So survived anther LA Marathon. This time I had two JLA people running with me. BenceOrlai, and Hershel Mcnabb. Both did better time than I. I am very proud ow them. For all the details on how I did, click here.
Last week I gave 10 general reasons for why I think that a Marathon is a good thing, for the runners, for he audience, and for the entire city. Check out my last posting.
I want to share with you a couple of my many personal observations on the Marathon.
Observation #1 I believe that the Marathon is unique in that it is an accomplishment that (almost) everyone can do, yet all those who haven't, believe that it is not in their realm of possibility. What this means is that those who finish running the marathon, truly feel that they have done the impossible. This explains why people get very emotional when they cross the finish line. Therefore, finishing the marathon sends the runner (and only the runner) the clear messege that almost anything is possible.
Observation #2 There are a number of qualities that are necessary to complete a marathon. All of them good qualities to posses:
Planning: Everything about the marathon is planned, months in advance. The training is very methodical. One must experiment with the food & drink during the run. When injuries pop up, they need to be dealt with. Proper gear needs to be tried out. No planning, no marathon!
Perseverance: There are setbacks. And the process is long.
No pain no gain. This is a direct quote from Ethics of our Fathers (PirkeiAvot).
Humility: You have to know your place. You reach for too much too fast, and you will crash and burn.
There are so many more things to write about. G-d willing, next year.
One more thing. A couple of years ago, Tzippy's brother, Peretz, a Chabad Rabbi in Boston, decided to run the marathon. I helped him get ready for it, and he did great. This year he is planning to run with a number of students. Turns out the NY Times found out about him. Click here to see it.
The LA Marathon is scheduled for this Memorial Day weekend, and knowing that many will kvetch and moan about the traffic closures, I would like to offer 10 reasons why I believe that both running and supporting the LA Marathon is not only fun and exciting, but a Mitzvah (good-deed).
I have always been aware of the first 2 reasons given below. But I only learnt about the other 8 while I ran my very first marathon.
1.The LA Marathon inspires people to be healthy: There is no local event that inspires more people to take their health more seriously. Out of the millions who will notice the runners, whether from their cars, or from their homes, many will say to themselves: “I will probably never run 26.2 miles, but I can and should start exercising a little.” I had to lose 30lb. and stop smoking to get the job done. A healthier person is a more productive person, and more productive people are good for LA.
2.The LA Marathon makes people happier: In addition to getting into shape, and inspiring others to do so, we all know that regular exercise makes you happy. A happy person is a better person. (Who would you rather work with, or be married to?)
3.The LA Marathon creates jobs: Jobs are good.
4.The LA Marathon generates revenue for LA: We can all agree that this is a better way to generate revenue for LA than the alternative, i.e. raising taxes.
5.The LA Marathon encourages volunteering: Over 10,000 volunteers join the LA marathon, giving people an opportunity to give unconditionally.
6.The LA Marathon enables people to inspire others: Every marathon runner has countless relatives and friends who are inspired by their effort. As an elderly and physically disabled student of mine once said: “Eyal, if you can run 26.2 miles, then I can take a walk around the block.”
7.The LA Marathon motivates people to transcend their limitations: In addition to the runners, there is also a Wheelchair and a Hand Cycle race. Seeing these guys go inspires everyone, including the marathon runners.
8.The LA Marathon fosters unity: There is a level of unity that is achieved during the Marathon that cannot be duplicated in any other type of get-together. Whites, African Americans, Hispanics, Asians, men, women etc. are all in the same boat, running together, in perfect harmony. I will never forget seeing people pick up perfect strangers off the floor, and helping them to the finish line. Why? Because when we are of one purpose, no one is left behind.
9.The LA Marathonallows us to experience our diverse neighborhoods: The LA Marathon takes one to places in LA they would otherwise never go, nay, to places they never knew existed. This is why I am thrilled that the marathon was switched to the old rout, taking us initially through poorer neighborhoods. I am sure I am not alone in saying that I enjoyed running in the poorer neighborhoods more than the rich ones. The smiles on the kids’ faces are impossible to forget. And I have never high-fived so many little kids in my entire life.
10.The LA Marathon helps our kids: Lastly, if you still have doubts about whether the street closures are worth it, I urge you to pay close attention to the runners, and you will notice hundreds of teenage boys and girls wearing matching shirts. These are kids enrolled in “Students Run L.A.,” a group whose mission is “to challenge at-risk secondary students to experience the benefits of goal-setting, character development, adult mentoring and improved health by providing them with a truly life-changing experience: The training for and completion of the Los Angeles Marathon.” (Taken from their website srla.org.) These kids, and their mentors, are heroes.
This year the LA Marathon occurs in the Jewish month of Iyar. This has great significance for me personally and in Jewish tradition.
There is an old tradition that claims that “Iyar” in Hebrew is an acronym for the words: “I am the Lord, your healer” (Ani Hashem Rof’echa”). Iyar is a time of healing, both physical and spiritual. Furthermore, the sign for the month is an Ox, a symbol of physical strength (exercise). The month of Iyar is also the month Jews thank G-d for their Barley and Wheat (a marathoners’ staple diet: Carbs). The city of LA couldn’t pick a better month for the Marathon. A month that is infused with healing energy for both body and soul So this is a month one should really think about regular exercise, and a proper diet.
There are two things one needs to complete a marathon: a. Good legs, b. A Healthy heart. So exactly four years after my dad injured his legs in a rocket attack from the Gaza Strip, and 8 years after my mother was blessed with a new heart, I very much look forward to running my 4th LA Marathon. With every step I take of those 26.2 rough and treacherous miles, I will be thanking G-d for my healthy legs and heart.
Eyal was born in Israel in 1973 and moved to Los Angeles at the age of 9. After discovering his passion for Judaism, he studied at various Torah academies on the East and West coasts. At age 24, he began teaching Torah classes as a hobby. Since then, Eyal has developed an array of classes on topics related to Judaism and has lectured all over the U.S. He specializes in explaining Judaism to the uninitiated. Eyal is currently working on a book entitled, "Who Really Wrote the Bible?" When he is not working or spending time with his family, Eyal enjoys running marathons, playing guitar, and boxing.
