Don't evaluate the day until it is over

Triathlon Forum
1

I wrote a thread yesterday afternoon. It end with “this is not a great day.”

I based it totally on the ending of a small part of my life - running. I felt consumed by the loss of the ability to go out for a run.

I went to work teaching deepwater running and then swimming. I was still depressed. After about ten minutes my mood started to change. I was interacting with a whole bunch of people who come to me because they could not run. They were all injured. They were in good spirits getting the most of their workout and I had created this atmosphere. Everyone participated in their special way. i could have joined them and gone for run in the water!

My swim class came in later. We worked on kicking drills, hand entry, breathing patterns and opening hips. I was having such as a great time seeing “Stern’s distorted view of swimming” work with so many new swimmers.

The fact that I can no longer run on land did not diminish who I was or what I have to offer the world. I am not dead yet and I am going down fighting.

DougStern

2

Doug–I can’t run either. I am guessing you have knee issues? If we lived closer, we could “not run” together. That would be fun!

Also, someone has a signature line that says something like:

For all yours days be prepared

And treat them ever alike

When you are the anvil bear

When you are the hammer strike.

Its all about good days and bad.

3

I played soccer from 7th grade until I was nearly 35 (a good 20 years). I then noticed a little sparkly thing in my field of vision in my right eye (note: I’m blind in my left eye, so my right eye is pretty important to me). The eye doctor tells me that it’s something on my retina, and that heading the ball (which, for some reason, happens a lot in soccer) or making hard, repeated contact with the ground (which happens a lot to us 'keepers) could result in a detached retina. Cold turkey: no more soccer for the rest of my life.

You’ll find, if you haven’t already, any number of things to replace that which you lost.

4

i face the same struggles about running, although i haven’t compleletly thrown in the towel. every time i start to “get it back” i end up with pain in the knee, emotional disappointment, negative self talk over it, and feelings of uselessness. it’s really terrible.

but in reality, i have so much more going on. it’s really not that much of a tragedy not to run anymore, but i freak out over it anyway.

it’s good you have a group to form around you. it makes it feel ok and that it’s not that big of a loss, if a loss at all.

keep on. appreciate what you’ve got, that’s the key (and some days it can be hard, especially when the mind wants to reflect back on the “running years”, etc).

alot of us are in the same boat. we’ll get through it together.

5

Monk and all,

I totally appreciate all the support that I have been getting lately. I realize that I have a very extended family as well as a supportive one at home.

My body might fail me but my mind is still very strong.

Come to New York and we will play in the water.

DougStern

6

or… in the words of Mark Knophler

Sometimes you’re the windshield, sometimes you’re the bug

Sometimes you’re the Louisville Slugger, sometimes you’re the ball.

7

Like many of your philosophical insights Doug, you are spot on. And as for yesterday we seem to be in parallel universes.

Yesterday morning I got a check returned back from the bank that a customer had bounced to me. A big one. I had to go to the bank it was drawn on an try vigorously to get it cashed. It was difficult and I had to be more persistent than I commonly care to, but I got it done. A headache. After the customer bounced the check to me they proceeded to be quite rude and demanding. But as we know, the customer is always right, so I will say this person is a fine customer whom we are pleased to serve, because we are.

During the time I wa at the bank trying to get our cash about nine other things went wrong. Stuff was late, bikes not showing up on time, customers not showing up on time, the normal Air Traffic Control that is bicycle retail in April.

Flash back to the previous morning, 9:15 AM or so at Einstein’s Bagels after our morning ride where myself and my riding associates are having breakfast:

A stunning, latin looking girl beautifully dressed with sultry sunglasses, a long, wavy brown mane and a figure to die for walks by. She is dressed in a business suit but with a conspicuosly brief skirt. Quite a presentation.

She gets in her car and leaves.

Back to yesterday.

It is now 7:00 PM in the store and we are closing. Two young men, perhaps 11 or 12 walk in and ask about BMX bikes. We don’t sell BMX bikes. I tell them. It is closing and I want to go home. It’s been a long day and I want to see my cats.

The boys mill about for a moment then their guardian walks in. The girl from the other morning.

Long story short: Brazilian flight attendant, more beautiful close-up, and we went out that night (last night) and had a very nice evening. She said she noticed us “bike men” the previous morning and remebered them from Brazil. It reminded her of home.

So yeah, you never know what turns the day will take. Yesterday started out crappy and took a dramatic turn for the better.

Don’t evaluate the day until it is over.

8

…and so now you deep discount BMX bikes?

9

and, this morning I had a rough start to the business day, plus had an argument with my mother. now in the afternoon I have secured a $150K a year candidate an interview for a job. so, it’s a beautiful day!!!

10

Tom,

Great story. See you in January.

Doug

11

Kittycat,

You get the idea.

When life throws you lemons make lemonade.

DougStern

12

Yup.

13

yes, but remember it also goes the other way.

i was having the week of my life, everything was clicking, school, tri, etc, and then one of my best friends was stabbed to death.

that said…i’d like to believe that you need to bad to appreciate the good. you can’t have one without the other, and positives come out of everything…some just take a little more searching than others.