Yesterday my wife and I were talking about leaving 2023 and hoping to experience a much better 2024. This past year was incredibly difficult on both of us, with my cancer diagnosis (and eventual prostatectomy in November) and her returning to work full-time to support our family. I’m so thankful for her and Gabriel, as they’ve encouraged me daily to deal with the challenges and changes this unwanted intruder has presented in our life. Hopefully the remainder of 2024 (and beyond) will continue to yield favorable results regarding my health!

Which brings me to today, January 1, 2024. About a year or two ago, my son Gabriel challenged me to run a marathon. At that time, he might as well have challenged me to hitchhike to the moon! There was no conceivable way I thought I could run that distance again, especially not with my 62 year-old body that has completed 4 previous marathons, four years of 40 minutes per game of college basketball, and three incidences of severely sprained ankles, with arthritis increasingly setting in with the passing of each day!

Post-surgery instructions from my Doctor limited me to walking for 30 days, and this morning, while walking on the treadmill, and with the results I’ve experienced over the past month, it occurred to me that I could engage in and accomplish what Gabriel challenged me to do, but I’m tempering my expectations and only going to do the 2024 San Francisco Half-Marathon (The Bridge Half, July 28th). 

Why the San Francisco Marathon? It was the first one that I completed in 1985, and it was supposed to be my fifth in 1994 (I dropped out at mile 9 as I was the driver for 6 guys from Los Angeles, and I told them we’d drive back to L.A. down Hwy 1 along the coast, and the last thing I needed was to feel weary with all of those switchbacks!). Marissa was born later that year in November, and as I recall, my focus was also on Leslie and the growing of our family, which meant greater focus on family and fewer training runs for me. While I didn’t complete the 1994 Marathon, I certainly enjoyed the other blessings that came my way that year!

So participating in the 2024 SF Marathon has a special meaning to me, and it presents a few goals I’d like to focus on this year (and a few words of encouragement to you). First, my goal is to finish what I started, even if it’s been 30 years in the making. I realized it’s never too late to remember, refocus and recover what’s important and meaningful, no matter what age you happen to be! My encouragement to you is if there’s something that remains incomplete, unfinished or undone in your life, then let me encourage you to consider what you can do to complete your goal(s).

Second, this challenge presents me with the opportunity to focus on getting and remaining healthy, in a number of domains in my life (spiritual, emotional, physical, relational, etc). There’s nothing like receiving the news that you have a life-altering disease that delivers a wake-up call and calls into question what are you going to do with your life and the remaining time you have, especially when each day isn’t promised. I know one thing, I don’t know what I would have done if I didn’t have the love and support of my family (nuclear and extended family!). My encouragement for you is to consider how you’re living your life, and to consider making worthwhile, necessary and purposeful changes today that you and those you love will deeply enjoy and prove to be of benefit to you all.

Finally, San Francisco has always been a favorite place in my life. It was were I had my first Youth Ministry position out of college (1983 – 85), and the children and teens I worked with then are among the friendships that I treasure today. Having the opportunity to live in a world-class city that was a frequent destination of travelers from around the world didn’t hurt too! Here, if you’re able, my encouragement is to visit people and places that have inspired and shaped you, and have given you the resounding message that you and your life has meaning and purpose. Also, if you’re able, plan on spending this time with your loved ones, as I plan to do with Leslie and Gabriel, while also engaging in activities that are just as meaningful to them as well.

Thanks for allowing me to share how 2024 is starting for me. I’ll keep you posted regarding how 2024 is unfolding, and among other places, I’ll see you in the gym in Texas and in San Francisco in July! May God bless you and your life this year! Enjoy the slideshow!