Mission Possible -- Badwater

A Lesson for Life

Hi Friends !

Last weekend was our local 100 mile race, the HURT 100. This was the 4th year in a row that I've worked it as a volunteer and I always walk away being inspired and learning something about life. "What could you possibly learn about life by mingling with a bunch of muddy, sweaty ultrarunners?", you say. Well, one thing that definitely stands out in my mind this year revolves around the runner Judy Carluccio. If you look at the race results, you won't find her name in the results for the 100 mile finishers...instead, it's in the 100k finishers. For me, Judy's story begins after she had already passed the 100k mark and was coming into the aid station after her 4th loop, finishing 80 of the 100 miles. The best way to describe Judy at that point was "a basket case". She was a mess...especially emotionally....she was crying and shaking...her mind was doing everything in it's power to convince her to quit...and at that point, she was listening (and believing) everything her mind was telling her. Physically, she looked good, with no real problems or issues. The only other "real" issue was the cut-off time. Normally, in this very tough 100 mile race, after already punishing your body for 80 tough miles, the mind will win out. It wants you to drag your beat-up, exhausted body home, take a shower and hit the bed. It wants you to never do another 100 mile race. You generally vow to never do another, but somewhere along the way, you change your mind.

Somehow, Judy pulled herself together and forced herself back out on that last very tough 20 mile loop. Watching her leave out on that final loop made me so very happy for her. Somehow, Judy summoned the courage to make it into the two final aid stations and force herself back out...again and again... even knowing that it would be nightfall (for the 2nd time) before she would end her journey. More importantly, she left that final aid station knowing that she would not be an "official" HURT 100 mile finisher. Most would have stopped at that final aid station...but not Judy. In my mind, she finished the HURT 100...not officially...but she still finished the 100 miles.

The fact that she didn't quit...no matter how bad she felt...knowing that she would not be an official finisher, shows an enormous amount of character, which I'm confident will follow her for her entire life. It sure made a lasting impression on me...."A Lesson for Life", hopefully for the both of us. Congratulations Judy !

While on the subject of the HURT 100...Jamie and David...we missed you !  Don

A New Beginning

Aloha Friends !

Thinking back on 2008, it very well could turn out to be my ultimate adventure. It definitely was an adventure but not one I want to repeat. I don't plan to fill out an application to try it again, like I've done at ultramarathons. In my opinion, cancer should be limited to one time, and one time only. Once is absolutely enough.

There were some definite highlights during the year, even after learning about having cancer. Heather and I were able to pull-off two trips to Glacier National Park, one immediately following chemo and radiation and another just prior to surgery. We were able to still enjoy hiking in the beautiful mountains. Also, the final two chemo treatments were finished just in time to allow adequate recovery to be able to still have our annual-end-of-the-year two week vacation, which we took in cold, snowy, icy but beautiful Canada. Now we're back and I feel rejuvinated and ready for a brand new year and a new beginning.

2008 also provided a rare opportunity to hear my own eulogy, while I am living...kinda neat. I found out that I have many more friends than I ever realized. I'm a very lucky man !

Yesterday I had my 3 month follow-up wth Dr. Pang, my radiology oncologist and everything came-up roses...even after the ol' finger rectal exam and tomorrow I'll be doing my first Saturday training run (walk for me) in more than 6 months, with my HURT buddies.

2009 is a new beginning. Thanks everyone for all that you've done for me, especially last year. It helped more than you will ever know. I hope to see you all very soon.  Love, Don.

Collage of a Life

Hi Friends !

While riding on a train across British Columbia a few days ago, I found a copy of a small local magazine "Northword" and began reading an article "Collage of a Life - building a home from the inside". Normally this article would not have held my attention, but with so much going on in the world right now: people losing their jobs and their homes; forclosures; shrinking retirement income; war; cancer...well, you get the picture...anyway, the article kept my interest. It was a true story about a man who lost his home in a storm and I could relate to that because many years ago I had lost my apartment to a fire...not quite the same, but we both lost all our belongings...a lifetime of memories. Here's some bits and pieces from that article:

Alexander McDonald had rushed home from buying groceries to find the storm raising the tide to where the water moving under the supporting stilts of his house. He only had time to rescue his dog and grab his camera equipment and computer. "For a moment I was conscious of this surreal event, wondering if I should try to videotape it. I realized I would die if I took the time to do this. I ran back to safety and watched as the storm water swallowed my house. The water lifted my house; it shuffled off the stilts and slid out into the bay. It turned 450 degrees by the time the tide went out. I remember the sides falling off, and all that was left was the top peak of the roof".

It really impressed me to hear some of Alexander's current thoughts after going through this ordeal a few years ago:

"There's an old saying: Don't trust anyone who hasn't been broken." "I have been broken, and broken again."

"I believe we are born with a creative voice resounding in our ears. Kids come into the world to remind us of what we have forgotten."

"I'm blessed to be living here in this body, in this house (new house under construction), in this world."

"One must accept the impermanence of life."

"My parents had a very special relationship...they were an inspiration. When I cared for my mother as she was dying, I learned a lot about the relationship between my mother a father. They shared a special love for each other, a love that was built from the inside. They overlooked the outward aging of their bodies and were devoted to what was on the inside."

Alexander McDonald is a man I personally would like to meet. He certainly impressed me by what he had to say. I apologize for the choppy, short report, but if you are interested in reading the article in it's entirety and seeing a few photos, go to: www.northword.ca Hopefully you can find it there.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU !!! Personally, I cannot remember ever being so excited to start a "new" year ! I sincerely hope all of you had a wonderful Holiday Season.  Aloha !  Don