Encounter In The Park

I'm back in my hometown for my 30th high school reunion (can I just say, OMG - 30 years!!??). I was a bit trepidatious because I hadn't kept in touch with anyone - would I remember anyone, would they remember me? Turned out to be hugely fun! I loved seeing my old classmates and catching up. I also loved spending a few lovely days with my parents.

And I got in a few good runs. I ran a couple of times at McNaughton Park, which is the site of a 100-mile trail race. (you know that has me thinking....)

And today, I went out to James Field, here in Pekin, to run speed drills. I wasn't the only one out exercising in the mid-day sun; there were several others who came out to walk a few laps while I was running. At some point, while I was resting between laps, some guy got out of his car to comment on what a hard workout I was doing. And then he told me how he can't run and doesn't feel like he can do much of anything anymore.

I resisted the urge to state the obvious: you'd feel a whole lot better if you would lose 50 pounds. Instead, I tried to make it a teaching moment.

I pointed out that you don't have to run. There are plenty of other ways to move. And I used one of the walkers as my perfect example. She was out walking. She wasn't running; she wasn't even walking particularly fast. But she was walking. She comes out just about every day and walks several laps around the park.

Good fo her! She is what I so frequently talk about: do what you can. You don't have to go fast or far. You don't have to be a gifted athlete. You just have to try and be consistent. It does make a difference.

So, thank you to my fellow exerciser today. You helped me make a valuable point. (It turns out that her daughter graduated a year behind me. I remember her, although I was busy with music and she played basketball so we didn't really know each other.)

And I hope that maybe just a little of what I said sunk in.

Julie

Do What You Love - And Keep Doing It

In my continuing search for inspiration, I want to look at some folks who have defied expectations. And because my birthday is this week, I'm thinking in particular of people who have continued to excel beyond an age at which others expect them to stop or slow down.

First, a belated congratulations to Cadel Evans for his win of this year's Tour de France. Evans became the oldest person to win the race in 88 years; he is 34. The Tour is a grueling stage race that is normally dominated by younger riders. His win fulfilled the dying wishes of his longtime coach, Aldo Sassi, who died of brain cancer last December.

And, although she did not succeed in her goal of swimming from Cuba to Key West (without a shark cage), Diana Nyad certainly deserves a hearty well done! She first attempted the swim in 1978, at age 28. Now 61, Nyad made her second attempt. She made it slightly more than halfway, but was stopped by shoulder pain and large ocean swells.

To my mind, it doesn't matter that she didn't make it. I marvel at her trying. I'm sure she is crushed, but wow, what an attempt!

I love that there are people who exceed ideas of what is possible at any age. I love that my mother does pushups in her 70s. I love that my coach is 60-something (not really sure of his age). I love that I just read about Ernestine Shepherd, a 75 year old trainer and competitive body builder.

I love that I have so many examples to look at of people who find something they like and then keep doing it. They don't stop because some commentator thinks they may be getting past their prime. They don't stop because all of their friends are slowing down and sitting around watching TV. They keep doing what they enjoy because it enriches their lives - and because they enjoy it.

You who have been around here a while know that I'm less concerned with big achievements than with trying. Success is more about the process than the finish line. Even though I push myself for some crazy goals, I don't expect anyone else to do the same. We all have our own goals, expectations, and limitations. Our goals have to be ours. You don't have to want to swim anywhere or run a marathon. But do find something you enjoy, something that excites you. Do what you can - whatever you are capable of. And then push just one step further. Try. You might succeed. You might fail. But you do have the power to try.

Let's hear it for changing expectations - whether the expectations are about age, or disease, or size, or some other condition that others might consider a handicap. Defy expectations. Do something you love, and just keep doing it.

Julie

I Have A New Hero

I have a new hero.

On Monday, Rep. Gabrielle Giffords returned to Washington to cast her vote in the debt ceiling vote. For those of you around the world who might not know about Gabby Giffords, she represents her Arizona district in the U.S. Congress. Last January, while meeting with voters at a shopping center near Tuscon, an attempt was made on her life. She was critically injured by a gunshot wound to the head. Six other people were killed, and 13 injured in the attack. Miraculously, she didn't die. Over the last 8 months, through several surgeries and continued rehab, Rep. Giffords has made amazing progress. She travelled in May to watch the launch of the final flight of the space shuttle Endeavor, which was commanded by her husband. In June, she was released from the rehab hospital and allowed to live at home. And this week, she returned to Washington to vote.




I know what it's like to be seriously injured and to be seriously ill. I know what it's like to struggle to maintain a life when my body is failing me. I know what it's like to have physical deficits, to lose function. And I know what it's like to live with pain. I know the struggle to improve and to overcome. - We all do. I think most of the readers of this blog have too much knowledge of the loss of body and the struggle to overcome.

But I cannot begin to imagine what the last 8 months have been like for Gabrielle Giffords.

My admiration has nothing to do with my politics or hers. This has nothing to do with cancer. But it has everything to do with struggle and overcoming obstacles. It's about accepting losses and figuring out how to make the most of what's left. It's about not whining about what's gone, but rather finding ways to still lead a good and meaningful life. It's about endless hours of pain and frustration while trying to recover the ability to do simple things that are easily taken for granted, like saying hello or telling her husband she loves him. It's about facing and overcoming fear. It's about making choices every day to try to be a little better. It's about continuing to move forward in spite of everything.

I have no idea what is in her future, whether she'll eventually return to her job in Congress or find a new direction for her career. It will continue to be filled with struggle and overcoming obstacles. Whatever happens, I am filled with admiration and wish her well.

Congresswoman Giffords, thank you. Thank you for your service, and thank you for a very big dose of inspiration!

Julie

Run, Julie, Run - The Next Goal

Yesterday, I registered for my next big goal: the Vermont 50. It takes place the end of September, in the mountains of Vermont. It should be gorgeous then - perfect running weather for me, and peak Fall colors.

This will be my second 50 mile race. It's got just over half the elevation gain of the Bear Mountain 50M, but the cutoff is 12 hours, 2 hours shorter. Even though it's not as steep a course, it's likely to be plenty challenging for me. Two hours is a lot to cut off.

But no matter, it will be fun.

And, best of all, the race supports a great cause: Vermont Adaptive Ski & Sport. I want everyone to be able to enjoy the outdoors and feel empowered by challenging themselves in new and different ways - ways they may have thought were impossible for them. And I love that by doing something that I enjoy, I am doing a small part to help someone achieve a dream.

So, I'm beginning to log in some longer runs again, racking up the miles and the hills...but that's all part of the fun.

Julie