Run for Munda Continues...

Today, Ray and I ran 18 miles in preparation for the JFK 50-mile race.  It was a beautiful run through the First Landing State Park at Virginia Beach, and on the beach itself.  (Ray lives about an hour from Virginia Beach, and so sometimes we do our long runs there.)

Here's a map of our run:

And here's a photo of us after our run:

Training to run 50 miles is HARD WORK!  No, really!

Shauna tells me that the DiIulio family will enjoy a much-needed, long-planned Florida trip in a few weeks.  (Maybe I'll get some pictures to post here?)  It was hoped that Munda would be able to join them on the trip - and he will, in spirit. 

Tomorrow, we'll run an easy 10 miles through Beaverdam Park in Gloucester, Va.  More on that later!  And next week we'll run the Baltimore Marathon on Saturday, and the marathon in Scranton, PA on Sunday - the dreaded back-to-back marathons that all of the 50-mile-race training plans recommend as a benchmark.  Those races will be a very good indication of how well prepared we are for November 21. Gulp!

Memories, Thank You's, and Upcoming Events

I spoke with Shauna yesterday evening, and she couldn't say enough about how awed she is by the support she has received.  And very, very grateful!  The church was packed for Munda's funeral on Tuesday - with not only friends and family, but also most of the staff of Munda's former employer, Aero Energy, including CEO Tom Washburn.  And the Aero vehicle fleet - some of which had been washed and shined up very, very early that morning, I heard - made up the bulk of the procession to the cemetery.  (Pictures and a video below.)

Several of those who attended requested the addresses of Mr. Washburn and Rev. Ruddy, who led the service.  They are:

Tom Washburn, CEO
Aero Energy
230 Lincoln Way East
New Oxford, PA 17350

Pastor James Ruddy
Bethel Assembly of God
2075 Fish & Game Road
Littlestown, PA 17340
churchoffice@bethelag.com
 
Shauna and I also discussed the upcoming Aero benefit dance in memory of Munda.  "It'll be a celebration of Munda's life," she said.  It will also be another chance for the many communities that were touched by Munda's life to come together - and I really look forward to that, too. They/you are wonderful people! 
 
The dance will be held on November 6 from 7:00 pm until 11:00 p.m. at the New Oxford Social Club Pavilion in New Oxford, PA. (Click here for location and directions.)  There will also be a raffle. Contact Joyce Miller in the Aero Payroll/H.R. Dept for tickets to the dance, or to donate items for the raffle - email her (click here) or call 717-624-5810. Be sure to ask all your family and friends! 
 
In the coming weeks, I'll post here a list of items for the raffle.  Rumor has it that they include a pair of designer sunglasses and a quite expensive Raymond Weil Swiss-made ladies' wristwatch.  Homemade crafts (maybe yours?) and gift certificates will also likely be among the raffle items!
 
Finally, I'd also like to write and thank everyone who has "bought" miles for the Run for Munda campaign.  You've been - and you continue to be - a HUGE help!  So this campaign, too, will continue through November 21, the date of the JFK 50-Mile Race.  I'll post more information on the actual race later - but if you're interested now, you can find a map of the course online - click here. 
 
Thank you, again, everyone!  See you on November 6?

Munda's Last Mile - Audio/Video

Good-bye, Munda - Photographs

On Tuesday We Celebrate a Life

Munda DiIulio passed away on Friday, September 25, surrounded by family.  Shauna sent along this information over the weekend:

The viewing is on Monday at Bethel Assembly of God from 4 pm to 8 pm.
The funeral is on Tuesday at 10:00 a.m.
There will be a dinner to follow, everyone is invitied.

If you are staying at the hotel, Country Inns and Suites 717-337-9518, tell them you are here for the DiIulio funeral and the cost will be $75.00.
 
Our thoughts and prayers are with Shauna and the kids.

Keep Praying

I just talked to Munda's wife, my Aunt Shauna, to tell her that our cousins, the Muck "kids" out in Ohio, just bought five and a half miles, bringing our fundraising total to $925. "That's really great news!" she said.

Shauna sounded exhausted. When I visited them on Wednesday, Munda was aware that I was there, and even asked me for help adjusting his bed, at one point.  We watched television.  Shauna asked him questions and gave him medication.  He had a little rattle in his breath toward the end of the evening, we noticed.

Yesterday, Munda fought really hard.  He's getting weaker and weaker.  He is no longer alert, although the nurses say he can still hear.  His breathing was very quick last night, and they changed his medication dosage.  Shauna told me that she is constantly listening for his breathing - "like when you have a baby in the house."

"He's really brave," I observed on Wednesday.  Shauna replied, "You know, through all of this he has never complained, not once."

Today at 11 their favorite preacher will stop by, as will the nurses.

Let's all pray for Munda today.

Please Keep Munda in Your Prayers!

I just talked to Shauna, who is at home with Munda; they have a hospital bed for him there, and everyone drops by when they can.  He's a little more alert today, she said.  But his situation is very dire at this point, the nurses and doctors underscore.

"Are you coming to the Nov. 6 dance?" Shauna asked.  (See my Sept. 22 posting for more information.)  It turns out that my parents might drive down from Johnsonburg to attend, she told me!  It's a funny thing about our family that I have to call other relatives to find out the latest about my parents.  (Right?)  We've laughed about that before!  But it's a good network, and it works - in a roundabout way.

Which brings me to my reason for writing:  Munda really needs your prayers this week!  Pick up the phone, pick up a pen, send an e-mail, say a prayer, or whatever way you choose - directly or indirectly - to let Munda and Shauna know you're thinking of them.  Thank you for your support!  And mark your calendars for the November 6 Aero benefit dance in New Oxford!  If you can't come, please consider donating an item to be raffled off.  Rumor has it that the items to be raffled now include:

- a pair of designer sunglasses
- a stylish handbag
- a garnet necklace
- a velvet and satin shawl/wrap, and
- "Run for Munda" t-shirts.

OH - and this web site has now raised over $250 for Munda and Shauna!  Thank you VERY much!  I'll probably be selling t-shirts in Johnsonburg this weekend (at the Alumni & Friends gathering at the fire hall - and before that at the car show).  And Ray and I are going to run a total of 35 miles this weekend as a part of our training for the JFK 50.  Let's keep all of those numbers rising, okay?