Therapy For Athletes

Remembering Grete Waitz

therapyforathletes — Sat, 07 May 2011 08:39:55 +0000

I first say a photo of Grete Waitz crossing the finish line at the 1992 New York City Marathon with her dear friend, Fred Lebow. At that time, he was battling brain cancer and she was there by his side each step of the grueling 26.2 mile course. She was there to help him carry out a dream, unbeknownst to her that she would eventually be facing her own terminal battle with cancer. For Grete, the fight ended April 19, 2011. The legacy she left behind was far greater than the marathon wins or her silver Olympic medal. What endures is the example she set for women, young and old, by pushing and breaking through imposed limits and gender stereotypes. With so many incredibly talented marathon, ironman, and beyond endurance female athletes, it’s hard for me to imagine a time when it was believed that women couldn’t or shouldn’t compete at the same distances as men. In 1967, Katherine Switer was the first woman to officially finish the Boston Marathon, but only because her companion, Thomas Miller, was there there to intercept a race official who was about to pull her from the course with a NHL calliber body check. In 1972 and 1976 Olympics, Grete had to run the 1,500 m event because there wasn’t anything longer for women. It was not until 1984 when the first women’s marathon appeared in the Olympics.

Flash forward to 2011. We now have a new generation of endurance athletes who, besides not knowing what life was like before the internet, cell phones, and and social media, can’t recall a time when women were not allowed to complete at the same level as men. To me, the abolishment of the old stereotypes about what women can and can’t do academically, professionally, or athletically is one of the greatest achievements pioneered by the likes of Katherine Switzer and Grete Waitz. On behalf of my daughter, I thank you. Not only will she grow up not knowing many of the once revolutionary, but soon to be archaic technologies of my time, but she will also not know any limitations on her dreams.

Downriver Dash

therapyforathletes — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 01:36:30 +0000

Usually an increase in temperatures and racing options signals the end of a long winter season here in Michigan. Well, the runs are starting to spring up, but unfortunately the warm sunny weather is trailing way too far behind. Nonetheless, I’ve been fortunate enough to enjoy two inaugural local events that rank up there with any out there. First was the Rock CF Rivers half marathon on Grosse Ile. With a scenic course circling the island to provide dramatic views of Canada and the Detroit skyline, a capacity turnout came to support a cure for Cystic Fibrosis and scratch their longer distance racing itch so early in the season. Surprisingly, I was able to fly on the course given my limited preparation. Of course I paid for pushing my hibernating rusty cardio self, but it was well worth it. The other great event was the Downriver Dash to benefit the Guidance Center. For an inaugural 5K, the organization and amenities were top-notch. I’ve included some awesome shots taken by Al, the Guidance Center PR man. Al was so great, retaking a photo shoot with me and my daughter crossing the finish line. He and everyone putting on this great event went out of their way to make the runners feel very special and appreciated.

Back again

therapyforathletes — Fri, 31 Dec 2010 14:11:09 +0000

With 2011 only a day away and a new iPad in hand, I thought I would jumpstart my blog. Looking forward to resuming in the new year. More blogging to come.

A Bitter Sweet Ending

therapyforathletes — Tue, 21 Sep 2010 03:08:00 +0000

Yesterday I completed my last tri of the season at Stoney Creek Metro Park. I don’t know what I was expecting, but it didn’t happen. Not that I raced badly or that it wasn’t a nice venue, it just felt anticlimactic. I felt let down by the course which had some idiot blasting his horn and weaving in between the bikes because he couldn’t wait 30 seconds and the Waterford swim team volunteers who seemed completely disinterested in being there and doing their job. I also felt I let myself down because again I just didn’t push nowhere near my full capacity. Really, the last race I let it all out was Steelhead. Everything there after has been a way much more conservative effort.

For better or worse, my triathlon season is down. With fall racing about to comence and the Detroit Freepress Marathon looming there’s little time to pout over the spilt milk of what could have been. It’s time to think about what could be as long as I get that Eye of Tiger (yes, I’m a product of the eighties) back.

Rev3 Report

therapyforathletes — Fri, 17 Sep 2010 08:47:27 +0000

What a difference a day makes! Saturday, the winds were up and the waves on Lake Erie were crashing down during the practice swim. There were more than a few concerned looks about what was in store tomorrow. Then the rain came later in the day turning an already sparse Cedar Point into a ghost town (much like the ones they were setting up for the halloweekends.) As the day broke on Sunday, the clouds were already giving way as those full Rev souls were preparing for their long journey. Coming out to support the athletes, I was deeply touched to see their final embraces with their families as they approached the start. There was a ting of envy (and perhaps relief) walking away on rout to prepare for the half. By the time we got underway, daylight had fully broken. The water had significantly calmed from yesterday for the rectangle swim. Still, it was much harder than Steelhead and after the first turn to parallel the shore, there was some brief disorientation on my part when all I could see was water. Overall, the swim was slow, but uneventful. Heading out of transition on the bike, everything seemed smooth. The first part of the bike course was flat, had good tale wind, and took you along the shore. At this point I was really liking it. Then you hit some rollers as you entered more rural farm roads. There seemed to be a lot of turns, but again nothing terrible. My aero water bottle came loose on some rough patches of road. That should have been the first sign of trouble. The rolling hills kept coming and getting slightly larger; then it just seemed to keep going. Where at Steelhead, I felt like I was flying, today I felt as slow as molasses. (I feel entitled to use that cliché given how much molasses I passed.) Something didn’t feel right and when I started to slide during a turn, I knew something was wrong. Pulling over, I realized my back tire was starting to flat. Initially I panicked as I had only successfully changed a flat once or twice in my life. I took some deep breaths and started to proceed to repair my tire. Getting the tire off was the most difficult part. Then it was a matter of getting the new tube in place and using the CO2. Even though it took forever, there was a sense of accomplishment that I was back on the road thanks to limited mechanical ability. It was hard to get my rhythm again and I took it easy the rest of the way. Happy to see transition, I set off on the run which turned out to be a great course. A bit winding through the town of Sandusky, but enough historic buildings, waterfront, and spectators to keep you going. Returning on the causeway to Cedar Point there was a sense of relief because I just hadn’t fully done my homework for this event. Entering the park was awesome and I still felt a sense of accomplishment even if it wasn’t my best race. I suppose I was expecting a sophomore let down after Steelhead. On the positive side, because I just didn’t have it in me to physically and mentally push myself to the limit, I was able to enjoy the rest of the day in the park, have a much more rapid recovery, and hopefully enjoy the last bit of triathlon season before fall running gets under way.

REV3

therapyforathletes — Tue, 31 Aug 2010 11:17:41 +0000

Training is finishing up for Rev3 (half). I’m both excited and nervous about what was to be be the highlight race of the season. Was because Steelhead took away some that thunder and now I’m feeling that sophomore effect. I feel the pressure to do better, but my enthusiasm has been tempered by feeling banged up and not fully motivated to push my limits again. My intention was to use Steelhead as a trial run, a dress rehearsal so to speak, but my adrenaline kicked in and I was flying far faster than for what I had trained. This has left me currently training shorter and less intensely. On a positive note, I fully support the concept behind the Rev3 productions. There seems to be a greater emphasis on family and community. I was reading how flexible they have been with athletes who’ve had life circumstances (even last minute) preventing them from racing. After all, for many of us, these entry fees are not a small drop in the bucket. Also,there seems to be a greater emphasis on local charities and promoting good will within the triathlon community. With all of that, it’s hard not to feel good about this race. Throw in a few days at Cedar Point and it’s virtually impossible to not have fun.

Another Poll

therapyforathletes — Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:44:00 +0000

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My Greek Heritage

therapyforathletes — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 09:08:11 +0000

I just had a great time at St. George’s Greek Festival in Southgate, MI, not too far from home. Great food, fun music, and beautiful grounds with an amazing play area for the kids. Even if you’re not Greek, I would highly recommend going (it’s usually held the later part of August). In the midst of all the excitement and baclava, I thought about my experience growing up Greek in a culture outside the norm of American life. The film, My Big Fat Greek Wedding, really did a great job capturing the sweet, but often eccentric and xenophobic (a Greek word) community of immigrants who came to this country for the hopes of a better life. I easily identified with Toula, the protagonist who is torn by the loyalty she feels to honor her family by marrying within their culture and her new found love for Ian, a handsome vegetarian American who’s lifestyle may seem normal by American standards but is completely foreign to the Greeks. While I could laugh and empathize with Toula’s struggles to merge the life she knows and the life she wants, for me there is perhaps an even darker and more serious side to growing up in an immigrant family and trying to find yourself amongst two worlds. Well before My Big Fat Greek Wedding, I remember seeing The Godfather films. I was left haunted by Michael, the son who left his immigrant mafia family to enlist in the American military only to be pulled back by an assassination attempt on his father. Strongly identifying with Michael’s self pretense that he could abandon everything he knew and lie to himself about who he really was, I saw myself as I grew from rebelling against my heritage to ultimately trying to come to peace with it. I saw a stark parallel as I to told my soon to be wife at the time that my life was different than that of my family much like Michael assured Kate that what she saw all around her wasn’t him. Those of you who saw the films know how they turned out. My relationship with my Greek heritage is still a work in progress. Only now, I’ve come to better terms with my deeply rooted connection with the generations which have come before. Who knows, one day I’ll even run the Athens Marathon, following the same rout Philippides covered to proclaim the Greek victory.

My Daughter’s Birthday

therapyforathletes — Sun, 22 Aug 2010 07:24:44 +0000

My little girl turned 3 yesterday. Sometimes we forget how magical life is until we see it again through the eyes of a child. It reminds me to be less cynical and more open to the power of birthday wishes and all those logic defying hopes that dwell in the heart. It made me think about what I may wish for. Interestingly enough, anything involving the words marathon or Ironman were at the bottom of my list. What I wish is for my daughter to stay healthy and safe, for her to always be surrounded by people who love her, and for every one of her dreams to come true. My hope is that she doesn’t lose her innocence and that the world never robs her of it. I want her to gain and keep her faith in God and the endless possibilities that goodness and hard work can bring. My hope is to be able to protect and guild her and to see her grow. As I watch her change before my eyes, I’m constantly reminded why it’s so important to make the world a better place. Not that I don’t have a strong passion for my active lifestyle, it’s just by putting in context it enriches my life even more.

Polls

therapyforathletes — Fri, 20 Aug 2010 08:30:39 +0000

I’ve made mention that I’m curious about about the psyche of endurance athletes aside from myself. While informal, I’m trying to add polls with a variety of questions related to the mind – body connection and the psychological aspects of living an active lifestyle. So here it goes.

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