Thanksgiving & Backyard Ultras: A Note from the Director on God's Orchestrations & the Power of Prayer

As my second annual College Hill Pseudo-Backyard Ultra approaches, I must confess that, for several reasons, I’m approaching it in fear and trembling.

First, I’ve already failed two 100-mile attempts this year. Given, one was in 24-degree weather with almost three times the amount of ascent as this run, and the other was seven times the amount of ascent, plus cold, rain and hail-storms, thunder and lightning, chasing cut-off times, and a knee that was increasingly injured over the course of the 77 miles I completed (I missed cutoff at that point). Nevertheless, on record I have two big, fat DNFs (Did Not Finish).

Second, I’ve barely given my knee enough time to heal from the last attempt on Sep. 16. But there’s more to this one, which I’ll share in a bit.

Third, it’s going to be cold and, through at least half of the run, rainy/icy/snowy. I’ve already been beat by cold with hypothermia once…it’s no fun and I have a bit of PTSD just thinking about it.

Fourth, I’m doing this to raise funds for Eighth Day Institute, specifically to help EDI achieve its fall campaign goal of 100 new members. Given inflation, the state of the economy, and so many other unknowns in our crazy world today, I’m fully cognizant of how large of a goal this is.

And finally, I HATE FAILURE.

As intimidated as I am today thinking about the 26-30 hours I’ll be running this weekend, I’m also grateful to have the day of Thanksgiving immediately precede such a daunting task. In light of this important holiday, I’d like to express my gratitude and, by way of that gratitude, tell you two stories about last year’s run.

But before those two stories, two important notes of gratitude:

First, to all the current Eighth Day Members: thank you so much for your generous and faithful support. EDI only exists because of you. We are almost 100% funded by individuals like you who make sacrificial gifts to keep our doors open, so we can organize events, publish great content, and facilitate the cultivation of friendships and conversations you can’t have anywhere else.

Second, I can’t tell the two stories about last year’s race without expressing gratitude to the many people who showed up at my home to either run with me or to cheer me on. I want to especially thank Jake Ramstack for spontaneously taking charge of my home aid-station and the pop-up crew who arrived, taking care of me through the cold night and guiding me all the way to the finish, with fireworks and all.

Now for the stories.

First, I’m grateful for the way God orchestrates events. Jake and crew created a home-made finish line for me, along with a full-on fireworks spectacle. It was an awesome experience. But it quickly turned sour when a neighbor (whom no one on our block recognized) stopped to complain, cussing us out in front of all our children. She claimed she was worried we were going to burn her house down; so worried, in fact, that she proceeded to call the fire department. The fire department arrived within five minutes or so. But what she intended as trouble was turned on its head. When the fire crew saw the aid station, they started asking us questions about what we were up to. And, as it turned out, their crew chief Carlos was an experienced ultra-runner. So while I was huddled up under covers in the tent, beginning a long process of recovery, the fire crew surrounded me with Carlos telling me all kinds of stories about his races, gear, and general advice for ultra-running. Meanwhile, the kids all got to take tours of the fire truck. And then, for icing on the cake, a couple weeks later while visiting REI, lo and behold there was Carlos asking me if I needed any help—he is also an REI employee. And of course, more ultra-running talk/advice ensued…and a friendship was born. Talk about “conversations you can’t have anywhere else!”

Second, I’m grateful for my next-door neighbor Gary Gensch and the power of prayer. The week before the race last year, my left knee started giving me problems. I was having a hard time going up and down steps. And the day before the run, when I was setting up my home aid-station, Gary noticed me limping around my front yard. He asked me what was going on and when he found out I planned to run 88 miles, incredulously he asked me how in the world I thought I was going to be able to run that far with a limp. I told him I had some holy oil and that I planned to anoint my knee later that evening to ask God’s healing. A couple hours later, I received a text from Gary asking if he could come over to pray for my knee. Of course I accepted his request. But what I didn’t expect from my Protestant brother was the arrival with his own holy oil, which he had procured in Israel at the tomb of St. Lazarus! Even more surprising was the fact that it was a small bottle of Nard with a Russian Orthodox icon of Mary Magdalen anointing Jesus with the same oil. Gary proceeded to read that Gospel account (Jn. 12), followed by the passage in James on praying over the sick and anointing them with oil “in the name of the Lord” (James 5:14). When I stood up, my knee was completely healed. And I went on to run 88 miles the following day with zero knee problems!

Jump forward to my last 100-mile attempt back in September. Early in the race, on the first steep descent, both my knees started hurting me. The pain became progressively worse throughout the race. After the race my right knee healed fairly quickly, but my left knee took several weeks before I was able to even begin walking on it. Shortly thereafter, I ran into Gary, once again in my front yard, and I expressed my frustration with my knee. I told him I wanted him to pray for it again. He grabbed me, gave me a big—and long—bear hug, and then told me he would pray for my knee. I said, “No, Gary. I mean anoint it with oil and pray for it!” He told me he would be glad to and that we needed to figure out a time. As I walked away, I realize my knee was not hurting. A couple days later I asked him if he had prayed for my knee during that long bear hug…of course he had!

As we approach Thanksgiving, let us be grateful to our Holy and Triune God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, from whom all blessings flow.

Let us be grateful for the way God orchestrates circumstances. For, as St Paul tells us, “we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

And let us be grateful for good neighbors and the power of prayer.

Have a happy and blessed day of Thanksgiving!

In Christ,

Erin “John” Doom