Big Sur International Marathon 2018

"The Big Sur International Marathon is a point-to-point course run on scenic California Highway 1 from Big Sur to Carmel the last Sunday each April every year. Towering redwoods, crashing waves, coastal mountains and verdant pastures are featured on this bucket list course. The centerpiece of the course is the iconic Bixby Bridge, located at the halfway point of the race."

After visiting the area two years ago, I knew I wanted to return and after stumbling upon the fact that this beautiful place hosts a renowned marathon, I decided it would be perfect to incorporate the race into my return trip. Little did I realize, the race is extremely popular world-wide and spots go quickly. Just when I thought it was too late, I was fortunate enough to be selected to register in a last minute drawing. Since being selected, it was a major goal for me to complete this marathon along with my 51st birthday. AlhamduAllah (Thanks to Allah), I'm happy to say that I did it and it felt great!

Big Sur is one of my favorite marathons I've ever ran. Imagine Highway 1, meandering along the unspoiled path carved by the Pacific Ocean; 26.2 miles of jagged rocky outcrops, pastoral plains and rolling hills carpeted with succulent flowers. If it were not for the dramatic bridges arching over the icy-blue, turbulent waters, you would think the place hadn't been touched by man. The 2 lane highway is usually a crawl, even if you're traveling by car -with 4.6 million visitors to Monterey county each year, Big Sur is on the top of the must-see list. Along with amazing scenery came some challenges -it’s very mountainous and tough! But the difficulty comes with great reward because to my mind, there is no course more beautiful.

During the marathon, the road is closed to traffic for 6 hours, which is a great incentive to finish the race quickly!

I would like to think all volunteers and organizers of the Big Sur event not to forget law enforcement who blocked traffic untill Marathon finished successfully.

The course is USATF certified and is an official Boston qualifier.

Prophet Muhammad, may the mercy and blessings of Allah be upon him, said a strong believer is better than a weak believer.He was talking in terms of faith and character but also indicating that physical strength i.e. optimum health and fitness were desirable, providing that Allah gave us the ways and means of attaining such strength. Islam’s holistic approach to life and thus health offers us the ability to remain strong and healthy. If Allah decrees that illness or injury are to be part of our lives as a means of a test for us then Islam provides us with the ways and means of accepting and even being grateful for the tests and trials that envelope us.

We should not take health for granted. Always be thankful and content, invest in your health by eating healthy, thinking positively and relying on the Creator to sustain every need.

Please check out the following article on how to maitain good health :

https://rachidm.blogspot.com/2018/04/prophet-medicine.html

For anyone interested in doing the Big Sur International Marathon , I would highly suggest training in high altitude , practice on stairs , a lot of swimming and run regularly on a weekly basis , it's possible as long as you persevere . Rachidm highly recommend pursuing your dreams.

Follow your dreams with can do attitude you can achieve and overcome many challenges, invest in your heath always think positive.

Here is some medical advise :

Islam4mankind Rachidm

The danger of disrespecting your parents

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“And no bearer of burdens shall bear another’s burden”. (Quran 35:18)

The idea of Jesus dying on the cross is central to the Christian belief. It represents the conviction that Jesus died for the sins of mankind. The crucifixion of Jesus is a vital doctrine in Christianity; however Muslims reject it completely. Before describing what Muslims believe about Jesus’ crucifixion, it may be useful to understand the Islamic reaction to the notion of original sin. When Adam and Eve ate from the forbidden tree in paradise, they were not tempted by a serpent. It was Satan who deceived and cajoled them, whereupon they exercised their free will and made an error in judgement. Eve does not bear the burden of this mistake alone. Together, Adam and Eve realised their disobedience, felt remorse and begged for God’s forgiveness. God, in his infinite mercy and wisdom, forgave them. Islam has no concept of original sin; each person bears responsibility for his own deeds. “And no bearer of burdens shall bear another’s bur...

Imam Abu Anas Abdulhadi of Masjid Al Furqan

THE DOCTRINE OF ORIGINAL SIN

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http://rachidm.blogspot.com/2010/12/listen2quran.html

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