The spirituality of running
One of the strongest moments of my day is when I get out of bed in the morning. As I rise, I smile and offer a prayer of praise lifting up the day to God. This may sound simple, but as an athlete, this habit really helps me to stay focused from then on after. Later, I go and get a cup of coffee and then continue my personal prayer with morning meditation. My spiritual life is also exercised in my daily holy hour, and in the morning and evening prayer we say together as a community.
A huge part of our spirituality as Paulines is the specific devotion we have to Jesus as the Way, Truth and Life. It’s all about relationship. I think all relationships in life are keys to building the most important one: God’s relationship with each one of us. It seems to me that if I really pay attention to what God is trying to say to me, what “He’s putting in my way” so that I fall over it or jump into it with a, “Whoa! Okay, I’m listening,” kind of response, then I got it. Life just flows when I keep my mind and heart open and am connected to this most important relationship.
As a Catholic, and as an athlete for Christ, other habits or practices that I’ve cultivated are self-discipline, “portion control,” and balance of mind, body and spirit through running. Yes, running can be a spiritual practice. For me, it’s a way of harnessing whatever in me is seen as restless and throwing it to the wind, literally. In the movie, “Chariots of Fire,” the Olympic champion has a great line about running. He says, “When I run, I feel God’s delight.” I wonder if any of you, my fellow athletes, can resonate with that line? Or, for the non-athletic, I’m sure there is some pastime that you do that brings you to feel or sense God’s delight for you.
Last year I ran my first marathon, the Aloha Run. I had always wanted to do a marathon, and the Aloha Run was perfect with its diocesan vocational witness aspect to it. At the same time however, I found out that my dad had esophagus cancer and was going through treatments. As I couldn’t be with him, I turned to the Lord and offered up my running for his recovery. As I pounded away at the miles along Nimitz Highway I prayed for him and offered up many other intentions as well. With the wind against my face and the sun shining down, I knew I was connected with God. He was listening and blessed my every step.
Daughter of St. Paul Sister Irene Regina Hoernschemeyer was inducted in the St. Mary’s University in San Antonio Rattler Athletics Hall of Fame in 1994 for her outstanding athletic performance in college basketball before entering the convent. She has been professed a religious 26 years. Her current place of ministry is Pauline Books and Media in downtown Honolulu. Someday she would like to be involved with the organization Catholic Athletes for Christ.
