The 20MR Episode 33: Christmas run

Welcome to Episode 33. Join me as we go home to Wallace for Christmas, meet with the family and enjoy a windy 12 mile run the day after. I share some information about the run and the landmarks of the area, as well as an encounter with a very large bird, a Blue Heron.

We go through the same area that almost brought disaster 30 years ago during a horrific storm. It has been that long since I've run in that part of town. The dogs were out, but thankfully they were all either restrained or friendly. Once again, I am thinking of purchasing a hydration belt, but need your input on which one might be the best. Let me know your thoughts if you would. It would come in especially handy as we begin to get into the meat of the longer runs leading up to the marathon.

I share a marathon training update--so far so good. At this point, I am on track, but the real heart of the training is still just ahead. I do not want to get into the marathon without being fully ready. If you have run a marathon, please send me an email on your experience so that I can learn from it and also share your insights with other listeners.

There are also a couple of very short segments included from my family's Christmas dinner, as well as my sister sharing the recipe for Hungarian Goulash. If you've never had it, check out the recipe and let me know how you like it. It was one of my father's specialties and the first time I had eaten any in many years.

We close by talking about New Year's resolutions. While I don't make any personally, I do trust that your running goals and life's desires come true in 2010. I look forward to sharing with you in the months to come and appreciate you listening. Let me hear from you.

And as always,
Thanks for sharing some of the road with me,
The 20 Minute Runner

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Links mentioned in this episode

Runner's World magazine

Running Times magazine

The Writer magazine

American Heritage magazine

Samaritan's Purse

The photo above is courtesy of PhotoXpress.

The music heard in the body of the podcast is entitled “The Long Goodbye," by Wendy Wall. Check it out at Music Alley.

The music heard in the body of the podcast is entitled “The Christmas Song," by Calvin Owens. Check it out at Music Alley.

The opening and closing music heard in each podcast is entitled “Point of No Return” by Roger Subirana and is the title cut of the album. Check it out at Jamendo.com

Precious Days

I lost a person that I truly considered my friend this past week. She was in her early 60s and had been combating health issues for quite some time. Her heart and kidneys just could not take it any more. She died at home and was found by her daughter, her husband and their two small children. The oldest, a girl less than four years old commented: “Is Nana with Jesus now?” Her mother responded in the affirmative.

As I got up to run today, my mind went back to the passing of this dear lady. Although she was not able to run, she did live an active life—as active as you can lead when health is declining. She enjoyed her family, especially her two grandchildren. At the funeral, my friend who conducted the service commented in many different ways how much family meant to Sheryl. She had recorded her most memorable moments in a book for that purpose and passed it on to her only child, Heather. What a treasure that book has surely become. While it relates memories of early days at home, I am sure it also affirms her love for her family she now leaves behind.

We never know when this day will be our last. Death is not a respecter of persons. While the young seldom think about it—very little anyway—death will come to each of us. That makes each day worth so much. You never know when the last hug, or laugh, or sacred memory will occur. Take time to live life to the fullest, loving family, making memories and taking advantage of the day.

That is one reason I run: because it may be the last time I can get out and feel the ground racing under my feet as I tread on this earth. While it is easy to think I have many more runs in the future, I honestly do not know. And neither do you. When you feel like you would rather just stay in and not experience the exhilaration of the early morning, or the dawning of a new day, or the beautiful setting of the sun, remind yourself, “This could be the last run I take.” I ran this morning because I could. Lord willing, I will run many more mornings because I can. May I never forget what a privilege it is to move.

I will miss Sheryl and my thoughts and prayers go out to Heather and the family. But each run I take will be dedicated in a small way to her memory. She could not run here on earth, but I know she is running now. Take advantage of these precious days.

Thanks for sharing some of the road with me,
The 20-Minute Runner