San Jose Marathon

It's officially called Dean Karnazes Silicon Valley Marathon (DKSVM) in San Jose, CA. Dean Karnazes is no less than the Ultramarathon Man and Silicon Valley is the hub of the tech world, as you all very well know. Of course, these big names names are used to attract runners to join the race.

However, I think calling it the San Jose Marathon is a name big enough to encourage more runners to sign up. After all, its namesake is St. Joseph (San Jose in Spanish), a man known for his strength and faith. And for us runners, we could learn a thing or two about him.

Remember that St. Joseph had to lead his pregnant wife Mary from Nazareth to Bethlehem, where Jesus was born. A straight line from these two points would be around 80 miles. Mary rode a donkey while Joseph walked. It is estimated that this journey back then would have taken at least 4 days.

Two Nudges During Mass

The second reading at Sunday mass today was from 2 Timothy 4:6-8, 16-18. As the title was read, my wife gave me a nudge. It was a secret nudge every time we hear a reading taken from the book of St. Timothy, which is our only child’s namesake. Unexpectedly, when verse 7 was read, my son, sitting on my other side, also gave me a nudge. The verse read:

I have competed well; I have finished the race; I kept the faith. (2 Timothy 4:7)

It was a verse alluding to running. It is one of our favorite inspirational running quotes which we first read in a tribute to Ryan Shay, a young USA Marathon Champion who collapsed and died during the Olympic Qualifying Trials in 2007.

The verse was part of St. Paul’s letters from prison to St. Timothy. Timothy was St. Paul’s trusted disciple and companion during his missionary journey. When he wrote this letter, Paul knew that his time was near. He had fought a good fight.

As runners, we know how to fight a good fight means. We know how to train hard and give it all you’ve got in a race to the finish.

So I pondered on that little nudge from my son who is seldom expressive of his feelings to me. I thought it was a sign of our bonding. It was a nudge that needed no explanation from either one of us. We both knew what it meant to us.

The letters between Sts. Paul and Timothy also spoke about their relationship. Though Paul was his mentor, Timothy provided comfort and encouragement to him during times of trial. It was a very special relationship, which ultimately, helped build the foundation of a Christian community.

So a nudge from my wife and my son, my two great sources of inspiration and comfort, on both sides, I love it!

"To not do your best is to waste the gift."

My son Timothy quoted Steve Prefontaine in his tribute to his cross country coach on his last year as coach for the school team. His coach told him to alway do his best. He has been with his coach for the last 7 years. My son started from the back of the pack to become one of the lead runners in the diocese. In his last season for cross country, he finished 6th overall out of more than 180 runners in his division. Every run, he said, he did his best for God and and for his coach.

This weekend, I have a couple of really good friends who will also be doing their best and not wasting the gift (of health, I would say).

God speed to Annabel, Barb, and Barbie who will run the Nike Women's in San Francisco, CA and Rolando who will run his first half marathon in Long Beach, CA. May your run be filled with blessings and may you find peace and joy in every mile marker you pass. Do your best and don't waste the gift! Have fun out there!

May the wind be always at your back!

Sending forth blessing to 4 friends of mine who are running races today.

To Melanie and Steve running the Urban Cow Half Marathon in Sacramento, CA and
To Annabelle and Enrique running the Rock and Roll Half in San Jose, CA.

Here's an excerpt from the traditional Irish blessing --

May the wind be always at your back! God bless!

God, can you hear me now?

I've been having difficulties in my prayer runs recently. I could't make a clear connection. Perhaps my signal was low? Dead spot? Poor reception? Antenna problems?

I'd take off for a run and so many random thoughts start to flood my head. I entertain them one at a time and even dwelling on a few of them for awhile. I catch myself allowing these thoughts to fill my head. Then I quickly go back to my praying. But just as quickly as I return to praying I drift back to thinking about another agenda in my mind.

Some of my prayer runs even start out on the wrong foot. One day after work, I took off to blow off steam. But the whole run turned out to be a bitching mind session - thinking of how angry I was and just allowing the anger to percolate. I got back home just as mad as I started and went to bed without resolving the situation. Where's the prayer now? God, can you hear me now?

Saturday I had a chance to pick a good time for a long run. It was unexpectedly a free day. My wife and I were planning to go to San Francisco to attend a whole day workshop on cancer survivorship. However, she fell sick in the morning and decided to stay at home. I stayed with her in bed until she was feeling better. Nonetheless, I found myself with a free day. After doing some work at home, I went out for my weekend long run (15 miles) in the evening.

I started out to state my intention to pray during the run as I geared up. Out on the road, the usual random thoughts started. I let them be then let them go. One by one the thoughts came in and out. However, I felt calm and felt no pressure to get rid of the distractions. I collected myself by thinking about my wife's health then asked God why. I didn't want to dwell on it so much so I quickly offer her thought to God even though I strongly felt asking God why. Then as I lifted her up in prayer I just said, "God, can you hear me now?"

This continued on throughout my run. Random thoughts in and out, then going back to God by saying, "God, can you hear me now?" Stopped at the traffic light, doing a sharp turn, running up a hill, crossing an intersection, running under a low hanging tree branch, speeding downhill, I'd say, "God, can you hear me now?"

Finally, heading home on my last 3 miles, pushing it a little harder, I felt God said to me, "I've been with you all these times. Joey, can you hear me now?" Then, my eyes, my ears, and my heart were opened. I realized I've occupied myself with my own busy-ness, dug in on my own frustration and anger, wallowed in self-pity, and actually disconnecting myself to God.

I felt comfort when I finally got back home. I immediately checked on my wife who was sound asleep. I ate some dinner for recovery then I stayed up to watch TV with my son. I went to bed last night thinking that God is always with me, waiting and listening, and also, calling me. I pray to be attuned to Him and thus ready to answer his call.