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

https://tinyurl.com/4cwk2wtx