Sunday Nov 4^th, 2012,  the sunshine poking through thick clouds on deep grey  morning sky made a typical autumn  day in Manhattan so peaceful. The crispy, cool and calm weather accompanied with a little  of NW wind seemed  perfect for attending any event that was big or small in the city where over 8 million of dwellers call  hometown.  For past 40 year, on a   Sunday in autumn  like Nov. 4th  this year, tens of thousands of New Yorkers as well as thousands of athletes from oversee are supposed to get together to carry on a cherished tradition - run NYC marathon. Yet this year, first time in the NYC history, such well-cherished ritual was aborted at the last minute because of devastation left by the wrath of Hurricane Sandy.

To me, the cancellation of marathon was a big letdown. After months and months of training and sweating, not mention the high expectation to break my own PR. But when the day finally arrived, it was brutally snatched away by the jaws of  furious Sandy.

People may think me as a snobbish and heartless guy who puts self-interest above the victims of Sandy, but the very truth was  just opposite. My heart  and thoughts went to the people who suffered in the storm and the aftermath. As the matter of fact, I went to Staten Island  on Nov. 4th to participate relief efforts with  my fellow Road Runner Club members  while actively raising fund for the Sandy’s  victims immediately after the super storm passed.  

The agonizing reality for many runners including me was that we felt torn between two forces in the spectrum. On one side, we believed that the cancellation was an absolutely right thing to do morally in order to preserve the sacred resources to help tens of thousands of victims get back on their feet.  Yet on the other side, we lamented that  months of trainings and sacrifices were being  practically short changed. Take me for an example,  after putting on over  3,200 miles on my legs and wearing off  two pair of running shoes,  I felt very disappointed .

Nevertheless, I learned an important lesson from the marathon cancellation:  A catastrophic occurrence gives no concerns to the day that is circled in ink and being looking forward to living through by any person on the planet. In fact, disasters don’t even care about meticulous plans,cherished moments, decorated homes, precious belongings even invaluable human lives.   

Although Hurricane Sandy ruined this year's marathon, as people often say “Every cloud has a silver lining.” I see myself to become motivated and determined than ever before, ready to run when every chance is given.