Running Amulets

Running Amulets 

I’ve worn a silver Celtic heart necklace for races the past 5 years, and usually tiny silver earrings with a Celtic knot design. The earrings were a gift from my sister and niece. The necklace was given to me from my goddaughter; it was the last Mother's Day present she and her sister gave their Mom, my close friend Claudia, who passed too young 5 years ago. 

As I’ve mentioned in a previous post, in our last conversation a couple of weeks before her final hospitalization, we talked about my running, and Claudia said to me: "JB, I love how you challenge yourself!”. I'd always run, but she never had said that before. It was her last gift to me. During tough races, I touch the necklace and think about her words, which have become a mantra for me. I think of so many folks meeting challenges, not of their choosing; this inspires me to push through. 

This year, I added to the necklace. I bought a tiny charm on Etsy of a traditional Welsh hat. I didn’t know how to wear this...then I thought of my dream of one day running a race in Wales, so I added it next to the Celtic heart; rather fitting as my husband’s family emigrated from Wales to the US many generations ago. For this birthday, he gave me a St. Sebastian medal to inspire me on my next half. St. Sebastian is the patron saint of running - I never knew! 

Do you have a special amulet or lucky charm to help inspire during a tough race?