Tri To Be Healthier

Today, I accomplished another "check mark" on my To-Do List. I competed in, and finished, the Keller, Texas Monster Sprint Triathlon. It was a goal I set for myself back in May when my brother told me about a similar race he had done near his home in Colorado. Not to be outdone, I immediately began looking around for a race to do too...yes, there is just a touch of sibling rivalry to be had here. Well, I actually found 2, a September race in Denton, TX and today's race, literally just around the corner from my home. They both went on the calendar and my training commenced.

Triathlon brings together 3 sports that I have enjoyed over the years; swimming from my high school days, cycling from my high school and college days, and the distance running that I really love to do now. How wonderful it has been to have all of these different exercises to choose from as I strive to keep myself in shape! I mean, I love to run...but I had forgotten the freedom and speed that cycling provides and the break from all of the joint pounding that swimming provides. And then there is the training discipline that taking on such a sport demands. Because, of course, I hadn't just set a goal of completing the triathlons. I set a goal of doing well in them (my competitive nature I guess). Anyway, during training you have to do a bit of work in each area each week. It is really hard to burn out on this kind of program because it changes everyday. I found myself always looking forward to the next training session because I hadn't done that particular sport in 2 or more days.

Well, long story short, my first triathlon a few weeks ago was done as a learning experience...to get an idea of how the whole thing works. Today, in my mind, was the real deal. at 7:30 the race began; 300 meter swim, 12mile bike and a 3.1 mile run. Beautiful (slightly chilly) weather, great roads for the bike and a beautiful trail to run. I finished 80th out of 700. Not too shabby I must say. And more importantly, I feel great.... it is such a thrill to push your body that way and to feel it respond. Then, 2 hours later, I was back home with my family for a day of activities.

But, the real reason for this post is not to discuss me but to discuss some things I have noticed as I have ventured into this world of triathlon. What I have discovered is that, while there are some real die hard tri junkies (live eat and sleep training and racing), the more common tri athlete is everyday Joe and Jane. What I mean by this is that just as many are slow as others are fast. Just as many are a bit over weight as others are skinny and perfectly fit. Just as many are gear heads (fancy clothes, fancy bike, fancy shoes) as other are "everyday" (shorts and a T-shirt, Schwinn street cruiser and cheap nike tennis shoes). My point is this:

I was with 699 other people today that had all made a commitment to themselves to get and stay fit. And they were announcing it publicly by setting a goal to complete this event...and then actually showing up (something I have noticed we often don't do)! While we were all out there "racing", the real competition depended on the person. There were an elite few that were truly competing for the top prizes. Others were trying to top out in their age categories. Still many others that I talked to were there just simply as a commitment to themselves to live an active life style and to be with a group of others that have a similar interest. Whatever their reason, they were there. While the rest of the world slept, they were there doing something healthy and good for themselves.

And, I have discovered this about triathletes too; they are a very friendly and supportive bunch! In both races, as I set up my transition area prior to the start, I had great conversations with the athletes around me. We talked about training, and goals, and where we had come from (most were previous armchair captains) and what kind of physical and mental changes we had seen as we worked our way towards our races. Furthermore, out on the course, the athletes all cheer for each other..."looking good" or "great stride" or "your tearing 'em up". And at the end of the race, they all hang around exchanging stories and the goals for their next race and...most importantly, cheering in those that are still coming in to the finish.

In fact, I enjoy watching the late finishers more than those coming in around me because they are truly there just for the fun (and the exercise) of it...sometimes hours behind the first place people. I like watching them because of the true emotion they display. My favorite today was one of the last place people on the course....she was riding an old bike that could have used some work, overweight and moving very slowly. BUT, as she entered the transition area to drop off her bike and begin the running portion a huge cheer came up from the other athletes that had long ago finished and were already packing up their gear. She had a huge smile on her face and tears coming down her face as she yelled to no one in particular, "I'm doing this!". And she was...with every peddle of that bike, every step of that run, every stroke of that swim, she was not just getting closer to the finish of this race...she was gaining a longer shot at life...a healthy life.

I don't know this particular person's story, but I've heard a lot of similar ones. They finally decide to take control of their health. And they do it by setting a lofty goal...finishing a triathlon...and telling someone. That makes it stick...that makes it official. Now they have to do something to reach that goal. It is really the training that is important, not the race its self. The race is just the motivation. The training,,,the exercise...that is where they really win. They create new habits, they eat better, they have a healthier focus. Maybe they have help...a coach, a training buddy, a guide book....what ever it takes. But just as many do it all on their own. The bottom line is that they realize a change needs to be made and then they take the biggest step...getting started.

Does this need to be you?

So maybe triathlon isn't for you...maybe you sink when you swim or have joint pain when you run. That's ok, I get it. My point is not to turn you into a triathlete, my point is to show you that you CAN change take control of your health...and have fun doing it. BUT it must be a lofty goal...or you won't strive for it. AND, if you do decide to give triathlon a tri, welcome to the club...it is a growing group and boy is it addicting!

Until Next time...Live Healthy

Here Goes Nothin'

Well folks, here I am...all dressed up and nowhere to go. I've officially been dragged, kicking and screaming I might add, into the world of tweets, twitters, facebooks, blogs and websites. I really have wondered about them for a while...but kind of from a distance. I knew it would one day be important to have all of these things because it is obvious that this is how the world of communication and connection is going. But yet I resisted. I said I was too old, too stuck in my ways, too...well you get the point.

Anyway, I have succumbed to the peer pressure of my colleagues, the suggestions of my business coaches, the requests of my patients and friends and yes, my own curiosity. Imagine my surprise when I woke up this morning, after setting up my Twitter account yesterday, to find 2 people "following" me. And now there are more... Kind of a strange feeling. And now, blogging...telling people my thoughts. Well, I've always had "thoughts"...often strong thoughts about topics. Some people insist that those thoughts should be put here for people to read, examine, think about, act on...and yes comment on. How scary!

So yes, I will be putting my thoughts on health care, chiropractic, living well, motivation, running, autism, kids, politics...well, maybe not politics...right here. I hope you enjoy it. I hope you learn from it. I hope it makes you think. If so, let me know...and pass it on to a friend. I've dedicated my life to helping others through natural healthcare and education. I hope this forum can become yet another way to reach out and help others.

Till next time... Have a Healthy Day!!