Monday, September 26, 2011

Angels on Foot

"26.2 Miles of Running Heaven," pitches the Half Moon Bay International Marathon. Indeed the course boasts of a spectacular coastline view for much of the race. But I think the race is made much more heavenly by the supportive fleet of volunteers, staff, organizers, and enthusiastic race participants. I met a lot of angels on foot on this race.

"The runner with the pink rose!"
I've never felt such joy in running a marathon than HMBIM. My fellow runners were greeting me, smiling at me, giving me a thumbs up, running along with me, chatting with me, and even one runner, Sarah, crying with me. The spirit of caring was overwhelming. The beautiful people in every aid station cheered gloriously for me. They nourished me not only with water and sports drink but also with words of hope and encouragement. Knowing that I might not see the smile of these people again, I stopped by every aid station to share my story of what the pink rose is for and to show appreciation for their volunteering. I also stopped at around Mile 19 to enjoy the music of a trio and dance along. What is there to hurry when you hear beautiful music? I also promised to pray for the guitarist's mother who, I learned from him, has brain cancer. The spectators on the road also showed their good spirits, like one little boy shouted, "Here comes the runner with the pink rose!" Finally, the joy of victory at the finish line. I finished far from first place, but I definitely felt like a winner. With no less than the race director greeting me personally at the finish line, people clapping and cheering, and surrounded by the family and the high school friends of my wife who passed away from breast cancer six months ago.

I came to run this marathon to escape my grief after my wife's death; but instead, I experienced heaven and met angels on foot.

To my dearest wife, Jinky, I love you so much! I miss you terribly and how I wish you were still here to hear all about my race at Half Moon Bay. But today the pain was eased by the joy that I felt from the support of caring people I just met and from the love of your high school friends who was inspired to honor you and to do this run for you.

A pink rose for my wife
Joyfully approaching the finish line


My wife's family and friends, some of the angels on foot, in this heavenly run.

Wednesday, September 21, 2011

Friends For Life

Sometime last year, I kidded my wife, "You better get better, your friends from high school might get tired of visiting you." They come from all over the United States to spend time with her every time they hear news of her being hospitalized. They bring her favorite food, play her favorite music, do endless picture taking, and of course all night long reminiscing about their high school days in an all girls Catholic school many years ago.

In March this year, they all faithfully came again one Saturday, the 12th, to spend time with their friend. They were all in high spirits including my wife who tried to enjoy their presence. One of her friends described the day as truly heartwarming, but also heartbreaking. Not for long, my wife had to retreat to her bedroom and very somberly said, "I am getting tired now. I'm sorry I can't entertain you anymore." Six days later, she passed away. Her friends faithfully came again a few days later to bury her.

But so you think that would be the end of it. Not so fast. On Sunday, Sept. 25th, they are again coming together to celebrate her life. They will do a "Run For Jinky" at the Half Moon Bay International Marathon in California in honor and in memory of their beloved friend.

I will also be there to run along with them. I will be carrying with me a pink rose for the entire 26.2 miles...to remember my wife and all the people whose lives she has touched, especially her friends....for life even unto death.

Jinky with her high school friends, March 12, 2011.
She passed six days later.



Run for Jinky, In honor, in memory, and in prayer.
Half Moon Bay International Marathon, CA. September 25, 2011

Saturday, September 17, 2011

God's Protection

During a rather uneventful out and back run to a small town of approximately 1,500 people, I experienced God's protection. Byron, CA is a farm town southeast of booming Brentwood City. However, it has an old Catholic church established in the 1880's, St. Anne's. St. Anne's is memorable to me because my wife and I got lost for an hour looking for this church. When she was still alive, we went around visiting different parishes doing pulpit talks to invite married couples to attend a Marriage Encounter Weekend.

So today I planned to cover 14.4 miles in all.  Going 7.2 to St. Anne's church and 7.2 back to where I parked my car. I mapped my route carefully to make sure I don't lose my way and to see what road and neighborhood conditions to expect. The last time I drove to Byron was about 7 years ago so the way to St. Anne's is totally unfamiliar.

I headed out running at around seven in the morning. I appreciated the cool gentle headwind. Moreover, I enjoyed traversing the pancake flat asphalt roads. The run to St. Anne's was easy as pie.  I would even say it was a boring run except for the noise of the passing cars, trucks, and trailers and the sight of the busy farm workers. So it was rather uneventful until around Mile 10 on my way back. I was praying the rosary and I was at the 4th Glorious mystery when I passed a gated house. I could already hear barking sounds as I got closer to the house, when I saw a big dog dashing across the front yard. I wasn't worried since I saw the cyclone wire fencing the perimeter of the house. The dog kept running towards me and then it slipped through a small opening and out the street towards me. The next moment the dog was right in front of me! Without hesitation, I jumped off the sidewalk and ran across the road and in front of a passing car. I barely got hit by the car!

I kept running for a few moments then I looked back. The dog was nowhere to be seen and the car simply sped off.  Trying to recall what just had happened, I realized that the dog actually stopped on its tracks about 5 feet just before it could've attacked me and the car screeched to a stop about 5 yards just before it could've hit me. For some reason, I actually felt safe and protected. And I think I know why...I was praying the rosary at that time. I honestly believe God sent his angels to save me today.

I went on my way to finish my run and continued to pray the rosary. I am blessed today to have receive God's special protection.

St. Anne's Catholic Church, Byron, CA at Mile 7.2

God's Protection

During a rather uneventful out and back run around a small town of approximately 1,500 people, I experienced God's protection. Byron, CA is a farm town southeast of booming Brentwood City. However, it has an old Catholic church established in the 1880's, St. Anne's. St. Anne's is memorable to me because my wife and I got lost for an hour looking for this church. When she was healthier, we went around visiting different parishes doing pulpit talks to invite married couples to attend a Marriage Encounter Weekend.

So today I planned to cover 14.4 miles in all.  Going 7.2 to St. Anne's church and 7.2 back to where I parked my car. I mapped my route carefully to make sure I don't lose my way and to see what road and neighborhood conditions to expect. The last time I drove to Byron was about 7 years ago so the way to St. Anne's would be totally unfamiliar.

I headed out at 7 in the morning. I appreciated the cool gentle headwind. Moreover, I enjoyed traversing the pancake flat asphalt roads. The run to St. Anne's was easy as pie.  I would even say it was boring run except for the noise of the passing cars, trucks, and trailers and the sight of the busy farm workers. So it was rather uneventful until around Mile 10 on my way back. I was praying the rosary and I was at the 4th Glorious mystery when I passed a gated house. I could already hear barking sounds as I got closer to the house, when I saw the dog dashing across the front yard. I wasn't worried since I saw the chicken wire fencing the perimeter of the house. The dog kept running towards me and then it slipped through a small opening and out the street towards me. The next moment the dog was right in front of me! Without hesitation, I jumped off the sidewalk and ran across the road and in front of a passing car. I barely got hit by the car!

I kept running for a few moments then I looked back. The dog was nowhere to be seen and the car simply sped off.  Trying to recall what just had happened, at the last moment, I realized that the dog actually stopped on its tracks about 5 feet just before it could've attacked me and the car screeched to a stop about 5 yards just before it could've hit me. For some reason, I actually felt safe and protected. And I think I know why...I was praying the rosary. I honestly believe God sent his angels to save me today.

I went on my way to finish my run and continued to pray the rosary. I am blessed today to have receive God's special protection.

St. Anne's Catholic Church, Byron, CA at Mile 7.2

Wednesday, September 14, 2011

Finding God

Today was another long day for me. It's been pretty stressful at work lately. And going home to rest in an empty bed at night doesn't help. I've been longing for my wife's comforting presence especially during these times.

When I went out for a run after work today, I felt the need to find God. As I headed west to a trail running towards the setting sun, I murmured to myself, "God, where are you?" I repeated the question in a rhythm with my slow start up pace. As I went on and picked up the pace, I felt myself wanting to raise my hands in arms and scream, "God, where are you?!"

Just as I was about to do that, I closed my eyes very briefly and took a big, deep breath; then exhaled. I did it again; then again, until I was starting to pay attention to my breathing. I stopped my ranting and found myself calming down and getting into a more comfortable running pace. As I focused on my breathing in and out, in and out, in and out -- two words came to my mind.  "Make room."  I repeated the words as I ran -- one word for every breath in and air out. "Make room."

Then from the quiet trail I was on I came out on a busy street on my way back. But those words lingered on as I  ran along the hustle and bustle of that road..."Make room." Finally I made my way to my neighborhood and it became quiet again.

I was finding God in my run today. But ironically, He found me. The truth is that He's always by me; but He wants me to make room for Him, most especially when life gets busy and hectic. Make room. God is always waiting for us to let Him in.

Sunday, September 11, 2011

9.11 Miles

9.11 Miles on 9/11.

It has made me think the end purpose of my running. I watched the ceremonies at Ground Zero on TV while running on the treadmill. All the speeches and scenes, especially of the victims, were a picture of love, faith, and hope. These were the answers to the incomprehensibility of the events on 9/11. Why?

I asked myself  a similar question as I ran. What is my running for when the world seemed to have stopped since 9/11. I was about to leave it unanswered until I learned on TV that a few of the firefighters who climbed back up the Towers to save more people were runners, marathoners, athletes. Their running was not in vain.  All the miles they ran helped them to use their stamina, speed, and ability to think on the run when they were needed the most - to save lives.

I'm not a first responder, but as a runner, I can also save lives. The ultimate end of my running is to bring people back to God. That by my praying and running can also allow people to see that there is still love, faith, and hope in the world in spite of the tragedies that befall our lives.

To Kevin and Durell, who lost their lives on 9/11, special prayer intentions from John D, and to all victims and heroes, I honored and remembered you in my prayer run today.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Worth Running For

Today's run was tough. I think I got a little conservative with my hydration and it was warm - in the high 80's halfway through. Towards the end, I got queasy and crampy. I struggled to complete the 18.5 miles but I did. I was dead tired when I got to my destination. There was one thing that got me though - it was praying the rosary and thinking about all the prayer intentions that were requested.

"Unless a grain of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains just a grain of wheat; but if it dies, it produces much fruit." (John 12:24). I shared this verse to my nephew-in-law who was devastated when he found out that my wife had only a few days to live. He saw action in Iraq but couldn't accept that his aunt was dying. Trying to to look for strength and answers myself, I was inspired to share this verse to him.

Like my wife who realized that her suffering was all worth it, I kept running and praying hard to complete the course. Praying for all your intentions and dying to self was all worth it. May this run be pleasing to God. And may He look upon all our prayers with His infinite mercy and compassion. Amen.

St. John Vianney Catholic Church, Walnut Creek, CA at Mile 5.4

St. Francis of Assisi Parish, Concord, CA at Mile 10.1

St. Agnes Catholic Church, Concord, CA at Mile 14.2

Monday, September 5, 2011

Run and Not Grow Weary


































Today was a 14-miler with a tough 1.5 mile hill. I prayed the rosary as I went up the steep road. I moved one foot in front of the other repeatedly as I recited the Hail Mary for each bead. The early morning sun was shining on me directly as if to lead me on to the top of the hill. Like a messenger with a mission, I kept going so I could bring the prayer requests to God. Then finally I crossed the hill and continued on to St. Bonaventure's Catholic Church at Mile 11.75 to stop and pray.

For Brian's wife diagnosed with breast cancer and running her first half-marathon today, for Y-ME (breast cancer support group) in Illinois, for Agnes who is undergoing a mastectomy, for Carmela who has Ewing's carcinoma, and for Vanessa's father who was recently diagnosed of prostrate cancer. May God bring them comfort and mercy at their time of need. Give them hope and strengthen their faith as they come to You to ask for your healing love.

My run today was also a trip down memory lane. A somewhat painful nostalgia of the place where my wife and young son used to live and places we went to. I longed for my wife after the run, wanting to tell her all about where I went. But I know she's gone so I moved on with the thought that she was with me today every step of the way.

St. Bonaventure's Catholic Church in Clayton CA at Mile 11.75

Saturday, September 3, 2011

May My Run Be Pleasing to God

A change of plan for today's run.  Instead of going to Half Moon Bay, CA, I stayed local to do my prayer run.  The plan is to run to Good Shepherd Catholic Church in Pittsburg, CA at 10.3 miles then head back home. Doing so, a friend of mine, Jim was able to run and pray with me for the first 2.5 miles.

So we started off at 5:45 a.m.  It was still dark outside but that's how I liked it. It will be a long journey of 20 miles for me so I wanted to be back before it gets sunny and warmer. It's going to be in the high 90's today. Nonetheless it was a beautiful day to go out and pray.  I saw the break of dawn as I climbed up a hilly road.  It reminded me of one saying, "The darkest hour is just before dawn." I run today to offer to God requests of prayers from friends and strangers alike. And the prayer requests are not for their own, but for their loved ones. Many healing stories happen because of the faith of the people who prayed for their sick.  Dear God, I run today to represent the people who came to you to beg for your compassion for their sick. I run for them.  But not I, Lord.  But my faith.  May it be pleasing to you O God.

For a friend's cousin undergoing chemo treatments for cancer of the uterus, for her twin cousins born with Down's Syndrome and one is undergoing surgery, for her fiance's sister-in-law who underwent brain surgery last year and has tumors in the abdomen, and who is 13 weeks pregnant. For my friend's wife diagnosed with cavernous hemangioma in the brain. For a friend's friend who has Stage 4 cancer. For a friend's sister whose disease has not been accurately diagnosed, but is similar to MS, for the last 20 years. For clynn78's friend's mom who has terminal brain cancer. For cam2run's former mother-in-law who has Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (RMSF). For a friend's mom who will undergo a cataract surgery. For my wife's friend who was diagnosed with Stage 3 Breast Cancer and will undergo matectomy on the 6th.  For my wife's cousin who was recently diagnosed of breast cancer. For a friend's aunt who has dementia, and her brother who will undergo knee surgery. For my friend's young daughter who has Type II diabetes. For my friend suffering from  arthritis. For my sister-in-law who was recently operated on for tumor-like cells.  And finally for my friend Jim who ran with me today, his father has Stage 4 rectal cancer.

A runner, Sambehr from Thailand, is joining me in this prayer run.  My dear readers, please pray for these people, too, whether you're a runner, a cyclist, a swimmer, a mother, a father, a student.  Offer what you do for God's greater glory.

Continue to send me your prayer requests and I will offer them in prayer when I do my prayer runs.  "I will not rest until I rest in Thee."  This is what I give my life for since my wife died of metastatic breast cancer. Her story http://www.prayingrunner.com/2011/03/she-has-crossed-finish-line.html.

Good Shepherd Catholic Church, Pittsburg CA at Mile 10.3