I started running to recharge myself when I feel stressed. After a few months, I signed up for my first race, a 5k in Napa, CA in March 2004. After that I just got hooked. I registered for every race I found, until I ran my first full marathon in beautiful Big Sur,CA in April 2005. My running story took a special turn in June 2006 when my wife's breast cancer recurred and metastasized after 6 years when she was first diagnosed in February 2000.
One day, I returned home from a run and I went straight to my wife's bedside. She was feeling weak but was happy to see me. She asked me where I've been and I told her I went for a run and prayed for her. She thanked me and told me the next time I run to pray for other people as well. On March 18, 2011, my wife passed away. Read my tribute to my wife "She Has Crossed the Finish Line" on http://www.prayingrunner.com/2011/03/she-has-crossed-finish-line.html. I continued to run marathons in her memory, carrying a pink rose in her honor. Running helped me get through my grieving and led me to a healthy way to heal.
Now I run to celebrate life. I run not only to stay fit, but also to inspire health and healing, be positive and encouraging, and to believe in oneself that you can be the best that you can be when you set your heart and mind into it.
I find my best in running and it permeates into all aspects in my life. I have set myself a goal of completing 50 full marathons (26.2 miles or 42 kilometers) by age 50. I have 2 years to go and I've completed 42 full marathons. My personal best time is 3:52 set in California International Marathon (CIM) in December 2008 in Sacramento. The number of marathons may be the goal but the journey towards it is just as fulfilling as reaching that goal. You can check out my running log at my Daily Mile Training Website http://www.dailymile.com/people/50by50 .
This blog http://www.prayingrunner.com/ is a journal of my reflections, thoughts, prayers, and running and health tips to inspire people from all "runs" of life. It is aimed to raise and rally prayers for people in need because God hears and answers prayers of the many. Praying can be done as you run, walk, or do any exercise as long as you have that intention to offer your activity to God. Hopefully, this website can also motivate readers to start a healthy and active lifestyle by taking on running. Running is one of the best cardiovascular workouts and one of the simplest to do. Hope to see you on the road! God speed!
One day, I returned home from a run and I went straight to my wife's bedside. She was feeling weak but was happy to see me. She asked me where I've been and I told her I went for a run and prayed for her. She thanked me and told me the next time I run to pray for other people as well. On March 18, 2011, my wife passed away. Read my tribute to my wife "She Has Crossed the Finish Line" on http://www.prayingrunner.com/2011/03/she-has-crossed-finish-line.html. I continued to run marathons in her memory, carrying a pink rose in her honor. Running helped me get through my grieving and led me to a healthy way to heal.
Now I run to celebrate life. I run not only to stay fit, but also to inspire health and healing, be positive and encouraging, and to believe in oneself that you can be the best that you can be when you set your heart and mind into it.
This blog http://www.prayingrunner.com/ is a journal of my reflections, thoughts, prayers, and running and health tips to inspire people from all "runs" of life. It is aimed to raise and rally prayers for people in need because God hears and answers prayers of the many. Praying can be done as you run, walk, or do any exercise as long as you have that intention to offer your activity to God. Hopefully, this website can also motivate readers to start a healthy and active lifestyle by taking on running. Running is one of the best cardiovascular workouts and one of the simplest to do. Hope to see you on the road! God speed!