Runner prays as she races

"Likes to walk; loves to run" is how Margaret Capozzola describes herself.

She runs through the streets of Delmar at 5 a.m., rain or shine, because she's a working woman, wife and mother of two daughters, 12 and 14.

Her days are busy, so early mornings are "the only time I have for myself," she commented. "When I run, I pray. I have discussions with God. This is my special time alone with my creator."

Knows the answer

Running and praying are so important to the St. Thomas the Apostle parishioner that when she recently read a question in The Evangelist's Faith Alive column, she felt the need to respond.

The question, "Do you meditate or pray while exercising?" was asked in the March 18 issue. "I went to my computer and typed out an answer, right then," she said. "It was important that I answer because my running and praying is a very important part of my life."

Her reply appeared in the April 29 issue: "When I run alone, I pray and have a discussion with God about what I am supposed to be doing with my life. I am still amazed each day I run at the beauty of the earth. I feel privileged to be able to experience this quiet beauty with God."

Getting moving

Mrs. Capozzola first became interested in running almost 20 years ago when she watched the New York City Marathon on TV. "I thought that was the coolest thing," she recalled. 

But it wasn't until her youngest daughter was born that she decided to start running. Two years later, in 1993, she took part in her first Freihofers Run for Women in Albany. She has been competing in that race every year since.

Three years ago, when she mentioned to a friend that she wanted to expand her distance, "he told me that he could help me not only increase the distance I ran but also, if I was interested, help me train to run a marathon."

Miles to go

Months later, as she was nearing the finish of her first marathon, her trainer, who was running along with her, noticed that she was about to "hit the wall." He told her it was time to begin praying.

"I was about four miles from the finish," she recalled. "I could still breathe, but I couldn't talk. He started to pray the Hail Mary out loud as we ran along."

Nearing total exhaustion, Mrs. Capozzola began to pray with him, voicing the words when they would come. Eventually, they completed the race, both praying the Hail Mary as they crossed the finish line.

Faith on the road

"Afterwards, on one of my long training runs, I began to pray formally, in between my conversations with God," Mrs. Capozzola explained. "Now, when I run, I pray not only the Hail Mary, but also the Our Father and a prayer of thanks.

"When I pray while I run, I move into a spiritual realm that I can't find at any other time. In the early mornings, I hear the birds and know they are calling my name. No matter what the weather or season, God's beauty is all around me as I discover the gift of a new day. I see deer and rabbits all the time. Sometimes, it is just the beauty of the mist on the ground on a cold winter morning that can take my breath away. God is there, in all of it."

Competition

In the past several years, she has completed several marathons and half-marathons, and has participated in two 60-mile walks to help raise money to find a cure for breast cancer. 

"The 3Day Walk takes place every summer," she said. "Anyone can participate. We walk from Bear Mountain, near West Point, into New York City over the course of three days."

On June 6, Mrs. Capozzola, who has become a running mentor and trainer for two other women, will compete in the Covered Bridge Half-Marathon in Quechee, Vermont. Her running companions are going with her.

"It will be the first time either of them has run a half-marathon," she said. "I'm so proud of both of them."

(For information on the 3Day Walk, go to www.the3day.org. The Freihofers Run for Women will be held June 5; it includes a national women's 3.1 mile race, community walk and children's race. Call 273-0267 or go to www.freihofersrun.com.)

(6/3/04)