"Don't Stop Believing" Journey to Ironman

If Today Was Your Last Day

A little Friday afternoon inspiration from Nickleback. Each day, I try to live as close to the center of what is expressed in these lyrics as I can. It's not always easy--much old baggage to overcome. But what other path is there to fulfillment, serenity, and meaning?

My best friend gave me the best advice
He said each day's a gift and not a given right
Leave no stone unturned, leave your fears behind
And try to take the path less traveled by
That first step you take is the longest stride

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had, if today was your last day?
What if, what if, if today was your last day?

Against the grain should be a way of life
What's worth the price is always worth the fight
Every second counts 'cause there's no second try
So live like you're never living twice
Don't take the free ride in your own life

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of?
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?

If today was your last day
Would you make your mark by mending a broken heart?
You know it's never too late to shoot for the stars
Regardless of who you are

So do whatever it takes
'Cause you can't rewind a moment in this life
Let nothing stand in your way
'Cause the hands of time are never on your side

If today was your last day and tomorrow was too late
Could you say goodbye to yesterday?
Would you live each moment like your last?
Leave old pictures in the past?
Donate every dime you had?

And would you call those friends you never see?
Reminisce old memories?
Would you forgive your enemies?
And would you find that one you're dreaming of
Swear up and down to God above
That you'd finally fall in love if today was your last day?

Breaking Your Own Tape by Marcia Puryear

  Marcia Puryear is a gym friend of mine. She also happens to be an outstanding competitive runner of more than 25 years. She often places first in her age group in just about every distance. In fact, in 2006, Marcia won her age group at the challenging San Francisco Marathon. Amazing.

But more than just a runner with a single-track mindset, Marcia has a unique point of view about her sport. Not only does she embrace the spirit of competition, but she embraces the deeper, more profound SPIRIT there waiting to be tapped within the physical endeavor of racing. She writes about it here in a lyrical, poignant, and heartfelt ode to facing the challenge and finding the victory within. I think you'll enjoy it.

Breaking Your Own Tape
By Marcia Puryear

How many times have we watched in awe and amazement how the elites seem to fly through the finish line of a marathon; arms held high in some primal feeling of supreme satisfaction, pure fulfillment, relief, and perhaps shear but blissful exhaustion? How must it feel to touch that shiny band of ultimate victory that stretches taut across the end of the  course-to be the first runner, the only runner, to feel it snap and break against their chest?  The touch of victory?  The ultimate ‘high five’ from the gods of champions? The very first tangible, palpable acknowledgment of having done their job and done it well?

We ‘mere mortal’, but just as passionate runners, can do the same thing.  Everyone of us has our own finish line tape.  In our minds, we have each formulated our own goal for this mission;  to simply finish feeling strong, to cut time from our last marathon, a PR, or to quietly honor a cause or person who needs support.  Our tape is personal, woven from the fabric of our dreams, our reality, and our own truth.  Breaking our symbolic tape can be an incredibly meaningful moment-physically, emotionally, and spiritually.  This is where we share a common spirit with the elites.  No matter whether a 2 hour or a 5 hour or more run, we all can own that gut level felt sense of pure, honest achievement and fulfillment that is complete acknowledgment of our own job well done.  As John Bingham says, “Your spirit doesn’t know how to tell time.”

You did it. You have broken your own personal tape that marks the completion of your mission.  No matter how it hurt, no matter you had moments of doubt, fear, thoughts of giving up, no matter even if you changed your goal mid-race. Your mind managed these demons that destroy us; you stayed focused on your mission, the mind’s eye always keen on the runner within you, keeping you positive, alert, relaxed and responsive to your body’s needs. Your success was wrapped up in your ability to stay the course, keeping your head and legs holding hands every step of the way.  This was your job, and you achieved your goal because you did your job!

You broke your own tape. You have earned the ‘high five’, the bow of respect from the  ‘gods’ of champions.  Be proud, walk tall, and savor every bit of the salty taste of victory.  You earned it.

Run from within~

Marcia also is available for coaching. You can find her at:

Marcia Puryear 
CoachLink~integrating a runner's mind, body and sole
cochat@comcast.net

Marcia has another wonderful piece on dealing with long-term injury. I'll post that next time.

 

 

Training and Low Iron Issues

Drat it all! I have a long history of battling low iron, and it looks like it's back. A recent test showed my ferritin stores at 33, with the bottom of the normal range being 30. I know I've been more tired than usual the past few months, and I guess now I know why.

But here's the good news! It was my gyn who did the blood test, and is on my side to get it corrected. Whereas my primary care doc says over and over, "you're in the low normal range," my gyn said, "To hell with the 'normal range'. With what you love to do, the 'normal range' is not good enough for YOU." Wow, a doc who gets it.

After much griping with my PC doc, I finally got a referral to a hematologist. And a hematologist who, as it turns out, is a marathoner at that! (Law of Attraction at work for sure!) He echoed the same sentiment as my gyn--for me the low normal range is not good enough. He believes I would feel much better, and am a proper candidate for iron infusions. We're talking 200x the amount of oral iron given intravenously. My body says, "aaaahhhh" just thinking about it.

The bad news--stupid insurance. You won't believe the circuitous route I have to take to get the infusions covered. In conversation with the hematologist, it's clear that I have restless leg syndrome (RLS) at night. RLS is a sure sign of low iron. Insurance WILL cover infusions for RLS if linked to low iron. (Who knew?) But before I get clearance, I have to go do a sleep study night in a lab!!!! We're talking video camera monitoring, and electrodes, the whole ball of wax.

Unfortunately, I don't see the sleep doc for another month. I have to have a consultation before I can schedule the sleep study. I wish all this could happen sooner. At this rate, I won't get any infusions until August or so. By that time, I'll be starting to get deep into the IM training. The timing could be better, but I'm going to stay positive that I'll finally get some pep and feel better.

I KNEW something was off. I KNEW I always needed help with my iron levels, and I KNEW if I were better fortified in this area, I'd just feel stronger--triathlon training or not. I'd pursue this even if I didn't have an IM in the offing. I need this help.

My take away lesson is this. If you know something is off in your body, listen to it, and fight for what you need. It's no fun going up against this mess we call health care, but finding the right help can be done. I almost walked out of the hematologist's office, sitting there surrounded by chemo patients. "What am I doing here," I worried. But the doc reassured me I needed to be there as much as anyone.

I love my triathlon lifestyle, and don't want to give it up because of one doc who is unwilling or unable to think outside the box. I'll keep you posted on how this all goes. For sure, this is going to be a new experience!

My Son Cycling Across the U.S.--Pedal for Peace 2008

R to L--Nueva Guinea, Nicaragua; Pedal for Peace Route; Son Ryan in white and friend Pete.

PEDAL FOR PEACE 2008

I wanted to share some exciting information about my son Ryan. Just today he began a cross-country bicycle adventure with his friend Pete Driscoll. They departed San Diego, and will wheel their way back to New England within the next two months. They plan on 65 days of riding. It's a completely self-supported endeavor, done on a just-graduated-from-college student budget! That means lots of open-air camping and sleeping on friend's couches when they can.

The best part of the trip is that my son took the time to build a web site--Pedal for Peace 2008--to turn the ride into a fundraiser for FINCA International and their Village Banking system of microfinance for the world's most impoverished people. The money Ryan is able to raise through Pedal for Peace 2008 will directly support microfinance loans to the very poor in Nueva Guinea, Nicaragua. Most of the loan recipients are women, and sometimes the loans are for as little as $50. $50, however, can help buy additional chickens so the women can see the eggs, or perhaps buy shoe repair equipment to launch a small business. These loans often make the difference between families eating or not.

Ryan spent six months in Nicaragua, the second poorest country in the western hemisphere. (Haiti is the poorest.) He attended university in Managua, then moved with FINCA field workers to live in Nueva Guinea for several months to help establish village banks in this remote region. He saw directly the positive impact microfinance has on the very poor, particularly women. He plans to go back to Nicaragua for three months when he returns from the ride.

I'm very proud of my fine son, and hope you will check out Pedal for Peace 2008 and donate if you are so moved. The site is up in partnership with FINCA, and the donation link goes directly to that organization--no middle man. And since 98%+ of the loans are repaid, it is truly the gift that keeps on giving. Be assured the money raised goes to help those who live as the poorest of the poor through no fault of their own.

  I'll be posting updates as they come in. Here's the first! Pete and Ryan dip the bike wheels in the Pacific Ocean. They will end their ride when they are able to dip the wheels in the Atlantic when home again in New England!

Macbeth, March Winds, and A Smile

Today I shared a short elevator ride with a very elderly, but quite dapper, gentleman. He told me he was 92. We chatted about what a pleasant day it was. (We New Englanders are desparate for spring, and 40 degrees and sunny now counts as "nice out.") I mentioned it was very blustery with a chilly wind--quite appropriate for March. He looked up from his cane with eyes as young and clear as a man in his prime and said, "Ah but, the March winds make my heart a dancer. That's from Macbeth, you know."

I have no idea if it's from Macbeth or not, nor does it much matter. We shared a big smile, a lovely thought, and a chance encounter that brightened the day for both of us.

Vision Boards--Create It, See It, Believe It, Receive It

Have you ever created a vision board? Do you know what one is?

A vision board is a powerful tool that helps you focus and create what you desire in life. You find that most successful people, whether they be athletes of entrepreneurs, use some version of a vision board--no matter what they may call it. A vision board is a simple thing--a piece of cardboard, foam core, or cork board upon which you put the things you desire most in life. It allows you to focus daily on your deepest desires, and attract them into your life.

Think it doesn't work? I'm looking at my vision board as I type and see that two items need to come down since they were attracted and attained. One item involved contact and work from a client I have not heard from in eight years. They called me two days ago with a nice piece of work and a chunky contract. Nice.

I'll be using a vision board for the first time to guide me through the Ironman training and racing. I came across an interesting blog post on Tim Ralston's Vision Board Blog about athletes using this technique to attain their goals after training harder and harder and getting nowhere. It's an interesting read. He has a unique site that introduces the concept of vision boards in a more in-depth way.

Wonder what's on mine? Well, at the moment, Ironman-related things include:

• A photo of a Kuota tri bike
• The phrase--Greens, Grains, Protein--to help with my sugar addiction
• A photo of Desiree Ficker, who looks like the fittest strongest triathlete I can imagine
• The phrase Web-Based Business, to guide me to do something new
• The word "sleep" because it's part of training, and I have trouble with insomnia
• Run Like an Antelope Out of Control--a reference to the Ironman run and my son's advice
  
  AND FINALLY...my super secret goal...
• 12:59:59--Someday, I would like to break 13 hours in the Ironman!

Go ahead, get a piece of foam core find pictures of your deepest desires and give them form. See them and feel them deeply every day. Envision that new job, that new house, that injury healed--even an elusive PR--and you'll be amazed to see what happens.