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 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
by Dan | Sep 30, 2018 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Motivation, Wellness/Health
This week the consecutive exercise streak began its 12th year! I have been off on my counting over the years, and so I double checked with an app the number of days from 9/26/07 when my streak began, until today, and I was off by 14 days in my counting. My actual consecutive days of exercise as of today is 4022! The important part is the day I started, so I guess I can allow myself some leeway of not having the number of days right over that time period. It has been fun, but it has also been work. The first year was still the hardest, and the now the rest is habit. I still have to plan at the beginning of each week when I plan on working out each day that week. It is still work, and takes a commitment on my part to stick with it. Many obstacles have gotten in the way over the years, including illness and some injuries, but nothing severe enough to bring the streak to an end.
Weather definitely plays a part when you live in SD! Rain, snow, ice, below zero temps…but what it boils down to if I were to miss is that it would just be another excuse. Once the excuses start, it is very hard to stop. You just put your head down and dig a little deeper.
Some days are tougher than others, but I have learned to hang on. I made this commitment to myself, and it was, and is, important to me. That I guess is really what is important. My goal of telling everybody I see every day that they need to work on their health by working on their diet, and trying to exercise, at least I practice what I preach! If you want it, you have to earn it!
I have had many training partners over the years, both 2 legged and 4 legged. They have all helped me to stay motivated to keep going as well, and hopefully the same as occurred in return for them. We all need help at times, so if it is ever offered, then take advantage of it. That day will come when you can return the favor. So, with that…
…the consecutive streak, just like the races, will continue. Every day is a new record. As long as I am in control, it will continue to keep going. Other things make it easy to keep this going as well.
When you work out, or exercise for a purpose, especially when it can be to the benefit of someone else, is always a motivating factor!
The friends made along the way has become priceless. Running is what brought all those relationships together, and we all work together to keep each other going. No task is too large when you have a automatic group of support backing you up along the way. Feel free to join us anytime, and if that does not work for you, then create your own support group that will work for you. Maybe you are tired of waiting for someone else to start it, so you start it! It has to start with, and by, someone! What are you waiting for!
I am planning on having a lot of running adventures with Sarah over the coming years. I have now ran in 33 of the 50 states, so now have to start hitting some of the rest of those states so that I can say I have been in all of them! There is always something to strive for. What is it you want? What are your goals? Have you told anybody else your goals? Make those goals known. When somebody other than you knows them, you become even more committed to making them a reality. What are you waiting for? Keep moving everybody…and have fun along the way!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 4022 (after having those days in I miss counted)
by Dan | Sep 22, 2018 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Heart Health, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Today marks another milestone in the consecutive exercise streak: Day #4000! In less than a week, I will have completed year 11, and moving onto year 12 of not missing a day of exercise. A lot of different things have gone on over all of these years that could have created a lapse in this record. But as I have said many times, it would have just been another excuse otherwise. Again, I don’t know how long this will go, but it will keep going as long as I have a say in it.
Over the years a lot of people have helped me in my consecutive day quest, and you have seen many pictures of them over the years, but a huge shout out goes to all of them as well to help keep me going. Hopefully, I help keep you going too!
But today, there is more for me to be jumping up and down with, and celebrating. My twin daughters, Molly and Megan, also turn 24 on this milestone day! Now that to me is what is really worth celebrating! With Megan living yet in Virginia, I don’t get to see her as often as I would like, but we talk multiple times a week, and text daily. Molly I get to see more often, but I am gone this weekend, so I could not celebrate her birthday with her. I am definitely thinking of you both, and will make up for it again the next time I see you both!
This is when they were 6 months old! A lot has changed since then. I love them and care about them even more now. I will always be their Dad! I love spending time with them. When all 3 kids were home the first week in August it was wonderful. I hope we have many more times like that.
Even many things have changed since you graduated from High School. The one thing that has not changed is how much we care about you! I hope they always remember that too! Sarah and I have tried instilling the right way to do things as they have grown up. We have always been very vocal on staying active. We love running with them! And Megan, we are going to start working on our swimming within this next month, so there may be some joint swim time to spend with you on this also! But the person who has helped me the most with my consecutive exercise streak, and my life in general, is Sarah!
We run together, spend time together, work together…be together. I love you and thank you for everything you do and have done for us, and our family. The competitive nature does not quit over time either. We are always ready to take on the next challenge, and you are always right there with me!
So I say “Bring it on”! I will keep going as long as I have the support from you Sarah! I want to be around more to spend time with you and our family, and our friends.
So for the rest of you, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and just make sure you “get out of bed, get out the door, and get moving!”
After all, there are a lot of things in life yet to go see, and do, and people to spend it with. Be in control of your health as much as you possibly can be. Strive to Survive! Happy Birthday Molly and Megan! Love you! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 4000!
by Dan | Sep 16, 2018 | Exercise, Family, Goals, Heart Health, Motivation, Wellness/Health
Sarah and I have been Family Physicians in Watertown since 1994. We have gone through many transitions during that time, clinic changes, family changes, countless patients. When you look back at all of it, you start to realize how fast things go. At the pace of how things go each week, it is no wonder things go by fast. This week had started out in SF with the two of us doing the Half Marathon in SF, along with many of our running friends from Watertown. I have lost count how many Half Marathons I have done, but have counted the marathons, which is at 16. The number for all of them really does not matter. The reason we run is what is important. We spend each day, day after day, trying to tell patients that they need to do more to help take care of themselves. I am a firm believer is living by example. If I am going to tell my patients they need to watch their diet, and be more active, then I better be doing it myself.
I hear many times how “crazy” we are with all of the exercise that we do. For me, it is not only about being healthy and taking care of myself, but also about having some time to myself. Time to think, time to unwind. Time to decompress from all of the issues from the day. This week was no different. We spend all day in the clinic seeing patients, handling one crisis after another. You go from one room where you are seeing an infant who is 5 days old, to the next person who is 98 years old. Diabetes, Hypertension, Heart disease, anxiety, depression, insomnia, fractures, lacerations, or someone who acutely needs to be set up for emergency surgery. I had to tell one patient, who I have taken care of for years, that it is time for him to be in the Nursing Home. Tears flow from everybody. I have to help be there for the next patient whose wife passed away a month ago, and he does not know how he can go on. I get to break the news to someone that they now have terminal cancer, and the battle ahead is not going to be easy. I do my best to try to stay on time, but some patients just need more time to figure out what is going on with them. Then I have to try and calm down the next patient who is angry because they had to wait while I was dealing with someone else’s emergency. Some days I wonder why I do this. All of the medical record documentation, the quality measures for insurance and Medicare, not to mention all of the requirements just for Medicare. Some days there is not enough time in the day to get it all done. But I became a Family Physician because I care about Family. Family is the core of everything. When we take care of a patient, we are also taking care of the Family, or helping this patient attempt to be able to spend more time with their Family. That is why I/We do this! That to me is also what defines whether someone is a good physician or not.
Take care of the patient who has the problem/disease, not just the disease! We are all individuals, and we all handle illnesses differently. A big part of our practice to teach…to teach not only our patients, but also other health care professionals. So this week we started off with a new group in our Strive to Survive program, attempting to teach them how to help take care of themselves. This, of course, after teaching this to my patients 20+ times a day. Thursday morning Sarah and spent teaching Pediatric Advanced Life Support to health care professionals to help take care of pediatric patients. Then Thursday night I spent on live TV with the TV Program “On Call”, answering any questions that were asked by patients calling in for an hour! Much of this education also revolved around taking care of yourself, and helping with your diet and increasing exercise. The more you can do on your own, the less medications you may be on later, and the healthier you can be. Of course, sports also come into play, and was on the sideline Friday night for the football game to help out in any way possible to ensure safety.
I don’t have an answer to everything. Some things cannot be fixed. But that does not mean you don’t do anything about it. You have to help your patient come to terms with their issues. To help them figure out how to cope with it, adapt to it…live with it…or how to cope with the fact that they are going to die from it.
The more you can keep working on it yourself, the better things can be. You keep going, just like I keep telling my patients. “Don’t quit”. “Dig deep”.
These are the reasons I run. I practice what I tell my patients to do. It helps keep me organized. It gives me the energy to put in these longs days to help with my patients…to help “keep me going”.
Life as a Family Physician is a lot like running an endurance event. Put my head down, concentrate, push through, come up with a plan, and then finish! Then onto the next. Each day is different. That is what makes Family Medicine enjoyable. No two days are alike. Some things are more predictable because we see it a lot, but many times you have no idea what you may encounter when you walk into a room.
Spending time exercising makes it easier for me to concentrate and focus…and to spend time with my Family. Those moments go by quickly, so don’t waste them! There is nothing that makes a Family Physician happier than seeing our patients work on things to help themselves. We can help instruct, coach, sympathize, empathize with you, but we cannot do the activity for you. I had a physician teacher when I was in medical school who was a smoker, and weighed over 300#. The cigarette pack would be in his shirt pocket hanging out, and he would tell his patients that they needed to lose weight, and quit smoking. How many patients do you think actually listened to him? I often times wonder how many times my patients listen to me! I keep trying, showing, and living it. This interaction is also a “team effort”. I can’t do it alone, and neither can you. Together, we have a much better chance of success!
Sarah and I finished another Half Marathon. We worked at it together, and with the help of training with our run club members. We all work together, but we all have to make the individual effort as well. You need both aspects. We as Family Physicians want to help you spend more time with your Family. Meet us half way, and make the effort to work on what you can, and we can help guide through the rest. The combination can create a very productive “A Team”! Keep moving everybody!
Dr. Dan
Consecutive Exercise Day #: 3994
