Sunday, November 28, 2010

Feeling positive

Over the Thanksgiving weekend, I had a fulfilling time with my son, who arrived on Wednesday evening. Despite working nine hours on Thanksgiving Day and an additional 34 hours from Friday through Sunday, I cherished the opportunity to spend quality time with him.


We secured tickets for the Gopher/Iowa game through a friend and attended the event. Despite the chilly weather, the experience was enjoyable. Additionally, my son had the chance to spend time with his extended family, including his aunt, uncle, niece, nephew, and grandparents.


For those unfamiliar with him, my son is currently pursuing his studies at the Colorado School of Mines in Golden, Colorado. Returning home allows him to catch up on sleep. At the age of 21, he possesses remarkable qualities and has demonstrated exceptional athleticism. Notably, he has twice assisted me in running Grandma’s, although he occasionally outpaced me. Furthermore, he continues to excel in tennis, as evidenced by his performance on the club tennis page. 


Here is a brief biography of the individual:


On Thanksgiving Day in 1994, an event would profoundly alter his life and the lives of those around him. We were visiting my father’s farm, where he had undergone a right-hand amputation. He is incredibly fortunate to have survived this ordeal. Remarkably, he has never succumbed to grief and has achieved great success due to his unwavering positive attitude. Of course, attitude plays a pivotal role in one’s life. For further evidence, I recommend visiting the website: http://www.attitudeisaltitude.com/.


However, he acquired his current attitude and sense of balance from his grandfather, his mother, Neal Halberg, Tommy Valentini, Steve Wilkenson, and many others. Parents cannot raise a child to success alone; they rely on the support of others. Numerous individuals contributed to his transformation into the accomplished man he is today.


Despite the recent events, I found solace in spending time with loved ones this weekend. While I have experienced fewer tears in the years since the accident, the loss of cherished ones this year has been particularly poignant. It is remarkable how some individuals remain sheltered from the hardships of life.


For instance, Shelley has never experienced the loss of a human loved one. Despite facing significant challenges with two of her three beloved pets, she has managed to cope with their passing.


This weekend was both challenging and joyful, as I welcomed my son home. Listening to familiar songs on the radio brought back memories, and I found myself shedding tears when Dana’s favorite songs played. I admit that my reaction may have been perceived as unusual at the stoplight.


As many of you are aware, Dana had a profound impact on my life, and her untimely passing has left a lasting void.


Recently, I have been deeply affected by several tragic events. Firstly, a close friend committed suicide, followed by the loss of two others in a car accident. Later, in the late 1980s, my nephew drowned in a shallow body of water. These losses have had a profound impact on me this weekend.


Despite the immense pain and sorrow these events have caused, expressing my emotions through a good cry can provide temporary relief. The positive feeling that arises from a heartfelt cry often helps to alleviate the emotional burden. However, the loss of a great friend remains a challenging experience. I acknowledge that there have been many significant losses in my life, and there will undoubtedly be more in the future. Nevertheless, I strive to remember the most cherished moments with these friends, which often bring a sense of comfort and joy.


In 1988, I had a close friend who grew apart from me. This separation was challenging to accept, but when I see them thriving and happy, it brings a sense of fulfillment. Life presents us with various challenges, but as a resilient individual, I refuse to let them overwhelm me. I seize each opportunity and strive to make the most of it, just as a skilled catcher catches a ball and returns it for another pitch.


Today, I engaged in a conversation with an individual who inquired about the frequency of my laughter. In response, I expressed that I laugh daily because I can do so. Laughter has been recognized for its positive impact on one’s health. It is believed that laughing heartily for ten minutes can be equivalent to ten minutes of moderate jogging.


Reflecting on my day, which involved several emotional moments, I contemplated the potential benefits of crying. While it is true that we all experience moments of tears, it is worth considering the significance of crying. For those who claim to have never cried, I assert that their lives lack a certain depth and fulfillment.


The act of crying has a profound effect on me, prompting me to prioritize my physical well-being. This emotional release will likely motivate me to attend the gym more frequently. As I conclude this post, I am filled with a sense of anticipation, knowing that my son’s departure tomorrow will be met with a brighter outlook for many reasons. His return to school after a brief absence will undoubtedly be a positive experience.


Carry on, my friends.

Wednesday, November 24, 2010

Another run, fatigue, memory loss and etc.

I completed another 2-mile run, which was relatively enjoyable. While the process was somewhat unpleasant, the sense of accomplishment upon completion was gratifying. The Strassburg sock has proven beneficial in alleviating Plantar Fasciitis (PF) symptoms, although I experience a peculiar toe pain in the morning. Despite this, I would prioritize the toe pain over the morning PF pain.


Larry and Colleen Pedersen can benefit from a tennis match next weekend. My son’s visiting from Colorado, and I’ll miss it. If you want to meet great people, help them, and burn off post-Thanksgiving calories, check it out!


A friend suggested the Wild West Relay. If I return next year, I might have my son and others try it. It’s 36 legs and 200 miles, with several 7-12 team runners. Entry is about $1,300. I like the Flatliners (all runners live below 2,500 feet). Minnesota qualifies! They have structured formats, such as Helter Skelter, where anyone can run whatever they can. Leave Fort Collins and head to Wyoming, then southwest, over the mountains! Any interest?


Consider the Colorado Relay for a shorter race. Both sound exciting! This event can motivate me. I have a few weeks to work at least 70 hours, so I’ll tackle one week at a time. Have a great Thanksgiving and take care of yourselves. Before I start, a cartoon sent to me by a friend puts all this talk about the "pat down" in a different perspective. See to the right.


I lose my memory after a third week of 75-80 hour workweeks, including Saturdays and Sundays, with over 26 hours on those days on successive weekends. I used to worry, but I no longer do. Remarkably, people tell me what I accomplished, and I look at them like, “Where have I been?”


I started to compare this to my long-running efforts, and wow, I’ve had some training runs that have lasted over 20 hours! As I look back, I recall a common phenomenon: once I reach a certain level of fatigue, my body enters a kind of autopilot mode before it crashes.


Like the 2008 ST 100 attempt, I recall so much of the race until about 4 a.m. (20 hours after the start). Then the memories fade, and by the 25th hour, I am totally unaware of what happened. My mind just shut down. When I quit at 28 hours, my mind regained control of the body, and that was the end.


In these long weeks, I have found the same thing. I go into autopilot. I float along. I am much more productive when I am aware of my surroundings. It is an interesting phenomenon. It would be interesting to study it. However, I sadly do not recall who I spoke to or what I said. This could be dangerous. However, the consensus of others is that my facts are significantly accurate and that I can answer much more detailed questions on the fly. This is just strange.


Taking an extra vitamin B12 supplement can help reduce this activity. I used to take a Multiple B vitamin daily, but I’ve been skipping it lately. I should consider taking it for two weeks and tracking my progress, as I have two more challenging weeks ahead before returning to a 50-hour workweek. Sometimes it’s frustrating, but I’m glad to work through this job difficulty. Many friends would love to be in my situation, so I’m not complaining; it's just the facts.


I just read a sad article about Mike Broderick, who was 53 when he passed away on November 4, 2010. He was a remarkable athlete, having completed the Western States 100 in August, the 50K Green Lakes Endurance Run, and a marathon and half-marathon in September. Sadly, he battled aggressive lung cancer.


Mike, a lawyer, decided to pursue his passions for running, coaching, and teaching. His knowledge of running was so extensive that he became a sought-after coach. I only had the chance to meet him once, and he reminded me of myself with a bit of a lack of tact, but we were also funny and charismatic. There’s that remarkable trait of finding happiness in running, no matter the outcome—whether you’re first, last, or somewhere in between.

One website posted an email from Mike that read:


"It turns out that the shortness of breath and other symptoms I have been experiencing over the past several weeks are not due to pneumonia. I apparently have lung cancer and am now in the process of further testing and evaluation to determine the extent to which it may have spread and to begin a course of treatment."

He died just weeks later.

As we age, we all come to perceive life as inherently precious. It is during such moments that I find myself compelled to reflect upon my own reflection, not as a fat, unfit runner, but as an individual who has been granted another breath, step, and moment to either cherish or squander.


May we all cherish our loved ones, friends, and even those we may not like on Thanksgiving..


I want to close with a story I heard today:

A man was running behind an Amish Carriage which had a bumper sticker that read:

"Energy efficient vehicle. Runs on grass and oats."

This was on one bumper, and on the other, it read:

"CAUTION: AVOID THE EXHAUST!"

Carry on, my friends, carry on!

Comments from my original blog - I merged the blogs.


Beth
Very sad about the loss of someone who had so much to give. Yet another reminder that life is precious. I hope your work schedule settles down so that you can get some rest and enjoy the precious. Take care and Happy Thanksgiving.  Friday, November 26, 2010 at 5:51:04 PM CST


I am 64

Waking up at 3:45 AM and getting ready for race day (Pilot Mountain to Hanging Rock 50 Mile) set the tone for an intense experience. Picking...