Yes this is a nod to the old great Al Stewart song of the same name. And part of this post is an extension of recent dialogue I have had with old childhood buddies Art Graham, Mike Edelman, Curt Smith, and Eleanor Grant…
I recently ran through the old neighborhood where I grew up. I currently live only 4 miles from the very house where I spent my youth. And while I agree that I haven’t gone very far, I also feel that I have done a hell of a lot of living in that time. As I ran past familiar landmarks I found myself doing voice over commentary in my own head, almost as if I was telling my story – to myself.
The cool thing for me is that I am still in touch with many of the “kids” that were a huge part of my childhood. So part of me wanted to pull out my phone and snap a couple of pictures of the old houses and key points of interest including Elwell playground where we spent countless hours playing or just hanging out. For whatever reason, I vetoed the picture idea. I think part of me felt a little creepy taking pictures where I technically no longer belonged. But a bigger part of me just thought the time wasn’t right for those pictures. There may be a time when I will want to do that… but not yet.
I’ve been through some crap, I’ve been kicked in the gut, I have been tested, and I have laughed, loved, cried, seen true beauty and experienced true glory. And I have told my story in one way or another to countless people. One of the common denominators that resonates through all of the muck and all of the years is that I truly do believe that I live in a fairy tale and I am one of the most fortunate people on this planet.
For whatever reason, I seem to only have vivid recall of the positive experiences and people in my life. And there is no doubt that how I spent my years growing up in Ardmore Pennsylvania, and all of the people who were a part of those years laid that foundation of belief. I lived in a modest house. I didn’t have the newest or the most expensive – anything. But I had everything I needed and everything I wanted. I had family. I had friends. I had a sense of community. I had opportunity. I had safety. I had security. And I feel all of that has contributed to the great sense of perspective and appreciation I have today.
My parents gave me just the right length of leash. I was able to explore. I was able to do my own thing and I knew that they were never far. I remember them parking their lawn chairs at every single baseball game I had from ages 8 – 18. And I remember at least one of them being at every basketball and soccer game all through junior high, high school, and at my college soccer games as well. I was always supported.
And I grew up in the perfect neighborhood with friends on every block all around me. Every day seemed to have its own itinerary that we all seemed to intuitively understand. I don’t remember there being much discussion over what we would do on any given day. Some evenings called for a neighborhood-wide game of “Kick the Can” or ‘Fox and Geese”.
Some days found us playing relentless street hockey in the Hall’s driveway who had the multi car garage with every single window blown out from slap shots that sailed high and wide. Just about every day in the summer was spent at Elwell Playground where we would engage in one activity after another in near rapid fire succession until it was time to come home for dinner. And sometimes on a warm summer day, the agenda simply called for sitting perched in one of the DelBonifro’s huge trees next door as we pondered our next move.
As we got a little older, our exploits took us onto the grounds of Haverford College, a.k.a “The College”, where we would just hang out and “be” or play hoops all day long.
I lived a blessed childhood.
As I reflect back on all of this and then fast forward to my adult life where I not only had the opportunity to play high caliber soccer against some of the best athletes in the country, but have done some pretty cool things in the realm of cancer survivorship and in the world of endurance sports, I like to think that I am proud but more importantly that I am humble.
While I acknowledge that I have accomplished more in my life than many people will ever dream of, I consider all of that to be more of a blessing than anything that I might possibly have co-engineered. I couldn’t have made this stuff up if I tried. And while I do believe in good people attracting good things, and in the laws of karma, I also believe in luck and that the proper perspective will make all the difference in anyone’s life. I do appreciate where I have come from and what I have done, but you won’t see me writing or talking a whole lot about that. You won’t see me advertise my race accomplishments in the social media outlets and measuring my worth in terms of “comments”, “likes”, or “shares”. You will however see me marvel and shake my head in disbelief that one person can be as lucky as I have been.
I know everyone has a different story and a different perspective of how they got where they are today. But the cool thing is that we all went through all of that stuff “together” in one way or another. And we have made it through to the other side and are sitting here talking about it. We all wake up every day and fight the good fight. That fight takes on a different meaning for each and every one of us, but we all fight for or against something or someone every day – even if it’s ourselves.
I take comfort in that I think I am leaving a positive trail of bread crumbs behind me. I do my best to lead by example. Granted, I have a closet full of flaws but I do my best to hide them by offsetting them with something GOOD. And yes, I fully realize that some days are up and some days are down. But at the end of this fine day, we are winning.
So in reality….It’s a good day. They are all good days.
TriRock Philly Style
June 22nd and 23rd marks the 9th running of one of the hottest triathlon festivals in the country. Under new ownership, TriRock Philadelphia (formally The Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon), promises to deliver the same high caliber production that has earned Philly one of Outside Magazine’s top-five triathlons in the United States and one of Inside Triathlon’s top big city triathlons. As in the past, the sprint distance and kids fun run races will be held on Saturday and the Olympic on Sunday. A two-day Multisport Expo featuring the latest in products, services, accessories, and events begins Friday afternoon. Although now a part of the Competitor Group family, this year’s events still has local team members that have cultivated the Philly Tri since its inception with added amenities such as a new and improved sprint swim course, a live band and beer garden at the finish.
TriRock Philly kicks off the TriRock series which then makes its way to Aurora Colorado, Asbury Park New Jersey, Austin Texas, Lake Geneva Wisconsin, San Diego California, and Clearwater Florida.
The TriRock Philadelphia Triathlon, with title sponsor Johnson & Johnson and presenting sponsor Philadelphia Insurance Companies is recognized as one of the premier triathlon event weekends in the country. Fairmount Park hosts this scenic, challenging course and fun, family atmosphere. While considered a “city race”, TriRock Philly offers some incredibly breathtaking scenery with historic charm that only Philly can deliver.
Saturday’s Sprint race consists of a .8K swim, a 25K bike, and a 5K run. The sprint course includes many sections of Sunday’s Olympic event. The swim is point to point pushing the athletes with the Schuykill River’s current. Expect some blistering fast sections on the bike course coupled with just enough moderate climbing to keep things interesting on this two loop course. The run is an out and back flat and fast section of Martin Luther King Drive with a finish just a few yards from the transition area. An Aqua Bike is offered on sprint Saturday.
Sunday’s Olympic distance race consists of the standard 1.5K swim, 40K bike, and 10K run format. This course will take the athletes through some of the most scenic and historic sections of the city’s Fairmount Park. The Olympic Distance swim will also be point to point travelling with the current beginning along Philly’s iconic Boathouse Row. The two loop bike course is fast, with technical stretches and a couple of short but meaningful climbs and a few descents that clearly give back what the climbs take. Much like the sprint course, the run is fast and flat along Martin Luther King Drive with spectators lining the drive. An Aqua Bike is also offered at the Olympic Distance.
Also added for 2013 is the PHLY Cup elite division of the TriRock Philadelphia Triathlon. Launched in partnership with Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY), the PHLY Cup will offer elite triathletes the chance to compete in the Olympic distance for a prize purse totaling $25,000. World-class triathlete Andy Potts will be headlining the Olympic distance race, among other notable elites. The race within the race will feature a show down of many area triathlon and multisport clubs as they race for pride and club bragging rights.
In true TriRock tradition, TriRock Philly athletes can expect music along the course, a red carpet finish, post race concert, Asics technical tee shirts and swag bag, as well as 3 deep awards for Age Group, Clydesdale/Athena, Military/Public Servant, Relay, and Club Challenge.
Philly is one of the most symbolic sports towns in the county. Philly fans live and die by their local teams and heroes as well as their on screen heroes like Rocky Balboa, whose bronze statue stands tall and proud at the foot of those same Museum of Art steps that Rocky climbed and made famous so many years ago. The City of Philadelphia and the entire surrounding tri-state region has learned to embrace their triathlon the same as their other signature teams and events. And Philly ranks up there in the multisport community, hosting one of the largest and fastest 10 mile road races in The Blue Cross Broad Street Run. As well as The Philadelphia Rock-n-Roll Half Marathon and The Philadelphia Marathon which have become fall traditions in the area and must do races for athletes from all around the world.
TriRock Philly also offers multiple spectator viewing options, including the race’s hub or “hot corner” located right outside of the transition area on Martin Luther King Drive. This is a very spectator friendly venue that affords friends and family the opportunity to catch a glimpse of their triathletes at multiple points throughout their race, including a spectacular grandstand finish. TriRock Philly is a top shelf event run by passionate individuals who leave no stone unturned in giving the athletes and their families a positive yet unique experience. The athletes have embraced this race. The spectators have embraced this race. The City of Philadelphia has embraced this race. Come see for yourself what you have been missing.