Wednesday, July 28, 2010

No Excuses!

I almost completely missed and incredible irony the other day. I was at an intersection and there was a beggar on the corner holding a sign that read "I have MS. Please help". My initial thought was....well then you should be on Team Inspiration and training for the CB&I triathlon in the spring....but then I let it completely pass. This morning it came back to me because there was great value in what I saw. My sorrow is that someone else has learned to stand there with their hand out and not do anything about their situation and while I could go on about this issue it is not what I realized. My realization is that Trace while so freely handing out praise to those that have gathered around him is becoming an incredible example to us all. Sure he can whine like the rest of us and at times feels a bit discouraged but he sure doesn't stand there with a sign and his hand out looking for someone else to do something for him.

Trace faces his difficulties on a daily basis. How many of us can say that we take on our difficulties daily without excuses? All of us really have no excuses and Trace is proving to us each and every day that we can do more with our time and resources. If he can do it...so can you!! Encourage yourself and others every day!

Jim

Monday, July 26, 2010

THE LEGEND OF WHITE CHOCOLATE SMOOTHIE AND WHAT A SURPRISE!

Gather round children and hear the tale of the Legend of White Chocolate Smoothie.

Okay, it isn’t that exciting, but I thought the title was a real grabber. Nathan (aka Dung Beedle) decided that since I have a smoothie LOADED with protein faithfully after every work out, he should call me White Chocolate Smoothie. Although the protein is vanilla and not white chocolate (I wish it was white chocolate), the name is much more mysterious, so it stuck. As for talking all of the time, no comment and I respectfully plead the 5th. But enough about me.

I talk about taking baby steps and setting attainable goals. In the last week, I have noticed that suddenly my recovery time has DRAMATICALLY decreased after everything. Whether walking, swimming or running, it now takes me much less time to be able to function normally after exerting myself. That is a very pleasant surprise and bonus to the workouts. After I swim, for example, I used to look as I was walking back inside to the locker room like I had had 15 pitchers of margaritas outside by the pool instead of been swimming. I am walking fairly normally now. The sad thing is that I can no longer use “swimming” as my cover!

So the point is -- whatever your challenge is, set small, attainable goals and you will eventually see benefits of all types. BE PATIENT. You may be surprised by what happens!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

Trace

7/18/2010 and 7/25/2010 Training with Trace (and Jarvis)

Folks,

For the past two weekends, Trace and I have completed a nearly 2.0 mile course which starts from Northshore Park and mirrors as much as possible the actual CB&I Triathlon run course. Yesterday, Trace, AKA White Chocolate Smoothie, basically tore up the course in comparison to last weekend. Let me explain.

Trace and I headed out of Northshore Park on 7/18/2010 at about 6:00 a.m. We were joined by a friend of mine, Stuart Ford, who was in town from Oregon. The really funny thing is that Trace, me, and Stuart are all lawyers who generally don't like or hang out with other lawyers. So there we were, three lawyers walking together on a Sunday morning at 6:00 a.m. To everyone's amazement, I am sure, Trace talked the whole way. There were several breaks along the way and the total time for the 2.0 miles was 1 hour and 20 minutes.

So yesterday Trace and I head out again at approximately 6:00 a.m. The first mile by Trace was the strongest, fastest and most consistent mile I have ever seen him do. On the way back, Trace began to get fatigued. Again, there were several breaks. Before the finish and in his mind, I think Trace believed that he was doing a slower time than last weekend. Wrong! Trace finished the course in 1 hour and 7 minutes, a good 13 minutes faster than last weekend. That is 6.5 minutes faster per mile. White Chocolate Smoothie was moving.

There are several questions to be asked here. Do we ever let Trace walk in a pack of lawyers again? Did Trace's talking last weekend with Stuart tire him out more than the walk? Those questions may or may not be useful but I think the simplest explanation is likely the most reasonable one, Trace is improving.

Well done White Chocolate Smoothie! For those of you who do not like my new nickname for Trace, please feel free to make up your own. He says he hates it but we know he loves it.

Nathan

Wednesday, July 21, 2010

I HAVE BEEN SO TOTALLY JARVISED!

It never ceases to amaze me how my dear, sweet (pie-eating) Trisha always finds new ways to make sure that I do not ever get overconfident or cocky in my progress. Every week I think that when I work with her on Tuesday morning, she will not be able to come up with a new challenge – something that is difficult for me to do. Every week I am wrong. I think that Trisha, Jim, Nathan and now Michelle have secret meetings weekly to come up with new ways to jarvis me. Much wine and merriment is had and they all leave that meeting with evil grins plastered to their mugs. “New ways to jarvis you?," you say. Well, in light of these secret meetings that are no doubt held, I have come up with a new verb: jarvis. Jarvis shall no longer just be the name of my right leg. It shall be a verb as well. For our English majors: jarvis (v) (1) to cause physical pain in Trace’s right leg (aka Jarvis); (2) for Trace’s right leg to experience physical pain or extreme discomfort; (3) for Trace’s right leg to undergo or experience difficulties or extreme discomfort, causing great joy to either Trisha, Jim, Nathan and/or Michelle, individually or collectively.

To you Trisha, Jim, Nathan and Michelle I say this … BRING IT ON! You guys are slowly but most certainly jarvising me into a state of readiness. I appreciate it more than you will ever fathom and I love you all so much for it. To the rest of you -

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

Trace

Sunday, July 18, 2010

Sundays with Jarvis (and Nathan and Stuart!!!!) 7/18/10

We had a special guest appearance this morning for Sundays with Jarvis. Nathan's friend Stuart joined us and we had an awesome time. Nathan will write later about the specifics since I am his Frankenstein and he is experimenting with different things. In the end though we walked FARTHER than last week (1.9 miles)! I actually listened to Nathan and slowed down to start and took two full 5 minute breaks. My vision did not fail (which it always has in the past) and Jarvis behaved BEAUTIFULLY! He did not drag but maybe twice and it was at the very end of the course. I think it is Nathan and Stuart's fault as they had me laughing pretty much the whole time. Stuart has come up with some BRILLIANT ideas to help with the walk/run/jog on race day and to keep me cool. Previously Jarvis has dragged about the last half mile of the course. I think it is the combination of the vest and the cooling pak put in my hat that has made such a monumental difference. Thanks Nathan and Stuart for another GREAT Sunday morning.

Saturday, July 17, 2010

TEAM INSPIRATION STARTS GROUP TRAINING!!








DODGE, DUCK, DIP, DIVE, DODGE! Team Inspiration's first group training event was this morning. Villa Sport had a dodgeball tournament for charity. Drill Master Trisha led the troops. Here are some awesome pics. Trisha had the team spell TEAM INSPIRATION as they did push ups then say DODGE, DUCK, DIP, DIVE AND DODGE from the movie Dodgeball, which we watched last night as a training film! I LOVE THESE GUYS. THE TEAM LOST IN THE CHAMPIONSHIP GAME BUT RAISED MONEY FOR THE MS SOCIETY!!!!!!!!

Amazingly, in the course of our day 5 to 10 new people joined our triathlon team. The excitement is spreading!

The team pic is only a SMALL part of our constantly growing team. Did I already say I LOVE THESE GUYS?!?!?!

Thursday, July 15, 2010

WE CAN REBUILD HIM!!!!

I do not think many of you who have read my blog really take me seriously when I say that I have NEVER in my life been “athletic.” I was completely serious when I said that I was always the last one picked for any team at school and that was after kids who were absent or had moved to other countries. There is now a member of Team Inspiration that I went to high school with who can verify this. (Be kind Eric. I know we have not spoken in almost 30 years but isn’t this an awesome reunion?!) I looked at the OutRival Racing website the other day and I am listed as a triathlete! After checking to see if it was a typo and after being called “Superman” by Iron Man Jim, I realized that I AM rebuilding myself. And the positive reinforcement from EVERYONE around me makes me walk harder, ride faster and swim farther. I am being rebuilt with the help of so many positive people. I am being rebuilt so that having MS is not an ever-present issue or concern. I must admit I love it.

Team Inspiration is growing rapidly. We have our first “training” event this weekend. Look for the pictures Sunday along with Sundays with Jarvis!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

Trace

Monday, July 12, 2010

It starts with "I can....."

I think it’s great that Trace is sharing his ups and downs with everyone. I believe one of the misconceptions that people have is that it is “easy” for others to become an athlete. Especially those that are in shape. Reality is that it is difficult for everyone and not every day, week or even race is better than the one before. Hopefully what Trace is sharing encourages others to engage and put forth the effort to get in better shape and in some cases do a triathlon or maybe a 5K run. Even “Superman” (aka Trace) will experience many setbacks along the way. It’s all part of what makes you stronger….not just physically but in our will to be better. Now there is something you can apply to all aspects of your life!

Jim

Sunday, July 11, 2010

7/11/2010 Sunday Morning Training with Trace

Equiped with a new heart rate monitor that cost more than my first car, Trace and I headed out of Northshore Park at about 6:50 a.m. this morning. I think we learned some important things from the heart rate monitor today and Trace will be using it from here on out.

Trace is in phenonenal shape. Trace's heart rate was less than 140 beats per minute during most of the session this morning, which is indicative of the strong cardio vascular shape Trace is in.

The temperature still appears to have the greatest impact on Trace. We need to find the best way(s) to reduce the effect of temperature Trace. Ideas anyone?

Today was a good day for Trace. He finshed a known portion of the CB&I Triathlon run course just 28 seconds short of his best previous time. My biggest challenge appears to be slowing Trace down and getting a more consistent pace.

Nathan

Sundays with Jarvis (7/11/10)

Nathan will be writing about Sundays with Jarvis but (as usual) he taught me an important lesson this morning and I wanted to put it here. I need to learn to practice what I preach! I talk about taking baby steps and setting attainable goals. I must start listening to my own advice. I am not as stupid as I look! Nathan will give you the details, but suffice it to say that I did NOT improve my time this morning and was so incredibly frustrated. The awesome folks at Stacool Vest sent me some thermpack material to put on my bald pate. It was great and kept me cool, just like my vest. I felt like I was walking stronger but when we got back, I had not improved my time. What I have been putting on here is to be patient and success will come. If I would only listen to myself sometimes....

Thursday, July 8, 2010

SUCCESS IS CONTAGIOUS!!!!!!!!!

I am thrilled to report that Team Inspiration now has 27 members! Wow! And we still have almost 10 months before the CB&I triathlon. I am deeply humbled that so many people want to do this with us. The amount of positive energy that we have already created is HUGE. I talk a lot about positivity. Positivity breeds success and that success is contagious. I wake up every morning and WANT to work hard with my training so that Team Inspiration will be proud of me! I hear tales of you all doing that too! I LOVE IT. The excitement that we all have created by taking on this challenge is palpable. Nathan, this is all your doing! You gave me this challenge.

Thanks to Jim’s recommendation, I am VERY excited to add the help of triathlon trainer Michelle LeBlanc to my routine. Michelle is a professional triathlete and a certified coach. She coaches Outrival Racing in the Woodlands and will be a very valuable resource to me and to Team Inspiration. Check out her website at www.outrivalracing.com. Between Michelle and Trisha (and yes Jim and Nathan), I am certain to be whipped into prime form by race day. We have also been put on Stacoolvest.com, the site of the folks that make my vest. We are right next to Olympian triathlete Hunter Kemper!! HOLY COW!!!! It is amazing where we are headed!

The excitement is just beginning! I am so proud of us all! The initial plan to use this blog as a way to inspire a few folks has already occurred bigger than in my wildest dreams. We will touch a lot of folks with this and I am honored that you are all with me on this journey.

Look for Sundays with Jarvis this week! Like Nathan, that is one of my favorite times of the week!


Good luck and my best,

Trace

Monday, July 5, 2010

Ladies and Gentlemen. May I introduce my heroes to you!







I talk so much about them and have been asked by many to post pictures, so Nathan took some pictures this morning during our Sundays (this week Monday) with Jarvis and after at the gym. You have been warned. The pictures of me are not pretty and should not be viewed by the faint of heart or persons who are easily sickened. I am also using this as an opportunity to introduce Nathan, Jim and Trisha to you so that you can put faces to their names.


The first picture is of me and Nathan (and Jarvis) after our walk.

The second picture is of the awesome vest.

The third pic is of me on the bike.

The fourth picture is of Jim finishing his Iron Man in Idaho. (Way to go Jim!)

The fifth picture is Trisha, my trainer ... well ... eating pie.

Okay that was not fair and I am just jealous she is in Alaska and did not take me. So the last picture is of Trisha in Alaska. No pie.

This morning's Sunday with Jarvis was fine. I did not increase the actual walking time nor did I cut it down. The heat and humidity this morning were both oppressive. I am going to see if Stacool makes a hat as well.

Team Inspiration is growing quickly. I was out of town the last couple of days and understand we have 2 or 3 more folks that want to do this with us. I am deeply humbled by the amazing support I am getting. Thanks very much!

Keep trying and my best,


Trace

Saturday, July 3, 2010

Can't Never Did Anything!

I know I said I would try to limit my posts to twice a week but this was too good to pass up.  I was in the airport this morning to go see my son and went into the gift shop. There was a book on the checkout stand that caught my eye.  It has amazed me lately how many things have happened seemingly by coincidence but which are guiding me in a certain direction. Synchronicity. We will talk about the tattoo on my hip another time. NOT.  Anyway, the title of the book is 'Sh*t My Dad Says' by Justin Halpern. I immediately bought the book.  Kimberly, my sis, and I could  spend months if not years reminiscing about all of our favorite Dadisms! One that is now very poignant in my life is 'Can't never did anything.'  It is so true isn't it? If we live with the word 'can't' in our vocabulary, we limit ourselves so very much.  Nathan and I were talking the other night and it became clear to me why he, Jim and Trisha have been so effective for me.  Never once has any of them said 'You can't do that because you have MS." Never once has any of them said they were so sorry I had this illness. Never once have they shrouded me in pity.  They have supported and encouraged me and shown me that I CAN do anything I work for.  Get rid of the word 'cant' in your vocabulary and know that you can do anything with work and in time.  Forbid those around you from using the word and giving you pity.

I love that Dadism so much it is on the back of the first Team Inspiration t-shirt.

Keep trying and my best,

-Trace

Thursday, July 1, 2010

TEAM INSPIRATION – IT’S ON!!!!!!!!

I have been so pleasantly surprised and truly honored by the number of people who have decided to do the triathlon next year WITH me. Several are not strong swimmers and have taken the personal challenge of learning how to swim upon themselves. Several, like me, have never tried anything this challenging but are going to start training so that they can do this. Several are veterans of the triathlon and will be doing this with great ease. With Nathan leading the charge, many have said that they want to finish their race and then come meet me on my run and go through the finish line with me. I am deeply touched by this. There is one problem with this gesture though. By the time they finish their race, if things go as planned, I should be long done with mine and sitting in a lounge chair sipping water under a cool tree! We have everything from several high school super jocks to business executives to personal trainers from Villa to lawyers. And no, the lawyers will not be marked and identified so that you can dunk us during the swim. As of this morning, 10 months before the race, our team is already 19 strong. The team has picked a name (Team Inspiration), team colors and is starting to plan group training sessions. The super jocks and I designed a team logo last night. The team wants to get sponsors and have several t-shirts made to promote team unity and identification. Again I have to say that I continue to be inspired and truly honored by the people around me. We will start posting pictures here as soon as we can of our progress. (Actually, as soon as I become smart enough to figure out how to do it.) Keep watching! TEAM INSPIRATION IS ON THE MOVE!!!

As a side note, Sundays with Jarvis will hopefully be Monday with Jarvis this week as I have to go out of town for the 4th. Have a great holiday and remember how Blessed we are to live in this country where we CAN do things like this!

Good luck and my best,

Trace