by Dan | Aug 9, 2015 | Exercise, Motivation, Wellness/Health
I first started to run in middle school, going out for Cross Country in 7th. Needless to say, I never really liked it then, and quit. I would run on and off on my own, but very sporadic. I started to do a little more in high school, but still never went out for school sports. Then the Spring of my Junior year of high school I entered the Diet Pepsi 10k race in SF. At that point, this was the furthest I had run at one time. In that race was Dick Beardsley, and he won the race in 29:50. I remember seeing one runner out front and literally “flying” down the road. I was running with my mouth open just watching him go. Later that day when I went to work that afternoon, I saw this same guy running down 41st in SF…again, just “flying”. I later found out this was Dick Beardsley, and up and coming marathon runner. He later won Grandma’s Marathon in 1981, a few months after this race, setting the course record that still stands at 2:09:37. He later won again in 1982. He is even more famous for the “Duel in the Sun”, battling Alberto Salazar at the Boston Marathon in 1982, losing by 2 seconds! He ran a 2:08:53! Incredible time! Watching him run set the tone for me. That Diet Pepsi 10K race, and watching him, sparked an interest in me that continues to this day. This is when I first really started running. I went out for Cross Country then that Fall for my senior year, and then also ran track in the Spring of 1982. You can say I definitely had a late start. I then ran Cross Country and Track all 4 years at Augustana…all because of Dick Beardsley! He is without question my running hero! I have seen him twice over the years at different events…the first time in 2002 when I ran at the Twin Cities marathon. He autographed my race number, and a copy of his book: “Duel in the Sun”. Then again 2 years ago at the Fargo Marathon, where I got to have my picture taken with him, and two other very important people…my other training partners– Tom Beaudry and Steve Hauck. Incredible memories! But this is truly how I got started with running, and have kept going since. I am “in it for the long run”! Below are pictures of Dick Beardsley with Tom and Steve, and myself, and from my beginning days as a Washington Warrior as a senior in high school, followed by my autographed race number by Dick Beardsley. Each week I will follow with another in a series of my “In It For the Long Run”, as I chronicle my years of running…to finish up then where I am at today.
Keep moving everybody! Deep down, I bet there is someone out there that influences you, and may help motivate you! Keep them in mind as you continue on with your journey, and live life to the fullest!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2872
by Dan | Aug 2, 2015 | Etc.
It has been many years since I started running…dating back to middle school. I ran on my own at that time, and then went out for Cross Country my senior year of High School, and then ran competitively all 4 years of college at Augustana. It was a great experience, and truly set the foundation for a lifetime of running. It has now been 29 years since I graduated from college, and am still running. I think it is safe to say I am definitely in it for the long run! I guess that is why I run marathons too…for the long run! Running has taught me so much over the years, and has taken me more places than I could have ever thought possible. I love running, and it is now a part of me forever. Throughout the years, it has helped me meet new people, make new friends, but more importantly, it has helped me be a better husband, Dad, and doctor. I can relate to a lot of the same issues other people have experienced, or are experiencing at the time. There have been memorable things that have occurred over the years, and I think it may be time to start writing about them as well. So I have a plan outlined that could cover the next several months of what running/exercise has done for me. It will include my family, both with my wife Sarah and my kids, but also my extended family, and the times we have spent growing up, and time we spend now. I have had many training partners over the years, all of which have a special place in my heart, and all who have provided different insight into not only running, but also life! Where do I start with all the friends I have made as a result of running? I will write about exercise has challenged me as a doctor, and how I try to promote exercise to all of my patients, and how I have had many success stories, not only with my patients, but even my staff. It has been an adventure all along the way, and hope that it continues for many years to come. I still have a lot to learn yet…and must always remember, nobody knows everything. We are all continuing to learn and grow from our experiences, and we all need to pass that knowledge on. Stay tuned as I share my experiences from all of this, and hope that it can do the same for you! After all, this is about how we need to STRIVE to SURVIVE, and as a result, THRIVE! My life so far has been a definite Thumbs Up, as you will see with the picture below. Following this are a few pictures that include me running, followed by some very important people in my life…my wife Sarah, and very good friends Carletta and Steve Hauck, and great training partners, Tom Beaudry and Steve Hauck. This is just to get things started, as I will expand on more of these issues, and people, in the upcoming months…I just don’t have enough room to put them all in here yet! They will show up later! In this fast pace we call life, sometimes things have to slow down just to reflect back and appreciate everything we have, and have done. By the time I wrap all of this up, you will see that we all need to take the time to smell the roses along the way! Enjoy your life, and the things/people in your life. Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2865
by Dan | Jul 26, 2015 | Etc.
How many times have we heard how fast time goes, or “Life is too short”, and I don’t have “enough time” to do all the things I want to. This week really brought everything to light again. One on our physician colleagues was killed in a motor vehicle accident…gone at age 58. There are many things all of us want to accomplish yet in our lifetime, yet we don’t know if we are going to be here tomorrow or not. We need to live each day to its fullest. Take on the challenges that we all face head on, and never give up. The last thing any of us wants to have any regrets in our life. No matter what, we will all have certain regrets in regards to things that we want to do, or would have liked to do. All we can do is keep trying. Live life to the fullest. Take care of ourselves the best we can, and control the factors in life that we can. The other things are truly out of our control. We can’t be afraid to take on those new challenges. That is what life is about…it is an adventure for us to experience and take advantage of, and live to the fullest. Keep in mind those things in your life that is important to you, and then keep working on trying to make it better. Take care of ourselves by watching things in our diet, and doing exercise, so that we can increase our odds of being around to be involved in those things important in our lives. Below are the things important to me, and I have said this numerous times…Sarah, Nick, Molly and Megan. The last picture is one to make you think, and I will quote Zig Ziglar: “No matter how good or bad your life is, wake up each morning and be thankful you still have one.” Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2858
by Dan | Jul 19, 2015 | Etc.
I have been running for many years, since middle school, and the amount of things that running has taught me is extraordinary. Yes, there are days when things get too busy, hectic, and I could think of many other things that need to be done, but running has taught me how to help prioritize. Running has taught me patience, compassion, fortitude, independence, desire, will power, determination, adventure, passion…just to name a few. No matter what, it has been a great way to start the day, and to get my mind cleared to take on the day. Sometimes the morning does not work, and I will go in the evening, and it has been a great way to clear my mind from the day. Anybody out there who runs knows what I mean. The biggest part of it all is it does not matter how fast you go…6 min or 15 min…a mile is a mile. For those of you who do not run, but may walk, or ride bike, or other activity…you still know what I mean. The feelings and experiences can be the same. Running equals time for me! Sometimes it is great to go out and run by myself…especially when I need to think. Other times, it is great to go with a partner, or group of people, and talk about things going on. Everybody has different opinions and ideas, and have definitely have experienced different things, so it is always interesting to hear how other people handle things. This is what is nice about the run club…it is a social event. You get to hear what other people are doing, how they are handling it, and sometimes that individual just needs to vent things to help them help themselves. I would not trade it for anything. I plan on running as long as I can, and then when I can’t do this, I will walk, or find some other activity. I will keep moving as long as I can. The adventures involved with this are too good, too unique, too special, to give up. It has been many years already, and looking forward to many more. Below are some pictures of me running with training partners recently…me with Steve, Sarah with are Carissa, who is like another daughter for us, and then just me…alone, taking things on head on! No feeling like it in the world! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2851
by Dan | Jul 12, 2015 | Etc.
The 31st Annual Kampeska triathlon was held yesterday. There were 65 participants. You start off by doing a 1/4 mile swim along the shore line of Lake Kampeska out by City Park, then go for a bike ride around the lake, 14 miles, followed by a 5K run. It can be a challenge, because everybody has a weak point in at least one of the events. I was still able to participate with my injury…just had to slow it down a notch. These events are not always about who you can beat, or how fast you can go, but mainly to be able to participate! Every body out there has different goals, and a different agenda, and that is OK. We are all unique anyway. The spirit of being able to participate is the really enjoyable part. I was glad I was doing well enough to participate, as I had already registered prior to getting hurt. This is one of the highlights of the summer, so I really wanted to be doing it. Sometimes, we have to contend with weather. It started to sprinkle when we were swimming, and then came down heavier during the bike ride, but then quit during the run. We always have to keep the weather in mind with adjustments made as needed. But, what we don’t always factor in is if we get a flat tire on the bike while riding. Yesterday was what I call a bad day for people in regards to this, as 5 people had a flat tire. Some of them lived close by and walked to their house and grabbed a different bike, and one even carried his bike 3.5 miles walking to get in, and then went running. If you get helped, you disqualify yourself from placement, or even having a time. Sarah was one of those who got a flat tire, 3 miles into the race. She got help, and was driven back to the start where she got her tire changed, but had to relinquish her chip for timing. It did not matter to her…she wanted to finish. Her goal…I started this, I wanted to finish it. So despite being in last place at this time, she jumped back up on her bike and took off again. She was feeling more down by the time she came in to start the run portion, because she was mainly by herself. It still didn’t matter. She took off and ran, and I met her about a 1/2 mile from the finish and ran in with her. It was not about the time. It was not about how she placed. She was happy she was able to participate, and she was going to finish anyway. Is that not what life is about? We get thrown challenges, curve balls, “flat tires”, and we have to figure out how to overcome these challenges, and push on. You make the most out of every situation, and make the best of it. She had a goal to finish this event, and she did! Many of the other ones with a flat tire did the same. They were out to finish, regardless of the final time. Never give up on yourself! Life is too short as it is. Take advantage of those good days when they come, and make the best out of the days that may not be as good, or turn out the way we want them too. You are in the driver seat to determine this. Your attitude says it all! Here are some pictures of the event. I am running the last stretch with Sarah coming into finish, and then several of Sarah getting ready prior to the event, and then Sarah being congratulated for finishing by another friend, Jill, whose brother Steve also had a flat tire, but kept going and finished as well. Good job you guys! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2844
