December 30, 2022
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One day. Just one more day. One day to go…
For a long time, the better part of a decade (at least), I had entertained the idea of running every single day for an entire year. In most years, I rationalized that it was a bad idea. I figured it would become burdensome. I figured it would get in the way of everything else I was trying to accomplish.
Some years I thought the idea was just plain stupid.
Continue reading “364 Means Just One More”
On December 11, 2022, I delivered the following sermon at Grace United Methodist Church in Wyckoff, NJ
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I’ll begin my sermon today by sharing some names that are out-of-date and out of season both in the holiday sense and in the sense of the sporting world.
I promise this will all come together…
Eventually.
Continue reading “Pinch-Hitting for Christ”
I am thrilled to share this excerpt from my collaboration with Roy White on his autobiography,
From Compton to the Bronx.
This book will be released in April 2023, but is now available for pre-order.
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Initial reviews for this book have been tremendously positive. Here is one:
“Roy White is as dignified a Yankee as there has ever been, one of the many reasons a generation of fans (myself included) grew up imitating his stance.
Paul Semendinger does a masterful job capturing the essence of the great left fielder. This is a must-read about the most underrated Yankee of all time.”
Ian O’Connor, Four-time New York Times bestselling author of “The Captain: The Journey of Derek Jeter”
Continue reading “Special Preview: From Compton to the Bronx”
People from across the country can’t often come to New Jersey (or nearby) for an author visit, yet people sometimes wish for signed and personalized copies of books – especially heart-warming stories of family, faith, love, compassion, and growth like Scattering the Ashes. (If you haven’t read it yet, what are you waiting for?)
I decided to give fans, readers, and everyone the opportunity to purchase a signed and personalized copy of my wonderful novel.
Just click here or the banner below.
Eleven twelfths.
One to go.
91.6% through what seemed, at times, and often, like a never-ending task.
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I once thought that it might be fun to run every single day for an entire calendar year.
Continue reading “91.6”
It is great to be an author. It’s great to receive positive reviews for the books I write.
I just received the following e-mail regarding my novel, Scattering the Ashes:
“I want to let you know how much I enjoyed your novel.
I loved the characters and I could parallel Sam’s relationship with his dad to mine with my father in many ways. My father wouldn’t have thought to have me scatter his ashes, but if he had, Yankee Stadium would have been first and Cooperstown probably second.
The fact that so much of it happened in local NJ settings also added a nice twist.
So I wanted to congratulate you for a great job and thank you for the book. It was a fun read.”
It wasn’t quite as fast as I wanted.
I thought I might be able to hit 4:19:00, but don’t get me wrong.
It was a glorious day. It was a great day. It was wonderful.
My finish time was in the top 45% of all finishers, meaning I was faster than more than half of the people who ran the race yesterday. Not bad for a guy in his mid-50’s.
I had a great first half (just around two hours) but I didn’t feel as well in the second half and my pace slowed considerably.
The New York City Marathon is one of the highlights of the year for me.
I again wore a Superman shirt. It is awesome to have people yelling, “GO SUPERMAN!” to me as I run. They made me feel like a true superman.
The crowds yesterday were AMAZING. Start to finish, the spectators were so enthusiastic. It was awesome.
I LOVE THE NYC Marathon!
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Since I am still running every single day this year, I did a slow 2.25 miles today. It felt good to be out there.
No… it felt GREAT!
Tomorrow is the New York City Marathon.
I just completed my 16-week training period with a slow and easy 2.80 mile run. That run put me at 680 total miles for the 16 weeks. I averaged 42.5 miles a week for that entire period.
I’m in my mid-fifties, but those 680 miles were the most I ever ran in any training period. My previous high came way back in 2007 as I trained for the Marine Corps Marathon. I did 674 miles in training that year.
Continue reading “TOMORROW!!!”
October 30, 2022
Earlier today, I had the honor of delivering the sermon as the guest preacher at Grace United Methodist Church in Wyckoff, New Jersey.
I am always humbled when I have the opportunity to write and deliver a sermon at church.
Next week, I’ll share a version of this message at the Interfaith Service before the New York City Marathon.
Continue reading “Run In God’s Name”
October 27, 2022
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I wanted to make sure I was correct so I counted and recounted and counted again.
Yes. Today was the day. I had it marked on my calendar so I assumed it was, I was sure it was, but I needed to check and double-check, and triple-check just to make sure.
I had to be certain about this.
300.
300 consecutive days of running!
Continue reading “300 Days”
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