Why We Run

Editor's note: When I asked her about topics for Tapestry articles, Suzy Lurie realized that her passion, distance running, was a wellspring of relational stories, some of which are between congregants. She contacted 8 other Bet Shalom runners to add their stories to hers. Their themes of relationships, stress management, fitness and health, and spirituality make for fascinating and inspiring reading. -EB

Suzy Lurie:

Anyone who has had even a brief conversation with me in the past two years knows what I’ve been up to: RUNNING!  Stress management during the pandemic led me to jogging… which made me wonder if I could run a 5K.  When I did that, I wondered, “What’s next?” Cut to me crossing the finish line at the Mankato Marathon in October 2021 and going to sleep at night dreaming of trail ultra-marathons. With a few successful ultras under my running belt, I’m currently processing the heartbreak of timing out at mile 48 of the Minnesota Voyageur 50 — a beastly 50 mile trek from Carlton to Duluth and back.

For a person who sometimes takes the path of least resistance, I’ve been surprised by the depths of my  determination to keep running. When I thought winter was the end, I bought waterproof shoes and a balaclava. If it was above zero (or below), I ran. When it got hot in the summer, I pushed my runs to 5:00 am if I needed to go long. I bought salt and electrolyte tabs, recovery powders and gu pouches. Every running habit I thought I’d never adopt eventually became part of my life.

At first my journey was solitary; no group runs or races. But Bet Shalom was always close to my rapidly beating heart via my earbuds. I listened to audio books for my Religious School book club, episodes of the “Rabbi to Rabbi” podcast and high holidays sermons. Later I realized I wasn't alone here in my enthusiasm for running. The more I talked about my running plans, the more I found that I  could barely swing a finisher medal around in Bet Shalom without hitting another marathoner!

I connected with members of Bet Shalom’s running community to ask, “Why do you run?” Their responses bolster me in my endeavors. Running has brought so much positive energy, strength and community into my life. Chazak, chazak, v'nitchazeik. Be strong, be strong, and we will strengthen one another. I know now, and I think I always knew, that even If I’m running by myself, I’m not running alone.

Orly Vardeny:
Running feeds my soul in several ways, and whether I’m running solo or with others, helps keep me sane. When I run alone, I am present in the moment, I focus on my breathing, and I am grateful for my body’s ability to carry me forward. Running with others has led to some of the most meaningful relationships I’ve had, and I cherish the bonding that occurs during a run and when training for a race. When I run in the morning, I’m happier the rest of the day. If I run in the afternoon or evening, my worries and frustrations from the day are erased.

Carrie Bloomfield:

I began running 21 years ago to manage grief from loss, and I continued to run because I treasured the special friendships that I made and I enjoyed racing. I love running and being outside and connecting with nature. I also do some of my best thinking while out on a run. I have run 6 marathons and many halfs. Unfortunately, the last couple of years have looked different for me due to recurrent injuries.

Julia Roston:

I played various sports in my childhood, but it wasn't until recently that I decided to become a runner. A co-worker was training for a half marathon and I thought "I wonder if I'd be able to run a half marathon?" So in the summer of 2021 I trained with my uncle's help and ran my first half marathon! I listened to a podcast explaining that the way humans look today is because our ape-like ancestors needed to run long distances to hunt and scavenge. Our bodies were literally made to run. This lit a fire under me to see just how far I could push my body, so I jumped straight into training to run a full marathon. I'm not going to lie, IT IS HARD. This October, I ran the Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon. Running not only allows me to stay in shape physically, but it has helped me mentally. Running is a medicine for the mind, body, and spirit.

Amanda Goodman:

Why do I run? I usually say, “It makes me feel like I’m still a kid.”  I began running in childhood on the beach as a toddler and later on a team in 7th grade. When I run, I’m connected to that little girl. Sometimes my job and my role as a mother are so consuming that I forget about the other parts of myself. Running instantly connects me to the real “me” in a way no other hobby or self-care ritual can. I’ve made so many friends through running (like Suzy), and the stories and laughs shared through the miles on long runs are so precious to me. When I’m running I feel strong, hopeful, free, and connected to myself. Plus you get potato chips after every race!

Helen Gunther:

I ran in college to stay in shape for my main sport, tennis. Indoor tennis was quite expensive in NY State, so I ran in the off-season. In my sophomore year the college started a women’s track team, so I had more structure to my runs. It wasn’t that I was fast, but back then women’s sports were in their infancy, so the track team just needed bodies… and track started after tennis season.

After college I ran to stay in shape, mostly doing 5K’s and 10K’s. When I moved to MN I was playing so much tennis that I developed knee problems, so I stopped running. But in 1998 my husband Steve and I decided to start doing triathlons, so I needed to start running again. I mostly did sprint races; no long distance running for me.

I joined the running club at Lifetime Fitness Chanhassen and eventually made a lasting Bet Shalom connection! One Saturday morning Carol and Steve Donen showed up to run with the group. Somehow Carol and I figured out that we were both members of Bet Shalom; she had personally called me as a volunteer one year for Bet Shalom to wish me a Happy New Year. We ran together many times and became friends. Then Carol invited my family and me over for Passover Seder! I have no family here, so the opportunity to go to the Donen’s for Seder meant a lot to me. I look forward to spending Seder with them every year, and now they're including my grandson!  And we always sit together for High Holy Day services and go out to lunch together after Rosh Hashanah Services. My husband Steve Gunther and Steve Donen continue to run together regularly.

My running has been limited this year because I hurt my other knee. But getting out to run even a little bit clears my head and helps keep me in good shape for everything else I do.

Carol Donen:

Running has been about relationships for Steve and me.  We were introduced to running by a friend and have been part of running groups through the years.  Our relationships in these groups led us to travel for many  races.  We did a marathon in Vietnam with one group while we were living in Hong Kong.  Both of our daughters run and do triathlons, and we have done a number of races all together, building stronger family relationships.  I no longer run because of too many aches and pains, but fortunately the relationships continue!

Steve Donen: I run for life as running and long distance events like triathlons keep me in reasonable health as I also like to eat.  So eating, running and life go together well.

Cantor Tamar Havilio:  Running with Angels

When I was 13 years old I had a lower back injury from a minor diving accident; I was told that I should never run again, but I could swim and slowly get back into biking.  I swam a lot in high school, and when I was studying theater at the University of Iowa I started jogging by the Iowa river.  I felt strong and slowly went from a mile jog to 3 miles running all over a very hilly campus. I always felt a sense of awe as I ran when I could feel my heart beat and muscles move… it was magical and holy. 

I started saying morning prayers and “talking with God” as I ran in Jerusalem, Israel when I was a first year cantorial student.  I would run up and around the walls of the Old City and hear church bells and the Muslim call to prayer.  I called out prayers of gratefulness and prayers for peace in my head as I ran. 

I continued my cantorial studies at HUC in NY. I started a running class in Central Park and was with runners from all over the city.   Each time I ran I felt a sense of holiness and grounding that connected me to both the ground beneath my feet and the heavens above.  I remember thinking one day in the park that there were angels with me all around. In fact one day when I was running alone and felt pretty vulnerable, another woman started running right beside me and asked me to run with her.  She was my angel that day. Now I always feel a deep sense of connection with fellow runners in each city I visit, my feet taking me to many places that nothing else can.  I ran two NYC marathons, many 10 K’s and more.  I was told I should never run, and now I truly believe in the holiness of running and faith. Thank you God, for the ability to run, one step at a time, feeling my breath and my heart beat.  Thank you for giving us life and allowing us to run with the angels who seem to be dancing in the wind and laughing with the leaves.