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
by Dan | Sep 6, 2015 | Etc.
Tom Beaudry…my first marathon training partner…with me here following one of our Grandma’s Marathon races. We trained together for many years… many long runs. We did lots of talking, lots of listening, solving the worlds problems on those long runs…if the rest of the world would have just listened to us! We spent many a times getting ready for multiple marathons…Grandma’s in Duluth, MN; Twin Cities marathon in St. Paul/Minneapolis; Rock and Roll Marathon in Phoenix. All special memories…and they won’t be forgotten. Running has brought us to a lot of events that we have either participated in, or helped create, including our Hospital Hill run.
Next year we will be getting ready for the 20th Annual Hospital Hill Run!
Those marathons have taught us a lot about not only each other, but ourselves. Each one brought with it many challenges, and obstacles…but all worth it in the end. Here are some shots of us in one of the Twin Cities Marathon.
Some went better than others, but it is safe to say the Marathon was only the final point. The journey and adventure came by our training together for 4 months before each marathon. This was the important part. This is the bond any training partner has. It is the reason why we kept doing these. The day of the race may have been the ultimate goal, but the adventure was leading up to it. The times we would spend with our family at these events was also one of the may highlights of that one day.
Here Tom and I are with our wives, Sarah and Sue (Sue is taking the picture), my twin brother Don and his wife Michele, and my youngest brother Rich. Great times going out to eat and talk, and creating memories. This one was in Phoenix for the Rock and Roll Marathon.
Tom was a great training partner, but more important, a GREAT FRIEND! Earlier this year Tom had health issues and had to have a cardiac stent placed, and was out of running for awhile. He is back at it again, but not those long runs like we previously had. Those long runs don’t matter, as we still get to run together. That is what matters. I want my friend around to spend time with. We just make our conversations shorter! The hard part is we are runners…things like that are not supposed to happen to us! But, we are human, and those things unfortunately are, and we will have to deal with those things when they come up. I did a long run yesterday, and Sarah was going to go with me for part of it, and then ride her bike the rest of the way with me. She got called in as one of her OB patients was going into labor, and going to deliver. I did the 20 miler on my own. Tom was out by the Lake (Don’t know if you were out there to go fishing), but he pulled up beside me and asked me if I needed anything! I was at 16.5 miles of the 20…What I really wanted was my training partner to help get me through those last 3.5 miles! You fired me up though just seeing you, and I kept thinking of those past days while I worked my way in. You helped me even when you are not running beside me!
Thanks for all of the years of running training partner…Friend! Here is hoping to many more years of it as well!
Below is a recent photo of my main marathon training partners, Tom Beaudry, and Steve Hauck, at the Fargo event a few years ago. Next posting will be talking about Steve!
Keep moving everybody! Keep in mind those people important to you, and spend time with them!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2900
by kelsey | Sep 1, 2015 | Etc.
In one week our fall session of STRIVE 2 Survive starts! We are really looking forward to another session with a great group of people all working to improve their health and wellness!! We do still have room, so be sure to contact us today to get signed up! Also- listen for me on the radio tomorrow (Wednesday) morning around 6:45am to talk about the program! It’s not too late get back in shape and improve your health and we’d love to help you!
Details: The first lecture will be held September 8th (the Tuesday after Labor Day) and we will meet in person on the dates listed below (Tuesdays) at the County Fair Banquet Hall from 5:30-6:30pm. The weeks we do not meet, you will be given a take home lesson mailed or emailed to you, thus every week you will be given education, tips, etc on nutrition and activity. In addition, we include lab work (total lipid panel and glucose) and body composition testing (weight, height, BMI, blood pressure, fat%, and muscle mass) at the beginning and end of the program. The total cost is $130, which includes all lessons, lab work, and body composition testing.
Our main goal is to help you learn how to live a healthier lifestyle that promotes disease prevention, longevity, and quality of life. Weight loss, improved lipids, improved glucose, improved blood pressure, and improved overall health are all results of our program.
Enrollment is underway, thus if you are interested or know of someone who is, please contact us to learn more and get signed up! You can call me directly at 884-4226 or email strive2survive@brownclinic.org. We are looking forward to another great session!
September 8: “Healthy Eating Made Easy” Kelsey Raml, MS, RD, LN
September 29: “Exercise for the Health of It” Dr. Dan Reiffenberger & Dr.Torness
October 13: “Your Equation to Success” Dr. Jon McAreavey
October 27: “A Walk thru the Wellness Wheel” Dr. Clark Likness
November 10: “Medications…to do or not to do” Deidra VanGilder, PharmD
November 24: “Making Health a Way of Life” STRIVE Team
-Kelsey
by Dan | Aug 30, 2015 | Etc.
Well, today finally came. We took Nick down to SF to get started at Augustana this morning. It has been a whirlwind…good and bad. Excited, anxious, worried…stressed. Hopefully, we have set the tone, and he is prepared for the next phase. He has decided for now not to run competitively, but he is going to run on his own. He understands the importance of using exercise as a means to help not only stay fit, but to relieve stress. We have enjoyed running with him, and watching him. As parents, we have worked hard to get him to this point. I have said many times that one of the reasons Sarah and I workout is so we can take care of our health, and be around for our kids. This was one of those moments! Now, we can sit back and worry about how he is doing there! All 3 kids away at college, and all different ones yet too. It may be time for a run myself!
We got him all loaded up and then moved in. Molly even came down from Brookings to help. He definitely appreciated his big sister being there to help ease his “jitters”. Thanks Molly! You were a big help today! Sarah did well holding back the tears. Here she is with Nick after we loaded him up, and then Nick getting the feel what it will be like studying! Hopefully this is the case!
Of course, we are not the only ones who are going to miss him. Here is Zeus last night…he knew something was going on as we were doing all of the packing. Even Nick was pretty bummed this AM saying goodbye to Zeus! At least he won’t be too far away!
Good luck at College Nick! And as always, continued good luck to my Molly and Megan in college as well!
Keep moving everybody! Remember those that care about you the most!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2893
