Post edited 8:14 pm - November 1, 2009 by saintstephen
Post edited 5:25 am - November 2, 2009 by saintstephen
Post edited 5:38 am - November 2, 2009 by saintstephen

noelfitz said:

This evening on the TV I saw Meb Keflizigh winning the NY marathon. He was the first American to win it since 1982. It was uplifting to see him make the sign of the cross when he crossed the finishing line.

Noel, I believe I see where you are going with this post as I read from Saint Paul: Do you not know that the runners in the stadium all run in the race, but only one wins the prize? Run so as to win.Every athlete exercises discipline in every way. They do it to win a perishable crown, but we an imperishable one.Thus I do not run aimlessly; I do not fight as if I were shadowboxing.No, I drive my body and train it, for fear that, after having preached to others, I myself should be disqualified.

I do not know if Meb could outrun Alvina in a Catholic race to the finish line which is our Eternal Reward and a Crown of Glory.

I am still looking to see if he is Catholic to make the sign of the Cross. Do you have any Catholic information on him? There is no doubt that he can run like Forrest Gump. Here is what I found so far:

From East Africa, the birthplace of humanity, comes one of the most inspiring American stories in recent memory. If you were a spectator along the marathon course in Athens during the 2004 Olympics, you may agree that a Hermes-esque champion sped out of the shadows of his countrymen to secure a place in history. As the silver medal winner for the United States of America, Mebrahtom Keflezighi (pronounced Kef-lez-ghee), not only inspired awe in the sport, but he also attracted new fans around the globe as he accepted his award in front of millions of viewers. Seventy days later, Meb would stun the track and field world again by finishing second in the prestigious ING New York City marathon—a feat last achieved by an American in 1993. After years of racking up honors, Meb has vaulted himself and his truly encouraging story into the international spotlight.

Considered “the top US distance runner from 10 km to the marathon” by USA Track & Field, Meb has been astonishing coaches ever since he ran a 5:20 mile in junior high to earn an “A” in physical education. While an undergraduate at University of California-Los Angeles (UCLA) Meb won four NCAA titles in one year: NCAA Cross Country Championship, Indoor 5,000 meters Championship, and double NCAA victories in the 5000 and the 10,000 meters Outdoor Championships in 1997. His accomplishments have earned him the title as “The Greatest Distance Runner in UCLA History.”

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS
source: http://www.usatf.org

* 2005 ING NYC Marathon 3rd place
* 2004 Olympic Marathon Silver Medallist
* 2004 ING NYC Marathon Runner-Up
* 2000, 2004 Olympic Trials 10,000m champion
* 2004 Marathon Olympic Trials runner-up
* 12th in 10,000m at 2000 Olympics
* 3-time U.S. 10,000m champ (2000, ’02, ’04)
* 2-time USA 12km XC champ (’01, ’02 )
* 3-time U.S. 15 km champ (’01, ’02, ’04)
* 4-time NCAA champion
* American 10,000m record holder
* Olympic Trials 10,000m record holder
* U.S. Championships 10,000m record holder

Post edited 11:09 am - November 2, 2009 by saintstephen
Post edited 11:10 am - November 2, 2009 by saintstephen
Post edited 11:27 am - November 2, 2009 by saintstephen

noelfitz said:

SS. I not:
Olympic silver medalist Meb Keflezighi of Mammoth Lakes and San Diego, Calif., wed his fiancée Yordanos Asgedom, last Saturday in Tampa, Fla., at Christ the King Catholic Church (http://www.letsrun.com/2005/mebmarried.php).

Noel, You most certainly stumbled upon a true winner, both a Catholic and a Marathon Race Winner. And to realize that all this was made known by a simple hand gesture that Meb made in the Sign of the Cross over his head and heart.

I have the Mission Statement from Christ the King which invites us to walk, not run in the Marathon:

http://www.ctk-tampa.org/

Mission Statement

The parish community of Christ the King believes its mission is to first live and then proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ. We are committed to the nurturing of our spiritual life through the sacraments, prayer, scripture, and the practice of the principles of Biblical Stewardship as our way of life.

We invite you to be one of us in our Pilgrim Walk. We cannot expect to achieve perfection overnight. However, if we are willing and accept the challenges of this mission and way of life, we will not be disappointed. The grace of God is with us.

[Apparently Meb “is not satisfied with mediocrity” as we all were urged by our dearly beloved and now departed Pope John Paul II. I am so happy to see Catholics who take the Magistrate of the Catholic Church seriously and actually live their lives from the Teaching Authority of the Word and the Word made Flesh.]

“Good one, Skippy!” as Crocodile [Mick] Dundee would say.

RUN TO THE FINISH LINE IN PEACE THROUGH CHRIST OUR LORD. AMEN