Jeff Grabosky has completed his 3,700-mile run across America, an
endeavor he says gave him a new perspective on America and on his
Catholic faith.
“It feels beyond awesome. It’s still sinking in, but it’s an amazing
and almost indescribable feeling,” he told CNA May 23, two days after
his finish at Smith Point in Long Island, New York.
“The feeling that I had at the end of that run was of such
fulfillment and satisfaction that I had done well. I had lived my life
through that run with faith and with the intent of helping others.
“If I could extend what I did during my run and translate that into
the rest of my life, then I think that my life will truly be a success”
Grabosky, a 28-year-old native of New Jersey, decided to run across
the country to inspire others and to use his talents to serve God. He
received prayer intentions from others and prayed for them on his Rosary
ring while he ran. He estimated he prayed 35,000 Hail Marys during a
journey that began on January 20 in Oceanside, Calif.
“My faith has only been deepened by this experience and has made me
want to be a better person on so many different levels,” he explained.
He thinks he “definitely” would not have finished if it wasn’t for
his own faith and prayer and the prayers of others on his behalf.
He took inspiration from his mother, who died of cancer in 2006. She too was a runner who prayed the Rosary during her runs.
Grabosky said that although he faced physical problems and bad
weather, his biggest challenge was to stay “focused and positive” in
times of difficulty.
“I think that’s really where the faith and the prayer aspect came in and helped get me through every time,” he said.
He described the best part of his run as “just being able to stay focused in prayer.”
His prayers bore fruit.
“It was amazing. Anytime I needed something, it showed up just when I
needed it. A place to stay, water, food… I certainly had to do my part,
but it never got to the point where I was out of options.
“God was walking with me every step. And just when I couldn’t do any more he stepped in and took care of me.”
Grabosky said his most memorable encounters were with people he otherwise would never have met.
“The media portrays America as being selfish and money-driven, and
everything that goes along with that stereotype. But from my experience,
it’s exactly the opposite. Everyone was so kind and generous and wanted
to help out in any way they could,” he recalled.
“It was surprising.
Even the people who obviously didn’t have much were some of the most
willing to give what they had.
“That’s really made me want to be a better person and be more generous with the blessings that I have.”
Construction workers would simply walk up to Grabosky and give him
money.
He also learned the stories and struggles of hitchhikers, like
one man traveling to see his sick mother.
“He was getting money for food and motels by singing poetry he had
written at places like Wal-Mart parking lots,” Grabosky said, adding
that his run has given him “a whole different perspective.”
The harshest leg of his route took place in the Texas panhandle
between Dimmitt and Tulia.
He had expected a windy day, but Grabosky had
not considered what the wind would do to the surrounding fields covered
in loose dirt.
Feeling a gust, he looked up to see “a huge wall of dirt and dust”
which he could not outrun.
He tied his bandana to his face and kept
running through the sustained winds of 40 mph.
Hours later, he ended the day with bits of dirt in his teeth, rings of dirt around his eyes, and his supplies covered in filth.
Grabosky spoke to several groups during his trip: a school in
Phoenix, medical students in St. Louis, and participants in the
University of Notre Dame’s Holy Half-Marathon 10k.
The runner, a Notre Dame graduate, also stopped to pray at the school’s famous Marian Grotto.
The most rewarding part of the trip, he said, was hearing people tell
him that he has encouraged them in their lives and their faith.
Now that he has finished his trans-continental run, Grabosky is
praying to learn what God wants him to do next.
He would like to stay
involved in running, perhaps as a coach, or he could take a position
with “a more Catholic focus.”
The runner is also considering turning his run journal into a book.
Those interested can read more about Jeff Grabosky’s run at: http://jeffrunsamerica.com.