+ The glory of God is the Living Person

It is a beautiful day. Every Living Person seems excited as well as nervous when they gather before the cathedral. We pray and take a group picture. It is a time to put ourselves into action after a four-month training. To me, it is my 7^th marathon and 5^th Cleveland Marathon.

For this race, the half and full marathons were sold out which means it is really crowded. When the race starts at 7am, I realize that I am not able to move forward. The mob carries me over two miles, which takes away at least three minutes from me. Let’s do math. My goal to break three hours for a full marathon needs under the pace of 7 minutes per mile. Since I lose three to four minutes at the beginning that is about 240 seconds, I have to recover more than 10 seconds per mile throughout the rest of the race, which means I have to run under 6:50 minutes per mile. As I pass the half marathon point (13.1 mile), my clock time says 1:34:35.

To be worse, the wind blows against the runners although the lakeshore course is strategically placed the miles between 13 and 19, in which the runners still have energy to run against the wind. But I wish the wind help me. When I get to the 21-mile point, St. Clare Avenue stretches long before me. I really enjoy running those two and half miles, pushing me to speed up. However, the East 40^th street and Euclid seem too long after St. Clare. From the experiences of running the Boston and New York Marathons last year, I expect more cheers from spectators, which substantially helps runners who usually rely on mental strength after 21 miles. However, the Clevelanders look not much motivated.

Anyway, running a marathon is like praying because although a person prays alone, and yet he/she is connected to the spirit of others. So I recall my prayer partners, Sr. Paul and Jesus. The last two miles are hard enough to deepen my prayer. When I get into the Lakeside, I see the finish line. The long journey is about to end. I push myself harder. Crossing the finish line, I make a sign of cross. It is 3:07:58.

Since the Boston, it is my third three-hour-and-seven-minute record. This time seems an unbreakable barrier that I keep trying to jump over. But I feel good regardless of my time. I know that I have to keep going because I have a commitment to say the Sunday school mass at 11:30am at St. Andrew Kim.

What a great day for a runner to be a man for others!

Click here to see more pictures of the Living Person!

Arriving in Boston, I thought, ‘I am here at last!’ It took me four years to be qualified for the Boston Marathon. My last record in 2008 Cleveland Marathon was 3:14:03—just 57 seconds away from the cut-off!

I was a little tired because of the hectic duties during the Holy Week and Easter along with the final preparation for the world’s oldest marathon. However, as soon as I met old friends in Boston, my tiredness was gone. They welcomed me with open arms, helping me pick up the bid number (6609) and drove me through the course which was helpful to plan the race. Above all, having spaghetti and meatball with the good friends at Dr. Ahn’s home was the happiest moment because I was with the family.

It was snowy and 30 degree outside.

I looked at the sky; blue peeked out sometimes.

In Rocky River Metropark, I started running.

Not many people were around; it was quiet and peaceful.

Sun gloriously shined upon me.

I ran like a deer, swiftly moving through snow and ice water, roughly breathing with white smokes.

The battle was over in one hour and twenty one minutes.

Sweating and panting, my heart was filled with joy of feeling alive.

Praise God all the times! 

I just run if someone asks why I run. "What would I do if I don't run?", often I think.

But if you insist, I have some reasons to run. First it was an inevitable choice to survive in America the country of individuals. I used to play soccer-its real name is football-in the Korean Seminary. It was a communal event that I loved. When I got here in the United States, however, I couldn't find any communal activity besides basketball once a week which had more tension than fun. So I started running for exercise.

Second, running itself is an excellent workout that not only challenges but also makes me grow. Running is spiritual. In order to be a good runner, you have to be diligent. You have to show up in the time when you plan regardless of so many possible excuses. If you are consistent, you will see some progress. Nevertheless, it can't be done one day or one month to run a full marathon. It simply takes lots of time and commitment. It is like a prayer.

Third, I feel my mission in running. God would ask me to do something greater than my ability not to be satisfied with my spontaneous ability. He rather demands me to grow through persistent efforts and stretching myself. It is sometimes hard, but more often I feel the guidance of the Lord. I can tell, "I can do everything through him who gives me strength" (Phil 4:13).

Why do I run? Come and run with me.