Yesterday afternoon was actually a very pleasant day, temperature wise, to go for a run. Sarah and I have been running for decades. I started in Middle School, and ran my first race, the Diet Pepsi 10 K race in SF, as a sophomore in High School. That was many years ago, and many races and adventure’s ago as well. Many things have changed over the years. I have learned a lot about running, and learned the hard way with experience as well. But one thing is for sure, you always have to listen to your body! And if there was ever a time when this was more true, it is now! I just started reading a book this week: Running Past 50.
The book is runners sharing their experiences of how they started running, and what it has done for them. Boy, can I relate! I have always wanted to write my own book, and I think this has helped me come up with an idea. I have always wanted to have it be kind of a autobiography, but I want it related to running, and what I have learned over the years. “Running Through Life” sounds like it may be a good title. The ideas right now are flowing through my head. Real life running experiences, what I know as a physician, combined with motivation for others. I have to say, I like the idea of where this is going. I will have to see what happens over time!
Sarah and I have run many races over the years, and you learn something from every one. The learning is not just about running, but life experiences. You listen to what other people are doing, and what works for them as well. There is nothing that works the same for everybody. Many of the concepts or training plans can be tailored to your own individual needs and desires as well. Many of us who do a lot of running have gone through many training plans. We find out what works, and definitely what does not work! There is no “one size fits all” plan for everybody, so you learn to modify and adapt to your needs, and desires. The basic concepts can be similar, and the road getting there may take many turns. Turns often not expected. But, the final end point can be the same: reaching the goals we want to achieve! Many training partners have been involved along the way, including our kids. They help now keep the motivation going! Oh to be young again, and have the physical capabilities that they have. I just wish I had the knowledge I have now, back then. For all of you old enough to realize how true this is, how many times have you said this same thing?
Megan has been running a lot with us since she has been back home. She helps keep things lively! Never a dull moment! Keep us going Meg!
Of course, those moments of solitude when you just “go”, and also let your mind go as well. Many things over the years have been solved while out on a run. The group runs are good to help get things off your chest too, but there are times when you just need to run alone as well. Just relax, unwind, and go. Leave all of your worries behind, and just pay attention to things you never paid attention to before. We all get in such a hurry with things that life just passes us by. Take it all in. Enjoy the ride. Strive to Survive! And, keep moving everybody!
Our Watertown Area Run Club, out for coffee after a Sunday run! What a great time it is! This is exactly why my running friends may be the best friends I will ever have. They understand you, and your desire to run, and be healthy. And when one of us is hurt, or has health issues, we all struggle. It is just not the same when somebody who is usually there, now isn’t. I struggled when I had my health issues, and right now, another one of our good running friends is having health issues as well. She has not been able to be running with us for a while, and it is just not the same. I have said for years when we started this, no one will be left behind. We may not all be the same speed, but we watch out for each other, and cheer each other on. Our Run Club started out as a group of people, but we finish as a group of friends!
We run in all kinds of weather, warm, cold, rain, snow…but life throws us curveballs at time, and we have to “weather” those storms as well. Never tell a runner that they cannot do something! I guarantee we will prove everybody wrong! We may get knocked down, but we are not going to stay down!
We have had many times when we have traveled together to go run a race somewhere. We all love the challenge of a race, and going somewhere different, but it is not really about the race. It is about the time you spend together, as we all trained and worked together, as well as on our own, to get to the same spot. It all boils down to the fact that it is all about finding people who are your kind of crazy! We all love a challenge, and we all push each other!
We always gather at whatever events we are at for a picture. We worry how each of us is doing. WE CARE ABOUT EACH OTHER! What more can you say?
We all get injured, or have health problems. I guess that is part of being human. But when someone has been gone, and then gets back to running, we are all jumping for joy! You know you are a runner when your running friends are the only ones that understand your love of running, and your constant need to talk about it! We all are happy when we all can do what we love to do. Our good friend will be back at it again some day. This I have no doubt. But we are there for her along the way. That road may get bumpy at times, but again, we can “weather” any storm. All you need is a little help from your friends! Keep moving everybody…especially for those of us who can’t!
Yesterday I went to go see one of my patients as she had a celebration for her 90th Birthday. I have helped take care of Grace since I came to Watertown in 1994. One thing for sure, when you are a Family Physician, you truly are taking care of the family. You do what you can to help your patients get through the bad times, and good times, the struggles, and the joys. Everybody experiences up and downs, and we all have issues that can come up with our health. The hope is that we can do something about those issues when they come up. One day, we are all going to leave this world, but we want to enjoy as much of our life, and our family, for as long as we can.
As a Family Physician, we are helping at the core of our patients. We may not be able to take care of, and solve everything, but what we can’t do, we need to know where we are going to steer our patients. We try to do the best, and most, we possibly can to take care of them.
For many years now, Kelsey and I having been having our Strive to Survive wellness program to help our patients. We continue to keep promoting a healthy diet, and encourage exercise, to help our patients help themselves as much as possible. Keeping on task is always a struggle, because during the day, some patients may need more time that what any of us thought. Things come up. We go with the flow. Sometimes big things come up, and serious things come up, and you do what you have to do to take care of that patient. As a physician, we may start off with a schedule for the day, but very seldom does it just flow without any problems. That is just how it goes!
As much as I try to stay on time during the day, it just does not always happen. Things happen! As a patient, you just need to hope I don’t need to spend a lot of time with you that day. The more time I need to spend, the bigger the issue, or the more serious the problem may be. But when you deal with serious issues all day, every day, there are just those times when you need to have some fun too. Laughter, after all , can be the best medicine.
Some times you may just need to cut loose and hula! Whether at the clinic Christmas party, or being involved in a hula hoop contest at an Assisted Living! Have fun and laugh! Personally, I am a Disney fan, and in particular, Mickey Mouse!
Laughing can be a great way to relax, and take control of your own health! Always remember this! This should be just as important a way of taking care of yourself, as does watching your diet, and exercise!
As a Primary Care…Family…Physician, our roles are enormous. We cover a large spectrum of care involved with our patients. We help coordinate care as well. Bottom line, we are going to do what needs to be done to help our patients. Nothing will change on this over time. In my career, I have taken care of patients for many years, and some, like Grace, for as long as I have been a physician! They become like family as well. After all these years, we know what is important in our patients lives, and the struggles they have to deal with as well. It is important for us to be there when they need us! And that goes for celebrations of good things as well!
So, once again, Happy Birthday Grace! You have had a great 90 years, and I hope you get to experience many more to come! I will be there for you, just like my other patients. I am your Family Physician, and we are vital to families! I just ask my patients to help meet me half way, and do what they can to help themselves! Eat right, exercise regularly, and learn to laugh!!! Keep mopving everybody!
It was a busy weekend for us! We went out to Deadwood on Wednesday for our annual SD Family Physician conference. Sarah was sworn in on Friday night and will now be the president of the SD Academy of Family Physicians! Congratulations Sarah!
She was sworn in on Friday night by the National Academy of Family Physicians President Dr. Gary LeRoy! He came from Ohio to join our conference, and to officially swear her into office. What a great conference!
She and I spent Thursday afternoon teaching other Family Physicians on Diabetes.
It is a great conference where we all can learn new things, and learn from each other as well. That will be one of the job responsibilities of the president; helping with ideas for topics for continuing education for the 350 Family Physicians of the state. She will get to do some traveling as well to national conferences, including Kansas City, Chicago, and Washington DC. I plan on going with her on some of these! We also had fun spending time with friends, classmates from med school, and Carletta Hauck, our Executive Director for the SDAFP!
Carletta’s daughter Carissa also came. It was great getting to see her again! She was helping Carletta with the conference, along with Steve, and Noah. It was a family effort! Each afternoon we had between 1-2 hours out of the whole day to do something else. So, of course, we went running!
Here I go by the sign Moon Mountain! The route by the hotel is up in the mountains. We would go 4 miles, with the first mile up, the second mile down, and then back. Those hills are incredibly tough.
Here Sarah is leading the way on the first mile going up! We just had to keep telling ourselves that once we got done with the first mile, it would be downhill for the next. Then repeat! That 3rd mile, going back up again, was a killer. At least the 4th mile was back down again!
The hills did not seem too bad when you had a least a great view. All of the pine trees, the pine tree smell, and even saw a few deer! It was enough of a break to go back at it again for the evening sessions!
Sarah will do a great job of being President, and will lead by example. She had the audience laughing with her speech! We have been a big part of this academy since medical school! Family Medicine is what we do, and we always need to keep learning. As she said in her speech, it will be just like when I was president over 15 years ago. The academy just got a 2 for 1 deal. You vote in one, and you get the benefit of having both of us. Good job Sarah! Congratulations! You will do great! Keep moving everybody!
Man’s best friend. They are always there for us. They want to play, have attention, regardless of how their day has been. Tail always wagging, ready to get going on the new adventure, or just glad to see you. I have had a dog now for over 25 years. It is so incredibly hard when we have to say goodbye to one of them, but all of the times we have had with them more than makes up for the sadness of saying goodbye.
Here is our daughter Megan playing with her dog , Dobby, a lab/pointer mix, 3 years old, and Dakota, our Golden Retriever puppy, now 5 months old. They keep each other company during the day, and then want all of our attention at night. They get along well with each other, and I think they both would feel lost if they did not have the other one around during the day either.
This is a good summary of just what we can, and have learned, from having a dog. Appreciate them. They make great training partners, friends, and family members…They can feel the love that comes from this family as well. And, they know they are a part of this family!
The loyalty they show, and unending love is something you would not understand unless you have, or have had, a dog. They are always ready to go for a walk, or a run. Something to get moving. They are great for helping to get you moving yourself, and to do some exercise. They do not care what the weather is outside. They just want to go! With all of the kids at least grown up and out of the house, it is like taking care of another child. They at least don’t talk back all of the time!
They want your attention, and will be very loyal to you. Take advantage of their unending love!
This one has definitely taken our hearts. She is already a very special dog. I only see this getting even better as she gets bigger. Many adventures, walks, and runs to look forward too!
Here is to you Dakota! She helps keep us moving, and enjoying life. If you have a dog, you know what I mean. If you don’t have a dog, what are you waiting for? Keep moving everybody!
