A Message from Ethan

By Steve | Published: December 11, 2009

2009-ING-NYC-Marathon-GRS-0034-207x300At TEAM IN TRAINING practices we try to remind our athletes why they are doing what they are doing. Not that they really need to be reminded but it helps to keep them motivated from a physical training and a fundraising perspective to hear first hand examples of just what cancer means. We call them Mission Moments and some of them can really hit home to many people on many levels. They are real life, tangible stories of hope and the power of the mission.

Many of you know that I have become quite friendly with Ethan Zohn this year. This connection was just another living and breathing example of the power of people and the power of networking. Since we both come from soccer backgrounds, (more specifically, goalkeeping backgrounds) a mutual friend of ours thought I might be a good go to person for Ethan during his treatments. Although our friendship began in the shadows of a cancer diagnosis, it has grown into an incredibly upbeat and positive relationship. Even if the subject matter is “dark” at times, the conversation surrounding the subject is  filled with hope, with possibility, and with choice.

I thought Ethan might be the perfect person to provide the Mission Moment for our TEAM IN TRAINING swim practice tomorrow morning. So I reached out and asked him if he could give me a massage that I could deliver to the athletes. And he offered the following:

Team in Training friends,
After I was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma, there were some very dark days going through chemotherapy and I felt like my whole body had turned against me. Everything was failing. I couldn’t eat. I felt miserable. I had no energy. I panicked. But I got so much comfort knowing I’m not fighting this battle alone. So much strength knowing that there are people out there, like you, doing so much in the fight against cancer. The power of the human spirit, character and values have come into focus and helped mentally, emotionally, and spiritually to get through this race for my life.

Ethan

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Function Over Flash

By Steve | Published: December 8, 2009

Practical advice on no frills resistance training

I have always been a gym person. Over the years I have been fortunate to have been able to associate myself with some very knowledgeable fitness professionals. I also acquired  personal training and weight room certifications from The Aerobics & Fitness Association of America simply to broaden my knowledge base and to help me better understand my own body’s response to training. The core blueprint of my philosophy on weight training is a direct byproduct of the methods and principles that are  taught at Main Line Health & Fitness by Roger Schwab and his staff where I trained for a couple of years.

Although there is room for interpretation and personalization, there are a few universal truths, or at least universal understandings. I can sum up that universal understanding as follows “train hard, train brief”. It’s that simple. Schwab has rehabbed or prevented countless injuries over the years with his sensible and effective approach on how to wring out the last possible drip of benefit from every second spent working out. But he does so safely and sensibly. Schwab has often addressed the age old debate of which is more effective – free weights or machines and that debate will never have a clear winner. But the tie breaker is the fact that you can get stronger simply by lifting a sack of rocks if you do it properly.

But what happens when you can’t get to the gym? I am a pretty busy guy and am often needing to shoe horn in different workouts into the oddest times and places. I’ve learned to get creative over the years and I have also learned to always keep a bag packed in the trunk of my car because I just never know when I might be able to sneak something in.

Yesterday I headed out for a noon time run and realized that I wasn’t going to get to the gym in the evening so I needed to make the workout really count. So I called an audible and completely changed my destination and plan. Instead of a 5 mile loop that I had intended on running, I ran a brisk mile to a small park along the Brandywine River not for from my office. Then I got creative and quickly pulled together a workout that would accomplish a couple of goals. I ended up getting a nice resistance workout without lifting a thing – except myself. It was fun. It was brief. And since the weather was brisk, it was quite energizing.

Once I hit the park, I immediately jumped into great workout that combined resistance training, stability, flexibility, and core work that went like this:

2 @ 100 crunches
2 @ 25 left leg lunges
2 @ 25 right leg lunges
2 @ 25 squats
2 @ 60 seconds wall sits

2 @ 10 pull ups
2 @ 25 push ups

5 minutes of stretching

After my little impromptu routine, I headed back up the hill to grab a shower and return to work. It was a great workout that required very little time investment. I was able to workout, shower, grab a fast bite, and be back at my desk in just under an hour. You have more time in your schedules that you realize. You just need to look for it and WANT to find it. And you need not spend a fortune at a glitzy gym to get in a good workout.

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Speak Up

By Steve | Published: December 6, 2009

Just a reminder that speaking engagements are available and are tailored to your specific organizational needs. Check the about page of this site for details on my background. Talks can pull from a variety of personal experiences relating to youth sports, motivation, ironman triathlon racing, overcoming challenge, and cancer survivorship.

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Ironman? Are You Sure?

By Steve | Published: December 3, 2009

People often turn to me for advice or suggestions as they contemplate their first ironman. Not that I am a blazingly swift triathlete by any stretch of the imagination. But I have been at this game for quite a long time on a number of levels and have completed that distance a number of times. I guess I must have some kind of staying power or I possess the longevity gene. Which translates to the fact that I have been certifiably insane for longer than many other people.

sunset ponderPeople chase the ironman dream for any number of reasons. Many reasons are quite personal and private, while some are as simple as just wanting to be able to say they did it. Ironman is a crazy beast which can often attract slightly crazy beings. The first question that I always ask people is why in the world would they want to put themselves through that. I ask the question rhetorically because I more than anyone know most of the reasons why. Although the reasons may be different from person to person, the underlying allure is not all that complicated to figure out.

But here are my words of both caution and advice….  whatever you choose to do, be humble about it. When you complete an ironman, you will want to talk and scream about it from the highest mountain. Be careful how you do that. Relish and reflect appropriately on your accomplishment. Talk about it to your friends, family, and loved ones, but don’t misrepresent that elated feeling of accomplishment and self worth into an attitude of “I, Me, Mine”.

I have seen a number of people get so sucked into the sport and in particular the ironman that their outward display of pride in their accomplishment can easily be taken as arrogance. A triathlete, check that – ANY athlete -  who is true to themselves is extremely humble about their abilities and their accomplishments. They talk about them when asked but they talk about them graciously. I have seen a number of people become ousted from the real triathlon community because they suddenly started talking about themselves as having attained  a greater level of existence or importance because they raced an ironman. Guess what? They didn’t. I often see guys raving about their results or broadcasting their workout distances, and that posture turns off more people than it impresses.

I don’t want to under value the enormity and the significance of crossing the finish line of an ironman triathlon, or tarnish the brass ring of the sport. This is huge and you should be very proud of the fact that you even had the courage to attempt the distance. And the redeeming point here is that if you carry yourself right, people know. They just know. You don’t have to promote yourself. You can passively wear your accomplishments and achievements like a merit badge and never say a word about yourself. And I don’t mean because you show up on race day with a lot of high end race gear, or go out and get one of those M-Dot tattoos strategically placed so everyone and their Aunt Martha can see it. I’m talking about transcending your accomplishment into actions and by who you are and how you live your life. Particularly how your treat the beginners to the sport, and those race volunteers who work endless hours to make your dreams come true.

Ironman, and the triathlon community have enriched my life. The camaraderie and respect among the athletes are like nothing I have ever seen before. The total triathlete is greater than the sum of his or her parts. The triathlete heart, spirit and the bond that connects us is deeper than that which you will find among swimmers, cyclists, or runners.

So I say, if you really want to race an ironman, make sure you know why you want to do it. Don’t race for the medal. Don’t race for the finisher photo. Don’t race for praise from someone else. Race because you want to dig deep and challenge what’s inside. Race because you want to see what you are made of. Race because you have an ounce of doubt that perhaps you can’t do it – and want to prove yourself wrong. Race to expand your personal comfort zone. Race to raise money for charity. Race for the right reasons. Be a gentle giant in the triathlon community. And use your talents and accomplishments to make a difference … not to make a statement about yourself.

daddio7At the end of the day, it’s just a race. It’s a big race. It’s a long race. It’s an incredibly rewarding race. But it’s just a race. Merely finishing an ironman won’t make you a better person. Hell, winning an ironman won’t even make you a better person. But if you make the right choices in how you handle yourself and your accomplishments, if you make honorable and meaningful decisions regarding what you do with what you’ve earned, you can make yourself and those around you better.

And the next time you want to tell someone what your finishing time was, be sure to also tell them how much money you raised for a favorite charity.

Have fun
Train safely
Thank the volunteers

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Triathlon’s Toughest Sport?

By Steve | Published: December 1, 2009

By MindsetTriathlon

Which is truly triathlon’s toughest sport? The folks at MindsetTriathlon (the leading supplier of swim, bike and run eBooks) felt that a good true story was the best way to determine that age-old question. In doing so, they put a call out to triathletes from all over the world for their very best stories. In an attempt to pick the toughest sport, they have selected three stories, one about the swim, one about the bike and one about the run and they are asking triathletes and sports enthusiasts to vote for their favorite story. The author of the winning story will not only have helped determine triathlon’s toughest sport, but will also win three months of massage therapy. An anthology of 26 of these stories will become available at MindsetTriathlon in January.

To vote for your favorite story, visit http://www.mindsettriathlon.com/index.php

Water Hazards
By Alison Suckling

The swim is a battle zone. In my second-ever triathlon I was sunk by two men who both attacked like battle cruisers from behind. The first bumped me hard; the other followed, like a one-two punch, and I was stone-dunked 4 feet under. I made a decision to stay there while they cleared the surface. Glaring up through the water, I watched their bodies like two Great Whites silhouetted against the sky. Fury boiled up. I surfaced full of spite, honed in on their giant splashing arms, and passed them ­ cold, pace and race forgotten. Honor satisfied and totally out of breath, I settled down and swam steadily up to about 200 yards from the finish. By that time the cold had turned my hands into numb lumps. I was grimly clawing to the exit when the tiniest drop of water seeped into my goggles. Both eyes instantly burst into flame. I couldn¹t stop as I was in a race, damn it, and besides my hands were useless, so I figured the best thing was to swim harder and get out faster. So I did. In T1 I flapped my hands and sat on them before they de-thawed to a usable state. My eyes seemed calmer and eventually I biked out only to find my sunglasses were all fogged up. I removed them and to my horror realized it wasn¹t the glasses. It was my eyes. They had hazed over with grey film ­ a reaction to the chemically enhanced duck poop which had invaded my goggles.

I was full of “just do it” zeal and determination and this was one of my first triathlons. I carried on. With my vision reduced to fog and my sinuses eagerly producing buckets of slime in sympathy with my injured eyes, I sniffed, snuffled and fumbled all the way to the finish, blind and still hypothermic. The medical tent awaited and I was promptly sent to the local Emergency Room. I spent the next 24 hours at home on the sofa, both eyes loaded with antibiotics and bandaged tightly shut.

SWIM ON! Adventure awaits.

Lightning Fast
By Gil Hannon

T1 was nothing out of the ordinary. T2 would be wildly opposite. During the Rockman 1/2 distance triathlon held in Rockford IL, I exited T1 anticipating a fast, uneventful 56 mile bike ride through country roads.

Somewhere near mile 25, the rain began, causing it to become the most challenging, intense bike ride I have ever experienced. The rain slicked roads caused me to hang on tight while cars passed within feet while riding downhill at 30+ mph!

I continued on precariously alongside another racer. This provided comfort to each of us as we pedaled harder back to transition. We agreed the safest choice for us was to continue riding back to safety. That was until we witnessed a streak of lightening in the distance that, according to our best judgment, was right near transition. Within minutes, my riding companion was picked up by her friend/spouse who felt it wiser to be in the safety of a vehicle. I continued on. I prayed as I rode, all the while expecting a race official to come beside me to inform me to take shelter. This did not take place and I managed to return to transition unscathed. Transition was a mess with rows of bikes completely knocked over due to the high winds. A spectator’s umbrella was tumbling through the parking area as I walked to my spot at the rack. I could not imagine the race continuing after having been though the most treacherous ride of my life. But it did. I emptied my shoes of rain water and began my run and eventually finished the race. In the end, once the storm had passed, we were informed that a tornado had been sighted near the park and winds had reached gusts of 60mph. The storm had knocked down several trees within the park.

This is my story as to why the bike portion is triathlon’s toughest sport.

What is the Toughest Aspect of Triathlon?
By Elaine Ryan

Ask my husband, and he will tell you it is being married to a triathlete. Between self-absorbed workouts and body-image obsession, it takes a unique and compassionate partner to understand and support triathlon¹s all-consuming mindset.

I grew up in Southern California running track with Deanna (Drossin) Kastor. I thrived on adrenaline from competition, team camaraderie when lacing up our spikes on the cinder, and kissing fit, sun-kissed boys in the back of the bus rumbling to track meets. But I never understood how grueling running is until I began training for distance sports.

It’s easy to argue that running is the most difficult because it takes the most heart to finish. At the end of a triathlon, it’s the final leg that forces us in touch with our humanity. After suffering through swim and bike, we still have to conquer that run. Hobbling along on toothpicks after the initial torture, trying to settle into some kind of recognizable pace takes the most courage.

Running isn’t for the faint of heart. When summer temperatures climb excessively, sweating takes on new meaning. With perspiration flinging off pumping limbs, spit flying, and noses farm-blowing, I’ve shared more bodily fluids with running partners than I have in some intimate relationships. Running doesn¹t afford the luxury of cooling off in the water or catching a breeze; it forces us to visit putrid portable potties and put thirsty lips to slimy water spigots.

The run is so dependent on pace (sub-eights to count), on numbers (miles logged). It counts failures (DNFs) and looks for successes (age groups won). Running holds a scorecard of disappointments from races past and is never free of conditions that bind, or expectations that dictate.

Running is challenging because of the accountability it keeps.

Running is the most difficult because it’s so self-reliant, self-propelled, and self-motivated. It is free of any required superfluous gear, apart from a good pair of shoes, so it takes sheer heart. Running, in its purity, has taught me to be passionate and to cultivate the drive in my soul.

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Registration for 5th Annual Nation’s Triathlon™ to Benefit The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society Opens December 1

By Steve | Published: November 30, 2009

Those interested in registering for the race should go to www.nationstri.com.

nationsThe first triathlon in the nation to benefit research toward curing blood cancers, the Nation’s Triathlon™ will take place Sunday, September 12, 2010 in the nation’s Capital.  One of the nation’s largest Olympic distance races, competitors will take part in a 1.5k swim in the Potomac River, 40k bike course through D.C., and a 10k run through downtown DC’s historical landmarks.

According to Charles Brodsky, founder of the Nation’s Triathlon™, “The Nation’s Triathlon™ has sold out by early spring in the last three years so we urge those who are interested to register soon.  Our spectacular growth since the race’s inception in 2004, a 900% growth over four years, is a testament to the fact that the Nation’s Triathlon features a world class race in a world class city.  This event continues to grow and attract thousands of athletes from across the globe, and is estimated to become the largest Olympic distance triathlon in the nation in 2010, with a projected 8,000 registered athletes.  We invite more people to join us in 2010 and learn firsthand what makes this city and this course so unique and appealing.”

“Of all the races I competed in this year, Nation’s Tri was by far my favorite,” noted Matthews Simmons, a competitor in the 2009 race.  “The Nation’s Tri transition area was the best I’ve seen among any of the triathlons I’ve done.  The bike course was wonderfully scenic, and much less congested than other major city courses.  The run course was very well supported, and as flat as advertised.  The scenery was also memorable.  Thanks for putting on such a great race!”

About the Nation’s Triathlon™ (www.nationstri.com)

The Nation’s Triathlon™, founded by Charles L. Brodsky, is one of the premiere Olympic distance triathlons in the United States and the only race to benefit research toward a cure for blood cancers. Set against the magnificent and patriotic setting of the nation’s Capital and its monuments, participants in the Nation’s Triathlon™ will swim 1.5k in the Potomac River, bike 40k through scenic vistas, and run 10k through downtown D.C.

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Product Line to Make a Difference

By Steve | Published: November 28, 2009

I recently created and launched a small line of products which are being used to raise funds and awareness for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. A portion of all proceeds from these “train endure achieve matter” products will go back to the Society.

You can check them out HERE. And yes, they are photos of me on the mugs and mouse pad.

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Exercise and Depression

By Steve | Published: November 27, 2009

Can exercise really improve my mood?

Yes. Just taking a brisk walk three times a week may help you recover faster from depression, reduce its severity, and even ward off the blues in the first place. Hundreds of studies have found that exercise can help relieve physical and emotional symptoms in clinically depressed people. Others have found that people who work out regularly, whether they’re young or old, tend to have better self-esteem and fewer physical and mental health problems.

In one study, college students who did aerobic exercise for five weeks recovered faster and more fully from stressful life events than those who practiced relaxation techniques. In fact, a Duke University Medical Center study of 156 clinically depressed patients found exercise to be more effective at easing depression over the long term than the anti-depressant medication Zoloft. In this clinical trial, patients in the exercise group took three supervised classes per week in which they used a treadmill or stationary bicycle at 70 to 85 percent of their maximum heart rate for 30 minutes, according to a report published in Psychosomatic Medicine.

How does exercise help relieve depression?

Just focusing your mind and body on a rhythmic activity can help relieve anxiety. Exercise is a great stress-buster, too, not only because it relieves muscle tension but also because it gets your heart rate up. The combination makes you more relaxed and alert and, therefore, better able to deal with your problems. Plus, it feels a lot better to take out your frustrations on the StairMaster than on your spouse or coworkers.

If depression has disrupted your sleep or appetite, burning a few extra calories helps get your body back in sync and boosts your energy level if you’re dragging. It may take your mind off your problems, too. Of course, getting stronger and staying in shape makes you feel better about yourself by enhancing your sense of competence and control over your life. And knowing that you can indulge in that ice cream sundae occasionally without worrying about how it will look on your hips is nice, too.

Some current research suggests exercise can actually change your brain chemistry. One recent study found that a good workout can boost your level of serotonin, a brain chemical that is linked to mood. Intense exercise can also stimulate the production of endorphins, natural painkillers that can sometimes make you feel euphoric. A Yale University study found that exercise increases neurogenesis–the growth of neuronal brain cells–and stymies the effects of aging and depression. While researchers aren’t sure if that’s enough to lift you out of depression, the evidence is encouraging.

There are social benefits to exercising that can help improve your mood as well. Joining a club or meeting friends to walk or work out with can help lift the sense of isolation you can develop when you’re depressed.

How long will it take to feel better?

People suffering from major depression have experienced a boost in emotional well-being and energy from as little as a single 30-minute workout, according to a small study published in the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise. But for the best results, the exercise program should last at least two months, according to the Harvard Mental Health Newsletter.

Does the exercise have to be vigorous?

No, any kind will help. In a study published in 2005, researchers tested the effects of a three-month exercise program on people with mild to moderate depression. They divided 80 participants into five groups, with one of them exercising vigorously three days a week and another five days a week; two groups doing “low-dose” exercise three and five days a week, and another (the control group) doing only stretching.

Symptoms of depression dropped in all five groups, but they did take the biggest tumble in the rigorous exercise program, falling by an average of 47 percent. That means that the program of vigorous exercise was about as effective as antidepressant medication and cognitive therapy, the two main treatments for depression.

What kind of exercise is best for improving my mood?

There’s no evidence that any one kind of exercise is best. Most studies have looked at running or other aerobic activities. But studies that have also compared the effects of low-intensity activities, such as walking, and nonaerobic workouts, such as weight training, have found that these types of exercise are equally effective in reducing anxiety and depression. You don’t even have to achieve an improvement in strength or cardiovascular fitness to reap the emotional benefits.

How can I make myself exercise when I can barely get out of bed?

It may seem impossible to make the effort to exercise on your own. If you are severely depressed, talk to your doctor first about psychotherapy or medication, or both. After you start to feel a little better, you might look for a structured group exercise program built around activities that you’ve enjoyed in the past.

Joining a walking group is often a good option because you can be at any fitness level and you don’t need any training or special equipment. And just getting outside, especially in good weather, can be therapeutic in itself. Start by walking five to ten minutes a day, and work your way up to 30 or 45 minutes. You may need to keep at it for several weeks before noticing an improvement in your mood, but try to make it a habit you don’t want to give up. It might help to think of this as acquiring a new lifestyle for health that you intend to maintain for the rest of your life. So pace yourself. Studies show that people see the greatest effects after four months of regular exercise.

Remember, exercise isn’t a substitute for other kinds of treatments for depression, such as medication or therapy, but it’s a good complementary activity to add to your regimen. If you have a medical condition or are out of shape, talk with your doctor about the best sort of exercise for you.

– Kate Lee is a former associate editor at Consumer Health Interactive and researcher at Time Inc. Health.

Further Resources

National Institute of Mental Health 5600 Fishers Lane Rockville, MD 20857 Phone: (800) 421-4211

National Foundation for Depressive Illness, Inc. P.O. Box 2257 New York, NY 10016 Phone: (800) 826-3632

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Thank You

By Steve | Published: November 25, 2009

Although the list of people and things that I am thankful for stretches a mile long, and thanking each and every one one would be impossible, I would like to take a minute and say that I am thankful for the following:

My wife of 23 years who continues to give me unwavering love and support in everything that I do and in every way imaginable

My two daughters for making me one of the richest people on the planet, just by being themselves

My granddaughter who can completely realign my universe simply by looking at me

My parents for every single opportunity they ever afforded me and for their support of everything that I have ever done. I miss my dad

The rest of my extended family. Admittedly, I could do a better job of keeping in touch. But you are all in my heart and head 24/7

My health

The ability to do the things that I love to do, including helping others

The roof over my head

Work

Friends…the ones that I talk to everyday…and the ones that I seldom talk to but always know are there

Life

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The Philadelphia Marathon & TNT Talk

By Steve | Published: November 23, 2009

I was asked to be the inspirational speaker at the 2009 TEAM IN TRAINING pasta dinner prior to this weekend’s Philadelphia Marathon. It was a great evening. I really do love to address those groups and do so any time that I am asked. I always meet some amazing people and walk away feeling like I totally understand what I am supposed to do on this earth.

I also raced the half marathon on Sunday which proved to be another great day. I didn’t know what to expect of myself having raced the NYC marathon three weeks ago and then being hit with the flu right after the race. I was very happily surprised at how strong and comfortable I felt. And taking into consideration a brief port-o-john pit stop at about mile 5, I was also very happy with my time.

To make the weekend even more rewarding, my wife and her sister walked the half and had a great time. My daughter’s boyfriend made his marathon maiden voyage and posted a very respectable 4:20. And I got to hang out with some good friends.  It was the perfect weekend to close out the race season.

Below are some of the highlights of the talk that I delivered to the athletes and their families at the TNT dinner on Saturday…

How many 1st time marathoners and half marathoners do we have here? How many of you have told yourself or someone else that you just need to do one marathon to get it out of your system? And so the madness begins…

Here is a quick story for you guys. I have a very vivid memory of sitting in a restaurant with my wife on New Year’s Eve in 1993 and I proclaimed to her “I want to run a full marathon; I just need to do one to get it out of my system”. Well if I do the math right that was about 20 marathons ago. It’s no wonder that a few years later when I said I “just needed to do ONE ironman triathlon… to get it out of my system” my wife gave me that “yeah right” look. And she was right as I am up to 10 ironman triathlons and don’t think I’m stopping anytime soon.

tntphlsbYou will all be happy to know that I have the secret to your success tomorrow! I learned it in a conversation that I had with a guy that I met prior to the start of the NYC marathon three weeks ago.  He told me that it is totally fine to “race” SLOWLY. Of course I agreed with him but asked him what made him say that. His words of wisdom were …. Just remember – the slower you go, the better value you get for your entry fee. Those sub-3 hour guys are getting ripped off and are not very good money managers.

I also have info from a very reliable source that the full marathoners will be treated to some very special race day nutrition at about mile 22 tomorrow. A few friends of mine always man that area offering Yuengling beer and brownies. So if you have had your fill of Gatorade and gels at that point, you have options!!
 
I want to talk a little bit about me and my reasons for being here. But it’s important to first understand a little of my background.  I really was one of those people who felt “immune” to any kind of illness or cancer because I was so healthy and always the athlete.

I was a very active kid and involved in every sport that I could sink my teeth into. I played three sports through high school and went on to play college and semi professional soccer. I’ve also never really been sick and never had an overnight hospital stay. I have all of my God given parts, and no extra ones.

I discovered multisport racing in about 1987 and never looked back. I have completed many marathons, triathlons, and even many ironman triathlons. I have always felt that I have been given very charmed and gifted existence.  From childhood to today, I have always had a great life.
 
At the end of 2005 and in early 2006 I was starting to have trouble swallowing food. My tonsils had become enlarged and I was tripping over them when I ate, swallowed, or even spoke. In early 2006 I was referred to an ear nose and throat specialist who wanted to remove my tonsils. I went through preadmission testing and of course was a little nervous about a tonsillectomy. I had never had any type of surgery at all. But it sounded like it was the right thing to do. 

A few days prior to my scheduled surgery, I received a phone call from the surgeon that stopped me dead in my tracks and that nobody ever wants to get. It went something like this “Mr. Brown we need to put your surgery on hold. Something came back in your blood work that needs a closer look so we are referring you to an oncologist/hematologist”. I was speechless. I was stunned. I really didn’t completely comprehend what he was saying, but I did know what an oncologist was. I was pretty certain though that whatever it was would end up being a big mistake, and more of an annoyance than anything else.

My wife recommended a top notch oncology practice and saw the first available doc. I through a battery of tests, biopsies, and scans and on February 24th 2006 what had the potential to be a tonsillectomy had officially become a leukemia diagnosis.  So I went through the normal course of emotions from denial and disbelief, to anger, and depression.  The first question my doctor asked me was whether or not I had been feeling tired. I couldn’t tell.  I mean probably but let’s be real here for a minute… if I got tired after spending 5 hours on my bike I wasn’t thinking Leukemia. I was thinking maybe I should take a day off from training. But  cancer never entered my mind.

The hardest part of that diagnosis was having to go home and share the news with the rest of my family. Our family had just gone through a real rough patch. We had lost my father in August of 2005 after spending 3 months in ICU. My mom underwent aortic valve replacement and triple bypass surgery in December of 2005 and spent a few months recovering. Our family needed a break in 2006. Nonetheless, I had to sit in my living room and look my kids in the eye and tell them that their invincible ironman triathlete super dad had a blood cancer and needed chemotherapy.
 
After I ran the gamut of emotions, and had multiple arguments with the voices inside my head, I remembered something very important that I often talk about. I recalled the word “CHOICE”. Obviously, I had no choice in the fact that I was just diagnosed.  That was the hand that was dealt to me. But I still had choices in how I would handle and respond to my diagnosis and treatment. I made the commitment to send a positive message from the very beginning for everyone else to see and hopefully emulate. I wanted to lead by example. And I wanted to control anything I could in a relatively uncontrollable situation. I still wanted to be that “athlete”. I still wanted to be that super dad.

Since my white blood cell count was elevated off the charts, it was advised that I start chemotherapy treatments right away. I was lucky enough to be able to go to our local hospital for treatment and come back home each day.  The treatment protocol was one week of treatment followed by three weeks off and was repeated over four cycles.
 
I was also lucky enough to have my wife with me at every appointment and treatment session. I made the decision to try to be as normal as I could during these treatments. Fitness WAS my normal so the weeks in between chemo, I worked hard and trained hard to keep my baseline fitness level up so I could knock it down a few rungs during treatment weeks. That was my way of staying somewhat in control.
 
For me staying in control also meant running home from chemo treatment. On treatment days when I felt strong enough, I would either run home or hop on a stationary bike. And the looks on the faces of the chemo nurses were priceless when I would stand up walk out the door and run home from treatment. I enjoyed that feeling of defiance. And I used mental imagery on the run home and envisioned cancer cells falling off of my body while I ran and I was kicking them into the storm drains on the side of the road. In my role play, the cancer cells were saying “this guy is NUTS. First the chemo and now he’s running!” “We can’t hang with this dude”.
 
Something worked.
 
After two rounds of treatment my doc called me a “responder”.  By April I had hit complete remission. By end of June I was finished all four rounds of initial treatment. In mid July I raced my first sprint distance triathlon as a survivor and on September 30th, just 7 months after being diagnosed, I crossed the finish line of another ironman triathlon with my wife and kids with me as the announcer and race director renamed me “RemissionMan”.
 
Yes I am proud of all of that but little did I know that the best was still yet to come. Within days of being diagnosed, I signed on as an assistant triathlon coach with TNT. It was another positive choice that I made. I started working with a group of triathletes for the 2006 Philadelphia triathlon and I was going to group swim practices on a Saturday and then back to chemo on Monday. It was immediate connection that has only gotten stronger with each season. I have been given the opportunity to work alongside an incredible collection of gifted and giving individuals.  And the athletes and patients that have touched my life as a result are too many to count. 

I now completely understand what it means to have “reasons” for a diagnosis. I never really got that before. But there is no doubt in my mind that I was given this to try to work some good from it. A week doesn’t go by that I don’t make a new connection of either a patient or a family member that I am able to help guide in some way. I feel like I am making this leukemia community stronger.

Many of you are here tonight to support a friend or loved one. My own personal support infrastructure has carried me and helped me through everything I’ve ever done – from ironman triathlons, to chemotherapy. Never under value or underestimate the importance of that support system. Everyone is playing some kind of a role in this mission. Some are running, some are volunteering, some are supporting in other ways that are just as heroic.

Before I go, I want to share a couple more thought that I hope you will remember. 

Obviously the unexpected stuff can and will happen. I am a classic example of this. But I also want to be thought of as a reminder that it’s not the “stuff” that measures or defines us.  It’s how we react and how we respond to the “stuff”. It’s the choices that we make.

I feel like the choices that I made and continue to make, including just being able to stand up here and talk to you, have taken a negative situation and turned it into something not just positive but incredibly rewarding and constructive.

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"Be the change you wish to see in the world " - Gandhi
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