Friday, December 2, 2011

Praying For You

Running California International Marathon (CIM) this Sunday, December 4th  is special.  It will be my 25th marathon. It's one of the running destinations where my wife, son, and I started a tradition. It's one of the marathon races I've encouraged a few friends to run a marathon. It's the marathon I ran before my wife passed away.

As a tradition, we hear Mass at the Cathedral of the Blessed Sacrament in Downtown Sacramento.  A very beautiful church which I always look forward to going the eve of the marathon. Then, I enjoy the evening with a dinner with runner friends - a few of them I'm happy to say I introduced to marathon running. Last year, I ran CIM with a heavy heart. My wife's condition was not getting any better. Three months later, she passed after a long battle with breast cancer. A lot of people prayed with me as I ran that race in her honor.

This year, I'm running this race in her memory. Along with a few others who I'm offering this run for - my friend Chris's mom who just passed away today. Also in memory of Reynaldo Santos. To Tess P., who is fighting ovarian cancer. To Fred V., who was diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma. To my brother who is in the hospital.

To two running friends, Lisa A. and Larissa O., who trained hard for months on end. They will run in the St. Jude Memphis Marathon on Saturday. It will be their first half-marathon. God speed to both of you! Thank you, too, for remembering my wife in your prayers as you run.  Also, to my friend Alvin, who is running 50 mile North Face Challenge also on Saturday. Alvin ran with me in the San Francisco Marathon the whole way to support me during my grieving.

A few more prayer intentions as I run - for Sara N. who is going through RCIA and also will be running the Half Marathon in Walnut Creek; and to my son who devotes his basketball games in memory of his mom.

You can still send me your prayer intentions which I will bring with me as I run CIM in prayer. If you are running this weekend, too, join me in spirit of prayer.

In memory of my wife.
I will be running with a pink rose in hand
during the CIM 2011 in Sacramento, CA

2 comments:

  1. God speed to you Sir Joey! Thank you for keeping my Mom in your prayers. I am reminded by these verses in Isaiah 40:31, "those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint." May the Lord renew your strength each mile you run.

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  2. Thank you, Kathy. Please pray for me that I will "run and not grow weary," spiritually and physically.

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