In 2013 I was diagnosed with sarcoidosis, an autoimmune disorder that chewed a hole in my cerebellum, atrophied various muscles, impaired my vision, balance, coordination and consequently stole my ability to run. I have dedicated the summer of 2018 to regaining my strength, coordination, balance, and relearning how to run. I am participating in a 5k run on September 23rd in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. This is my training journal. This is my attempt to grow physically strong again.

Write on. Fight on.  

The previous training sessions can be found here, under “Fight on- Summer Training Log”

Time:

5:50 am to 6:50 am

Conditions:

Outdoor- 74 degrees

*This week I’m training in Wildwood, New Jersey.

Training Maxim:

No hurry. No pause.

Training Performed:

1 hour of walking/jogging intervals. Today’s training also included:

• 60 push-ups
• 60 squats
• 10 dune shuttles

Accomplishment:

Two 1 minute runs. I concluded yesterday’s training with a 1 minute run. Today, I concluded training with two 1 minute runs separated by 30 second of walking.

Quote I’m Thinking about Today:

“Individual commitment to a group effort: That is what makes a team work, a company work, a society work, a civilization work.” ~Vince Lombardi

Reflection:

During training I thought about Lebron James.

Last night he announced he was signing a four deal to play with the Los Angeles Lakers. After the move, Las Vegas odds makers made the Lakers viable championship contenders, giving them the third best percentage to win an NBA championship next year.

Meanwhile, the Cleveland Cavaliers, Lebron’s former team, chances of winning a championship fell to 500 to 1. Giving them the lowest chance of winning a championship next year.

It’s astounding how valuable one person can be to a team. How one person’s presence can change the culture, perspective, and success of a team.

I thought about my teams: my family, colleagues, students, friends. What value do I bring to those teams? Does my presence improve the culture and perspective of the team? Do I increase our chances of success?

Though we are probably not competing for an NBA title, we are a member of several teams. Teams that want to function well, flourish, and enjoy success.

My training is a selfish act. Mentally, physically I want get stronger and become more resilient. I want to improve for me.

But I know if I have the discipline to improve, my improvements will make the teams I’m lucky to be a part of stronger and more successful.

From Yesterday’s Training Session:

A few strides later, another runner, a short, blonde haired woman wearing a pink shirt stamped with the white words ” I Survived” inside a heart, smiled and said “Hello” as I passed.