On October 10, 2010, I ran the Chicago Marathon, one of the major marathons in the world. It has been inspiring many through 10-10-10 advertisement. To me, Chicago is my last major marathon in US after Boston and New York in 2009. On Saturday, I flew to Chicago and found myself in the starting line on the Sunday early morning. The crowds thunderingly cheered at 7:30am as the runners ran forward to the city. I have never been to Chicago that has many gourmet restaurants, historical places and political power-Mr. Obama. Somehow, Chicago becomes Japan the country that I have never been although I have traveled almost 30 countries around the world. It is very close and yet heart feels distance.

Running through the city with big spectators is always fun. I immersed myself to the spirit of human waves, enjoying different faces of Chicago. Since I was in the corral A, I ran out with fast runners and made my first mile under 7 minutes. I was happy to have a strong start. I kept a under-7-minute pace and passed the half (13.1 miles) in the time of 1:30:08. If I had kept the pace, I would have made sub-three that has been my ultimate goal to achieve. A pacemaker holding a 3:00 picket was running with me. I felt good and was able to keep the pace until 21 miles where I felt exhaustion and heat. The temperature went up quickly and the sun started blazing. I significantly slowed down after 21 miles, feeling pain on my left foot. Nevertheless, I had to keep going, saying to me, "Use your arms; breathe, breathe!" It is the fundamental that made me not to be lost along the way. Knowing that I could or needed to stop at any point was a scary thought, so my baby step-one step at a time-with using arms and taking breath was critical.

I knew that I could break my personal record (3:07:35) in Boston 2009 if I stayed on. It was a long five miles in which I practiced the basic over and over. I prayed and listened to the song, pushing myself one step by one step. Running closer to the finish line, I saw thousand spectators disappeared and I ran in a quiet slow motion. I passed the line and made the sign of the cross. The race was over: 3:05:26. The baby step with the fundamental won. It was a happy moment to see the time that I have spent two years to reduce only two minutes. But it was worth.

In the city of fever, I feel the spirit of runners and spectators with the heat. At the same time, my fever for the greater race grows ever more.

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. 

Dear Prospective Runners,

We would like to invite you to join the Living Person 7 @ JCU.

We are a group of students and FSA at John Carroll University and also JCU alumni and friends who will run the Cleveland Marathon on May 15 (Sunday), 2011-one week before the commencement.

St. Irenaeus says, "The glory of God is the living person!"

So by running the marathon, we glorify God's name through our body.

For this year to commemorate the 125th anniversary of John Carroll University, our goal is to have 125 runners and raise $12,500. We plan to raise funds through sponsorship and activities and to donate the funds to support the children in Fatima Family Center, Cleveland and in Madagascar, Africa. This money in the past has allowed the children to have good meals in Thanksgiving and to feed the homeless and the poor children in slums in Madagascar.

You can choose a 10K, half or full marathon and, if you register before Jan. 7, you could save $20 for the registration fee and get a promotional gift for full marathoners. Once you register and let us know that you want to be a Living Person, we will give your own number of Living Person 7 and a cool JCU running jersey as well.

Running a marathon would be a great accomplishment in your life, especially for the seniorsbefore the graduation. We will help you train, run the race and become a part of one human family. No previous running experience is needed. Only the goal of running your own race and raising money for those in need and praising God through our running. All are welcome. 

Core Team: Jimmy Menkhaus ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), Talyor Monus ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), Tom Reilley ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), Nick Polk ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), Joe Monroe ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ), Fr. H.Paul Kim ( This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. )

Click to see the Living Person 6 @ JCU

Click to register the Cleveland Marathon

We the Living Person have trained for the Cleveland Marathon on May 16, 2010.

Now it is a time to run and to be men and women for others!

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