Be Watchful

During the late fall and winter season, the sun down catches me still on the road running. This is when I'm extra alert and mindful of my surroundings when I run. When it's dark on the busy roads, I can never be too careful with watching my steps and crossing the street and just being super watchful.

As we start the Christmas season, the Gospel reading on the First Sunday of Advent reminds us of the need for watchfulness. Nobody knows when the time or our time will come. So, the Gospel emphasizes the need to be prepared. And there is no better time to prepare our hearts for Christ's coming than this Christmas season.

One way you could prepare yourself is to find God's presence in everything you do. Running can help you become more mindful of God's presence. For example, while running, pray the rosary, repeat your favorite Bible verse as you breath in and out, ponder on your blessings for the days, or pray for someone you love today. And when extraneous thoughts or road hazards distract you, return to your prayerful mode - remind yourself of God's presence in everything. This is what really means to be watchful.

This Christmas, I am dedicating all my runs in prayer for you and your special intentions. I also offer my runs in loving memory of my wife who I am missing so painfully this Christmas season. You can support me by praying for me as well. And if you are so inspired, do a prayer run, too.

So, on this First Sunday of Advent, I am happy to offer you my Christmas gift of prayer...

Oxygen Debt

Breathing very, very hard and my leg muscles starting to feel fatigued, I finally reached the highest elevation of the  course after a 2 mile steep climb at 944 feet at the peak. That's an experience of oxygen debt.

It was a hilly pilgrimage run to Santa Maria Parish in Orinda, CA today. I was aware of the rugged terrain of Orinda but never set my running feet on it. So I ran and was overwhelmed by the precipitous hills. Each short hill just unfolded its steepness at each turn and every turn. I almost gave up. Although I was breathing in a lot, my body just couldn't absorb enough oxygen to keep up the demand of the uphill run.

But when your body gets tired, your spirit takes over. This is when I prayed harder and thought about the people who needed prayers. I thought about my brother who was admitted to the hospital for depression. I thought about my uncle who just passed away after struggling with lymphoma. I thought about his bereaved family. I thought about my friends who asked for prayers - for Lisa and Larissa who are training hard to complete their half-marathons and for Jay who needs the grace of health and stability at this time. I also thought and prayed for my son who is training hard to be a good basketball player for his high school team.

Before I knew it, I overcame the hills. But boy, was I breathing heavily. Thank you to the downhills at this time, they were helping me recover and "repay" my oxygen debt. But  most of all thank you, God for the strength to carry on.

Santa Maria Parish in Orinda, CA at Mile 6.2

Thank You For Running*

I did not do any Turkey Trot but I ran 12 miles today on Thanksgiving Day...in thanksgiving for my ability to run.* (So the * means something I'm thankful for.)

I didn't run for high school sports but my older brother* did. He inspired me somewhat, so I tried running but mainly for leisure. Two running experiences in the distant past are memorable - one I ran home for about 6 miles because I didn't have a ride. The other time I ran to school for 10 miles just because.

What started me running for good was 7 years ago when I needed to relieve myself from stress at work.* Before I knew it, I was ready for my first 5k. I got my wife* and son* to run, too. We ran races together as a family.* I ran 5k's and 10k's at least once a month for 8 months then I decided I was ready for my first half marathon. Five months later, I ran my first full marathon in Big Sur, CA.

Ten days from today, I will be running my 25th marathon in Sacramento, CA.

Running is a huge part of my life now. I look at my ability to run as a big blessing. I always pray that I remain healthy so I can keep running as long as I can. Recognizing it as a gift, I always remember to offer my running time in thanksgiving. In gratitude, I also do my running as a time to pray and remember other people who need prayers. Truly, I humbly take your petitions to heart and to God in prayer.

Happy Thanksgiving to All!

Let Go - A Thanksgiving Run

Let go...

Anybody who have raised a teenager knows what it means. Anybody who have lost a loved one knows what it means. Anybody who have felt defeated and frustrated knows what it means.

Letting go is accepting that a lot may happen over which you have no control. But an important quality that should go along with the capacity to let go is the belief that everything is going to be fine in God's time.  To happily let go, we need faith.

Let go and let God.

Running has taught me the exhilarating feeling of letting go, while offering my run to God in prayer provides me that feeling of peace and meaning at the end of the run. Many times I get caught up with my training goals that I forget how intuitive and fun running can be. Or that I think too much about my busy day that I forget to be thankful for the time and my ability to run.

This thanksgiving, do a "Let go and let God" run. Start out by putting aside your training log. Then as you begin to gear up for your run, say a prayer offering your run to God. From lacing your shoe to putting on your hat, thank God for everything. Then as you take off, say with a smile, "May my run be pleasing to You, O God." As you are running, repeat and ponder on the words "Let go and let God." Wave or say hello (a silent blessing) to all you meet. Appreciate the beautiful path that leads you out and back home. Then at the end, as you cool down, say a prayer of gratitude for everything God has blessed you this year. Good luck!

Happy Thanksgiving!.. and God speed!

A Gentle Nudge

Yesterday, I saw a good runner friend of mine. Aside from running, we have a lot of personal things in common. Our fathers passed away a long time ago but just one year apart from each other. Our wives celebrate the same birthday. We were married the same year. And our children belong to the same dance group. It was through our children, as a matter of fact, how we met.

Every time we see each other, we talk endlessly about running. The funny thing is that we haven't actually even ran together. The closest we have had to a running "date" was when he offered to take pictures of me running as part of his lifestyle photography collection http://www.chrislerma.com/gallery/6113152_VdNnm. My epic praying runner picture was taken by no less than my good friend.

I mentioned to him yesterday that I was having a running and writing block. Only 10 miles the last 7 days; and no new post for the last 9 days. I briefly elaborated about it while he listened attentively to me. Then we continued shop talking about running. As usual, like every time we meet, we'd never stop unless it's time to go. Before we parted ways, he told me that lately he's been inspired to pray while running and how much it's giving him clarity and peace of mind when he comes back home. He thanked me and he bid me to keep running and writing.

Today I ran and wrote this entry. Thank you, Chris, for that gentle nudge. It's just what I needed to get me going again.