Personal best--becoming a hero

     I am continuing to read  "Personal Best" by George Sheehan, MD.  In the current chapter he writes of running the Marine Corps Marathon, which is the people's marathon.  He notes that mass competence at the start becomes mass determination around mile 17, and later turns into mass courage. There is no guarantee for anyone, Olympian or other-wise, to ever finish a marathon.
     The Marine Corps Marathon begins and ends at "the burial ground of ordinary men who had become heroes----soldiers who in the end had found in themselves a competence and determination and courage they never knew they possessed.  When we returned, so had we."
      This is reassuring. I hope to find those things in myself, as well.  The race is less than 4 weeks away and my worries are rising. My usual "just don't think about it" will get me through the next few weeks.  I'm doing the training and have to hope for the best.


     He also discusses the aging mind and body, and refers the reader to Marcus Tullius Cicero's "On Old Age" written in 44 BC.  Here is a great summary, if you have the time to read it. Cicero expected the aging person to accomplish great things.
https://successfulretirementguide.wordpress.com/2009/12/06/ciceros-thoughts-on-growing-older/

     I've been thinking about aging a lot lately.  It bothers me that I am a slow runner.  It shouldn't, I know, because actually I'm about mid-pack or better for my age group.  Most of my runner friends are 15-30 years younger than me, so are much faster, and it is difficult to avoid comparison.
     I know, I know.  I am faster than everyone sitting at home on the couch and my only competition is against myself. Sometimes it is hard to remember this.  I expect more and faster improvement.
     I just wish I had started back in my twenties or thirties.

     I recently read "Spring Chicken: Stay Young Forever (or die trying)" by Bill Gifford.  He is a journalist and covers all the research being done currently on prolonging life and health.  He exposes all the hoaxes and scams out there, as well. It was an interesting read, especially for a health care professional.  For the time being until the science comes up with solutions, the best way to live longer and better are in doing the things we already know....exercise, eat healthy, get enough sleep, don't smoke, try intermittent fasting, and exercise some more.  
   

Trying to be positive....

     Winter is coming, Oh No.  Trying to stay in the moment and enjoy this perfect autumn.

                                                The Awkward Yeti

Invest in yourself. Earn your body.

     So many people I know have recently become seriously ill.  This is a big reminder to take care of ourselves!

     I am reading "Personal Best" by George Sheehan, MD.  He says that life is a permanent boot camp.  We must always be in training---our minds and spirits as well as our bodies. "Life is not a skill sport.  It does not require hand-eye coordination.  It is not determined by our intelligence quotient, not dependent on a beatific vision.  It is a game anyone can play and play well."
     We are all here to lead a heroic life, but we are in contention with our youthful selves. The battle is never over and the war is never won.
     My legend will not be yours.  We all must be heroes in our own ways.    
   
     

            So take care of your body.  You only get one.
(At least for now. We'll see how well that human head transplant scheduled for Dec. 2017 in Turin, Italy actually works out. I think I'll stick with and work on the body I've got).

There is hope for the planet.

Americans are eating less and less meat every year.

http://www.forksoverknives.com/americans-are-eating-less-and-less-meat-every-year-why/



Here is a great article by a physician specializing in diet and nutrition, on why people should eat less meat, or no meat.  It is reassuring.  In all of the research, vegans live longer.

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-21759/im-a-doctor-who-specializes-in-diet-nutrition-heres-why-i-dont-have-concern.html?utm_source=mbg&utm_medium=email&utm_content=daily&utm_campaign=150924-im-a-doctor-who-specializes-in-diet-nutrition-heres-why-i-dont-have-concern


“My refusing to eat flesh occasioned an inconveniency, and I was frequently chided for my singularity, but, with this lighter repast, I made the greater progress, for greater clearness of head and quicker comprehension. Flesh eating is unprovoked murder.” 
                                        Benjamin Franklin

Just do it

     I am trying to stop caring about what I can't do and be glad of what I can.  I made myself go back to my Wednesday night run group last night.  It is always so easy to just talk myself into putting on my PJs and curling up with a good book at night instead so I haven't been there for months and months. I did go, though, and had a really nice time running/walking with 2 friends who run at my speed.  I won a new water bottle in the drawing plus got to test out some new shoes I am considering getting.  I must push my limits more than I do.

Life

Put one foot in front of the other. Now repeat.