Palos Verde Half Marathon, Palos Verde, California, May 2, 2009

43rd Running of this event (the second longest running marathon event in the United States)

Race Number 26

I flew into LA for the Palos Verde Half Marathon excitedly anticipating my stay with my dear Uncle Joe and Aunt Louise in Encino. Visiting them is always very special. My uncle and aunt are self-made multimillionaires who have worked very hard to get to a comfortable spot in their late seventies and early eighties. You can get lost in their home just wandering around. The upstairs “game room” is particularly interesting. Why? Because it really is a game room, meaning BIG GAME, of the likes of bear, lion, moose, elk, deer, boar, ducks, geese, etc. There are no mice or gophers. They are not “big” enough for a Big Game Room and quite frankly would not sustain the gun shot of the Joseph family’s arsenal.

When I am with my Uncle Joe and Aunt Louise, I always leave edified and inspired. Uncle Joe has battled heart issues and Aunt Louise is holding her own against failing eyesight. What always blesses me when I am around them is their love for their family and an appreciation for life and the years, months, days and even minutes that they have “notched.” They take each day as God’s gift to them and their faith sustains their positive and gracious attitudes and temperaments.

In a half marathon, success is all about shaving seconds off the time it takes to complete the journey. In life, it’s all about s-t-r-e-t-c-h-i-n-g time and appreciating the distance between each breath, something I did not appreciate until I was reminded of it being in the presence of my Aunt and Uncle, who have both struggled for those breaths at one time or another. They breathe and live, they breathe and love, and most importantly, they breathe and bless.

I ran this race not even close to being prepared for it. I signed up on a whim. I did not think I would clock a good time (surprise, surprise) but I realized that I ran this race because I can right now. That is how my Aunt and Uncle have done it over the years. Because they can! I could surely do the same especially after feeling sorry for myself the last few months (see previous entry).

So thank you Uncle Joe and Aunt Louise for reminding me that I need to view the distance in a half marathon in hours and seconds and that each breath is precious. Thank you for reminding me to view life, as you have, in years, days and hours (and seconds even), and realize, it is a gift from our wonderful and caring Lord! Also, thank you for all the great food and fellowship with my extended Lebanese family. I think the lamb, grape leaves, hummus, oatmeal cookies and Marie Callendar pies powered me to a very respectable time. Please tell Loretta and Jennifer to leave me alone (USC BRATS!).

Time: WOW! 2:16:32. Not bad for an old guy with an inflamed heart, poopy training for the last two months and a diet of Lebanese food the night before! Maybe that medication is not as bad as I thought! Or…. Maybe it was that sea air filling my lungs again. Gosh, I miss my beloved Pacific ocean.

Prayer List: Miles 1 & 2: Karen Prichard, our special education teacher at JA in our first eight years. Karen has multiple health issues, the latest being breast cancer. Miles 3 & 4: The Rubenking family. Kevin passed away a week ago. The memorial service started as I crossed the finish line. Miles 5 & 6: Samantha Norton, recovering from removal of her colon at the tender age of 13. Sam has been in my school since Kindergarten. Miles 7 & 8: Alexis Munier, just because she is my granddaughter. What a precious child. Miles 9-13: My Uncle Joe and Aunt Louise, who I love so dearly and they always feed me very, very well. ;-)