Kathryn Flippin
Staff Writer
Some call her a teammate. Others call her a mentor. A couple call her mom. One calls her wife. But many call her an example.
While Beth Wilson, a graduate student and member of Union’s cross country team, would say she is just leading a life to the glory of God, those around her see her pursuit of this as one that far exceeds the normal life of a 28-year-old mom.
Wilson’s husband, Lee Wilson, director of discipleship in the Office of Spiritual Life, would be the first to say his wife leads a life that is full of activity— whether that be “mommying” her two children, Abbey and Liam, or baking scones and cinnamon rolls for Barefoots Joe while also studying for her MBA. But there is one thing Wilson does each day that is just for her: Running.
Wilson ran cross country for her high school in Texas but said that out of 100 runners on her team, she definitely never was the leader of the pack.
Since she knew she wanted to be at Texas Agriculture and Mechanical University in College Station, Texas, but did not think she could match the rigorous schedule and speed of runners of a Division I school, she decided to end her career.
She would have never thought she would be competing again 10 years later.
After spending the last three and a half years as mom and homemaker, Wilson decided she wanted to try running again merely for the enjoyment and physical strength it brings. But she said the first few months were not as delightful as she would have hoped.
Wilson, like most people who have not run for years, was out of shape. Once she set her mind on at least completing a half marathon, though, there was no turning back.
Last fall, Wilson knew she needed a running partner to keep her accountable with her goal. After realizing this was a much harder task than before because of her increasingly faster running times, she sought the advice of Gary Johnson, Union’s men’s and women’s cross country coach.
That encounter led to her running with Audrey Hazlehurst, sophomore biology major and member of Union’s cross country team.
After seeing Wilson’s growing speed and impressive finish in the St. Jude Half Marathon last December, Johnson looked into the NCAA eligibility rules and found that because Wilson graduated from Texas A&M in three years, she had four semesters left to run for Union. Wilson, with the blessing from her husband, Lee, decided to go for it.
“It is really inspiring to have someone like Beth on our team because we can look up to her and aspire to be like that,” Hazelhurst said. “The fact that she can do all that she does and do it well just shows how solid of a woman she truly is.”
Lee Wilson would agree and said that even though it sounds cliché, he believes his wife really does embody the idea of a Proverbs 31 woman.
“It’s not necessarily that Beth has ‘arrived’ as a woman, but in context with Proverbs 31, she is well on her way to being an older woman who demonstrates diligence from sunrise to sunset and lives a life that is rich in the Gospel,” Lee Wilson said. “She is one that brings honor to the Lord, honor to me as her husband and honor to her children — that is what I believe makes her sacrifices and workload worth it.”
Wilson said that while the margins of her life are extremely narrow right now, she knows she is called to do this. Some may look at a mom of two who is going back school and training as a college athlete as one who does not have her priorities straight, but Wilson said it is just the opposite.
“I know it seems crazy for me to do it all, but Lee and I have been fortunate to have opportunities to serve in different places at different times,” Wilson said. “I looked at this opportunity and said, ‘Why not?’ — and it has turned out to be quite an experience.”
As for running with athletes who are almost 10 years younger than her, Wilson said she at first thought it was remarkable that she could keep up. But after doing some research on the benefits of running at her age, Wilson said she is in her prime as an athlete.
“Look at the great female Olympic runners — you will find that most of them are in their late 20s,” Wilson said.
Wilson said she is doing well because of the way an older runner’s body releases oxygen.
“You would think after having two kids and being 28 that I would be falling behind, but because of some scientific boost my body gives me, I am able to run better over longer distances,” Wilson said. “This allows me to be consistent in my pacing and, in the end, balances me out with the younger girls who have speed.”
Wilson said she knows her running helps in her daily life. Her husband would agree. He said he believes his wife was made to run and that it has been interesting watching her discipline for running transfer over into the domestic and spiritual sides of her life.
“Running is really important to Beth and she does not do it just to be fit or because she is obsessed with it, but because she delights in running and it is part of her enjoyment of the Lord,” Lee Wilson said. “And I see it as her holistically inhabiting her body and working in a physical way, but then also seeing that dedication transfer over into every aspect of her life.”
