THE RUNNER-WRITER CHALLENGE
I was challenged. Every day for ten days, select a day from a life of running that has had an impact on me or has been a memorable moment. This challenge originated on Facebook, but because some people do not use social media, and because that particular website may be disbanded and thrown into the trash heap of history some time down the road, I thought I would include each of my ten days here, for posterity.
Chapter One: Day 1
One of my great joys is running with my sister, Debbi Meyer. Whether it is in the hills of Maui; or through Central Park; or up and around Topanga Canyon; or down the California coast; or through the streets of DTLA; or over and under a sea of mud in the Inland Empire; those are some of my favorite memories.
We spend that time discussing life — our own and our kids’. Those runs and those conversations provide context to the moments we shared and we missed growing up together — but sometimes so very differently — in our family home.
I would not trade those days for anything, and that is why on the first day of my challenge, I nominated Debbi Meyer.
Chapter Two: Day 2
There are few days in all the thousands that I have gone running that mean more to me than Thanksgiving, 2015. Sure, I ran with my sister, and my kids, and my friends, but it was watching my brother-in-law, Stu, cross the finish line after everything he had been through, after everything he endured. He came out of those mountains and crossed the finish line literally on the other side…
It brought tears to my eyes that day, and four years later, the emotions of that moment are just as raw.
Chapter Three: Day 3
Running with friends is a true pleasure. Running with friends and their kid — passing the baton (so to speak) to the next generation — is what it is all about.
So when Steven Cohen told me we would be running the New Orleans Jazz Half Marathon for his son’s bar mitzvah, I couldn’t book my tickets fast enough. What an incredible weekend with friends who are like family; music; food; gators; beignets; and children lost on Bourbon Street. But it was that early morning jaunt — 13.1 miles to be exact — through the Big Easy that will always be embedded in my memory, and my legs.
Chapter Four: Day 4
Every time I am in New York, I run Central Park. It is one of my favorite places to go, and I never tire of it. But two years ago, I was in town for two nights, and staying in SoHo. My youngest, who at the time was obsessed with Hamilton, begged me to go to Trinity Church and visit ol’ Alex’s grave. Since Central Park was very far north, and Trinity Church was within reach, I headed south…in the snow.
I had never (and have not since) run in the snow, and it was an incredible experience. It makes me want to move to Colorado and spend a winter training. We don’t do that in SoCal.
This was a very cool loop to the tip of the island and back again. Manhattan is a very special place to visit, and allows for unlimited running possibilities.
Chapter Five: Day 5
In Judaism we have a concept called l’dor vador, which in essence means from generation to generation.
Because I am a runner, I have done my best to pass this along to my children — with varying degrees of success. But, because of our relationship, my kids will often willingly participate in various races, if for no other reason than just to hang out with me.
I loved this Color Run back in 2017 because I ran the whole thing with my youngest, while the two older kids ran together. We all met at the finish line, tired, dirty, and happy. Their mom wasn’t a runner, but she did enjoy her exercise. I cannot help but think how proud she would be/is of them working together and humoring their dad on these early weekend mornings.
I included this day in honor of the memory of Samantha Freedman.
Chapter Six: Day 6
They say you are lucky if you can have a few friends from each phase of your life. Do that, and your life should be full.
But, how lucky are you if you have one friend who has been with you for nearly every phase of your life? From religious school, to middle school, to high school, to college, and now well beyond. This friend encouraged me to run, and inspired/cajoled me to do my first half marathon. I thought I might die that day, and I thought I might kill her around mile 11, but her smiling face and amazing spirit got me to the finish line — where the picture below was taken.
We have been friends for nearly forty years, and she still inspires me to this day. And as a testament to that friendship, we will run another half marathon together in a few months. I have included this race to say “thank you” (and “damn you”) for helping make me a runner!
Chapter Seven: Day 7
I never thought I would coach my son’s baseball team; I was totally content being a dad in the stands. But at some point, I was thrust into duty, and am so grateful for the experience. I had the good fortune of coaching alongside two great guys, one of whom became a sometimes running partner.
But the morning that we ran with our team in support and in memory of young man who lost his life way too soon stands as a very special day in my running life.
Not all of these kids continued to run, but all were touched and impacted by the cause that day. And, as parents and coaches, that is all we can really ask.
Chapter Eight: Day 8
I had been running for about ten years when a friend said she wanted to run a half marathon for her 40th birthday. I thought that was a great idea. But the very next day, I was invited to participate in the Nautical Malibu Triathlon, which was scheduled to take place a few weeks before my 40th birthday. That seemed like a worthy challenge.
I bought a bike and a swim cap and got to training. The last leg — the running — was an afterthought. That is, until I had to bang out four miles after the swim and the ride.
Crossing that finish line with my dad and my kids there to cheer me on was one of my great athletic moments. I have done many triathlons since then, but the first will always have a special place in my heart.
Chapter Nine: Day 9
I ran a lot in 2019 — just under 200 times. At some point late in the summer, I checked my stats and saw that if I paced myself just right, I could achieve a PR for miles in a year. On December 19th, I reached that goal. I finished the year with 829 miles, and am not sure if that is a PR I will ever beat. But, no matter.
I was nominated for this writing challenge by a dear friend, but my writing about running can be a challenge to anyone who is thinking about tying their laces and going for a “yog”. You can do it. And you will happy that you did.
Chapter Ten: Day 10
On January 1st I celebrated my 16-year running anniversary. I started on New Year’s Day, 2004, as an excuse to buy an iPod Shuffle. It is impossible to count how many times or how many miles I have run since that day, but one thing is for certain: I am glad I started.
In 2019, I ran in four countries, eight states (if you count my brief turn in Arkansas), and at least 20 cities. But all of that is a warmup for 2020.
On November 1st I plan to check something off my running bucket list: The New York City Marathon. I am daunted and nervous, but ready to try. Who would have thought that 16 years ago, when I ran for 90 seconds and then walked for 60, that this goal would be within reach?
But running has changed my life in so many ways. This challenge, sitting at my computer every night for a week and a half and really thinking about running, has been an amazing trip down memory lane, and a great reminder of the pains of aging.
I remember being at a party many years ago and someone called me a “runner”, and I demurred. I didn’t think of myself as one at that point. Well, I do today, and that makes me proud. So, as long as my feet, knees, and hips will let me, I will put on my sneakers, hit the pavement, and put one foot in front of the other.
As Dean Karnazes once said: “Running is about finding your inner peace, and so is a life well lived.”
Thank you Ali Kamen for yet again challenging me to complete this endeavor. I hope everyone else who participated finds it as gratifying as I did.
