For all my Jewish friends I am pleased to offer you a Tzedakah opportunity before Yom Kippur…Get in the points. Non-Jewish friends do it anyway… Giving to charity feels good.
I am running the New York Marathon on behalf of the Familial Dysautonomia Foundation. It is a great charity to support.
Long run 20 miles! I did it! I felt good throughout the run. During my long run, I listen to some 1980-decade tunes that helped keep me on pace.
I had plenty of snacks to nibble on. My favorite go-to snacks are strawberry licorice and peanut butter cookies. It was a great run and a confidence booster. The New York Marathon is six weeks away. Wow!
My body seems to be very aware that I am in peak training. A week before my long run, I backed off on cross-training to listen to my body.
I did not do much swimming, strength training, or running. I wanted my body to be well-rested before the big long run.
Also, my strategy for surviving 20 miles was to take this long run easy and slow. I followed the Jeff Galloway training plan.
After my long run, I swim for half an hour. It felt good to get the blood flowing around the muscles.
Sunday is Yom Kippur. Gmar Chatima Tovah
Good final sealing in the Book of Life.
It is a solemn fast day, during which Jews pray, seek forgiveness, and have a fresh start with God and their fellows.
I am feeling a lot of gratitude. I am so grateful to be here, in this moment. This year, I want to become the best version of myself and find new ways to do so. I am very hopeful and blessed. We also remember our deceased loved ones this holiday. Let’s light a candle in memory of all of them.
As I was running, I decided to think about all the blessings in my life. Some are running-related, and some are not.
I decided to make a list. Here are 50.
1 The beauty of the evening stars and moon
2 The beauty of a sunset and sunrise.
3 Beauty in trees, flowers plants
4 The beauty of the four seasons. Autumn, Winter, Spring Summer
5 My 4 dogs
6 Loving Spouse
7 Family, Friends, relatives, children, extended family
8 Health
9 Good medical doctors
10 Medicine
11 New people that I met this past year.
12 New congregation; been there for two
years.
13 Continuing education at my shul
14 My backyard, pool, house, bed
15 My spouse’s parents and my parents are still living. All 4 are alive and well
16 Less fighting with spouse… laughing…. he only gets on my nerves 10 percent
17 Barbell Class
17 Swimming
18 Our grandchildren being born
19 My hair salon
20 My dark hair and eyes
21 Good self-image
22 Plenty of food
23 Miltary/ freedom
24 All jobs, for example, doctor, nurse, teacher, trades plumber, etc….
25 Running sugar snacks/ Gatorade
26 Being able to see each mile on a Garmin go by slowly as I run
27 Being able to do nutty things like run 20 miles
28 As I run, I am extra aware of my heart rate, aching muscles, and fatigue.
29 Music
30 Running T-shirts and Medals
31 Running Portapotties
32 Running Community Kindness
33 Road races
34 Being able to sing as I run, so I know my heart rate is not too high
35 Emts, Fire Department, Police Department that keeps the roads safe
36 Water station Volunteers at races and spectators
37 The body can repair muscles after a hard workout
38 Gratitude that Yom Kippur is coming, and I can wipe the slate clean and start fresh.
39 opportunities to change myself this year
40 I can make mistakes and start again
41 forgiveness
42 Gift of remembrance
43 spouse having a steady paycheck
44 rainbows
45 vacations
46 football
47 clean house
48 Gift of life
49 quiet moments
50 Hopefully, my fate will be sealed for goodness in the coming year.”
Here is the link to donate
Middle Age Slow Runner Robin's Running Stories 