by Dan | Sep 22, 2014 | Exercise, Family, Motivation, Wellness/Health
My girls turn 20 today! Both in their own worlds now. One at SDSU in Brookings, and one at George Mason University in Fairfax, VA. One swimming, and one trying to keep running, and both trying to figure out their future life. We all have challenges every day, and for us “older individuals”, we know how challenging and stressful this time in our life can be. You may be away at school learning, but they, like all of us, need to remember one thing: Spend your life learning how to live!
They are still trying to figure out their ultimate destination, but who isn’t? We all continue to learn, and to learn by our mistakes. Life is continuously changing. That is what makes it such a fun adventure. Happy Birthday you two! Stay focused, have fun, live and learn. Mom and I are always here for you!
Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2551
by Dan | Sep 14, 2014 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Nick participated in the Augustana sponsored high school cross country meet yesterday. First race since collapsing 300 meters before the finish line 2 weeks ago at the Canby meet at night. What a scare! He had been sick with an upper respiratory infection for over a week, and it was very humid out that day and night. He also has an exercise induced asthma component, but had used his inhaler prior to the race, as usual. With all of this together, he pushed himself to the maximum, and over did it. When he was not coming to the finish, I took off looking for him, but couldn’t find him. As I was running back to the finish line, the PA speaker announced “Dr. Reiffenberger to the ambulance now!” Nothing like a dead sprint to the ambulance! When I got inside, he was “out of it”. He vomited multiple times, and was pouring in sweat. He does not remember what even happened. He lost 10# that night, and took it easy for the next 2 weeks, trying to gain his strength back. Yesterday was his first day back to racing. He was very nervous. He came up to me off at the side 5 minutes prior to the start and told me he was not sure he could do this. I just reinforced to him to just do his best, that it did not matter his time, and he had to prove to himself he could do this.
Here he is coming down the home stretch to the finish line yesterday. Was he happy with how he finished? No. Was he happy with how he felt? No. But he finished, and safely. I applaud him for having the courage to come back and face his fears. He overcame them yesterday, and hopefully now he can keep moving on. This may have just been “a race” yesterday, but this is what life is all about. We all have challenges we have to face in our life, or have fears we have to overcome. We have to be willing to go out of our comfort zone, and face them head on, or risk being ruled by those fears forever. This part was far more important than any race. I could not have been more proud of him that I was yesterday! Way to go Nick, and take on your challenges and fears head on! That is a lesson for us all…things we want do not come easy. Staying fit and doing exercise is never easy, but you can do it, and gain the benefits from it in many ways. Thanks for teaching us a lesson Nick!
Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2543
by Dan | Sep 1, 2014 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Heart Health, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Running has been a part of my life for over 30 years. I have incorporated other forms of exercise in that time period, but running is still at the top of the list for favorites. Whether competition, or for fun, it does not matter. All those times of getting ready for marathons, the marathon may have been the final goal, but the achievement was really the work and the process of getting ready for it. Especially when I had training partners. Lots of conversations and thoughts on those runs, and lots of problem solving. The competition was just the icing on the cake. This was the latest race at the Kampeska triathlon.
That drive to continue to be better is still always there. I have had many training partners over the years, but the one who has been at my side always has been my wife Sarah.
Our son Nick is a senior in high school this year, and then everyone will be off to college. This will be the beginning for Sarah and I to start going to different states to participate in other runs, and start exploring the country. You can see much more going for a run! Figure what can spark that drive in you. If you are tired of starting over, then stop giving up! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2530
by Dan | Aug 10, 2014 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Motivation, weight lifting, Wellness/Health
There is no debate…exercise takes work. But, you can make it fun. It is also a good way to spend time with your family. We just went on vacation for a few days to Minneapolis, and everybody but Molly went with us. Sarah, Nick, Megan and I all went for a run each morning. We then spent the rest of the day doing lots of walking at Mall of America and other adventures. When we got back, Megan and I went into Anytime Fitness to get our weight workout in.
Anytime Fitness is having a selfie contest this month, so we decided to have a little fun with this. The caption I had with this was: Coach Dad…work your “bun” off! We did a lot of laughing, plus got our workout in. Megan will be going back to school in Virginia in 10 days. We are not going to be having many of these times left.
So relax…spend some time with your family, have fun, and you can still workout. Set the tone parents…your kids will follow. Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2508
by Dan | Jul 27, 2014 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Heart Health, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Running and exercise has brought a lot to my life. Many adventures, trips, meeting new people, and gaining new friendships. What if…I did not run? What if…I was not healthy enough to be active? What if…I was not diligent about staying active? How would my life be? How would my health be? What activities would I do with my family? Many things to consider.
Here I am with my family, and our neighbors, Steve and Carletta Hauck and some of their kids…our second family. This is when we went to Disney and had a great time…family time. Yet, if we had not been doing the 1/2 marathon, and marathon, we would not have had this experience.
Running had made my life much more complete! The adventures I have been on as a result of running and exercise are so numerous I can’t imagine my life without it. It can be the same for you. The places it can take you, the energy it can give you to do more things, the doors that open up as a result of being healthy to enjoy life are countless. If you already run or exercise, you know exactly what I mean. If you don’t, it is time to figure out what it is all about. The adventures and memories that will arise are priceless. What if…I had not started? I know what I would have missed out on. Now, what if…I were to stop? I can relax on this one. This is not going to be an option as long as I have anything to say about it. Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2494
by Dan | Jul 20, 2014 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
It takes time getting comfortable with a new training partner, especially if they are new at it. Zeus is getting bigger all of the time, just weighing in at the Vet this week at 37#. We can go 2 miles at a time with him, walk, jog, and then often times we will take him out for a second time for maybe a mile. He is getting stronger everyday!
Here he is saying Hi! Look at the size of those mitts! He is ready to go anytime, we just get out the leash. He still likes to start out walking himself, holding the leash in his mouth.
Please take me out for a run/walk, Please!!!! Patience is a virtue. All training partners need to get accustomed to each other. Later on, you start thinking alike, and you just go. It is not different with any training partner. Just find that one that helps you as much as you help them. It does you both good. Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 2487
