain whatsoever for just long enough to rest and run and giggle out loud, because of how relieved I felt! I wish I could say that it lasted, but it only stayed for a moment before the pain returned. That was enough. God is good. All the time.