CONNECT:August 2, 2013

When All the Work Pays Off......

This past weekend I saw the very definition of achievement unfold before my eyes....again and again and again.  I was in Lake Placid, NY for Ironman USA, one of the more famed courses on the circuit....and one of the harder ones to get into.  I was not a competitor this time, but doing my part as a volunteer in the medical tent (which increases your odds of getting in the following year). As you can imagine might be wise placement after a 140.6 mile event in July, the medical tent is located right at the heart of the action by the finish line.  My shift wasn't supposed to start until the evening (when most people who need medical assistance start rolling in), but my cell phone battery was dying so I figured I'd get the flow of the place and find an outlet.  After a little while there and some good conversation, I heard some noise and cheers as the men's pro leader (Andy Potts) came into the area to transition from bike to run.....and shortly thereafter others began rolling in.  I saw a few more of the pros coming in and then some of the elite "age-group" athletes including a few faces I recognized (congrats Bill C on an amazing effort) and eventually a steady stream of folks who were wrapping up the 112 mile bike ride and then heading out to run the marathon.  A few hours later (OK, 3 hours and 2 minutes later), while many of the competitors were still out riding, Potts, the favorite, made his way back, this time across the finish line followed (eventually) by more than 2000 others. 

With the position of the medical tent, I was lucky enough to see many of the finishers....some who came through with huge smiles, a few who jumped or skipped across the finish line and others who had given it all they had and came in on very wobbly legs that didn't want to go any more. It even included a sweaty hug from my kid-brother Greg (congrats to you too) who finished his first Ironman event there. Each person had their own story, their own reason for trying to claim the title of Ironman.....and truly, it never gets old to see; but there was one that will stick in my mind for a long time.....it was the finishing moment for Jennie Hansen, the female champion of the day. As she neared the finish line, I found myself standing next to her friends and coach who were visibly excited as she came into view.  It only took a few more seconds and there was Hansen bursting across the finish line in a moment of what could only be called pure joy (and maybe even a little disbelief) as she hoisted the finish line over her head proudly and then continued to burst, this time into tears. She had never won an Ironman event....but at that moment, she redefined her "possible". See the picture here.  It was really cool to watch.....inspiring for sure....it was true achievement.

The essence of achievement can be hard to capture in words.....but you know it when you see it because it's made up of the same things for everyone regardless of the endeavor - a bunch of hard work, a willingness to keep going even when others have stopped (or told you to), more sacrifices than are probably wise and a few moments when you question if it's all worth it......but then, eventually it all comes together and you do something you weren't sure you could......soar to new heights and set a new bar.

And so, as we enter August and summer slowly fades into fall it is our hope that you MOVE efficiently, FUEL wisely and RECOVER fully each day so you can ENDURE every challenge you face on the road ahead. We hope that you CONNECT fully with those around you so you can share in their moments of triumph and they can share in yours......but most of all, we hope that you keep marching forward toward your goals.......so you too can redefine your possible.

Now go do something extraordinary,

Mike Eisenhart, PT

Managing Partner, Pro-Activity