Happy Friday!
Sharing a bit about what I was writing about early this morning and reflecting on why I run. Writing is hard, getting up early at 4 am a few morning a week to write seems nuts and maybe it is, but for me it’s the only way to train my brain to do it.
Just like training for a marathon.
Boston Marathon 2025
Congrats to all those that ran the 129th running of the Boston Marathon earlier this week! The last time I crossed the finish line in Boston it was 2018 and it was the second time running Boston since my stroke. I always will feel connected with Boston for the impact it had on my recovery.
For me it was never about the race medal, it was about the process and the mental discipline it took to cut through all the excuses and just get it done. Most days, that meant 4 am starts as well to get the miles in before the excuses of the day took priority. In this video I reflect on marathon Monday in Boston and how I still channel the strength that I remember from it and the excuses (listed below from my original post) I had to get past to overcome obstacles in my own stroke recovery.
Hope this helps you take the first steps to take on a challenge to you that right now may seem like your own marathon climb like taking on heartbreak hill!
Please chime in!
Here were my excuses from my original post back in 2009
Bottom Line:
Millions of ordinary people choose millions of reasons why they don’t reach their goals. Here’s just a few of the obstacles (or better yet excuses) that went through my head when I was deciding in the Fall of 2008 to begin training for the 2009 Boston Marathon.
My long list of excuses included:
“I’m too busy”
“I can’t commit to that-it is too long.”
“I used to be really sick / my heart can’t handle it.”
“I’ll do it next year.”
“What if I come in last?”
“I’m a hockey player-we can’t run well.”
“My morning routine is pretty set.”
“I’ll be in pain for months after the marathon.”
“It could rain.”
“One year I remember it was really hot…”
“BLISTERS”.
“I don’t like that goo stuff.”
“Docs can’t tell me if anyone has run a marathon with the device I have in my heart.”
“I have to work the next day.”
“What if I have to go to the bathroom?”
“Yikes-Heartbreak Hill!”
“Who wants to train that much anyway.”
“I’ll get too skinny.”
I’ll have to run for 3+ hours on my day off to get in a “long run.”
“What if my back goes out again?”
“Compression shorts, vaseline, body glide, under armour, what?”
“ I have kids now, those days of pushing myself are behind me.”
“My wife might think I’m nuts or am having another stroke.”
“(If I could get her to agree with my goal), my wife might not sleep for 6 months while I am in training.”
“It will take time away from my family.”
“I’d rather stay indoors, do my usual routine and exercise where it is warm.”
“I’ll have to raise funds for Tedy’s Team in a difficult economy.”
“What if I can’t finish?”
What if…..
You did it anyway.
My point is, no more excuses please…. instead
Choose not to be ordinary.
What’s Your Goal in Recovery?
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