Today is a rest day. As Fridays should be.

I’ve gotten several running related emails today. One was about the PF Chang’s Rock & Roll Marathon & Half-Marathon in January, offering a sweepstakes for entry fee, lodging, food, VIP stuff, etc. Don’t worry, I entered.

The second one I got was a very touching and thoughtful email. My first half-marathon was put on by the folks at Everyone Runs, Everyone Walks in Tucson a couple of years ago. Email as follows:

“Dear Friends of Everyone Runs, Everyone Walks:

Yesterday I watched a story on CNN about depression among the unemployed and how exercise somewhat helps to alleviate the low feelings.  With that in mind, I would like to extend an invitation to up to 25 unemployed people to run or walk at no charge in our September 26 Catalina State Park Trail Run.  Simply send me an email to _____, and I will respond to the first 25 with a free entry.  Please don’t be shy.  I really want to do this for you and our community in this unfortunate time.”

Really, I am so touched by this. How absolutely wonderful of them to realize entry fees can be prohibitively expensive!

(If you are in the Tucson area, unemployed, and actually want the email address to ask for this, please let me know).