Chai, Double Chai, and Running.

Chai is a Hebrew word and symbol that means “life.” It is spelled with the Hebrew letters chet and yud. Jews will often wear a Chai on a necklace.  Chai is pronounced as if you were saying “hi” in English (as opposed to a non fat chai latte).  Judaism is a religion that emphasizes the importance of life. Jews are encouraged to be good, ethical people (often called mensches) and enjoy the time they are given on Earth. A common Jewish toast is “l’chaim!,” which means, “to life!.” Perhaps you heard it in the Black Eyed Peas song “I Gotta Feeling”?  It is said at celebrations in anticipation of all the good things to come.  Because it means “life,” the chai is consequently a symbol that captures an important aspect of Judaism. (It is tattooed on my ankle; of all of the tattoos on my ankle it was the first one that I ever got – at 18 years old.)

According to the Gematria, which is a mystical tradition that assigns a numerological value to Hebrew letters, the letters chet and yud add up to the number 18. The chet has a value of 8 and the yud has a value of 10. As a result, 18 is a popular number that represents good luck and referred to as chai. At weddings, bar mitzvahs and other events Jews often give gifts of money in multiples of 18, symbolically giving the recipient the gift of “life”.  So what in the heck does chai have to do with running?

Next week I turn 36 --- otherwise known as double chai.  Until today, I had been dreading my 36^th birthday and I really don’t know why. It is during my 36^th year, though, that I am going to run a half marathon and a full marathon.  On the path to crossing those two finish lines (as well as throughout the last 10 months) I have reclaimed my life.  Exercise, nutrition, balance, etc. has given me my life back.  OK, so I may not be the person in the photo that you expect to see next to the dictionary definition of a healthy person, but I can assure you that I am leaps and bounds above most people --- even if I may not look it.  As a result of the changes in the past ten months I am a happier and healthier person.  My life expectancy, at least related to my cardiovascular health, will in no way be cut short.  I have lost 60 pounds; I know that is no small feat and I am proud of that achievement every day.

I am not the most religious person in the world, but I am spiritual.  Liberdy (my trainer) and I were chatting about the fact that the Chicago Marathon is the day after Yom Kippur --- the holiest Jewish holiday of the year (and coincidentally a fasting holiday).  I told Liberdy that I would go to temple in Chicago but that I would not fast, and that I was sure that God would understand my reasoning.  You see, to me, exercise has become my religion and it is where I am most centered in terms of my spirituality.  Next week, on my 36^th (double chai) birthday, I will toast to MY LIFE and in anticipation of all the good things to come in the next year.  OK, so I’ll be in New York with work colleagues and clients who might think the fact that I am toasting myself is a little strange --- but hopefully I can use the birthday excuse to get out of that one.  Either way, I will start my 36^th year with a run in New York through Central Park.  Why, you ask?  Because I can ..... and on the morning of my 35th birthday I assure you that I never imagined I would be doing so a year later.