Why Do I Run? A Story of Five Outings

Yesterday's blog entry did not meet my goal of 100 words per day, but, despite the small number of words, I found it very useful.  And, I spent a good bit of my short run thinking about it.  So, I think it is still in the spirit of writing each day with spiritual and well-being reflections.

In any case, my next entry won't be reflecting back on Sunday's homily but will also be about running.  My last five runs nicely capture why I do this.

Friday--8 miles that were only a means to an end.  Each goal is like a project.  Especially going into a business school in which people discuss operations, I think of completing each race like completing a project.  The 8 miles I ran last Friday were simply an input into "project completion".  Nothing more. Nothing less.

Saturday--variation and socialization.  I ran at three very different paces.  And the middle stretch was over conversation with friends.  Combining socializing and exercise--always a winner.

Sunday--how far can I push myself and exploring new routes.  This was the last 14 of 40 miles in three days.  Could I do it?  Could I do it at the same pace I'd run Friday and Saturday?  And could I do it on a course I'd never run exactly before?  All fun things.

Wednesday--after two days off it was all about reawakening.  Using my legs again.  Getting up and getting out and letting my legs stretch and push and feel the ground beneath them making contact over and over again.  Just the joy and wonder of running.

Today--speed.  My fastest 4x1600 in a long, long time.  Just how fast can I push myself.  Can I get faster?  How many times can I do it over and over again?

I know that some people think that running is a boring sport.  I think that running offers such a wide variety of great experiences that I could never consider it boring.

These are the reasons I run. 

Another running haiku

After two days rest
Warmer. Driz'ling. Quiet four. 
Found peace in nature. 

Sunday's Homily Part 2: The Most Important Part of the Last Supper for the Apostles Mission

Yesterday, I commented on how the priest at mass on Sunday pointed out that the only person to whom Jesus ever made a promise that he would join Jesus in paradise was the thief crucified by his side.  Interestingly, while all the Gospels mention the two others, only Luke tells the story of the repetent thief, who in other Gospels was identified as a revolutionary.  In any case, Fr. Sam made another interesting comment.  He suggested that for the apostles mission the most important part of the  Last Supper was not so much the breaking of the bread and wine but the washing of the feet.  I had to stop and ponder that for a moment.  Clearly, the Eucharist is central to our belief system.  The interpretation fo the Eucharist sets the Catholic church apart from some of our Christian counterparts.  But the key here was that the Catholic priest said the initiation of the Eucharist at the last supper was not the most important part.  Instead, the sign of service to others was the most important part.  That is consistent with a world view that Fr. Sam has expressed many times.  Jesus's concern for the poor.  The concern that we should all have for the less fortunate.  It was just amazing to me to hear that a priest would call this the most important aspect of the last supper.  And, if I accept this thesis, what it says about how I should lead my life and what may or may not be key in thinking about tradeoffs between various aspects of the way I practice my faith.  

Interesting Observation from Father Sam

Last night, as on most Sunday evenings, I attended and played in the worship band at the St. Pius X 5:30 PM mass.  During his homily he made several interesting observations that I will spend some time over the next few days focused on.  But one of the most profound observations he made was this.  Last night's reading was not Luke 23:33-43 (it was about the Transfiguration), but Father Sam made a reference to it.  He pointed out that the penitent thief who said "Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom" was the only person to whom Jesus ever promised joining him in Paradise (verses 42 and 43).  

This moved me for two reasons.  First, in the "traditional contemporary choir" for years at Palm Sunday mass they have sung a tune that has nothing but those words.  It is haunting.  And even after 7 years of playing with and attending a mass with a much different musical style, I still find that the song can completely capture my attention and imagination.

Second, it is amazing to think about to whom Jesus made this promise.  It was not to any of his apostles.  It was not to his Mother.  It was not to his earthly father.  It was not to Lazarus or Mary Magdalene, any other person he crossed paths with in his earthly life.  It was to a thief who asked for forgiveness at the last possible moment. Father Sam pointed out that this is the main theme of Lent--sincere repentance and the rewards it can bring.  Not that we should steal, of course, but that repentance for whatever our sins is a key.  Lent is a great time to prepare.  

Blessings of the Day

The fact that I can go out on the third day of three relatively long distances (8, 18, and 14 miles) on a hilly course I have not run before and pull my third day in a row of 8 minute/mile average miles over a total of 40 miles.  I felt God's grace this morning differently than on another recent Sunday when I "just" ran 6.  Today it was about getting me out there, keeping me going, and helping me to feel stronger and stronger with each mile.  It is an incredible feeling.  Some may simply describe it as what happens naturally as the legs get loosened up on day 3 of a series of days like this.  Maybe.  But I prefer to believe there is something divine that guides me and blesses me each time I go out to prove myself and to share with the world the wonderful and amazing and incredible experiences I have.  

Many Blessings

A Facebook post from Charm City Run this morning.  The store had put up a quote from Kara Goucher and commented that sometimes the best runs are when you clear your mind and appreciate the simple things in life for you which you thankful.  So throughout the day, I thought about what I was thankful for:

• Being able to get up at 4:25 and feel confident that by 5:05, I'd be out and starting an 18 mile run around Baltimore that I had no doubt I could finish.
• Being able to run the first 7 miles at a sub-7:40 pace feeling safe through all types of neighborhoods running from the Lake Walker neighborhood to the north side of Patterson Park.
• Having friends willing to meet me at 6 AM to run 6 miles with me before running even more (16 more in at least one person's case).  We had a great 6 mile run with conversation the whole way running to the Canton waterfront, over to Harbor East, and up to Penn Station.
• Being able to finish the last 5 mostly uphill miles alone feeling strong.
• Having a family who liked the banana vanilla buttermilk pancakes I whipped up when I got home.
• Having a wife I enjoyed spending the hour of my eight year old's last hockey game with.
• Having great leftovers for lunch.
• Having a son also into basketball.
• Having a wife who found something she wanted to do--going to a high end craft festival--and my being able to facilitate her getting there.
• Having an eight year old who loves to grocery shop with me.
• Having two boys who could help me to prepare an amazing dinner including Italian rolls and a wonderful Italian chicken dish.
• Having the time to pick up my wife to make her commute back from the craft festival as easy as possible.
• Enjoying a lovely dinner with our one son who had not fallen asleep before dinner with a nice Chardonnay complimenting the food.
• Being ready to take on the world again tomorrow.

Hope everyone is having a great weekend. 

First Letter from Peter

Today's first reading for the Catholic church mass is 1 Peter 5:1-4--his advice to presbyters.  As I read it, I thought it would not only be good advice for presbyters but for anyone asked to lead.  Such simple things too.  Oversee willingly--do my job because I want to.  Don't do it for profit but eagerly. Well, sometimes the pay from leadership positions is nice, but I should do it not just because of the money but because I truly love and believe in what I am doing. Be an example--that is one of the keys to any for of leadership.  The whole "do as I say, not as I do" idea never really works.  Good advice for early leaders of the church. Good advice for me as a leader today. Something for us all to ponder.