September 7, 2007
Rebekah E. Trittipoe’s “Under an Equatorial Sky”
by Jenn Joshua, RTF Staff Writer
Dangerous. Uncertain. Demanding. These words accurately describe a six-day, six-stage, jungle marathon through 250 km of rough Brazilian Amazon terrain.
Courage. Skill. Determination. These words describe the qualities a competitor would need to finish the race. Do people with this extraordinary combination still exist?
I think they do. Author Rebekah Trittipoe proves it. She never considered herself to be a runner. In fact, she didn’t even start training for the hobby until the age of 37. And that’s all it really was: a hobby.
Trained as a cardiovascular perfusionist, she only practiced running on the side, competing in various races and marathons across the states, but never considering she’d become part of an international jungle marathon!
Despite a million variables, somehow she found herself at the starting line deep in the heart of the jungle, surrounded by almost fifty other competitors who represented eleven nations. Each competitor carried six day’s worth of supplies (food, clothing, etc.) on their backs, minus their drinking water and sleeping hammocks.
Rebekah’s pack weighed approximately 22 lbs. Carrying that weight for an extended period would require skill… and an extra reservoir of strength!
From the time she trips on a root to inaugurate her passage through the jungle, to the moment she returns to “civilization”, you feel like you’re running right alongside her (minus the sweat and blisters, of course!). When she finds herself almost overcome by fatigue and nausea by Stage 3 of the race, you feel yourself loathing the oatmeal that turns her stomach too. Because of this unexpected illness, she couldn’t eat or drink anything substantial, and though she needed to consume 4000-7000 calories per day, she was forced to continue the race with her gauge practically on empty.
If that’s not courage, I don’t know what is.
Despite her weakened, dehydrated condition, she dragged herself through the following stages of the race, relentless in her pursuit of its completion, ignoring the gnawing, throbbing pains, and the sweltering humidity. Sound like determination to you?
The narrative is engaging. The words are deep. The stories are personal. Rebekah’s tale of faith and resolve can be an inspiration to all of us. I know my fortitude has been tested on a new level because of it.
If you read this book, you’ll never forget it. She says in closing, “…I know that my responsibility is to do everything to the very best of my ability, whatever that may be. Tell me I can’t do something and watch me try.”
With an attitude like that, you can go far. She already has…literally!
“In the dust of defeat, as well as in the laurels of victory, there is a glory to be found if one has done his best.” -Eric Liddell
Visit Rebekah’s website at: www.extremeultrarunning.com.
Jenn is a 16-year-old homeschool graduate whose love of writing is practically unsurpassed by any other hobby—even running. (She has to admit that the last time she tried to run a couple miles, she quit because of shin splints!) She is almost finished co-writing a sequel to Stoker’s Dracula.
Debbie says:
GREAT review!! Where do you find all these AWESOME books to read, Jenn??
Debbie
D.T. says:
^ I agree! I’m going to buy it off Amazon, I think. It looks excellent. Thanks for pointing it out to us.
Alex Dwyer says:
Another great review, Jenn! Your writing is always fun to read, and always inspiring too: both to read and to write more. I hope to be checking out this book soon. (P.S. I read “Three Men in a Boat” last weekend and really liked it. It was so funny.)
Rebekah Trittipoe says:
Jenn-
I am humbled by what you have written. Thank you for the encouragement that my story has in some way touched your life. May God be honored.