(Source: beachbound)
Today was my first trip to physical therapy, and I kind of dug it, and I will tell you why. It left me with two philosophies swirling around in my mind that seems to be helping me throughout this experience.
(1) Things turn out best for people who make the best of the way things turn out.
(2) You are only as strong as your weakest link.
When I came to the conclusion that my injury might be a little serious, I will admit that I was only concerned about the state of my fitness and physique. After realizing that continuing my running program would only train and strengthen my ego, I put my pride aside and gave into the process of healing my body….. and my mindset.
Truth be told, it was not easy. I had a moment of weakness against my better judgment last Friday. My ego had gotten the best of me again, and I gave running a try “the moment” my foot started to feel better. Well, those strides proved to be bad ones, and I wound up causing more damage to my ankle. I guess you can say it was necessary for me to do that in order to learn the valuable lesson that I am not stronger than my injury.
Lesson learned.
So now I am treating my body well by making the best of situation by committing to my recover and adhering to the plan set out by my doctor and physical therapist. Also, I keep in mind that I am truly fortunate that I did not sustain a more serious injury. I noticed at physical therapy that I am in a room full people who have more serious aliments than I do that make their normal activities and daily functions nearly impossible. Boy, does that humble me. Everyone is in PT today because the want to get better. One thing I have learned from PT, is that being focused on doing what I am capable of doing right now is what is important.
However, that being said, the real lesson of today is: “No matter what I am capable of doing, I just have to let my body do its thing.” And who knows with proper healing I may allow my body to be stronger than it has ever been.
Time will be the best healer and that surely echoes beyond the physical therapies’ walls.
Motivational Monday: Healing has a purpose. It repairs what is broken, of course, but it can also do more. It can make us stronger.
How To Workout At Home ;)
This boot is made for walking…for walking while stabilizing an injury.
With less than a week before from my first half marathon, I have sustained a minor injury called peroneal tendonitis. Thankfully, it is not a severe injury, but serious enough to sideline me for the half marathon this Sunday. I was certainly looking forward to this event (Newport Half-Marathon/Jersey City) and it appeared from my training that I was going to compete strong However, my body had a different game plan in store for me.
On the morning run of this past Saturday, a message was clearly sent to me around the last mile that I was not going to participate in the Newport Half Marathon. During the last uphill stretch of my run I developed a painful sensation that came from my left foot that was so uncomfortable that I had walk the rest of the way home.
When I got home, I knew exactly who to call. I called my friend/doctor, Dr. Jackie Sutera. She took me to her office in the city for an x-ray and examination of my foot. She explained to me peroneal tendonitis is not a severe injury and if treated of properly with rest, icing and wearing a stabilizing boot I could be back to running in 1 to 2 weeks. She expressed to me how lucky I was that it was not a fracture because if it were, then I would be looking at a good 6 weeks of rehab.
So guess who is grateful? I am.
Gratitude is like the anti-inflammatory for the soul. Whenever I am faced with some type of adversity in my life I always focus on what I am grateful for, and it always gives me the strength I need to deal with life’s lemons no matter the size.
So this little lemon I can deal with, and I will come back stronger, faster and better.
Life always seems to find a way to teach us a lesson. May be my lesson is that I need to slow down a bit. Hmmm….something to ponder.
So for now, when I am out and about I will be walking, taking elevators and escalators; and when I am at home, I will be icing and elevating my foot on my very comfortable reclining chair.
Let the rehab and rejuvenation begin.
A man should conceive of a legitimate purpose in his heart, and set out to accomplish it. He should make this purpose the centralizing point of his thoughts. It may take the form of a spiritual ideal, or it may be a worldly object, according to his nature at the time being; but whichever it is, he should steadily focus his thought-forces upon the object, which he has set before him. He should make this purpose his supreme duty, and should devote himself to its attainment, not allowing his thoughts to wander away into ephemeral fancies, longings, and imaginings. This is the royal road to self-control and true concentration of thought. Even if he fails again and again to accomplish his purpose (as he necessarily must until weakness is overcome), the strength of character gained will be the measure of his true success, and this will form a new starting-point for future power and triumph.
James Allen - As A Man Thinketh
Half-Marathon
There are times in my life where I find myself unfulfilled on an intangible level. I cannot explain why, or put my finer on it, but it just makes me restless. It is times like these that I seek the attention of an exciting, positive and challenging goal. One that can breathe a renewed purpose into my life and channel away the restlessness.
My latest noble pursuit in my first half-marathon which is just a week away. For the last few weeks this 13.1 miles has got me waking up with a mission and purpose to push my body the furthest is has ever been. The daily grind rarely, if ever provides us with the opportunity to be truly courageous, to show the world what we are really made of. To truly recognize our own greatness. Which is why I compete in these events. I started out doing 5Ks, then 10Ks, and I have completed two sprint triathlons. And now half-marathon seems fitting to add to my fitness resume.
Competing in all these events provides me the physical proof that I am more capable than I have ever realized. My fitness quests have raised the bar of what I thought might be possible. In these events, I focus on reaching my personal best, which has now helped me set and break records off the course in my personal life.
My competition has inspires me to be a person who realizes a worthy ideal. I am becoming a person who does a job because that is what I have decided to do….deliberately. This is how I measure success. In my professional career I wanted on being a good salesman, so I focused on what it would take to be to become a topnotch salesman. Some people have goals and some people do not, but I have learned to be successful in life you need to have goals. There is no competition in life unless we make it for ourselves.
So I have shown myself that by setting goals and achieving them I can make a positive change in my life. So tomorrow I am will wake up early. Make a hardy breakfast. Check a few emails. Watching a little Sports Center, and stretch. Then I will head out for what will be my last long run before next week’s half-marathon.
I fashion myself a newly spiritual chap, so I have chosen to run along the Hudson River for tomorrow morning’s run. I am a Pisces, and I feel my strongest and centered along the water. I tend do my best running there, because I can keep going and going and going with little fatigue.
Last week I came up with a name for my running along the Hudson….Cathardio. (Cathartic + Cardio)The feel good type of running. If you are a runner, you know what I am talking about.
Who you are, where you go, and how soon you get there is up to you. But before you do, take a step in front of your mirror and meet your inspiration.
Lately I feel inspired. It has put a bit of pep in my step carrying me from moment to moment. What I cherish most about being in-spirit is that I begin to see more of it wherever I go.
Photo @ the High Line - NYC
(This something I wrote a little over a year ago called “Fuck Fear”. It was the first piece I had written in some time and it what’s got the ball rolling to explore my own personal development and start to now start to blog about it.)
I am never quite satisfied, and I’m not sure whether that’s a gift or a curse.
It has prevented me from becoming complacent in my life and motivated me to always challenge myself and reach for more. It makes me try to be a better person. It is also a beast. It has prevented me from fully enjoying some of my achievements, accomplishments, and small victories. At least for more than a minute. It’s also caused me to beat myself up over mistakes, missteps, and human failings. However, on August 15, 2009 at around 10 am I found myself proud for moment. Proud of who I have always known myself to be.
Harriman State Park Triathlon
0.50 Mile Swim
16 Mile Bike
3.1 Mile Run
Placed 82nd of 349 people
Michael Hausler
Age 30
Swim: 14:51
Pace: 1:41
Swim Place: 88th
T1: 3:03
T1 Place: 182th
Bike: 57:48
MPH:16.6
Bike Place 152th
T2: :52
T2 Place: 46th
Run: 20:38
Pace: 6:39
Run Place: 12th
Finish: 1:37:12
What I am proud of is that I did not give up on myself. I have to admit my fear was convincing me to not compete because I had not trained for this event. I almost had myself convinced that buying a new bike, reading articles by world class triathletes, and even going to a seminar by a 6 time Ironman champion was all a total waste of my time.
One week prior to the event I had a moment of clarity where I remembered who I am, who I want to be and how determined I am and in that moment my curse became a gift. I was committed to my first triathlon. My motivation went from quiting a triathlon because I was not prepare to persuing a triathlon because I knew I could finish it. I was committed to compete and complete and nothing more. No expectations.
As you can see for a first-timer I did not do too shabby.
Imagine if I had given up I would have never have known that with no real training that I have could completed and actually been competitive. I really surprised myself by how well I did, and I smiled after every transition because I knew it. I knew I had it in me all along, but I let for a moment fear question who I am.
The lesson I take from my experience is the next time my mind yields to the weakness of my fears, I will seek the strength to say, “fuck fear.”.
“Courage is fear that has said its prayers.” -Dorothy Bernard
