Lawyair On The Run

Struggle. Lack of knowledge. Determination. These words closely summarize my continuing attempt to live a healthy and fit life. Over the years, I have grappled to find the best programs to develop my physical self. Some have worked, some have failed. But I haven’t given up, nor will I. Like most of us, my education in this area continues to be greatly tempered with obligations and things that pull us in different directions. I hope to share with you my journey and what I have learned; take what you want and leave the rest.

I have always been physically active. My parents were athletic; Mom played industrial basketball and Dad received a scholarship for baseball in their younger years. From them, I received the importance of physical fitness and healthy competition. I played different sports as a child, and ran track and played football in high school. In college, I swam and played intramurals. I even played rugby until I broke my wrist. I tried to stay active in college, doing the best I could with what I had.

During my Senior year of college, I got very sick and tried to press on. I was about to learn a life lesson from that decision that has stayed with me to this day. Instead of taking the time to heal and get over a cold, I kept up my normal schedule; I didn’t rest or slow down enough to allow my body to recover. I ignored the symptoms as the cold got progressively worse. As a result, I developed pneumonia and then pleurisy and ended up in the infirmary sleeping for 24 straight hours.

Laying in that sick bed, I realized that my health was a vital part of existence; as vital a part as my mental development. I saw that physical movement does not equal health. Somehow, that part of learning was not being emphasized by systems of higher education. I concluded that it would be up to me to stay fit and healthy.

I had to drop some courses to recover at a new pace and with a new attitude. As I resumed my studies, I focused a little more of cardio development and building my lungs back up by running. Physical fitness would now be a part of my daily activities. I started jogging the trails around campus and it felt good both physically and mentally. A new activity was born.

As I entered the Navy’s Aviation Officer Candidate School, physical fitness was emphasized along with mental and spiritual development. The obstacle courses, swimming, long runs, marching, and attention to detail was what I had been looking for and didn’t know it. I flourished there and enjoyed every minute. I couldn’t get enough. Fitness was an integral part of development– something I had not truly incorporated prior to that time.

Fast forward 30 years. I was flying for a major airline, was a Captain on a B-767, and traveling internationally. I weighed 226 pounds. I had bursitis in my shoulders. My knees ached and I had sinus infections several times a year. I ran into a classmate of mine that had gained a lot of weight since we were hired– I didn’t recognize him. He barely recognized me. When I walked away, I had another epiphany. It was time for another change. I had forgotten what I had learned.

I had always wanted to run a marathon. But how does an overweight, out of shape, 226 pound man with bad knees do that? I knew I needed help and sought out a coach. Not just any coach, but I wanted to invest in the best and make it worth my time and effort. So, I contacted Chris Carmichael, Lance Armstrong’s coach.

He was limited and very expensive for what I needed, so he referred me to one of the other coaches that worked for him, Katie White. Katie was a cyclist and she soon changed my life…again. She took the time to listen to my needs and explored my physical abilities. She put me on a diet, and I started water running of all things.

Slowly, I lost weight, the bursitis disappeared, my knees improved, and my mental fog disappeared. Instead of going for a marathon, see introduced me to triathlon. My first sprint was scheduled and I showed up weighing 176 and feeling fit. That first race was eye-opening. Whatever could go wrong did. But I loved it. A new stage of my life was born and a new way of living emerged.

But the story doesn’t stop there. I have learned a lot during the last ten years about health, fitness, what it takes, and where I want to go. It is an ongoing education and I will share more with you soon. In the meantime, please don’t settle and allow yourself to get out of shape. A little determination, self control, and discipline practiced everyday will make you stronger. And a stronger, healthier you is what we should all be seeking.