by Dan | Oct 15, 2015 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Heart Health, Motivation, Wellness/Health
When it comes to your kids, there is no better way to teach them about life, or how to handle things, than to lead by example. Staying active, participating in sports, or exercising on your own is so important when it comes to teaching skills in life. You learn how to mange your time, to focus and concentrate on things at the time, and to not only perform for your own individual goals, but to learn to work as a team. Life is a continuous struggle, but running, walking, biking, swimming, or whatever your favorite activity may be, will help you learn how to do things better. All 3 of my kids are now in college, learning to juggle schedules, managing time, and yet still try to have fun and enjoy life. Hopefully we have taught them adequately how to do this. Teaching them not only by continuously talking with them, and showing up at their events cheering them on, but by them watching us do our activities, and compete in racing events here. As my daughter reminded me here this last weekend when she called from school: “When are you going to showcase us on the blog, and talk about how we are superstars!” Well, Megan…here you go!
Megan was our born fish! Ever since she was little, all she wanted to do was be in the water. It is only fitting that her sport was swimming. She started when she was 10, and swam all through high school, and even swims now at college on the swim club. She gets to travel to different large universities and compete. She was a graceful swimmer, and it was fun to watch her, especially the backstroke. Effortless! Swimming is not my sport…I have to think too much trying. We all have our different talents, but the skill comes in continuing to push yourself. Your only limitation is the space between your ears!
Here she is taking off at the start of her backstroke. Perseverance is the key to any sport or activity. You have to keep trying…keep working…never settle for just being OK.
You are our superstar swimmer Meg! It was fun watching all those years. Never give up on yourself…if you take on life like you do swimming, there will be no stopping you!
Molly started coming into her own in High School with running. She always wanted to be a sprinter in track, but she was deep down a distance runner. Sorry Molly…but that is where your talent truly was. She was our “jack of all trades” sport participant. Gymnastics, soccer, softball, band, cross country, track. She wanted to do it all. Eventually things had to give, and she had to pick and choose, so she did more running as far as school activity. She played softball in the summer.
She was a hard worker, and never gave in. She was proud to be the first recipient of the Godfrey Award for participation in Track and Cross Country. And so were we! A very special award for a “super star” runner.
Keep up the running Molly. Will you be the first one to run a marathon with me???? Time will tell. Just don’t give up. You have many talents …never forget that!
Nick took off in running like Megan did with swimming. He ran more middle distance in track, and they were shorter races, but yet you had to have the stamina of a distance runner.
Lots of traveling involved going to all of your Cross Country races in the Fall. You were a great example leading your Arrow teammates, and showing leadership. They looked up to you, and often times it was commented how well the Arrow boys worked together as a team.
You liked doing different things in the summer as a break also, so you did many years of softball. Lots of games and championship competition that we saw with you as well. Learning to work together as a team, and showing good sportsmanship. It was fun to watch you!
Your true favorite sport was track…you loved the middle distance…800 meters. And, you were good at it! You have to have speed and endurance. Way to go all of those years!
Many times we would be cheering you down the home stretch! It was a proud moment for Sarah and I at Track awards when it was your turn…Just like Molly, you won the Godfrey Award for Cross Country and Track! Now is that cool or what? You guys all learned to compete, to show good sportsmanship, and win or lose gracefully. That makes the 3 of you all of “my heroes”! Your High School days of competing may be done, but hopefully the tone has been set for you all to keep staying active. You have seen your mom and I doing this your entire lives. Something was bound to wear off. Just remember, in life you are always coming down different “home stretches”. There is always another goal to achieve, an accomplishment to reach, a setback to endure. Just like sports and activities. It has set the tone for you to succeed in life. Remember that! Set your sites high, and continue to work on new goals. I have no doubts that you will all succeed! We will always be your mom and dad, and will be “cheering” for you along the way! All the Way! Forever! Love you!
Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2939
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
