by Dan | Oct 11, 2015 | Etc.
Anyone who has a dog knows how they become part of the family. What makes them even more unique and special is how faithful of a training partner they can be… and do become. It does not matter the weather or time of day, they are ready to go anytime. It does take training, patience, and persistence, but over time, they are always there for you, and are a great motivator to get out the door and get moving. This is not only for yourself, but the rest of the family as well.
We started out with Shelby while we were still in residency. Here she is leading our kids for our bike ride and activity at home.
As a Sheltie, Shelby’s talent was leading and keeping everybody in line. But like I said, they become part of the family, and this develops right from the time they are a puppy.
They become part of the family!
Shelby was our first 4 legged training partner. Next came Buddy, our Golden Retriever.
It was hard to imagine Buddy being this little again, as his weight later was 98 pounds. But he loved to run, always ready to go, and would let you know when he did not get to go with you. He would pout, and just not be himself that day. He was great in helping to get out the door because you always had to have him in mind as well.
But even though he was the biggest dog we had ever had to that point, he still wanted to be a “lap dog”. Here he is cuddling with my daughter Megan. Buddy was a major part of my kids lives growing up, and it was a tough day last year in March when we had to put him down. He was almost 12 years old. We all still think of Buddy often, and talk of the good times we had with him.
I did not think I could get another dog after Buddy. But, 3 months later, my kids talked me into another one, and that is when Zeus came along!
After losing Buddy, I guess I could get attached to another dog. There will never be another Buddy, but there shouldn’t be. Zeus has his own personality, and unique characteristics, but there is overall no change with him either as far as how eager he is to go out for a walk or a run. He, too, is ready anytime, anywhere.
Here Sarah is going with him. He is learning, but still does better with one of us at a time. Too much puppy yet, and gets distracted easier with both of us running, but does great with both of us walking. It is coming, it just takes time.
But, Zeus has now taken over our hearts as well, and he is part of the family. There is never a dull moment. A forever friend, and faithful training partner that is once again ready to go anytime. They are all special friends, and have unique characteristics that make each of them stand out. The hardest part is when we have to say goodbye. We keep thinking of all of the good times we spend together, and how each one of them has made our family…family! They all leave permanent marks in our hearts, and give us all special moments that will never leave us. Pictures are great to look back on! So what are you waiting for? Is it time for your own 4 legged training partner? Or time to utilize the one you already have? Take advantage of their help, and keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2935
by Dan | Oct 4, 2015 | Etc.
Being a twin has brought many adventures over the years. There is no more special bond that anybody can have than to have a twin. Don also runs, and I even got him to do a few marathons with me, but other than a few isolated long runs, we never really got to train together for the marathons we were together on. He lived in SF, and now in Parker, so distance made it tough to do. But there is that unwritten bond that we have, and always will. It is not that we are just brothers–but twins. Anybody who is a twin knows what I am talking about. He was an elementary/special education teacher for many years, and then went to his true calling…he is now a Lutheran minister…and very good at it! We both work with people, try to help get them through tough times, listen, offer advice…so similar, yet very different. Twins, but still unique. Just like my twin daughters. But for us, just like my girls, there is a bond that will never be broken. Even though distance may separate all of us, there is not anything any of us would not do for the other. Here are some shots of us growing up.
When we were small people had a hard time telling us apart. Inseparable then! It is not unusual that running had a special bond between us. I was the one who was competitive, and competed, but Don ran for fun. He still is active and runs as well, and I did get him talked into doing a Marathon. He has done several now, but not sure I can get him to do another one! Here are some shots of us after completing the Twin Cities Marathon, and then the Phoenix Rock n Roll marathon.
Along with Tom Beaudry!
With my youngest brother Rich, and Don’s wife Michele, and Sarah. Tom is taking the picture!
There are many special memories growing up, and as an adult, where we did things together. We will be twins forever! Again, the bond is unbreakable, just like it is for my twin daughters!
You have a forever friend, sibling…unique bond stronger than anything. Words are hard to describe this bond, but it is unbreakable.
Thanks for all of the memories Don! It has been great being your twin brother! And to my twin daughters, lean on each other as you continue to grow up. You are more than just sisters, just as we are more than just brothers. We are twins! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2928
by Dan | Sep 24, 2015 | Etc.
I have said for years my main goal when it came to running, and my consecutive exercise streak, was because of 4 goals I had: Those 4 goals were Molly, Megan, Nick, and Sarah. I want to be around to spend time with them, and to be there for them. I want to watch them grow up, and have families of their own. I am going to do whatever I can to make that happen for as long as I can.
For years, they have been a part of our running. There were there for me when I ran Grandma’s marathon, and it is a memory I have forever. When I saw them as I was coming down to mile 24, I about lost it right there. There they were…my cheerleader family, and my kids all jumping up and down screaming for me! They were all facing me, with a message to see.
When as I was getting up to them, they all 3 turned around for another message! I was so proud, and they left a permanent memory in my mind. I was so fired up to finish the race, nothing else mattered. My kids were out there cheering me on, but more important, they had a message for me!
We have been an active family from the beginning. Our motto—the family that exercises together, stays together…and for a much longer time period! My goals are being accomplished. Time goes by fast. They are now all in college, and all of them still stay active and will work out. We are proud parents, and we could not be happier. We tried to lead by example, and hopefully that revealed more than anything to them about how to help take care of themselves. It lead to some great family vacations—running, swimming, hiking. We all had great times.
They were a great support team…and we all worked together. That is what families do. There was a great line from a movie—“Cheaper by the dozen”—when one of the kids in the family backs up her sister, when she stated they had their moments of fights, and would not talk, but in the end, they are the only person they would fight for! That is what love is about. You would help out and do anything for your family. So, as this time clock keeps ticking faster, remember to spend time and appreciate those that are close to you. That is what matters in life. If you don’t have family, what do you really have? I am proud of mine!
Keep moving everybody!
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2918
Dr. Dan
by Dan | Sep 20, 2015 | Etc.
Coming up on Oct 6 will be our 25th wedding Anniversary. What brought us together? Running! We started dating our 2nd year of medical school. I made a habit of running past Sarah’s house, and saw her many times out running during our first year of medical school. I finally mustered up enough courage by asking her to go running with me…and we have not looked back since. That bond brought us together, and has helped us stay together. She is my ultimate training partner…good times and bad, sickness (or injury)and health…forever and for always! We have run many races together, and have teamed up with our kids, but the regular daily runs have been great. We keep each other going, keep each other motivated, and it is always easier to go out when you are not alone. Here are some pictures of us together, and of course, the bulk of them are from different races we have participated in.
Sarah has done many half marathons, but never a full marathon. She says that the marathon is for me, as she is “only half stupid”! Gotta love her!
But she has always been there for me when it comes to the marathon, and supports my efforts, and keeps cheering me on as well.
Even yesterday, as we are getting ready for a trip to Baltimore and Washington DC next month for a race…she is doing the half marathon, and me the marathon…she helped me get through my last long run yesterday. She ran the first 6 miles with me, then rode the bike the next 14 miles with me to get through 20. Then Tom even met us for the last 6 miles of the 20, and he ran with me as well. Talk about a bunch of help to get through! Nowhere is it written that you have to do all of this yourself. All of us need help now and again, and you know what…take it! Appreciate it…and as I have said with my other training partners, it is a great time to talk, discuss, learn about each other, and more importantly, support each other, and be there for each other…forever and for always! Here she is on the bike yesterday beside me.
Thank you Sarah! I love you more than words can describe! I hope you are at my side for many years to come! We can conquer anything together. Happy 25th coming up in the next couple weeks!
Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2914
by Dan | Sep 13, 2015 | Etc.
My “Goofy ” Challenge Training Partner, Steve Hauck, and I after finishing our Goofy Challenge last year. It was at Disney, and it involves a Half Marathon, 13.1 miles on Saturday, followed by the Marathon, 26.2 miles the next day. The goal was to finish, and to pace ourselves evenly to do it. It was an incredible goal, and it felt great after we finished…but…that was not the greatest accomplishment that came out of this. The greatest accomplishment would be being able to do this with my training partner…together…after everything he had gone through.
The beginning of the journey started a year and a half prior to this event. Steve wanted to run a marathon to celebrate turning 50. I was helping him train, and we were going to do the Fargo Marathon. 3 weeks prior to the marathon, Steve began having issues with his heart, and went into a rhythm called atrial fibrillation. We had to shut him down, and he underwent tests and treatment for this, including what is called an ablation to treat the abnormal rhythm. It was a success, but he could not do Fargo. I ran on my own, with Steve watching…I don’t know who was more bummed…
…me running alone, or Steve not being able to run. I held my medal up to his heart after, and we vowed we would do this again. Steve wanted to get going with a marathon, and decided that it would be the Disney marathon 7 months later, so that was the new goal. Well, he did it. Here we are coming down the finish, celebrating the finish of the marathon for him!
Steve accomplished his goal of completing a marathon, and I had a healthy training partner/friend to celebrate it with! And celebrate we did!
We splurged on the “good stuff” after the race…reward for working our butt off! Of course, we had to be hamming it up for the camera the rest of the vacation as well!
Here we are showing off our medals with Mickey! It was a great trip, and Steve finished his first marathon. But, something was missing. He wanted to go back to Fargo to finish what we had initially started…so, off training again to get ready for it in another 4 months. It was a much smoother training period this time around, and we did it…finishing the Fargo marathon that May of 2013.
Our running did not stop after this. We challenged each other again by doing the Goofy Challenge in Januray of 2014…and made it. The stories we can now tell…who knows, most of them later when we tell our grandkids may actually even be true! But, we have pictures to prove it. The bottom line with all of this is we can set goals, and try to achieve them, but the fun in all of this is the journey along the way. As I mentioned last week with Tom…we did lots of talking, solved lots of problems, and learned a lot about each other. Those are the memories that will last forever. The marathon finishes are just the icing on the cake. The shirts we wore say it all…Success…A Journey, not a Destination!
Absolutely no doubt in my mind about those 2 years being a success! Just remember, nothing worth doing means it will be easy…if it was, it would not be a challenge. If you can do this, you feel like you can take on anything that life throws your way. We all know that there are ups and downs in life, and the secret to how it goes depends on how we handle it…our attitude dictates our success. Never say never! Be safe and faster your seat belts…the ride of life can get bumpy at times! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2907
