Wednesday Weblog for September 29, 2021 |
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It's always today, isn't it Dad? -Joey Doherty, Age 4
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WEEI Podcast: 47 Laps @ 70 (starts at 8 Minutes) |
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Leading Off: Getting Closer to Taking a Break |
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Thanks to those who have supported me, both the encouragement and the donations are appreciated.
I think that, as the Marathon gets closer, it is even harder for me to believe I am going to do it. Notice, I have made the transition from 'trying' to do it, to 'going to do it.' A couple of 20 mile runs will do that to a guy.
As I've run around the outside of Fenway park on my training runs there are a lot of thoughts that go through my mind. Probably the most compelling is that I think about how blessed I am. Between my family and friends and my health and my business, I am a very lucky guy.
You wouldn't believe the number of people I talk to who tell me they are jealous and wish they could run, so I'm also lucky that way.
I also have a brother who had a stroke and a son in a wheelchair who cannot run. Me, I run because I can. Nothing more, nothing less.
We were given certain gifts when we were born, and I believe the assignment was to use them well. I hope that I am doing that, I know that I am trying. People have told me that this quest has inspired them to run or go for it, and when you stop and think about it, that might be even better than the encouragement and donations, because it lasts a lot longer.
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We are all persistent. We all pound our way through obstacles and problems. Some of us brag about how resilient we are or how tough we can be when faced with big problems.
All of what we say and believe is true. We can think of dozens of times we didn’t give up, didn’t back down, or didn’t buckle under pressure.
As proud as we are of the things that we were able to overcome, sometimes or many times in our life, we will be faced with a mountain we are not strong enough to climb or a river that is too deep for us to cross or a wave that is too big for us to withstand.
You can be the toughest person standing on the deck, but when the biggest wave hits; your resolve will not keep you dry. Many times in life, the size of the wave we are facing is simply too big for us to withstand. It could be the birth of a premature baby. It could be a serious personal crisis. It could be an inherited disease. It could be an addiction. It could be a financial crisis.
There are times in our lives we will face a wave bigger than we have faced before and it will knock us over. There is no shame in being overwhelmed by a big wave. Houses, beaches, and roads have all been destroyed by big waves. Cities have been devastated by waves bigger than expected.
What separates the great from the near-great is what happens AFTER the wave hits. How quickly and solidly the road is rebuilt, the life is put back together, or the beach is restored.
- The entrepreneur who loses it all and then rises again.
- The addict who kicks the habit and stays clean.
- The town that was flooded that comes back bigger and better than ever.
- The pitcher who has arm surgery and makes it back to the big leagues.
- The child who is born with a birth defect and overcomes it.
Those are the people and things in our society that we really admire. Everyone gets knocked down and will continue to be knocked down. We admire most those who overcome adversity to succeed.
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I admit that when you are lying flat on your back after taking one of life’s devastating blows, it can be hard at that moment to realize it was the size of the wave, and not you. But the length of time between being knocked down and getting back up determines how quickly you will return to where you belong.
The quicker you bounce back, the quicker better days are coming. The slower you respond, the longer the misery continues. That choice is generally up to you.
So the next time you are faced with a mountain too high, or a river too deep or a wave too big for you to handle, remember that what you need to do is focus not on what you didn’t do, or couldn’t do, but what you need to do next.
Many years ago my four year old son got it right when he said to me: “It’s always today, isn’t it Dad?” Yesterday is gone, and what you did or didn’t do then is not nearly as important as what you do today or tomorrow.
What happened yesterday determines your history.
What happens today determines your future, and you determine what happens today.
You determine what happens today.
May all your waves be small, and your resolve be strong. You determine what happens today, and it is always today.
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Marathon Training Update: September 29 |
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The final long training run for this Don Quixote challenge took place on Sunday. Another 20 miles around the outside of Fenway Park. Most of the security guards know my story by now.
The good news is that I ran a little bit faster and my heart rate was a little bit lower: both very good signs for the October 10th Virtual Boston Marathon. My last mile was the same as my first 11:27, so that thrilled me and helped my confidence that I am really in the kind of shape necessary to do this.
The concept of 47 Laps at 70 years old also attracted the attention of an old friend who is the late night host on WEEI Sports Radio in Boston and you can find the interview at this link if interested.
Fundraising is going well, getting closer to the $10,000 goal and currently just a shade below $8,000. Wow.
Both shots below were done at the end of the 20 miles.
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BOSTON MARATHON VIRTUAL EDITION UPDATE
Days until event: 12
Fundraising Goal: $10,000
Dollars Raised for Boston Bruins Foundation: $7,495
(Dropped into second place on the team)
Number of Generous Donors: 28
Post Race Party: Loretta's Last Call
Attending Physician: Dr. Glenn Markenson
Photographer: David Fox
Long Training Run Last Week: 20 Miles
Training Run This Week: 10 Miles: Energy Preservation Mode
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Surprise Photo at the End |
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Joe's Positive Post of the Week |
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Ed Doherty
774-479-8831
www.ambroselanden.com
ed-doherty@outlook.com
Forgive any typos please.
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