Failure Equals Victory

A title such as this is always risky, as a writer can either immediately lose a reader or hook them for the entire section, regardless of the content. The title is an off shoot from the bible- you know, "the last becomes first and first becomes last", or "extreme bad equals good and extreme good equals bad". No matter how you, the reader, looks at it, there is something eccentric in the meaning of the title, and that's the reason you should read this article. Who knows, you may even enjoy it.

Around 1990 I wrote and published a book titled Problemology: The Science of Dealing With Problems. The premise of the book was that most people are not equipped emotionally to handle problems when they arise. Most people "hope" problems don't come (which is hardly a fool-proof strategy). When a major problem arises, these people have no game plan to fall back on. All decisions now become emotional in nature, rather than logical and strategized. As always, when your emotions are in the drivers seat, watch out.

Anyway, I feel that human beings need to mentally exercise as well as physically exercise to become totally strong (both mental and physical strength). This book teaches mental exercises that allow a person to "prepare" for problems. For example, if you walk out of your house on a rainy Monday morning, late for work, and you see you have a flat tire, the typical response would be to cuss, kick and swear. You'd yell at your spouse, hurt yourself while trying to change the tire, argue with fellow employees all day, etc. Now, for long term wellness, the correct way to handle this would be the following: always identify the problem, (the car has a flat tire), remember that life is an imperfect journey and that misfortunes will always pop up when least expected, correct the problem (change the tire) and thank God that your misfortune on this day was not more catastrophic. The way to get good at developing this mindset is to approach every problem you face, starting right now, with this attitude. Believe me, it takes practice. It's always easier to "react", but as the book explains, far less productive.

So now, admitting that life is a rocky journey and our goal is to have the most enjoyable, stress free trip we can have, how on earth does "failure equal victory"?.

In our competitive society, we are continuously encouraged to win at all costs and look for immediate gratification. Combining these objectives, you could say we're encouraged to win in the short term. Such as today, not tomorrow. So if you lose today, some may perceive this as failing. Failing, (or perceived failing), like rejection, is more apt to keep people from going after their dreams than even a severe physical disability would in many cases.

This is exactly why we need to turn the kaleidoscope of life and view this picture differently. Winning should never be only in the short term, it should be desired in the long term. And the best way to win in the long term is to be willing to fail in the short term. After all, there is no better teacher than experience. While most are taught to hang their heads because of defeat, a more productive response would be to rush home to the drawing board and plan the next strategy. Now you have more information to plug into the computer. You're an expert at what didn't work.

This approach, plus persistence is the old tried and true recipe for long term success. Persistence will win. Most people don't have the ability to be persistent due to boredom, distractions or fear of failing. But, long term victory is far superior to short term victory and defeats will always help to teach the necessary tools and techniques to enjoy victory in the long term.

In conclusion, life is a continual series of victories and defeats. The mere fact that you breathe means you are a prime candidate to fail at something somewhere along the way. He who can develop the ability "act" instead of "react" will stand a much greater chance of having a smooth and enjoyable trip through life. Winning is simply the ability to smile, care about others, help others, maintain persistence in your goals and keep things in perspective.

This is why running is the greatest activity in the world. It simulates real life in so many ways. Even if you're in the Achilles Track Club or wheelchair bound, anyone can relatively improve to feel better about themselves. You can set your own rules to the game. You don't have to win the race, you only have to win your race. Any failure, which is really just a stepping stone to long term victory, is only failure if you quit.

As comedian Jim Belushi said in one of his illustrious roles, "Never, never, never lose your sense of humor". Keep running and enjoy every day. After all, just like the marathon, it's only mental!

Psychology of Recovery From Injuries

Injuries are inevitable. For any runner who as been at it long enough, becoming injured is only a matter of time. "How can I eliminate the likelihood of injury?", you ask. There is only one answer that can't fail: "Quit running!"

But the desire to run is infectious, and when your running is threatened because of injury, the desire becomes magnified. After all, humans have always had cravings for things they can have, but have been known to kill for those things they can't have. And when running is not in a runner's itinerary, the emotional controversy that takes place rock's the senses. "I've just got to run....".

Now, we all know, for every injury out there, there are inner-circle "surgeons general" who quickly and confidently diagnose the condition, outlining the do's and don'ts they'd recommend. From your neighbor to your brother-in-law to your therapist and spouse, everyone's an authority. The runner continues to hear all of these priceless (worthless?) recommendations, but still has to deal with that little voice in the back of the mind screaming to run. "Come on. Don't be a baby. Run through the pain. If it hurts, just stop. What do they know anyways? None of them even run!"

Six weeks of mild running (which the runner will tell you was total rest), and the injury is still there. More relatives and fellow employees have joined the list of "specialists" voicing their opinion and the hope for a future on the roads now seems near impossible. But before all hope is gone, STOP and LISTEN! There is a way. There are simple means which will get you back. Just as nature provides guidelines to live by, nature also provides guidelines to heal by. You just have to Follow The Rules! (that little clause in the contract we never see). Now they may sound simple, but the difficult part comes in applying them.

Rule #1

Ask yourself clearly - "What is my objective?". The answer, for most, is generally the same and pretty simple. "To get from point A (injured) to point B (able to run safely) as fast and inexpensively as possible".

Now, the most common reason runner's fail at the above rule is because they try to answer 2 objectives at once. They want to do as stated above, point A to point B, but they also want to run everyday to not lose their conditioning. "But, I go crazy if I don't run". Don't worry, that's only mental and you'll learn to get over it.

Keep in mind, nature usually doesn't give us the opportunity to have two wishes at the same time. If you want two, you usually end up without any. (You can't run comfortably or as much as you want, and you don't heal). This is when you start looking to pay money to that great specialist from afar. Believe me, keep your money. Most injuries are cumulative and no specialist can do any more than you can do, if you are disciplined.

Rule #2

At this time, sit down and re-define your goals. You may need to forget the marathon you've been training for. You may need to give up that "favorite" race this year if your body is not healthy. Nature doesn't care about your wants, so don't act totally robotic with your schedule. The only thing that stays the same is that everything is always changing. You may need to change your wish list to be more realistic.

Rule #3

Decide what you need to do to get from point A to point B the quickest and most cost effective. Generally, allowing the injured area the necessary time to heal is a good place to start. This doesn't mean minimal running or cross training, this means quality healing time. Again, keep in mind, the more you use an injured area, the longer the healing time takes. It is far wiser to do it right the first time, if your true objective is to get back to running pain free and safely. Ice, heat, massage (The Stick®) , rest, anti-inflammatories (Rehab-Plus), etc. are some of the complements you should use.

Rule #4

Understand, this is not supposed to be fun. Runners say, "This isn't what I want to do, I want to run". Hey, dying isn't fun either, but it happens. Show an ounce of discipline and intelligence. Quit whining. Shift your mindset during this period. As long as you pressure yourself mentally, your only setting yourself up to come back too soon. Relax and do something you never have time to do because of your running. Soon enough, you'll be back, so don't drive yourself crazy.

Rule #5

The lack of pain and swelling does not mean an injury is totally healed. Read that sentence again. Don't "attack" the first day you feel good. The longer you have had to lay off, the slower your comeback should be. Be willing to come back slowly enough. Write the word "RELAPSE" all around the house and office. Imagine going back to square one and starting over. Remember, do it right the first time.

Rule #6

Last but not least, keep in mind that being frustrated, yelling or screaming or even whining or complaining is wasted energy. As I said in the beginning, if you run, you will be injured. Save the theatrics. Immediately alter your mindset and go into the healing mode. Ask yourself, "What do I have to do to get back to running the quickest?". I'll guarantee you the answer does not include kicking the dog or yelling at your spouse. Conserve your energy for something worthwhile and have the discipline to correct the condition. It's really not that big a deal.

Now, once you've done the above, and you're still not better, look for the specialist who can help. But don't be weak in your discipline and think that if you pay money you'll get some magical cure. Somewhere along the way, you have to pay the price. These guidelines, hopefully, will keep you from paying double. Good luck.

The Intent Theory

Friendships come and go throughout life and the objective is to keep as many as you can as long as you can. Many friendships disintegrate because the normal human brain is continually measuring the wrong information. We measure actions rather than intent.

The actions of other people leaves too much to be judged. Many actions occur because someone doesn't know how to act in a certain situation. Others act improperly as a reaction. No matter what, people's actions sometimes don't fit what their intent.

In an effort to better judge who should remain your friend and who should get crossed off the Christmas list, judge a person's intent. The intent is what really matters as the actual actions are merely a disguised version of what a person is feeling, and maybe the exact opposite of what a person is feeling.

For example, I remember the Thanksgiving I came home from my annual Turkey Day 10k to my wife who was excited that she baked special pumpkin muffins for me and my friends. She was so excited and I was so thankful that someone on this planet was actually going out of their way to attempt to make me happy.

Lo and behold, the muffins never rose, my wife felt like committing suicide, and all we had for breakfast was 1" slabs that were supposed to be muffins.

Many would have been ungrateful. Ah... not I. I knew that I didn't have enough people in my life who truly cared about giving to me, so this particular situation didn't register as a negative in any way, but a positive. Here was a situation of someone going out of their way to make my life better, and I could have cared less if they rose or not. I had someone who cared, and that's worth millions. The intent prevailed. The action didn't matter.

Next time you don't know whether you should be upset or not, judge the intent. Your job of figuring out whether you should ever talk or not in the future will become much easier.

The 5-minute Theory

If everyone were willing to put aside their emotional switch in their brain in an effort to gain more knowledge and experience, the 5-minute theory would not be necessary. However, such is not the case. Most people are more concerned with maintaining their image at all costs, thus eliminating many opportunities to learn and earn for the future.

When standing in a crowd of "knowledgeable" people who are discussing an intellectual topic (such as the economic swirl in the Greek Islands), and all of a sudden the spotlight is put on you, how do you respond? This theory encourages you to quickly and immediately admit a lack of knowledge and hand the torch off to others who may know more.

In many cases, someone put in this position would probably go home and commit suicide because of the humiliation they've just experienced. This theory strongly encourages us to remember, we can't be an expert at everything and people respect those who quickly admit what they know and what they don't know. It is far wiser to admit that you don't know and spend 5-minutes learning new information than it is to fake knowledge and spend the next 3 months humiliated over the fact that you didn't know what they were talking about. Gain confidence in what you do know and don't worry about what you don't know. Be willing to admit it and learn, learn, learn.

Five minutes of embarrassment and humiliation will give you a lifetime of new knowledge. And the truth is, the 5-minutes of embarrassment is only there if you let it be. Forget it as quickly as possible for everyone else has forgotten it much quicker. You can be assured of that.

The Boomerang Theory

Just like a boomerang, life will give back what you put out. So many complain about how others are selfish, mean, disrespectful and down right ugly. Learn to put out happiness, respect, kindness and honor. You will get it back by the bushel. The key is----don't stop. Putting out good is like a savings account, you never know when you're going to benefit from your discipline. Even though you may not know how or where you're going to spend what you're saving today, you are greatly increasing your odds at having a better future.

The boomerang theory will do the same.

The Circle Around the Feet Theory

We are taught to keep up with the Jones'. Marketing, advertising, peer pressure and vanity make all of us fight to "look" successful and happy, but not necessarily to be successful and happy. Despite the fact that most of us know that money doesn't buy happiness and enough never seems to be enough, we still get caught in the trap of "keeping up", and this venture makes us all fall short of the illusive dream.

Will we ever be able to say that we have enough?

Regardless of who we are or how we've been raised, the human spirit gains comfort and happiness via certain criteria that has nothing to do with materialisms. The soul needs the basics, but the basics somehow get stepped over on the trip to happiness and no one really sees them until it's too late to get back to them. So let's teach you how to turn the trip around and begin immediately to get back to what matters most in life, your happiness.

Get a piece of chalk and go out to your nearest street or sidewalk. While standing still, draw a circle around your feet so that you are standing completely in the circle. Now get ready for the wisdom you've waited years to hear:

All you'll ever own in life lies inside that circle.

Any job, spouse, child, house, car, boat, friend, etc. is merely borrowed for some period of time. We do not control any of these "luxuries" of life and are vulnerable to lose them at any time. A spouse through divorce or death. A child through running away, drugs, death, college or marriage. A boat through theft. A car through an accident or repossession. A house through sale or repossession.

You may think you have some control over these assets, and the truth is you do have some, but most people lose sight and begin to think they "own" all of them and control the destiny that lies ahead. This is where the realities of life and the hopes and dreams of life separate drastically, and this now becomes the material that causes depressions, suicides, divorces, etc.

If you can believe that every gift you have is borrowed at best, two things will happen. You will work very hard to keep these gifts. Instead of a young husband out making eyes at some young girl he may work with, he will realize that the reality of losing his wife is always very high and he might better work to keep her happy. Secondly, with this approach to life, you will have a better understanding when you do lose. You will be thankful for the time you were able to borrow whatever it was and move forward with the joy and humility that is necessary to succeed in life.

So, do away with the Jones' and go buy a piece of chalk. Quit taking anything for granted, as you are owed nothing and anything you now have you must continue to work hard to keep. If you lose it, don't think you're alone. The world loses everyday. Just don't quit. You'll learn and appreciate more next time.

The Action/Reaction Theory

If you knew you had the remote control on everyone elses personality and decisions, you'd think you died and went to heaven. Think of all the benefits you'd quickly gain if you could control the answer of everyone you come into contact with. The job you want, the mate you want, the salary you want, all at your fingertips.

Well, the truth is, it isn't quite that easy. But it's pretty darned close. Most people spend their lives "reacting" to what society happens to throw at you on any given day. If your boss is mad, you "react". If your spouse is upset, you "react". If there is a traffic jam on your way to work making you late for a very important meeting, you "react".

Your days are spent "reacting" to everyone and everything. Who's doing the acting? Who's the one having it his/her way? From this point on, it's got to be YOU!

Design your day, your week, your life, and follow that design. If you get yelled at, don't bail on your schedule. For example, if your boss yells and demands a better report, smile, thank them and get it done as quickly as possible. If you get into a traffic jam on your way to an important meeting, relax. You have a limited set of options at this point and it's the perfect time to "exercise" your mind by learning how to relax at a time when most would be going crazy. When you get to work, simply explain what happened and then go about your day doing what can be done from this point on. Quit acting like a meteorite is coming at your head.

Regardless of all of the distractions, set your objectives. Make others realize that you are a do-er of life and that you and your schedule are important. Don't be the first to say, "I'll give up what I do to make your life better". ACT!, and the world will support you.

Secondly, treat others with respect and they will "react" accordingly. Treat others with a happy demeanor, a positive personality, and you will receive the same. When someone is upset at you, simply apologize and ask them how you can avoid doing it again. What can you do to help them at this point. As soon as they see you are changing the rules of the argument (by giving kindness), they will follow. No one can be mad at someone apologizing and being kind to them.

Learn to act instead of react, and your life will all of a sudden become "your" life again.

The Shelf Theory

Our lives are filled with problems. As soon as one ends, another begins. Sometimes on a really bad day, they even overlap. Usually we're overwhelmed with yesterday's problems and in fear of tomorrow's. The mind becomes a mud puddle of stress and it truly becomes hard to ever enjoy life.

There has to become some method to be able to shield yourself from yesterday's problems, delay tomorrow's problems until tomorrow and have an up-beat and iron clad system for coping with today's problems, and then maybe, just maybe life will be fun again.

Well, the shelf theory gives the brain a visual of how this can happen. Under the premises that the mind can truly only handle one problem at a time efficiently, we're going to envision many boxes on a shelf, all titled with a different problem. Each and every problem sits in a box on a shelf, much like our collection of books in our library. The key here is that the problems are not sitting in our mind, they're in the boxes on the shelf.

When the time comes and you can work on a problem, pull the box off the shelf and give it 100% of you efforts. Not only will the problem be handled much more efficiently, but it will also receive the time and concentration it deserves. When you have worked as much as you want, put the problem back into the box and put the box back on the shelf.

Now this may seem like a simpleton exercise, but true success is not difficult, it is only the ability to control your emotions. In order to be efficient in solving problems, you need to dedicate yourself to one problem at a time. In order to be efficient at happiness, you can't have a brain swimming in a mud puddle of problems. You're not solving any problems while at the movies, but many people can't enjoy the movie because they are constantly thinking of their problems. You can't solve your problems when you are visiting friends, but many people can't enjoy themselves while visiting friends because of "all their problems".

Learn how to "put them in a box on the shelf", and you'll find that life becomes much simpler.

The Next Bite Theory

The pace of life is so fast, we miss 80% of what we pass. We get so caught up in the problems that hit us yesterday and the problems that are coming tomorrow, we hardly have time to realize the experience we are feeling at the moment.

When eating, the typical cycle of each bite goes something like this; insert fork into piece of food. Place fork in mouth. While chewing, the eyes roam the plate determining which piece of food will be the next victim. Despite the fact that the only piece of food we can really taste and enjoy at any moment in time is the one in our mouth, we still let our focus be on "the next bite", drastically reducing the joy of this bite.

We say: Carpe Chew-em!

This becomes a habit of life and the only way to change the habit, the only way to learn to enjoy NOW is to practice. This takes years of constant effort to master this concept, but the upside of it is that you'll truly enjoy more of life and stop missing the scenery you're passing on this journey.

Running—the Cure for All Ills It’s all about motion

By Dr. Tim Maggs

Those who don’t run can’t understand the big fuss. “Why would anyone run?”. Those who do run protect it like a fortune. “It’s the most important thing in my life.” And those poor souls who are former runners due to injury live on a pilgrimage back to youth. Their undying hope is “maybe, just maybe...”.

What is it that turns normal people into cult-like members once they learn what it’s like to finish their first 5k or do a long group run on a Saturday morning? What makes them convert into a “runner”?

I’ve pondered this question for years, and interestingly enough, my answer has evolved over time. I initially thought it was the joy of competition, the thrill of training to beat that nameless person you see at every race who always seems to outrun you at the end. As time passed, I saw running as a therapy, something to help me get through the tough times. And, as I’ve grown older, I now see it as a much bigger piece of the puzzle. My impression goes something like this;

Life is all about motion. In fact, I’m currently reading Robert Ringer’s new book Nothing Happens Until Something Moves. Great book. Ringer deals with the very basic universal laws of life, the laws that, if adhered to, would turn this crazy world into a balanced, respectful territory. But, the key to his entire message is motion. Motion is the very essence of life--the key to happiness & the ultimate therapy for the masses.

Running takes this message to a whole new level. Running is an organized, planned approach to insure that your life includes motion. It allows you to spend time with others who are important in your life. Without running, you’d hardly ever see such people.

Motionless

This is where everything starts getting sour on you. We have so many patients who are unable to move, with sprains, strains, arthritis and bloated schedules. I’ve come to the conclusion that lack of motion in your life is the beginning of the downhill. Think about it; weight gain, something in epidemic proportion in this country and getting worse, increased blood pressure, which should be treated with increased “motion” long before any prescription is recommended, blood sugar problems, as a result of weight gain, and most importantly, a frazzled psyche.

The psychological component is without a doubt the biggest reason people get hooked on running. Running is such an appropriate therapy for all of us, as most people have very little margin in their psychological world for any types of stresses. Yet, as we’ve written about so many times in the past, expect problems, as they are a constant part of life. Running seems to reduce the size of problems, but more importantly, gives us a quiet time to think them through and come up with better answers. I’m amazed how often I leave the house with “issues”, and come home with simple solutions. I can’t imagine how much it would have cost had I asked a professional to listen to me and then tell me what to do. Not to mention the fact, their answer could never be as valuable as mine.

Wisdom with Aging

As we get older, all of us truly recognize that mobility is so much better than immobility. I tell my geriatric patients “Keep going, as they can’t throw dirt on you as long as you’re moving”. They laugh, but they know I’m serious.

When younger, we feel like we’re bullet proof, and that youth will always be there. As we begin reaching middle age, we realize, aging happens to all of us. The aging process slows down the more active you are, not to mention the fact that life just seems to be a little less chaotic if we can include motion in our daily life.

I encourage all patients to increase their daily motion. If you can run, run. If you can’t run, walk. Combine the two. Jeff Galloway has done a phenomenal job of converting people into marathoners with the inclusion of walking. Die hard runners have a hard time walking during any training or racing event, but for those who wish to make it a lifetime activity, it only makes sense to do what you have to do to stay out on the road.

Conclusion

I was going through some old magazines the other day, when I came upon an article by the George Sheehan. It was in his later years, and he was telling the story of him out running, when some young runner approached him and asked him what his pace was. Sheehan always had a way of keeping everything in perspective. His response to the young man was “comfortable”, as he claimed he no longer checked for distance and time.

His joy of running was now at a different level, but one he felt was the best he’d ever experienced. Mimic Sheehan. Keep the fire burning by staying out there. Never give up, as any motion outdoors is mandatory for all of us. And, if you’re dream is anything like mine, you’ll also want to run to your funeral at the age of 105. I’ll drink to that.

Have a great month.

Fixing the Health Care System

By Dr. Tim Maggs

I was recently on a flight, and next to me sat a 40 some year old fellow. I usually avoid conversation with people who sit next to me, as I hate to sit with my head turned for long periods of time participating in conversations I’d rather not be in.

“So, where you heading?”, he asks.
“ I’m off to a seminar in Omaha” I tell him.
“Really, what’s it on?”.
“Sports biomechanics”.

His eyes light up. People love talking about themselves.

He’s a tennis player, and about 2 months ago, he pulled a calf muscle. He’s been to multiple docs and therapists, and he’s still injured, and doesn’t know how to fix it, or who to go to. Well, not only do I know how to fix it, but I also know that I must be the leading authority in the country on calf pulls, not because I’m smart, but because I had an 8 year period in my life where I couldn’t run beyond 3 miles without pulling a calf. I estimate I pulled my calf muscles 60-70 times over that period. Ultimately (after figuring out the answer), I made it back to marathoning, a mere 14 years after my prior marathon. So I was intimately aware of the emotionally frustrating journey this poor guy was on.

But, the clincher was this, and even he was upset over it; his primary took his blood pressure as part of the exam on his calf (I guess you always revert back to what you know), and found his blood pressure was a tad high. The guy tells me it’s high because he’s gained 15 pounds in the past 2 months since he can’t exercise. So, the primary writes a prescription for high blood pressure medication and sends him on his way. Not wanting to waste any more of my valuable word allotment for this article, I’ll assume you see the problem here.

Other Broken Industries

The auto industry collapsed. New laws have been created to demand better gas mileage and less pollution. The energy crisis continues to look for more efficient, alternative, re-usable energy sources. The healthcare system, which is leading all the crises in this country, is seeking alternative payment
responsibility, without any effort to fix this incredibly broken system.

If you think about it, the laws for good health have never, ever changed. We know what it takes to stay healthy. So why on earth are we in any kind of crisis? Well, the most obvious reason is that we have become a totally “reactive” system. We do nothing until we break, then we go through unlimited
tests, we’re referred to many specialists, and in the end, never learn how to “fix” our problem. We get a prescription to block our body’s warning signals (some call them symptoms) or ultimately have surgery to remove such a troublesome organ, gland or joint. And we ask, “Why didn’t anyone ever teach me how to keep my gall bladder healthy?”. We’re not a healthcare industry that teaches and educates, we’re a healthcare business that profits from society’s illnesses and maladies. And, reacting produces higher profits than acting. It’s called managed care.

The Fix

We know the obvious ways to stay healthier; eat better, exercise more, have a good spirit towards ourselves and others, get a good night’s sleep, and do whatever is necessary to have good energy (like running). But, that’s too easy. To get out of this crisis, here is my prescription;

It all falls under the word “MOTION”. As in, moving. If all of us were in training for a marathon, the healthcare debt would go down. Motion, or daily exercise, keeps your weight down, your anxieties down, your blood pressure down, your cholesterol down, as well as the need to continue buying bigger clothes. All runners have learned this.

But, many people will respond, “Yes, but every time I try to exercise, my hip/back/knee/or whatever goes out, and I’m injured. It’s just too frustrating. And, I don’t know how to get over that hump”.

In response to that issue, I’ll once again say, it’s all about “MOTION”. But, in this case, we’re talking, motion of the joints. When you have joints that have full mobility, particularly in the spine and pelvis, there is an increased tolerance to stress, as compared to a joint that has lost mobility. As we age, we lose mobility. When we’re injured, we lose mobility. As we gain weight, we lose mobility. So, how do we keep mobility, or get back mobility in all of our joints? See your chiropractor on a regular basis. Or, your osteopath, if they will adjust you that frequently. Every American should be adjusted (have joints mobilized) head to toe at least once a week throughout their lifetime in an effort to allow their body to tolerate the stresses of motion/exercise/life in order to keep their structures as healthy as possible. This will allow people to move, which is the key. Maybe then, you won’t need to see your primary who thinks the answer is a high blood pressure prescription.

Have a great month.

My Newest Favorite Color - Yellow

© 2004 By Dr. Tim Maggs

One year ago, while chatting with my favorite 3 year old on the planet, Timmy Maggs, jr., he told me his favorite color was blue. I looked at him with a little amazement, and said, “T, I don’t even know what my favorite color is. How do you know yours”? Without hesitation, Timmy said, “It’s orange”. Oookay.

Early on in this year’s Tour de France, wearyellow.com caught my interest. After all, I’d read Lance’s 2 books, It’s Not About the Bike and Every Second Counts. Both electrified my internal juices, as here was a human being who went right to the edge. I can’t imagine anyone getting closer……..and coming back.

When his surgeon, an elderly, bow-tied fellow, was asked what he told Lance after getting all test results back, “I told Lance he had a 20% chance to live. Actually, he had a 0% chance, but I had to give him some hope”.

Whoa.

And, here we had Lance Armstrong once again riding in the Tour de France. It was almost surreal, maybe even unreal, like 1 plus 1 = 7. Just didn’t make sense. Now, as Lance tries for not 1, not 2, not 3, 4, or 5 victories, but number 6, he stands up in front of the world and asks for something. Not for him, not for his profit. He asks for donations to the very industry that brought him back from death row, the American Cancer Society.

Let me say right here, I’ve been a tad skeptical of the ACS for most of my life. I just can’t get by the fact that so many Americans lead very unhealthy lives, and most marketing done out there is about unhealthy foods, unhealthy lifestyles, and then all the different drugs, surgeries and radiations that can rid you of reminders that you’re doing the wrong thing. So, for 25 years, I’ve ignored all requests by the ACS.

But, when wearyellow.com was advertised during the Tour, I couldn’t connect soon enough. I couldn’t order enough yellow bracelets fast enough to show and proclaim my support for Lance. My personal feelings for the ACS were insignificant, irrelevant. There was nowhere in my mind that my feelings could even begin to entertain having an opinion on this thing. Lance had returned from his journey, had come back and was on the verge of doing something no other human being had ever done, and I was now being asked to either support it or turn the channel.

Multiple times, I went online to order 100 bracelets for friends and patients, but it just wouldn’t go through. I tried and tried, but it didn’t happen. Universal law states that human beings want more of what they can’t have, and this law proved truer than true here. After repeated failures, I accepted the fact I would try tomorrow.

As my family arrived home that evening from a brief shopping trip, my oldest son John walked in and said, “Dad, I bought this for you”. I couldn’t believe it when he pulled out of his bag a yellow bracelet. At that moment in time, the most important thing on my mind was being given to me by my oldest son, an act that gave exponential meaning to me. I’ve got a mountain bike I was given 15 years ago by a friend for helping him, and I’ve got a mandolin given to me by my father for my 50th birthday, and these two gifts are virtually my only “real” possessions in my life. Now, I have a yellow bracelet from my son.

Life truly is a crapshoot. None of us know from one second to the next what’s coming down our road. All of us wish we could design our future, create the perfect scenario, but that’s not how it happens. Later today, tomorrow, and the rest of life is nothing more than a wish.

Here’s what I now know from the trials and tribulations that I’ve gone through in my life. I’ve never been to the edge like Lance has. I’ve never experienced the pain of losing a child. I’ve never been told I’ll never walk again. I have gone through some rough spots, but none you can’t come back from. Yet, those rough spots have been my gift. I’ve learned more from them than from any of my successes.

Lance has been consistently challenged by many for his drug use. The problem here is that his critics overlooked the resolve a person develops when they’ve been so down and out, there’s no where else to go. Some of the media ignores the depths, they only look at what might sell. Pathetic. But, knowing that life is such a relative experience, having nothing gives you a fire in your belly, an energy that can’t be measured by any medical tests. It doesn’t make sense to the masses who haven’t been there. However, in my own way, I’ve been there, and without a doubt, Lance has been there. So, when he powered up L’Alp d'Huez, and passed Ivan Basso, this wasn’t drugs in action, this was life in action. This was a person who’s been to the bottom of life, and given another chance. This was the life everyone should beg for, but most fear. Lance handled this year’s Tour the same way he handled his cancer, one pedal at a time.

When a friend asked, “What’s that band for”?, I answered, “For Lance Armstong’s Cancer Fund”. He responded, “You buy into the Cancer Research”? I said, “No, but I buy into Lance”. He responded, “Yeah, but he’s a druggy”. I responded, “Yeah, but I don’t judge”. The questioning stopped, as it should have.

Yellow, my newest, favorite color. Have a great month!

We’re Going Back to Boston…..Again!

By Dr. Tim Maggs

In April, 1982, I sat in an Orlando restaurant, hoping my Boston Celtics would survive a playoff game against the Philadelphia 76’ers. The game wasn’t on television back then, so the best you could do was sit and hope. At about 10:30 pm, over the loud speakers, I heard, “For all you Philly fans, pack your bags, we’re going back to Boston”. As a lifetime Celtic fan, these words and those thrilling moments have never left me.

Fast forward 20 years (April, 2002), and here I am preparing to run my 3rd marathon since coming back from my 14 year, injury-laden hiatus. The Vermont City Marathon, held in late May, would allow me to continue my new quest of 2 marathons per year. It was a perfect day for a marathon. I finished in a comfortable 3:30:10. My objective, the same as my 2 marathons of 2001, was to finish and enjoy myself along the way. And, that I did.

But, along the way, a funny thing happened. The Boston Athletic Association changed their qualifying times for the Boston Marathon, and for my age group, the time was now 3:30. Oooh, so close I thought. I wondered if a few Our Father’s and a couple Hail Mary’s might encourage someone to forgive me 10 seconds, as the thought of running Boston again was a goal way beyond what I ever imagined. Knowing I may never get back to this point again, I had to do everything in my power to figure out how to get qualified. So, I called over to the BAA, and to my surprise, 3:30 means anything under 3:30:59. I couldn’t believe it. I qualified!

The Sky’s The Limit

Much to my amazement, I’m now qualified for the 2003 Boston Marathon. What a gift, since for so many years I couldn’t fathom running more than 5 miles at any one time. If all goes as planned, I hope to find myself at the finish line of the Boston Marathon at about 3:15pm on April 21, 2003. I’ve actually set my goal at sub-3:10. So, I’m really putting myself out there with this one.

What I learned through this entire process is that anything is possible. Anything at all. Many people never get to realize their potentials in life because either they never knew or somewhere along the way they forgot that life holds limitless opportunities for all of us. Every action starts with a thought, and every success requires action. All of us need to continually be reminded that we need to dream. We need to take the lid off our stagnant, robotic thinking, infuse some passion into our blood stream and write down a goal that is above our normal thinking and beyond our wildest dreams. Running the Boston Marathon again for me always seemed like a fools wish, but subscribing to the theory that anything is possible now has me on the brink of attempting it again.

For 2003, I’m now encouraging, even challenging, everyone I meet to dream bigger next year. Pick and write down a goal that is outside of your normal comfort zone. Pick something that you would never have considered, if not for reading this article. You’ve now been shaken into dreaming again. Once you decide, make it real and commit to it by writing it down and telling someone you trust what you intend to do. If you’d like me to put it on my master list, just e mail it to me. Once you’ve committed, now list the action steps needed to reach your goal. And, read it everyday and DO those things needed to get you there. If coaching or guidance is needed to help you reach it, then find someone who has the knowledge and get them to help you.

The goal here is to get and keep all of us pushing our envelopes in life so that comfort never becomes part of our vocabulary. Comfort equals weakness, and when I’m sitting in my rocking chair talking with my great-grandkids someday, I want to have enough stories to tell. The only way that can happen is to continue striving big, and to live in a world of discomfort, for that’s the only way to get there.

God Help the Masses

Statistics show that 70% of the population doesn’t exercise. Sit in a bus station or an airport someday, and look at the prevalence of obesity. At 160 pounds, I wake up some days feeling like a slug. What does a 5’8”, 270 pound person feel like? Are they reaching their optimum goals? Probably not. And, feeling good about yourself is the very beginning of helping others, and helping others is what this life is all about.

So, regardless of where you're starting from, subscribe to this program to reach your unreachable goal in 2003. Join our "Going Back To Boston" team, and all of us can celebrate next December 31st, on me, for making our life, as well as so many others, that much better. Let me know your goal and I'll let you know our site for celebration.

Tribute to a Running Partner

By Dr. Tim Maggs
© 2002

I’ve had the enjoyment over the past 25 years of having very special training partners. In our complicated and busy lives, a training partner becomes our other self. They listen to us, talk to us, live through us and share our aches, pains and joys.

Two years ago I gave a running clinic at the Olympic Training Center in Lake Placid. Mary Peck was there. A short time later, Mary came in as a patient and, as a result, we began to train together. Once, twice and even three times a week for the next two years, we ran together. We had so much not in common, but we also had a need for each other. She was 18, I was 46. She was totally driven, I was laid back. She didn’t like to talk, I loved to tell all. Opposites attract, evidently. And with each and every run, Mary’s grandmother would drive her to my office and sit and wait for us to return. I don’t know if Mary ever really understood how blessed she was.

In May, 2001, I needed Mary to help me reach a goal I thought was virtually impossible. I had gone 14 years without running a marathon. I had no confidence I would ever get back to running marathons, while Mary’s youthful optimism had me running marathons and her running in the 2004 Olympics. I stole this fire from Mary each and every run. I was the benefactor.

I finished that marathon, my first in 14 years, and wildly celebrated this improbable accomplishment. Mary deserved much of the credit because she believed when I didn’t. But, I believed in her. Not once in 2 years did Mary ever fail to show for a run. She also pushed every step of every run. I finished my first marathon in over 14 years. Mary helped my life get so much better.

Another Road Traveled

While Mary helped me reach improbable successes, her life continued to suffer. Although her back problem certainly played a part in her training, she also suffered with other issues, and much of our energy was spent on helping her get well. Mary worked obsessively every day of her life, one hour at a time. There were many days I wanted to cancel due to my busy schedule, but she’d patiently sit in my waiting room, and I wouldn’t have the guts to not run with her.

After finishing 3 marathons since my return back, with the latest being this year’s Vermont City Marathon on May 26, 2002, Mary was always the first to congratulate and celebrate with me. She may have even lived through my successes.

Fast forward to June 10th of this year. Mary waited longer than usual this day to do our 4-mile run through the woods. Never a complaint, as this was not a part of her make-up. Before treating her that day, I asked her how she felt, and it was the first time in a long time she replied, “better”. Mary ran that day as well as she had in the prior 6 months. Several times during the run, I’d ask, “Are you okay Mary?”. “Yup”. That day was a great run. The best we’d had in weeks. She was starting to feel good again.

For me, that day’s routine continued as usual. The next morning, my life changed forever. I sat at my computer reading e mails. My wife, Trudy, was reading the morning paper, and let out a horrible sound; “Where does Mary live?”. I told her, and she froze. There in the paper, in bold, clear and horrible, horrible print were the words that would change my life forever---“Mary Peck killed in a cycling accident”. As simple as that, Mary had died. She died. Mary was gone. That simple. The 4 miles we ran the day before would be the last I’d ever run with her. Almost 2 years of together, and now, just like that, we were apart. A short 25 minutes after leaving my office, Mary was hit by a dump truck while riding her bike home and killed almost instantly. Where do you go when something like this happens? Can life ever be the same?

As hard as this loss has been for me, I live with unconditional faith in God’s plan. There is some larger purpose for what I see as a senseless death, but in time, I’m sure I’ll better understand why this happened.

Mary’s grandmother, who took total care of her, is relieved to know that Mary is now out of pain. I’m saddened by the fact that Mary took such good care of me and I was helpless when she needed me most. I cherish the opportunity to have spent so much time over the past couple years with her, and hope I gave as much as possible whenever possible.

In reflecting back over the many runs we had together, one common question would always be, “Mary, are you okay?”. She never answered anything but “yeah”. She was one of the most focused, determined people I’d ever met. I wonder if I have the ability to train and run a marathon without her help.

Life is a fragile and perilous trip, and the loss of someone so close, so fast is difficult. Mary represents all of our training partners. Please realize the value of all of them, before it’s too late. I run most of my runs alone now, and I’ll continue to do so, as running is still the answer, not the problem. All of us have had troubles in our lives, and running should be part of the reason we’re able to handle them better than those who don’t run. We know the price, the pain, the lessons of life. That’s what it’s all about. Mary’s death taught me more than any life experience I’ve ever had.

As a representative of all training partners, please consider giving to the Mary C. Peck Scholarship Fund to help provide support to 5 female athletes with Olympic aspirations. If interested, donations can be sent to my office, with checks made out to The Mary C. Peck Foundation. My office address is 1310 Union St., Schenectady, New York 12308. Never take your partner for granted.

Removing the Obstacles

by Dr. Tim Maggs, © 2000

In a recent USA Today article, Harvard Professor Walter Willett told about his redesign of the Food Pyramid. As chairman of the Department of Nutrition at the Harvard School of Public Health, Willett believes the current Food Pyramid is outdated and doesn't reflect the latest food research. Most surprisingly, the base of Willett's Pyramid is exercise and weight control. Thank you Walter.

That's the good news. The bad news is that millions and millions of us still don't do it. While new and improved exercise equipment is being sold daily on cable TV, the real reasons why people don't exercise have little to do with knowledge and more to do with mental and physical barriers. It's time we identify these barriers and begin to knock them down. We owe it to ourselves, our families and our neighbors to work for the good of all in reaching for a higher level of fitness.

Mental and Physical Obstacles

I've identified 5 obstacles that keep people from either beginning or continuing their exercise programs. There are certainly more reasons, but these are some of the more obvious.

1) Lack of Discipline

This obstacle doesn't just impede a person's ability to exercise, but also their ability to eat right, be on time, stay organized, etc. Their life is in a blender. In a case like this, small and consistent steps in the right direction is the way to start. All of us know the tortoise approach will most likely last longer than that of the hare, so begin with short amounts of exercise. Jump rope 25 times a day. Run up and down a flight of stairs 3 times. Do a hundred jumping jacks. Just do something. After a week of doing this simple task, begin to expand to walking a half-mile in addition to your jumping rope. But, don't let the chain break. If you miss a day, start right back. Don't make your lack of discipline become your identity. Become a new you.

2) No Time

President Bush runs. The busiest CEO's in the world are some of the most avid exercisers. What we learn once we get on a consistent exercise program is that exercise energizes us to do more. We sleep better at night and feel better the next morning. Treat exercise like a savings plan--don't attempt to get it in only after everything else that day is done. You must plan your exercise first, and let the day revolve around it. This doesn't mean you can't change the time or place during the day, but don't eliminate it. The return on investment is far too great, and when looked at over a 20 year period, your life will be far less gratifying if you never carve out time for controlled motion.

3) Injuries

This certainly is a legitimate concern. I believe our sportsmedicine industry is still in its fetal stages. It's still far too medical, meaning that it's only available for injured athletes, and the treatments are basically symptom oriented. We need to expand our thinking. We need to prepare more, recover better and be logical with our training. Simply put, if injured, correct the injury before beginning the program. If you've attempted to correct your injury with no good results, e-mail me and I'll get you on the right track.

4) Lack of Enthusiasm

Momentum breeds momentum. Get started, do it long enough, and you'll begin to get the bug. On the front end of an exercise program, it's like having to climb a huge mountain. Country singer Paul Overstreet sings it best, "They say a mountain looks so high when you're standing at the bottom, but once you've made it to the top, you can't see the problem". The same applies to exercising. The reason all of your exercising friends or workmates act so smug is that they finally realize it's harder not to exercise than it is to exercise. But, staying active certainly has many more rewards than being sedentary.

5) You're not a self-starter

No problem. There are many local groups at your YMCA's, health clubs, gyms, church groups and more. You can go on the internet if you want a real flashy program and hire a coach. Contact local running clubs or other organizations to see if there is a bulletin board for finding someone to train with. What many of us have learned is that the most successful way to insure a long term training regimen is to do it with someone else. Trying anything alone for a long time is difficult. You'll have no one to answer to if you decide not to exercise that day. It's too easy to quit, and quitting isn't what we want.

So, there you have it. 5 reasons why you don't exercise and 5 ways to overcome them. The biggest reason still lies in the fact that we have but one guaranteed trip to make on this planet. We know they won't come out in the next 5 years with proof that exercise isn't good for us. And we know that most of us who haven't consistently exercised don't feel good about it. In fact, you feel down right lousy. So, get over these hurdles without too much effort and get on with the fun of life. With all the "rage" out there, we need to spend more time having fun. Exercise is the answer.

The Pain Theory

by Dr. Timothy J. Maggs, © 1999

We live in a society that teaches us to run from pain. Pain is the enemy, and the enemy should be avoided at all costs. This type of teaching is the very basis of a weak society. But, pain is not the enemy. Weakness is the enemy, and this creates pain.

No one gets through life without experiencing pain. Pain comes in a variety of forms, and can present itself when least expected. There are physical versions, such as a broken leg or an automobile accident which leaves us injured and requiring stitches to sew up the severe cut on our face. There is emotional pain, such as the loss of a championship game. And then there is the spiritual pain, such as the death of a loved one. Regardless of the category, pain will be part of everyone's life at one time or another.

While society tells us "you haven't got time for the pain", the fact is that you'd better have time. When pain arrives, our fast paced lifestyles usually find it much easier to rid it quickly, without having to give too much thought. The problem is that pain is a symptom. Pain is a reflection. Pain is not a condition, it is a result. At some point in time, we must do the necessary due diligence to identify the cause and work on a correction. The price that is paid for a correction always costs more if we ignore all warning signals. Our society almost encourages us to wait, as our pains, if not addressed, will ultimately produce profits for others.

Pain must be viewed as a disciplined coach who is teaching growth, strength, happiness and success. And true success is never achieved without dedication and failures, of which pain is naturally a part.

With maturity and wisdom, you will realize that pain is inevitable. Growth is needed to reach new levels in life and no growth can come without pain. Tolerating pain and using it as a catalyst to greater achievements ensures success. The key to ultimate happiness is to voluntarily subject ourselves to some form of pain on a daily basis, such as exercise or sacrificing. This will prepare you for the pains that life will send when least expected. Never again run from pain, as the artificial elimination of pain will produce permanent pain.

If you ever want to elevate your happiness, voluntarily subject yourself to an increased level of pain for a prolonged period of time and then come back to your original state. You'll be amazed how you're automatically happier.

The Seventeen Mile Theory

by Dr. Timothy J. Maggs, © 1999

"Live that you wouldn't be ashamed to sell the family parrot to the town gossip." - Will Rogers

Running is the ultimate metaphor. Our few victories and many defeats in life (or at least that's the way it feels) are more easily understood when compared with some aspect of running.
More training equals better racing.
Simple, but forgotten in the real world when we're not willing to pay our dues.
Once we cross the finish line, that was "Last Race", regardless of how good or bad we did.
This is a version of "Don't cry over spilled milk", of which all of us need continual reminding.
Snowy and icy conditions (Problems) add to the exhilaration of a run, once completed.
This is unheard of in real life. Problems equate to stress, not exhilaration.

Running creates philosophers and mileage produces theories. Thus, my "Seventeen Mile Theory".

It was a beautiful Spring Sunday morning for the Troy Marathon in New York. Troy is a great representation of upstate New York as it has significant history and tradition associated with it. Like a true warrior, Troy has survived the economic difficulties of the great Northeast. A marathon in Troy was only appropriate.

So it was until we reached the 16 and a half mile mark. I felt reasonably good to this point. Keep in mind my "feeling good" had nothing to do with a state record or race victory. My only stress was to finish. No more, no less. That was enough challenge for me as I'd hate the thought of having to "race" a marathon. As I approached the 17 mile mark, stress #2 became more and more obvious. Typically, the 4 times I go to the bathroom before a marathon covers any interruptions that might occur during a race. Not so today.

By 17 miles, there were no options. Go or die. The decision was quick. Go, and don't look back. Unfortunately, the "go" happened to be on the steps of city hall in the heart of downtown. Stop, quick, over. Simple.

Until later.

How on earth could I have made a decision to defecate on the steps of city hall on a Sunday morning, and think nothing of it? It seemed so right at the time, but after the race, I felt like going to confession or doing community service or something. I just couldn't imagine....

In looking back, the perceived gravity of the situation became enough for me to create another of my many theories. I learned about the act of judging others and drawing conclusions based on minimal information. If I were to judge "me" in the court of law that was prosecuting me for indecent exposure and defecating on the steps of City Hall on a beautiful Sunday morning, I'd probably be the first to say, "Hang him!". But, it was me. I was the defendant. Most wouldn't understand. I had to go. There were no options. There must be some clause in the law to protect public defecation. I would have exploded and never finished the race. And I had to finish the race.

Years after the incident, it's all but forgotten. But, the reality remains. I committed the "crime" and could have been doomed for life by the jury (the 80% of society who have opinions on everything). Everyday in the paper, someone new is taken down by the media for some skeleton in their closet. I shudder with the thought that some newspaper reporter happened to be there catching me on film. My claim to fame in the public eye for evermore would have been that I had a bowel movement on the steps of City Hall in Troy, New York. On a Sunday morning, no less. That's how people identify you for years and years. If it's in the paper or on the news, it's real and becomes you. Forget all the other good you've done."Hey, there's Tim Maggs, the public defecator!" Ouch.

This type of story becomes coffee break material from coast to coast. As long as it's someone else's head in the guillotine, they talk about it all day. Even though all the facts are unclear or not available, they still judge and talk as though they know because that makes their life seem a little less crummy I guess.

My ultimate "philosophy" is nothing more than a feeble attempt to encourage all of us to not judge. If you don't know the facts, don't give an opinion. If you weren't there, leave it for the higher sources. As all of us hate to have someone talk about us unknowingly, we too should avoid such pitfalls. And most really don't care what your opinion is anyway. They want you to hear theirs, as if they have some higher source of wisdom.

I recently spent time doing a tour on grand jury. The top assistant D.A. was asked if he felt O.J. was guilty. More than most of us, he should have had a legitimate legal opinion being that he understood the law better than most. "I didn't hear all of the testimony, so I don't have an opinion." God bless him.

Keep running and creating your own theories and leave the judgment to those wiser than us. I'm not quite sure, but somehow this relates to sportsmedicine.

Winning the Mind Game

by Dr. Timothy J. Maggs, © 1999

The only real security a man can have in this world is a reserve of knowledge, experience and ability. - Henry Ford

The man who knows the combination to a lock has a far greater chance of entering a locked door than the man who doesn't know the combination. Equally as valuable as knowledge is wisdom and mental toughness. Most of us are not born with these two qualities. They must be learned and earned. And you can rest assured, the price isn't cheap.

We all know the formula for developing physical strength---hard work. Regardless of the many reasons why you can't train, you know that the only way to get strong is to train. Sickness, fatigue, obstacles, mood swings, equipment breakdowns. There are so many excuses why you shouldn't exercise, it's amazing any of us do. But, the one clear and obvious reality is that people exercise all around the world. Day in and day out. Take Bill Cuculic from Tucson, Arizona. As of January 1, 1999, Bill has run 5,540 consecutive days without missing a one. A total of 43,102 miles, or a daily average of 7.78 miles per day. Bill must not know the many excuses which could easily buy him some time off.

The mind game has to be played with the tenacity of a Bill Cuculic. There is no room for weakening. There are no obstacles, regardless of what the apparent obstacles look like. We must win. We must prevail and not give in to the opponent. No matter how weak we feel or how tough the going gets, "right, left" must continue. As Uncle Bill always quipped, "It's a great life if you don't weaken".

What is winning? Who is our opponent? And what trophy do we ultimately win?

Mental Victory

The prize for winning the mental game of life is simply happiness. Being at peace with yourself. Being where you want to be in life. Being with the person you want to be with. Being happy. Reaching your dreams. Believing your dreams still exist.

For too many, however, dreams are merely bad memories of the good times when you thought life was good. Life has become nothing but a day in and day out struggle with no hope in sight. Winning the mind game isn't even a possibility. The game is over as far as they're concerned. Once you've quit the game, winning becomes futile. But, if you can just stay in the game, give it just one more shot, one more step in the right direction, pretending like you knew all along you could do it, you might be amazed at the outcome.

After all, everything in life is mental. If you think you look good, you look good. If you thing you're wealthy, you're wealthy. If you think it's a beautiful day out, you're right. So why can't more and more people realize it all begins in the mind. Why are so many willing to physically train their little hearts out, but mentally, there's an epidemic out there of weakness and breakdown? Why?

Mental Strength Traits

• Focus-the ability to see clearly regardless of the pain.
• Discipline-the ability to stay the course regardless of the obstacles.
• Preparation-the only way to succeed.
• Perception-seeing life in a way that will keep you motivated towards your goal.
• Persistence-the ability to get it right. It may take 100 times, but....
• Mind Control-to not succumb to distractions, obstacles or problems.
• Momentum-momentum breeds momentum. When down, take action!
• Success Belief-having a stronger belief in your success than the cumulative effect of the negative forces in your path.

Mental Exercises

"It wasn't my successes that helped me grow, but the obstacles I overcame". - John Kluge, Billionaire

Action/Reaction Theory

The key to success in life is to ACT, not REACT. We spend most of our days reacting to what happens around us. Create a plan and let the world react to you. Don't go off course too easily.

Next Bite Theory

The only bite you can truly enjoy is the one that's in your mouth, yet we spend our time looking at the plate determining what our next bite will be. Learn to enjoy "this bite" in every aspect of your life. This requires continual practice to become good at it.

Comfort Theory

Most people continually seek comfort. Comfort creates weakness while difficulties create strength. Seek difficulties and recognize comfort. Learn to live out of your comfort zone.

Commitment Theory

As Zig Ziglar says, "It isn't what you get by reaching your goal, it's what you become by reaching your goal". Many people break before they reach their ultimate goals because of weakness. Commit! Your life will only get better and when you reach your goal, you'll love the person you've become.

The Cycle Theory

The normal flow of life is to have ups and downs. Rejoice the ups and stay there as long as you can, but recognize the lows are normal. Don't treat them like a disease, as that behavior keeps you down.

The Shelf Theory

Picture each and every problem you have in a separate box on a shelf. People can only handle one problem at a time, so grab one box at a time when you're going to problem solve, focus completely on that particular problem and put it back when you are done. This will create efficient and uninterrupted problem solving. When your problems are organized in boxes on the shelf, your mind is free to enjoy life.

The bottom line----be happy!

The 25 Mile Theory

by Dr. Timothy J. Maggs, © 1999

"Never been so close, never hurt so bad".

Once again, the similarities between running and life. More people are starting to "get it". Running is life. If you can get to know running, you'll get to know life.

My wife, Trudy, and I, proud parents of two boys, recently learned she was pregnant. Although we were excited at the sight of that tiny heart beating on the ultra-sound, Trudy felt a wave of concern as her last two pregnancies ended in miscarriages. We took this opportunity to discuss the varying perceptions she and I had in looking at this situation. Was this good news, or just another situation we'd have to brace ourselves for if the bad news arrived? As with any "issues" 2 people go through together, it's always interesting to compare the difference in perceptions and feelings. I was thrilled at the thought of becoming a father again. Trudy was cautious.

The Marathon

With most experiences in life, my brain defaults to the marathon. It's life's simplest deal. Continue and you win. Stop and you lose. The popularity of the marathon over the past 15 years is a clear indicator that the masses have caught on. People have learned that the least gifted person can now be a finisher in a marathon. The Achilles Track Club has stories crazier than Ripley's Believe it or Not. But, the common denominator is that when the spirit is strong enough, when the desire is juiced, any mountain becomes the victim. "Every mountain looks so high when you're standing at the bottom, but when you've made it to the top, you can't see the problem". Paul Overstreet. Perfect.

So, the whole deal is that at the 25 mile mark in a race, if you're not committed, if you doubt your abilities, if you question whether there's a God or not, or lose faith, confidence and belief in the order of the universe, you may find the burden too heavy and quitting becomes your option of choice. You see only the pain and fear of continuing. People too often base decisions on how they feel at the moment, ignoring the bigger, more spiritual landscape that offers unlimited potential and lies out there in the universe. They quit marriages, jobs, exercise and a host of other challenges, all because it hurts. They accept defeat.

This theory, however, clearly states that we will all meet the "25 mile mark" many times in our lives, and although it hurts in the worst way, the only way to the finish line is to get through it. The option to quit is always available, but now you must go back to the starting line and once again get to the 25 mile mark in order to ever get to the finish line. And the rules never change. If you continue, you win. Stop, and you lose. So simple.

Hard Lessons - Simple Solutions

I've been working closely with a father of a young and talented hockey player who has suffered for the past year with a chronic groin injury. He's been to many, many doctors, therapists and coaches who have desperately tried to help. His hopes have been raised many times, always ending with minimal or no improvement in his condition. He is devastated psychologically. He refuses to see anyone else as the fear of raised hopes hurts too much. His youthful psyche hasn't matured enough to allow him to understand the 25 mile theory. He doesn't realize the only way he can reach the finish line is to, once again, go through that 25 mile mark. He must learn from the past and approach his future with youthful optimism. He must learn there are no problems in life, only solutions. But, sometimes they're hidden pretty well. Remember, continue, you win. Stop, you lose.

So, as Trudy and I reflected on our thoughts and emotions after learning of the pregnancy, we quickly ended up at the 25 mile mark. Never been so close, never hurt so bad. But, the only way to enter that delivery room some 9 months away was to first see that little heart beating on the ultra-sound. And although the possibility of another miscarriage is always very real, the only possibility of a healthy, happy baby is to become pregnant.

The key to it all is to develop a positive and healthy thought process that will complement your successes rather than contribute to your failures. The marathon and the many lessons learned through participation is the perfect guide book to help all of us get through the griefs of life. Every experience can be simplified and appreciated. So, win or lose, the ultimate benefits come with marathon wisdom.