On Marathon Recoveries
The recovery process many times is referred to as a marathon journey. Often, we mean it will take considerable time to complete the course. After running some marathons, I pondered my marathon experiences and the metaphor and analogy it represents in long-term recovery.
There are four principles forming the word PREP that came to mind.
PACE: If you tried to run a marathon at the pace you run a lap around the school track, about a quarter of a mile, you would most likely not make it. Unless your name is Usain Bolt (what a great name for a runner), your pace is radically slower. Although the distance defines a marathon (26.2 miles) it is the time it takes to complete that makes the difference. If you tried to run the quarter mile pace for 26.2 miles, you would quickly burn out, get injured, and certainly not finish. The long- term recovery process recognizes each person on the course has a different pace and our role is to let them run their pace while additionally supporting the affected community’s rebuilding speed.
REST STOPS: Throughout the course, there are strategically placed rest stops and most marathons have a rest station every mile. Lined with cups of water, fruit, Gatorade, and other munchies to add calories, rest stops help you stay hydrated, fueled and refreshed. Port-o-lets are a welcome site (yes, really)! Depending on the marathon, rest stops can be a little eccentric. The Rock-n-Roll Marathon in New Orleans had a rest stop with crawfish low boil, Martinis, and Beignets. I stuck with water and bananas on that one, but you get the point. In recovery, we need those strategically placed rest stops. Sometimes survivors get overwhelmed, anxious, and stressed out. They just want to slow down and take a break; pause before making the next phone call with the insurance adjuster, a contractor, or even a volunteer construction group. The rest stops help them surge for the next leg of the journey. Caregivers can burn out as well! We all need spaces to rest, renew, and refresh!
ENCOURAGEMENT: The Disney World Marathon was one of my favorites! Along the course you ran between the different kingdoms (Magic, Epworth etc.) and each area was lined with people cheering you on. You did not know them, and most did not know you, but they still clapped, cheered, and whistled as you jogged by. Sometimes they would give you a high five or a cup of refreshing water. Encouragement along the way when you felt like quitting, when your side ached, or your legs were on fire, was the game changer. The survivors and those helping need big doses of encouragement! All of us supporting the long term recovery can use doses of encouragement!
PREPARATION: Technically, this principle should have been first. You cannot run a marathon very well without training. Well, you might can, you may just not be able to walk normal for a few days after that. My first marathon was the Boston Marathon in Iraq! Pretty coo; especially since I would never officially qualify for the Boston. I trained hard for four months! Preparing for a marathon takes time and rigor. None of us may feel prepared for the kind of disasters that we see others facing. However, as a community, family, and individual, we can budget time and prepare for what might come. September is Disaster Preparedness Month with local and state Emergency Management Centers and FEMA issuing preparation strategies. Radios, generators, food, water and evacuation plans are all important. When we train for a marathon we prepare for the long haul.
Our long- term recovery in Lee County and other areas (Hurricane Michael, Florence, and now Dorian) will have this same terminology, “it is a marathon”. As we reflect upon the parts of a marathon, I pray we can see how Pace, Rest Stops, Encouragement, and Preparation can PREP us for the long haul.
Grace and peace- Lisa Pierce
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