by Dan | Nov 4, 2018 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
There have been a lot of memories coming back these last few weeks, some bad, but mostly good. I also found as I was going through some of my things at home I ran across the newsletter that Prairie Lakes Hospital puts out, and this one was dated back in 2002. The article was “The Road to Boston” and it was about my training partner, and friend, Tom Beaudry. Reading that article brought a lot of happy things to mind of those days we were training to try and qualify for the Boston Marathon. It also brought up some issues in relation to running, and injuries. Tom and I were training together for Grandma’s Marathon, which was June of 2001. A week before the marathon, I tore my arch in my foot, the plantar fascia. Many of us may have had issues with pain in our arch, called plantar fasciitis, but that particularly year I actually tore mine. I tore it a week before Grandma’s marathon. I was devastated. Tom and I were both wanting to qualify for the Boston Marathon. Now I was hoping I was just going to be able to run. It was the 25th Anniversary of Grandma’s marathon, and I decided I was going regardless. Qualifying for Boston was no longer in the cards for me, but it was very much a reality for Tom. He did it! I still managed to come in at 3 hours and 48 minutes, but I was off by 28 minutes for a qualifying time. Tom came in at 3:24:36, and he needed a 3:25! This picture is us at the finish line. Tom looks great…I look half dead! But we were both there, and we both had trained, and we were their for each other. Now Tom had to train to keep going to run Boston by April of 2002! I have more pictures to share of Tom at Grandma’s, and then portions of the story that are in quotes came from the article about Tom in the PLH newsletter.
For Tom, it was a dream come true! This was his Road to Boston! “Unlike my past marathons, when only a handful of people would even know I was going to run one, this marathon had me receiving good wishes from friends, other runners, fellow employees, physicians, and many people in the community. The Watertown Public Opinion called and wanted to do an article before I left and KSDR wanted a live interview after my return. The support was incredible, many of the people would say they now know someone who is running the Boston Marathon, it made that person and me feel good. I knew with all the encouragement I was getting that this was bigger than I initially thought.”
“During my long-training runs at home, Dr. Dan Reiffenberger would join me at mile 11 and the route was planned so we would end up at the base of 14th Avenue below the Tree Farm hill at mile 16.5 and then do multiple repeats three to four times up and down, and then go on to finish out 22 miles. I also incorporated that hill into my tempo and race pace workouts two other times each week. The hill work paid off in a big way, as I got stronger as the race went on.”
“My back 13.1 miles were faster than the first half, and I ran my third-fastest marathon. I qualified at Grandma’s Marathon in June 2001 with a time of 3:24:36 (7:49 pace per mile). My chip time in Boston was 3:32:23 (8:06 pace per mile), which I was happy with as this was intended to be a celebration run.” A celebration run it was! I have never qualified for Boston yet. Some day, maybe. But I could not have been happier for my training partner to accomplish this feat! To say it takes a lot of hard work is an understatement. He had his license plate changed to this:
Perfect! What brought all of these memories to light now? Tom sent me a picture that he has hanging in his office. He is getting ready to retire at the end of this year, and it brought up memories for him as well as he starts to get things organized of what will have to be moved.
I gave Tom this picture a year after that Boston run. We did the Twin Cities Marathon together. We have had many long runs together over these many years. And yes, Boston was always the carrot that tried to motivate us, but the real adventure, the real benefit out of all of those runs together…we got to talk! We learned a lot about each other. We became good friends…friends that loved to run! That was what was important out of all of this. It was not the actual time, or where the event was at, at those were all over in under 4 hours. It was the months and months of training together before each one. I believe Tom has done somewhere around 10-12 marathons, and I did my 16th in January this year. Every one of them taught us something different. We were just in Denver a few weeks ago to do the Rock N Roll Half Marathon with a bunch of other friends from our run club. Tom was there, but he could not run as he was injured. He was out there in the crowd cheering us all on, but something was missing. I did not have my long time friend out there running with me. Once again, I have plantar fasciitis, but at least it was not torn this time. I ran just to run, and to be with our other friends that were out there. We were running for another cause, Team FARA this time. But the bottom line cause we were running was to be with our friends, and when one of them is missing who is supposed to be out there, something is definitely missing. Over the years all of us on the run club have had injuries, and have missed time, and there is always something missing when they are not around. The really important part about running is not there…the friendship, the memories! That is what is important.
Here I am at Denver coming over to the sideline just before the start as we heard Tom and Sue cheering us on. I had to go over and give my training partner a high five for luck! Sarah and Jill are in the middle of the picture as we get ready to start. The three of us ran together from start to finish, and now we have memories to build on. I can’t wait for Tom to get back and join us! We will have more races, and someday I may get to Boston, but I would not trade it for any of our training runs where we had time to talk, learn about each other, figure life out, and get through all of its up and downs. All of us have something to teach each other as well, and here Tom and I discuss things after one of our Sunday runs.
Boy, talk about a lot of running knowledge in this picture! We have both learned from each other, and we realize there is always something else to learn from somebody else as well. Races come and go, but friends are forever!
Thanks for all of the memories over the years Tom! I am confident that we have a lot more memories to make. Right now we both need to heal up, and then figure out what adventure we want to take on next. “Success is a Journey, not a Destination”…one of my favorite quotes! Keep moving everybody! Run on!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 4057
by Dan | Oct 28, 2018 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Heart Health, Holidays, Motivation, Wellness/Health
The annual Halloween Hustle put on by the Prairie Lakes Hospital Wellness Center took place on Saturday morning. Costumes are encouraged for this event, so it is a great way to truly go out and just have fun while getting some exercise. You could run or walk, and the distance was at most a 5K, 3.1 miles. We had several characters out there: Batman for me; Super Girl for Sarah; Buzz Lightyear for Jason; and the McElroy clan was Sleeping Beauty and 3 good fairies!
We had great weather, and the sun was shining. It was a great time to get out and either run, or walk. Who says you can’t have fun, and still exercise? The kids loved it, but so did the adults! They gave prizes away for the top male and female finishes in each category, but the main point of this one was to see you could be the most creative with their costumes…and still be able to run or walk in them. Try it next year. It is a great way to get some activity. Bring out that inner “child” in you for all you adults. And for the kids, well…just be yourself…just get your parents out there with you. It truly can be a family event. What are you waiting for? Keep moving everybody! And have fun along the way!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 4049
by Dan | Oct 25, 2018 | Exercise, Family, Motivation, Wellness/Health
This past weekend a group of us from the Watertown Area Run Club took an adventure out to Denver to do the Rock N Roll Half Marathon, and 5k. Amanda, Jill, Paula, Sarah, and I, and Tom, who originally was going to run, but could not due to injury, but was out there to help cheer us on. We originally had thought this would be a time to get away to some where different, and run a bigger race. A bigger race it definitely was, but it evolved into something bigger than even we imagined. As we were getting ready the week or 2 before this race, we decided that we should wear our Team FARA shirts, Friedereich’s Ataxia Research Alliance, the cause we were running for in the Twin Cities last year, and show our support in Colorado. We had so many people asking us during the 5K what FA was, and of course we told them! We decided we had not sweat enough in the 5K race that we should all wear them again the next day for the Half Marathon as well. We lost count how many people asked us during the Half Marathon what FA was! It was a great way to help spread the word. Again, FA is an autosomal recessive inherited disease that causes progressive damage to the nervous system. It can lead to gait disturbance, scoliosis, heart conditions, and diabetes. It is progressive, and eventually a wheelchair is required for mobility. Its incidence in the general population is one in 50,000 people, and we had 4 in Watertown alone! There is no cure at this point, but research is working hard at trying to find that cure. Whether by raising money, or spreading the word, both help. Amanda will be running in New York in the Marathon next month raising money for the cure. When we got done, one individual, Paige McFarlane, came up behind us in her wheelchair to thank us for running for FA. She has FA, and was working the Half Marathon. She was so appreciative, and wanted to have her picture taken with us. That alone made the effort totally worthwhile! This is why we do this!
Even the day before the 5k on Saturday, this overall plan we were thinking of was evolving as the day went. Originally we were just going to wear the shirts in the 5k. But the response we got that first told us we had to wear them the next day too. After all, we are runners. We may sweat, but we don’t stink! Of course we were going to wear the shirts again!
Our rock n roll team was ready to take on anything. It also helped us complete the races. If we got tired, we just thought of those people with FA who cannot run, but wish they could. That was all the motivation we needed.
Sarah and I got to spend some time getting away as well, and yet were still working towards a good cause! I think our finish line photos of Jill, Sarah, and I coming in together pretty much summed up the weekend!
We were joining together for the cause, and we were going to finish together as well. It turned out that helping to spread awareness was really the reason for being there. That in and of itself made the weekend one to remember.
Together we will find a cure. We will help Danny and Ryanne here in Watertown, and Paige in Denver, and to all those other people afflicted with FA in the world. Keep raising money for research. Keep spreading the word so people are even aware of what this is. Keep running and moving because we can. Don’t ever take that for granted. We don’t know when that may change for us. Running races are fun…running for a cause is even more fun…regardless of our race times! Thanks for an amazing weekend Sarah, Jill, Paula, Amanda, Tom, Sue, Kristina, and Mike. Tom you will be running with us next time! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 4046
by Dan | Oct 18, 2018 | Exercise, Family, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Last weekend Nick took me to a Vikings football game at the new US Bank Stadium for an early birthday present. It was the first time I had been inside their new stadium. We made a weekend out of it. It was a great weekend! Time to talk…about football, music, school, exercise…life in general! The football game is what brought the memory together, but it was not about football! There is no question that football, and in particular, the Vikings, has brought a lot of memories to our family over the years.
Even when Nick was little he was wearing his Vikings attire! We went to quite a few games when they were younger. All bringing back good memories.
We even had our Christmas card the one year with us all wearing our Vikings jerseys!
There is something about the atmosphere of being at the game…the fireworks going off at the beginning, all of he cheering, fans screaming!
I took a picture of Nick against one of their walls in the new stadium…
Honor the game! But more important, honor the memories that have come about from all of the times we have had over the years cheering them on. You develop a common bond that we have in common. It is not about football…but football brought those times together. That is what was fun. That is what will have a lifetime of memories. It was a great weekend to spend with Nick. Hopefully, we can do this more often…I can spring for the next game! Time really does go by fast. As you can see by the pictures, we have been having some kind of bond with the Vikings for years. If that is what helps bring us closer together at times, then so be it. Spend time with those who matter to you in your life. Have lasting memories to share forever. It has been fun over the years. I just keep telling myself…”It is not about football”…Have a great week coming. Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 4040
by kelsey | Oct 11, 2018 | Family, Food
If you ate today, be sure to thank a farmer! Tomorrow, October 12th is National Farmers Day! Consumers want to know where their food comes from, yet know very little about how food gets from the farm to the dinner table; in fact, most consumers today are three generations removed from the farm. For example, one thing consumers are unaware of is that milk travels from the farm to grocery store in about 48 hours. In addition, some criticize farmers because they use GMO (genetically modified organisms) seeds and hormones in cattle to promote growth. Farmers understand the science behind these products and why they should be used: by using them, they can use less water, less pesticide and herbicide, and produce enough yield to feed the world! Without these scientific advancements, we would not be able to feed the starving world! Farmers share the same values as consumers on many topics including those related to producing nutritious food, environmental stewardship and animal care. This is not a just a “job” for them, it is their life! The above picture is of my favorite little farmer, our son Corbin, who was helping dad combine beans last year. The rain lately has greatly impacted harvest so hopefully it dries out soon so they can get back in the fields! Corbin is a 6th generation farmer!
October 12th is National Farmers Day and it’s a perfect time to tip our hats to America’s farmers and recognize all of the hard work they put into getting delicious food to our tables!
Here are few fun facts for you about agriculture in South Dakota include:
•98% of farms in South Dakota are family owned and operated – in fact, over 2,500 South Dakota farms have been in the same family for more than 100 years.
•The average size of a farm in South Dakota in 2016 was 1,397 acres.
•The average age of a South Dakota farmer is 57 years.
•There are 46,000 producers in South Dakota on 31,000 farms or ranches.
•Each year, one South Dakota producer raises enough food to feed 155 people in the U.S. and abroad.
•South Dakota’s agriculture industry has a $25.6 billion economic impact each year. With more than 19 million acres of cropland and 23 million acres of pastureland, our farmers and ranchers are one of our economy’s key drivers.
•In addition to generating 20% of our state’s economic activity, production agriculture and its value added industries employ over 115,000 South Dakotans.
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Here are some fun facts about dairy production:
• Milk takes about 48 hours to get from farm to store. Thanks to hardworking dairy farmers for making our food fresh & local.
•Between 1944 and 2007, milk production has quadrupled but emits 63% fewer greenhouse gasses, requires 90% less cropland and consumes 65% less water.
•Cheers to the dairy farmers working hard to make the milk behind our pizza!
•Take this 10-stop video tour to see how milk from real cows, on a Midwest farm, becomes dairy foods you love. Use your smartphone, tablet or computer for an insider’s view of dairy farm living: http://bit.ly/MidwestFarmTour
•Delicious dairy comes from local farms – see for yourself: http://bit.ly/MidwestFarmTour
Producing the food that you put on your table, truly is a labor of love and hard work, so in celebration of National Farmers Day, I encourage you to thank our local farmers for helping put that delicious food on your table… and take extra appreciation of it!
To all of you that work in acres, not hours. We thank you!
-Kelsey Raml, MS, RD, LN
by Dan | Oct 7, 2018 | Exercise, Family, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Yesterday was our 28th wedding anniversary. It seems like yesterday when Sarah and I said “I do”! A lot of things have changed over the years, but the one thing that has not is much I care, and love, Sarah. I thought I was in love that day, but little did I know that was just the beginning. That love has grown so much over these years that I cannot imagine my life without her. We have raised a family, gone on many adventures, and have a passion for exercise and running that has truly been our bond together over these years.
We have been biking, running, walking, hiking all of these years. Here we went back on to where we went on our honeymoon at Estes Park, CO. We spent many times hiking the Rocky Mountains, and have gone back 2 other times and relived that honeymoon as well. We have been in many races together, and separately. We may have run some races separately, but we were there together in all of them!
Here 2 years ago Sarah is patiently waiting for me to finish the Twin Cities Marathon! It was a struggle for me to finish that day. But I knew she would be waiting for me at the finish line, and she was.
I kind of collapsed in her arms at the finish. Tears of joy from me at that time. I knew she would be there, just like always. Supporting, cheering, and many times now, running with me. No other words to describe that kind of a relationship…a relationship that gets even stronger over time.
We have run many races together, and here our friend Cory Ann took one of us in the Brookings half, and we saw her, so of course, I put my arm around her as we ran and smiled! That is what life has been. Doing things together, supporting each other, good days and bad days. I can think of no one else I would rather be with.
Now that the kids are grown and out of the house, we are planning on what our next adventures will be. We don’t know what they will be yet, but guarantee if will involve races, and places we have never been to yet. Many more adventures to go and experience together, and hopefully we will have this for years to come.
It may have been 28 years ago yesterday where we said “I do”, but the lifetime adventure is where it is at. The adventures and lifetime memories only get better, and running and exercise has been that strong bond between. What are you waiting for? It is never too late to start. We can all move, and do something. Start making some ongoing memories for you as well. The biggest limitation is not your legs, but your mind! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 4029
