Beating MS; Trace Trains for a Triathlon

THE MIRROR

2012-01-29T08:38:00.001-06:00

I thanked my dear friend Mush the other day for giving me such hope in life. His response was beautiful and really made me think. He said "I am only a mirror reflecting what is in you." Wow. It made me think of something that my Mom used to tell us (and for which Kimi and I made many jokes at her expense.) Mom would say "If you don't have something pleasant to say, don't say anything at all. The two really go together beautifully. The energy our comments and actions create are a reflection of us. We can make our comments and actions positive, encouraging and beautiful rather than ugly, hurtful and negative. When they are positive, they not only benefit the person to whom they are directed but us as well. They help maintain the positive energy necessary for a peaceful and happy life. It all goes along with everything we have said about the importance of creating and surrounding ourselves in a positive environment that allows us to accomplish our goals. While looking in the mirror is often a frightening experience for me, the image is so much better when I see my reflection combined with positivity, hope, love and joy! Make sense?

KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD!

-Trace

PAIN

2012-01-11T20:36:00.001-06:00

I am reminded daily of pain. Pain I have. Pain my friends have. Pain can manifest itself in so many ways. We can have physical pain or we can have pain emotionally that we inflict on ourselves or that others inflict on us either intentionally or perhaps inadvertently. It takes a great deal of strength and courage to handle our pain in a positive manner and not to let it bring us down or, worse yet, destroy us. It is not easy not to dwell on it and the positives that it can lead to are often so very difficult to see or comprehend. Let me say it again - IT TAKES STRENGTH AND COURAGE.

But we must strive to do it. We must surround ourselves with the kind of positive people and experiences that allow us to learn from our painful experiences and come out on the other side stronger, better and more positive people. If we can find a way to endure the pain, we appreciate the good that we ultimately create so much more. We become stewards of our own happiness and, in the end, of the happiness we help others create. Talk about your pain. Share your pain. But do not dwell on it. Learn from it and appreciate how it will make you better. Because it will.

Keep Dreaming Out Loud!

-Trace

HAPPY NEW YEAR

2011-12-31T07:53:00.000-06:00

Many of us make resolutions for the new year. When you make them this year, really make them count. Resolve to find a way to make a difference not only in your life, but in the lives of those around you. Also, resolve to make a difference in the lives of folks that you do not even know.

You can accept this challenge and accomplish it by starting with yourself. Resolve to create for yourself a life filled with happiness, positivity and promise for your own future. It may not be easy or painless. Resolutions are supposed to challenge us. But we come out on the other side an infinitely better and stronger person. Resolve to find a positive way to deal with and defeat the negatives that you will most assuredly encounter.

Go back to the basics that we have talked about. Take baby steps and be patient, not only with yourself, but with those around you. Not only should we dream out loud, but we should resolve out loud! Just like when we share our dreams with others, when we share our resolutions with folks, we become accountable to them. Be happy. Please be happy. And for goodness sake,

KEEP DREAMING LOUD!

-Trace

Happy Holidays

2011-12-23T18:52:00.002-06:00

All of us with Team Inspiration Texas want to wish you all a wonderful Christmas and Holiday Season. It has been an incredible year for us all and we look forward to reaching out and helping many in the coming year. May your New Year be filled with positivity and hope!

KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD!

-Trace

How do you define your Identity?

2011-12-20T15:45:00.002-06:00

So how would you answer that question? Do you identify yourself in a manner that guarantees failure? I hope not but many of us do without even thinking about it. Think about your responses to Life. Doesn't the use of "I can't" pretty much seal the deal on failure? Take a moment to think about what you call yourself then refine that with by asking God what he calls you. We all need to work on correcting our own identity so that we can be what we are designed to be.

With a new year right around the corner, commit yourself to a new you...a positive new you by removing the obstacles that prevent you from being the real you. Take time to know your true identity....think about it, pray about it and refine it.

Now I must admit that after thinking about this over the weekend I was asked "How are you?" Sadly I replied "tired". Now I rationalized it because I had completed a very long run just a couple hours earlier but do I want my identity to be "I'm tired"? Absolutely not!! I am blessed would have been a better attempt at conveying my identity to others.

Know your identity and make sure it guarantees success.

Merry Christmas!!
Jim

LIVING

2011-12-18T14:30:00.002-06:00

My Mom celebrated the 41st anniversary of her 39th birthday Friday. Or, as she likes to say it, 80 is the new 39. Today we threw her the first surprise birthday party that she has ever had. She epitomizes class, dignity and grace, traits that have been passed on to my incredible, beautiful sister, Kimi who, in all of her free time (he said sarcastically) organized this incredible soiree. I tried to pick one important lesson that Mom has taught me for my toast. If I shared them all, we would have been there until her 81st birthday so here is the one that I came up with.

I mean, here is a lady that since my Dad passed away over a decade ago has had her knees replaced, her shoulder done and has lost a staggering amount of weight. A year and a half ago her doctors told her that she had a cancerous spot on her arm that needed to be removed. No big deal. Then they said, oh, by the way, you have a heart condition. And, oh, by the way, you need bypass surgery. Oh, by the way, you are going to have complications which make you stay in the hospital for several months longer than planned. When she finally got home, she fell and had to get several stitches in her head. Why did she fall you ask? Because she was trying to do too much. As Nathan and Jim both observed: “How Sherer-like.”

The lesson in all of this is simple. But profound. We can exist. Or we can LIVE. When we exist, we are simply settling. When we live, WE THRIVE and life for us and for those around us is so much better. It is a choice. Choose to live.

Happy Birthday Mom!

Keep dreaming out loud!

-Trace

HAPPY THANKSGIVING

2011-11-24T07:48:00.000-06:00

I want to give thanks on this special day to Nathan, Jim, Trisha, Lynn, Scott and every member of Team Inspiration Texas for the amazing life that you have given me. And to each of you that read these posts and encourage me to keep writing and keep fighting. I am very thankful for the love and support of our super jocks who made a point to come see me as soon as they got home from their respective schools. These kids continue to amaze me. I hope that you all have a wonderful holiday season and that it is filled with positivity, hope and joy. I give thanks everyday for these things, but want to shout it loud and clear today.

KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD!

-Trace

IT'S SUPPOSED TO BE HARD

2011-11-21T09:26:00.000-06:00

Okay. First, get your minds out of the gutter. (You know who you are.) Don't make me pull this blog over. Now. May we continue?

We talk a lot about warm fuzzy things here. Positivity. Validation. Things that make us feel good. The real challenge is getting there. As Trisha tells her clients when they start to complain during a workout, "It is supposed to be hard." Nothing about creating a life that is positive is easy. It is just like training for an athletic event or obtaining a degree or raising a child. To live that kind of life is a decision that we must make and it frequently creates painful situations. For example, it is not easy distancing ourselves from people that may not be healthy for us physically or emotionally. But as we must do in everything, we must look at how our decision will ultimately benefit us and those around us. We must make the hard choices to create this kind of life. We must do things that are hard. Painful.

Why does it all have to be so hard you ask? It's simple. If it were easy, we would not appreciate the good we ultimately get. If it were easy, we would take too much for granted. If it were easy, we would develop a sense of entitlement. If it were easy, we might miss the good altogether. Then, we would not know how good we really have it.

So suffer through the hard things. Enjoy the pain because you know that after you endure it, you will come out on the other side a stronger person who will enjoy and appreciate the positives that you have earned. It's no different than training for a triathlon, huh? Life is really just a race. You can win it. It's your choice. And yes, it is supposed to be hard. It just makes the victory so much sweeter.

KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD!

-Trace

VALIDATION

2011-11-18T11:39:00.000-06:00

I am realizing more and more how important validation is to our success, whether it be personal or professional. After putting up my last post, my amazing son Preston "liked" it on Facebook. I never even knew he read my ramblings. Likewise, after most posts, I frequently get an "attaboy" email from Jim, Kimi, Mush and others. What does that do for us? The simple act of telling someone job well done. Follow me. This could be huge.

What happens is it makes our self confidence and self worth soar. Especially when it comes from someone, like my son, whose acceptance we crave, even require. It encourages us to keep working whether it be for training for a triathlon or giving it our all at work or making a relationship work. With validation, we want to work harder. To try harder.

And it is a two way street. We are more likely to encourage those who encourage us. We support those that support us. This goes back to what I keep saying about Team Inspiration Texas and all those who supported me in the triathlon. Two way validation creates a giant cloud of positive energy. It supports us when we start to get down. In turn, our energy that they have created supports others when they start to get down. Amazing isn't it?

This all requires the simple act of deciding that you WILL live that way. It applies to friends. It applies to employment situations. It applies to relationships. Perhaps the hardest thing that we will ever have to do is remove those people in our lives that don't validate us. But we must do that, as hard as that may be. If we allow a failure of validation to constantly bombard us, it only makes that cloud of positivity around us weak. Sometimes so weak that we can fall out of it. We must know that the positivity of those that support us will sustain us and keep lifting us up. We must trust that. We must know that the positivity we have created for others will support us when we need it to.

I know. I know. Easier said than done. As my dear Trisha says, life is supposed to be hard, isn't it?! Count on those around you to support you, lift you up, and VALIDATE you! And validate them. That is how life should be lived.

KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD!

-Trace

I’M SUCH A FLAKE. OH. SO ARE YOU

2011-11-16T13:51:00.000-06:00

I heard something yesterday that got me thinking. It does actually happen occasionally. It was about snowflakes. I am not sure that I remember what snowflakes are. I am in Houston, it’s November 16th and it is in the 80’s today. But I digress. Snowflakes. They are all, each and every one of them, unique. Different. Dare I say rare. There is no way that any two will be the same.

Each of us is too. There is not one tiny detail about any of us that is the same as another person. Whether talking about character flourishes or flaws, challenges or strengths, we are all very different. One falling snowflake is insignificant. You could miss seeing it as it falls slowly to the ground. Yet, if you have ever stood on the top of a mountain in Colorado and been in the middle of a beautiful, slow, steady falling snow, you would be very hard pressed to experience anything more incredible or amazing.

I thought about the similarities of Team Inspiration Texas and snow. Individually, we are insignificant. Small. If you examined any one of us, you could find our imperfections and weaknesses. And individually, we are indeed weak. But together, we are awesome. Beautiful. Like snow falling, when we are together, our individual imperfections disappear and the beauty of the entire group is striking and powerful. I am made more significant by being a mere flake in this falling snow. I may not be the strongest or most durable flake but I am privileged to be a part of the incredible beauty.

Okay. That was one of my more abstract moments. I hope that you get my point. I guess I am dreaming it was snowing!

Keep dreaming out loud!

-Trace

WOW! THIS REALLY WORKS!!!

2011-11-09T09:47:00.003-06:00

Mushahid (Mush) Khan, President and COO of O'Rourke Petroleum, liked our idea of dreaming out loud so much that he asked his employees to dream out loud at their team meeting this morning. The results were astounding. One person had a dream for him and his family to get food to needy families for Thanksgiving. On the spot, the decision was made to make it happen. The company will buy the food and several employees volunteered to help with the deliveries. Another person said that his out loud dream was to "always be a positive influence in someone's life, to stay healthy and to retire and really start living on his own terms." And it goes on and on.

If there is any doubt about the positive influence that Team Inspiration Texas is having on others, there can be none now. I have never met Mush, we did not know him at the time of the triathlon, and he just started following our message.

Life is good!

KEEP DREAMING OUT LOUD!

-Trace

WHEN AN EPIDEMIC IS GOOD

2011-11-07T11:39:00.002-06:00

Have you ever noticed how when someone smiles at you, you can't help but to feel better? I am talking about a genuine, comes-from-the-soul warm smile. The kind that just wraps you up like a warm blanket on a cold day. It is magical the effect that kind of smile has on you. If you add laughter to the equation, the result is astounding. Conversely, when we are around people that are terminally grumpy or in a bad mood, the pall that is cast has an even greater affect on folks. It brings everyone way, way down. The other day I was having "an issue". Trying to practice what I preach, I was trying to find a way to positively deal with the situation. A friend sent me a text message that made me laugh. My mood immediately brightened. My response to my friend? LOL!!! Then it hit me. I just got a smile and laugh through a text message. A real, heart-warming smile. We have talked about this before. Our attitude has the ability to profoundly affect everyone around us, whether in person or through as basic a form of communication as a text or an email. That, in turn, affects everyone around them and so on and so on.

So, since smiling and laughter are good and because they are contagious, your simple smile today can have the effect of brightening someone’s day half way across the world in a month or more. Wild, isn’t it?

Let's start an epidemic. Don't worry. The flushed face, feeling of giddiness and uncontrollable feelings of joy are a good thing. And it is contagious.

DREAMING OUT LOUD

2011-10-29T10:39:00.000-05:00

A friend and I were chatting the other day and he made a comment, the importance of which I did not realize at the time. He said "I was just dreaming out loud." The true meaning escaped me because, at the time, we were just being silly. "I was just dreaming out loud." What a marvelous concept. Dreaming out loud Is a good thing in so many ways. You see, it allows others to know and share in and encourage your dreams. For example, when I accepted the challenge to do the triathlon, I shared the dream with many. Look at the result! About 50 people did the triathlon with me, many walking with me through the finish line after completing their own races. By dreaming out loud, Team Inspiration Texas was formed. By dreaming out loud, I have been given the opportunity to speak to folks, either through this blog or in person, whose dreams might otherwise have been lost. By dreaming out loud, many have been encouraged to start their own out loud dreaming, creating an environment founded in supporting and encouraging what? DREAMS!

Out loud dreaming also keeps you accountable. To yourself and to others. When others know your dreams, you are encouraged to keep fighting for them. If I missed a day in the gym, I almost felt guilty that I was letting not only myself down, but those sharing in my dream. I became accountable to my dream. How cool is that?

So start just dreaming out loud. Ignore those who aren't able to see your dreams as you do. They'll eventually come around and hopefully start dreaming out loud themselves. See the amazing places it takes you!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best.

-Trace

FEAR, HOPE, GOALS ... AND PLAN B!

2011-10-28T09:40:00.001-05:00

Sorry that I haven't written for a while. I really haven't had anything "blog worthy" to say. That changed yesterday. My sweet sister, Kimberly, and her business partner, Spencer, invited me to The UP Experience, a seminar with "unique perspectives from unique people." It was amazing. The diverse group of people that spoke each had amazing stories to share. There was a neuroscientist, a chef, and a technology expert, to name a few. Each had an amazing uplifting message that really made you think. One speaker, Alison Levine, a business consultant , talked about she has climbed a peak on every continent and has skied across both the North and South Poles. From her talk, several things became clear and are especially poignant to our work. Fear is okay. It is complacency that will kill you. We talk a lot about how things scare us. Sitting around not fighting our challenges does us no good. In fact, it only hurts us more. Combine that with the lessons learned from Brene Brown, and a powerful observation is realized. Brene reminded us that we CAN do hard things. She told us about Emily Dickenson's view of hope which is that "Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul." Hope is a function of struggle. Goals are achieved by fighting your fears through struggles. Just keep telling yourself that you have a goal, it IS reachable, and that you will get there, even if you have to Plan B it.

I am happy to report that since keeping track of my bike mileage on 7/23, I have now logged about 1400 miles on my bike. You see, I am not being complacent with my fears. I have a goal. I WILL reach it, even if I have to Plan B it! And I have great HOPE that my goals will be realized.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING, and my best,

Trace

SELFISHNESS

2011-09-23T08:47:00.001-05:00

There are times when I question whether my time at the gym or on the bike is selfish. Let’s face it. I am spending a LOT of time training these days. Am I neglecting others in doing those things? Am I making them too much of a priority?

There is a HUGE difference between selfishness and SELF-PRESERVATION. Without taking care of myself, I am absolutely worthless to others. If I take care of myself, mentally, physically, spiritually, the things that I can do for others increases exponentially. For example, before I started on this great adventure, I would frequently go to bed extremely early. I really did not have the energy to engage myself in the task of reaching out to others. Now, the opposite is true. I now have a strong desire to reach out and I have the energy to do so. By getting rid of the negatives in my life and finding a way to turn necessary negatives into positives, I can focus on what is important. Helping others. That is not selfishness. That is self-preservation. Big difference.

I would write more but I have to get on the bike!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

YOUR WILDEST DREAMS

2011-09-13T08:31:00.006-05:00

Never when I started this great adventure did I have a clue that Team Inspiration would reach out to so many, especially our youth. Last year, I was invited to speak to a group of young leaders at a local high school. This morning, the Blessing continued as I was invited to speak to a group of high school students training for triathlons with Mindy Reich’s SelecTRI the Woodlands. Team Inspiration Texas has been fortunate enough to be in the position to loan three of its bikes to up and coming triathletes.

The message has been the same. First, be and remain active. We never know when we will be afflicted with any illness or disease and being active certainly helps one fight off those challenges. Second, encourage those who, like me, need the support and love of those around us to know that we CAN do anything, even in the face of adversity. Once again, seeing these great young people gives me tremendous hope for our future!

What an amazing group of young people and, like our Super Jocks, I know they will continue to not only better themselves, but better those around them. Good luck to the young triathletes of SelecTRI the Woodlands. You CAN do anything!

Please remember that Team Inspiration Texas now has its own Facebook page. www.facebook.com/teaminspiration. We invite you to “like” us and we especially encourage you to post on our wall and tell us how you have been helped by us! You do not have to have a Facebook page to do this.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Happy LABOR Day!

2011-09-05T10:46:00.001-05:00

Ever since we started this blog last May, we have repeatedly talked about the importance of taking baby steps. Who cares how long it takes you to become more active to a point where you can definitely notice the difference? I am not likely to ever compete with the uber athletes that support me. Nor am I trying to. I am competing with one person…ME! Every day is a little better and for someone who is terminally impatient, I have learned to take one day at a time and enjoy every little success. I have also learned the importance of realizing my limits. Remember when we started this how I told you that I could barely ride a bike for a mile? Remember when I rode for about 10 miles that first time, my neighbors had to come to my driveway and pull the bike out from under me? Remember how after each ride I usually went right to the floor when I finally got into my house and had to drag myself around my house on my butt because I had a hard time standing? Yet, there was a silver lining to that. My floors were polished and clean!

The point of this you ask? Well, I am pleased to report that I have been keeping a log of my bike riding on the stationary bike and now the bike trainer in preparation for riding the MS 150 in April of 2012 with Team Inspiration Texas. Since 7/23/11, I have been able to log an amazing number of miles - 850!!!!!!! Now I am not bright enough to appreciate the significance of that, so I looked it up. By riding 850 miles, I rode my bike to St. Louis, Missouri! I can understand THAT. I constantly remind myself that I would not be here without adding a small distance to each successive attempt and finally I have learned that there are times that I just should not push myself any further. I am not at all bragging. It is my intense desire that people see that you can better yourself with a little bit of LABOR. Please take the first step and try!

Please remember that Team Inspiration Texas now has its own Facebook page. www.facebook.com/teaminspiration. We invite you to “like” us and we especially encourage you to post on our wall and tell us how you have been helped by us! You do not have to have a Facebook page to do this.

Happy LABOR Day!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

THE POWER OF WORDS

2011-08-26T10:08:00.003-05:00

I have heard from a number of folks who read my last blog. I would like to follow up on it. We cannot even imagine how many words each of us speak in a day. I am often accused of talking FAR too much so multiply whatever a normal person uses by, say, 453. All too often, all of us speak without thinking of the power of the words we use. We use words that express love or joy. We also use words that cause hurt. When we hear words that hurt, distract or disappoint, the effect they have on those we speak them to can be devastating. The point is to choose your words wisely. I'd like to use one of the words that in the motto that Team Inspiration Texas has adopted for an example. Can’t (as in "Can't never did anything"). When someone tells me that I “can’t” do something because of my MS, it sets me back. I cringe when someone uses the word “loser” or when someone, out of their own sense of insecurity or paranoia uses words that undermine another person’s happiness. It is just wrong. We should strive everyday to choose words that uplift those around us. The power of our actions is exponentially greater. Our actions should be selected just as carefully.

Like so many other things that we have talked about here, you cannot imagine how using positive words and actions with those around you will come back to benefit you.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

DON’T BRING ME DOWN

2011-08-18T10:55:00.003-05:00

Okay. It has been a crazy summer. First of all, I got my youngest ready to move to Austin for college and the nest is now officially empty. Despite my exterior presentation of toughness and bravado, I was a bit concerned with how I might handle things after I took him to Austin and came back to an empty house. Then I realized that it was not just an empty house. It was an empty, quiet and clean house! Being the “glass half full” kind of guy that I am, rather than miss both of my sons and get upset about not seeing them every day (cleaning up after them, doing their dishes, their laundry, etc.), I look forward to their trips home. Instead of sitting around the house moping, I take the opportunity to read and to ride my stationary bike. In fact, since July 23rd of this year, I have logged over 500 miles on that bike. This, in preparation for Team Inspiration Texas’ MS 150 experience next year. The point of this rambling is to take the opportunities that are presented to you, whatever they may be, and turn them into something positive and truly good and healthy for you.

That leads me to another topic. I do not know whether it is the obscene heat so many of us are suffering through or misalignment of the planets and stars or what, but so many of the people I deeply care about around me are being dragged down by the people around them. How truly sad that is. One of the most difficult things we face is balancing the negatives in our lives, and attempting to turn them into positives or, at the very least, turning them into a negative that can be used as a learning experience but which will not bring us down. Sometimes, when dealing with a job or relationship or health issue, we can easily be overwhelmed and allow the negativity of the people around us to drag us under. We must find a way to rise above those challenges and learn from them. We must find a way to discover the positives in our challenges. Think of the row of dominoes. Push one over and the whole line goes down. The way we deal with the personal issues in our life not only affects us but, like the dominoes, can have a ripple affect that brings down everyone around us. I am not for a moment suggesting bottling up the negatives. That is equally unhealthy. What we must do is find a way to constructively deal with the negatives in a way which does not destroy ourselves or others. I know. Easier said than done. But like we have said so many times on here, the key too this is to try and to take baby steps. When someone around me is being dragged down, I remind them to smile. There is at the very least one thing in each day that we can smile about. A song. A billboard. A child's laugh. It doesn't matter what it is. Find something.

I want to remind everyone that Team Inspiration Texas now has its own Facebook page. www.facebook.com/teaminspiration. We invite you to “like” us and we especially invite you to post on our wall and tell us how you have been helped by us!

Now that the nest is empty, you will hear from me more!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

TEAM INSPIRATION TEXAS HEADS TO SAIPAN!

2011-07-10T18:46:00.002-05:00

I am so proud of the fine, selfless young men our super jocks are becoming. They all have amazing plans now that high school is over and I have to hope that their experience with Team Inspiration Texas has benefited them. One of our young men, Brandon Loughridge, is leaving Friday for Saipan, an island off the coast of China. He will spend a year as a mentor for kids, doing missionary work and teaching golf. What an amazing adventure he will be going on! I have truly been Blessed to have these young men in my life. Good luck and have fun on your incredible adventure Brandon and we look forward to your homecoming!!!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

IT’S YOUR TURN!

2011-07-10T06:56:00.002-05:00

For the past year, you have listened to our ramblings without having a mechanism to tell us about you. Well, that has now changed. Team Inspiration Texas now has a Facebook URL which will allow folks with and without Facebook pages to write something on the Wall. We would love to hear YOUR story! Team Inspiration Texas is about encouraging folks with AND without MS, so please feel free to write away regardless of your condition!!! You never know how something that YOU say may reach someone else. To write your story, simple log onto www.facebook.com/teaminspiration. I hope that you will share with us and that it will, in turn, reach someone else!!!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Your Legacy

2011-07-08T10:50:00.002-05:00

We have all heard a message or at least pondered the thought of what is our legacy? At no time does this become more present than at a funeral which is where I found myself this week. This "Celebration of Life" was a bit different for me because I did not know the man personally but his wife is an avid marathoner and an active member of The Woodlands and Conroe tri groups so I have known her for years.

I think what caught my attention most was when the pastor said "What would you say at your funeral?" Think about that for a minute..... He went on to answer for the Doug (the deceased) with no doubt by saying that he would stand before us and proclaim he was a blessed man. Can each of us say the same?

As the service went on proclaiming the multi facets off his life, I thought about what I believe everyone does at some point in a funeral and that is who would be there for you? Then I brought it into the present and asked myself a better question and that is who have you been there for?

It should not take a funeral to get each of us to spend time thinking about how we can have a positive impact on others. Let's not waste the opportunity that we are each given. Life has unforeseeable and unpredictable events in it. Let's make sure we use what we have been given.

Have a great day and thank you Doug for the reminder!

Jim

IT JUST KEEPS GETTING BETTER

2011-07-07T21:22:00.001-05:00

It is with tremendous pride that I announce that Team Inspiration Texas now has its own Facebook page! Thanks to Brooklyn Bowman, we will now reach even more folks with the great hope that they will be inspired as I have. We have big plans for the MS 150 next year and our page will help attract sponsors who will work with us to inspire so many with MS and other challenges. I am overwhelmed and extremely humbled by the encouragement and support the Team has gotten since the CB&I. And I am honored that we can do things like share the super jock’s bikes with our area’s youth training to become triathletes. It amazes me that every time I turn around it seems that someone else has heard of the great work of Team Inspiration Texas and wants to become involved. Thank you all for allowing me to be a part of this amazing group!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Just better to give

2011-06-28T09:43:00.003-05:00

I must say that being a part of Team Inspiration Texas has given me so many opportunities to meet such wonderful people and have such tremendous experiences like the one last night.

Mindy Reich of SelecTri here in The Woodlands is training kids of all ages to be more physically fit and to compete in triathlons. Recently she sent out a request to see if there were some bikes in the community that some kids could use to experience biking before investing in a bunch of equipment. I was fortunate to be on that list of people she reached out to because Mindy's daughter introduced my daughter to swimming many years ago and I have also suffered through many of Mindy's spin classes at the YMCA which by the way I would recommend to anyone. The timing was perfect and TI-TX has some bikes that are available.

Well last night I was able to deliver one of the bikes to Nicholas Minnery here in The Woodlands. I know from his words along with the gratitude expressed by his mom Cheri and his dad Greg that it was just a blessing waiting to happen. No doubt that this bike is positively impacting Nicholas and his family but think about how many others will hear about this experience and Team Inspiration Texas from these wonderful people. You never know...the spark in his eyes means something big! Time will tell the whole story but for now it is such a thrill to be able to give this young man something that enables him to grow more into what he was designed to be.

I think Nicholas' dad expressed it best when he said "maybe we should ride in the MS150 next year to give back". Now isn't that the true spirit of giving and receiving? The gratitude and understanding that the best part is giving or in this case receiving is finding a way to give back to others. Thanks to everyone who has helped make experiences like this possible.

Jim

Next Year

2011-06-22T08:58:00.003-05:00

Have you ever said to yourself maybe next year? Sure you have but how often do you follow through and make it happen next year? A year is a long time and a lot can happen...both good and bad. Well if we want to be successful, we need to focus on the positive side of things and put the effort into making it happen.

Some time has passed since the MS 150 bike ride from Houston to Austin back in April but there are a few things that came out of it that we need to share with our followers. This is such a tremendous two day event for a great cause and anyone that has participated in it seems to catch the significant emotional high regardless of the temporary physical pain and suffering. The feeling of "being a part of it" is what has caught out attention and Team Inspiration Texas would like to be able to share that with those that have MS.

Our plan for "Next Year" is to include people with MS in the MS 150 by chartering a bus and taking them to LaGrange which is the midway overnight location and on to the finish line in Austin so that they can personally experience the event in ways that cannot be described. Just imagine actually being a part of one of the largest bike rides in the country that is centered around finding a cure!

Sure there are lots of things that need to be done in order to make this happen and there are tons of questions. But don't you want to be a part of it?

Here is what we know for sure: next year there is going to be an MS 150 and Team Inspiration Texas is going to be a part of it!! Join us on the ride or on the bus but don't miss this opportunity of a lifetime to be a part of this significant event.

Jim

JARVIS. MEET TIMMY.

2011-06-10T16:30:00.001-05:00

A friend of mine found 5 years ago that she had a very bad brain tumor, known as a glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). Kelly named the little booger Timmy. We take great comfort in naming the parts of our bodies that cause us trouble. Try it! It is easier to disassociate yourself from the problem children that way.

Kelly, like me, focuses on the positives and not the negatives. She had a very dangerous brain surgery and, as I would have expected of her, she beat it. She is a physician and for the last 5 years Timmy has been silent. Apparently Timmy was upset that he was not invited to the 5 year celebration of Kelly being Timmy-free, so he showed up again last week. Kelly will have surgery this Monday.

What I love about Kelly is that she sees the positives in everything. I am attaching her CaringBridge post from today so you can see:

Okay, for those of you that know me, the first time around I learned to find positives about everything…….and yes, I mean EVERYTHING. In fact, I like this so much that I always have my patients going through something difficult to find the positives.

So I woke up 2 nights ago and my mind wouldn't sleep and randomly felt like making a humorous “Top 10 List” of the positives. So here we go!

10. Bye-bye weight watchers!

9. No more resident schedule review!! (my colleagues get this one)

8. Good thing I had already asked to be off work on June 13th

7. UT Houston MD Anderson does not use that horrible burnt orange....that color always makes me a little nauseous

6. Casual clothes, here I come!

5. I can use the f-bomb anytime I feel like it, including in cognitive testing when asked to list all the words I could think of that started with an "F"

4. I actually made a doctor have to document the f-bomb in my chart!

3. I can finally get that painful screw in my head moved!

2. I get a free haircut on Monday

1. I can get anyone, to do anything, any time I want! :-)

I share this with you so that you see that the power of positive thought is real. If we keep our eyes on things that are positive, we can beat anything!

Timmy, sorry to tell you but, like Jarvis, you cannot play with us. See ya.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

WHY NOT FLY?!

2011-06-01T12:35:00.002-05:00

My youngest graduated high school yesterday. (Congratulations Preston. You did it!) Many have asked, with both of my sons gone soon, how I will handle the empty nest. I have thought about that a great deal. I can sit around the nest. Or I can FLY! Flying sounds like so much more fun. The point is to make the most of your time alone. Do not dwell in sadness or loneliness. If you fly you will be floored by the birds you will meet!

Congrats also to our superjocks and supporters who graduate this week. We are so proud of you and the hope that you give our future.

Speaking off flying, we will soon announce where Team Inspiration is "flying" next. Stay tuned.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

COURAGE

2011-05-13T12:44:00.001-05:00

One of my mantras in the past has been “Courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying ‘I will try again tomorrow.’” While I was still on the run/walk/crawl/carry me course at the CB&I Triathlon last Saturday, it was announced that I received the Dr. Phelan Courage Award. What a tremendous honor. I have always said that I am just a weak man made strong and courageous by the amazing people around me. I believe that more than ever now given the Herculean efforts of Team Inspiration and every volunteer and person involved with the CB&I who helped me to achieve my goals. They all gave me the courage to finish when it would have been very easy to say enough.

Courage can be encouraged, even created, by anyone who helps another. Isn’t that how we should all live? Give the people around you courage. You might be surprised at the courage that is in turn imparted to you.

Thank you again to everyone involved in one of the best days of my life.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

From a mom's perspective...

2011-05-10T22:39:00.002-05:00

While many were excited about last Saturday being ‘Kentucky Derby’ day, I witnessed a bunch of “thoroughbreds” participate in the CB&I triathlon. Team Inspiration were all winners in my book. Young and old trained for this event for months, even years, and all were champions when they crossed the finish line.

But the most memorable moment for me was to find myself in the midst of a group of people that were so filled with genuine and unwavering support for my son, Trace Sherer.

The authentic, positive, encouraging, and awesome attitudes from his teammates, no doubt, helped him to achieve his goal to cross that finish line on Saturday. I’m so very proud of him for having risen to the challenge, but I am equally proud of each of you for helping him on his journey.

My love and appreciation to you all for making this such a special day…

Barbara Sherer (Trace’s proud mom)

STILL ANY DOUBTERS?!

2011-05-08T18:11:00.005-05:00

IF ANYONE HAS ANY DOUBT ABOUT HOW MUCH I LOVE MY TEAM ... NUF SAID!

ARE WE THERE YET?

2011-05-08T10:46:00.002-05:00

Well, the CB&I is past us. I do want to thank EVERYONE and I do mean everyone that made this happen. This would never have been possible without each and every member of Team Inspiration. I want to especially thank my heros. Trisha, you made me strong. Lynn, well, you are my Sunshine. Jim, you are an Iron Man for a reason and are an amazing man and friend. And, enter Nathan Beedle. Dude. You have gotten up and walked, rode and swam with me for 50 of the last 52 weeks. You have done it at 5:30 am. You have done it in the rain. You have done it in freezing cold temperatures. You have done it in freezing cold rain! You gave me this challenge and like it or not that sea of yellow at Northshore Park yesterday was because of you. I did this because of you! I love you all so very much.

I will never be able to adequately thank every member of Team Inspiration and all of those involved in the event. Kimi, mark this down. I actually stopped traffic yesterday!!!! Thank you Angel and your incredible team of volunteers. The Demerets. Holy cow! If you ever need a family to back you, look them up! Eric. What can I say. I have not seen you for 30 years and you were with me all of the way yesterday. You are truly amazing. And I am not sure if I answered your question yesterday. NO. 30 years ago sitting in chemistry I did NOT think this would happen! And I am so proud of the men my super jocks have become. YOU ROCK!

Eric pointed out the saying on the sport bag given to each participant of the CB&I. “Success isn’t how far you got, but the distance you traveled from where you started.” – author unknown. How true. How very true.

So where shall we go now? Stay tuned and find out!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Enter Trace Sherer, triathlete!

2011-05-08T08:43:00.001-05:00

For those of you following the blog and have not heard the news, Trace completed his first triathlon yesterday! The man was amazing yesterday and I am almost afraid to say it but he is moving into the legend category with his exploits.

I am sure that the many people that walked with Trace for the last 3.1 miles yesterday would share the opinion that a greater show of heart and determination to finish something has rarely been seen with our own eyes.

I know that Trace will thank everyone soon but I want to express my thanks to everyone for all the support provided from yesterday to the very early beginnings of Trace's athletic career.

Particularly yesterday, Ana Demaret found Trace and I on the bike leg at around mile 12. I don't think we would have been able to continue as strongly without her help, encourage, and care. And the full Demaret family on the walk was greatly helpful!

Of course Lynn and Jim were the steel support around Trace from the beginning and throughout the 3.1 mile walk, both amazing people and great friends.

Ms. Lee, sorry I am not best with first names, you were amazing yesterday with all your support for everything thing that Trace needed yesterday. It was a pleasure meeting you and you helped soooooo much, we thank you.

The volunteers!!!!! We would not have made it without them! Race officials, keeping portions of the course open was so amazing.

There are so many more folks your efforts are so appreciated and will be remembered by me forever.

To those who finished your first triathlon yesterday, congratulations! When is the next one?

Again thank you all.

Nathan

What inspires YOU?

2011-05-01T07:53:00.002-05:00

Yesterday, I met 56 year old Chris Arthey who lost his leg in a motor cycle accident less than two years ago. Chris and I have a great deal in common. The CB&I will be the first triathlon for both of us. Nathan and I have seen Chris either riding his bike or running every Sunday for a while when we are out on our ride or walk. Since the first time that I saw Chris, I have said that if he could work that hard then so could I. When I met Chris yesterday, I told him that. He smiled and said "That is funny. When I see you struggling with the walk and your walking sticks every week, I say the same thing to myself!"

The lesson boys and girls is that we never know when our actions, thoughts or deeds might inspire someone to keep trying to do something that is spectacular. So make everything you do inspiring!

If you would like to see my amazing new friend check out http://www.yourhoustonnews.com/courier/sports/article_6910585f-f862-5258-a1e0-c6a380bb9468.html.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING, and my best,

Trace

TICK-TOCK! TICK-TOCK!

2011-04-30T06:50:00.001-05:00

It is absolutely mind boggling that the CB&I triathlon is one week away. It is further unbelievable that it has been a year since I accepted Nathan’s challenge to do this. It is also unfathomable to contemplate the amazing things that have been done by Team Inspiration Texas or the number of folks that we have touched. I want to sincerely thank every person that has been with me or followed me on this journey. It is because of each of you that the improvement in my quality of life has been enormous. It is unlikely that I will set any land speed records next week. I honestly don’t care what my time is. I know one thing. The only thing that is important. I WILL finish. Considering that a year ago, I was facing using a walker full time just to walk, finishing is all that I want. In fact, it is overwhelming to me. And now I am bib number 382!!! WOW!

It is my hope that we can continue to reach out and touch many and improve YOUR quality of life. This is just the beginning. See where we go next!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

ANOTHER WORD I HATE

2011-04-09T14:58:00.002-05:00

We have talked about how much I hate the word can’t. Last week, I found another word that shall from this moment forward cease to exist. That word (cover the kids’ ears) is the word doubt. Thanks to Jim, I attended my first open water swim with Coach Dana Lyons and the uber athletes of Finish Strong Racing. These amazing men and women have completed more Iron Man races and other major athletic events than years I have been alive. I could not figure out why I was nervous on the way to the Lake. I mean, I have been swimming in rivers and lakes my entire life. Maybe it was stuffing myself into a wetsuit for the first time in my life. Maybe it was not wanting to completely embarrass myself in front of men and women who would laugh at the pathetic third of a mile I would swim. (They didn’t.) I don’t know what it was, but the second I started swimming, that ugly thing called doubt crept into my brain. It is the same word that appeared after the Light the Night Walk and after my first couple of bike outings where team members had to bring cars to pick me up on the side of the road. Let’s just say my swim that day was UGLY. That is being kind. Jim was in a kayak next to me and kept calmly telling me to relax. Difficult when you cannot see or breathe! Okay. My first open water swim is now out of the way. Maybe simply for comic relief, but Dana has been gracious enough to allow me to attend the weekly open water swims through the CB&I. Now that I have erased the word doubt from my vocabulary, my future swims promise to be most enjoyable. Thank you Jim, Dana and Finish Strong Racing for the encouragement and support!

Get rid of the words can’t and doubt from your vocabulary. They only slow you down!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

ADDENDUM/PROGRESS REPORT

As I suspected, last night's open water swim was AWESOME! It is so important to try the unknown before it matters! Bring on the swim!

The people around ME

2011-04-07T10:29:00.002-05:00

I want to follow up on Jim’s last blog and tell you how important YOU are to those of us with MS or other challenges. I wish that everyone had folks like Nathan, Jim, Trisha, Lynn and every member of Team Inspiration supporting them. They have truly been the key to my progress. Nathan has walked with me as early as 5 am for a year. He has studied how the MS affects me and takes great care in preventing me from doing things that are stupid and which will ultimately affect my success, even when I am not smart enough to catch myself. Jim has encouraged me more than I can ever explain, never touting his own major athletic accomplishments, but rather focusing on mine. He has shared his great wisdom with me on so many levels. Trisha has made me stronger than I ever thought possible. Lynn shares our story with others, creating positive energy that is truly monumental. In less than a year, these people have become my best friends and it feels like I have known them all of my life. All of this and every member of Team Inspiration provides me with the positive reinforcement absolutely required for success. Selflessness is the first word that comes to mind when I think of any person on this team.

The CB&I is now only a month away. I am constantly reminded of some extremely critical factors. First, Nathan gave me a year to get ready for this. If I had decided to do this triathlon a month or two from when he gave me this challenge, I would certainly have set myself up for failure. When we fail, we are likely to not keep trying or try again. I have learned patience. Great patience. They have reminded me how important each baby step has been in getting me where I am. My entire team has kept me positive. They force me not to dwell on a weak performance, but rather to focus on the improvement. I made a comment to one of my teammates recently about how I did not want the event to be closed down when I cross the finish line like what happened during the Light the Night Walk. He told me that the only important thing in what I had just said was “when I cross the finish line.” How true. I thank each and every person on Team Inspiration for taking this journey with me. It is an amazing ride. And it will just be the first of many, many adventures to come. We will wait until after the CB&I to unveil the next one but rest assured there will be more. We are just starting.

The point of this is to orchestrate your own success by surrounding yourself with folks that are positive, supportive and encouraging. You CAN do this. Remember – CAN’T NEVER DID ANYTHING!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

The People Around Them

2011-03-29T14:33:00.003-05:00

Last week I was privileged to be able to go with Trace for his treatment. Most of the time I just give him a hard time for faking it just so he can go and spend time with Lynn...his nurse for the last 11+ years. I had no idea that I was the one in for an unexpected experience. What I was able to see was the pain and especially the fear that goes along with MS and the treatments. People like you and I have to sit there and have some liquid pumped into their bodies in hope that it will improve their quality of life in some way. Some people sit there all day!

Now Trace is a veteran at this so he is somewhat unfazed by the process at least on the outside. It amazed me that everyone that came in for a treatment seemed to be more concerned about others. Trace kept making sure I was "OK" and a mother of two very young kids was very concerned about her father's ability to entertain the boys while she was detained. She made a simple but profound statement: "I just want to be there for my boys". What a reasonable request! Wouldn't it be nice if there was a way to assure her that opportunity?

For me the real eye opener was the waiting period after the infusion. For these people it is a time of worry and filled with fear of how there body is going to react. We all have enough fears in life. Can you imagine adding another one?

As I walked out I realized that these people that I crossed paths with are all doing everything they can to manage and improve their situation in life. I'm not so sure that people without these kind of heath issues (my self included) can openly state that they are doing everything they can to help themselves and others. My message is for those that do not have MS to get up and do more. Take better care of yourself and the ones around you. Most of all if you can find a way to assist someone with MS, I encourage you to step out of your comfort zone and do all that you can for them.

Team Inspiration Texas strives to encourage, empower and ignite individuals with diagnosed neurological challenges and the people around them to lead more active, fulfilling, and healthy lives.

Jim

THE KEY: QUALITY OF LIFE

2011-03-25T10:26:00.000-05:00

My triathlon coach, Michelle, has a gentleman on her team who about a month ago had a tragic cycling accident that currently has him paralyzed from his mid-section down. As you can imagine, this has been and will continue to be very challenging for him as well as for his wife and two young children. This event gave me great pause. I know what my diagnosis did to my sons. I also know that my boys gave me the biggest reason not to quit fighting and to do whatever it took to create as normal a life as I could for them given my “limitations.”

What I have been fighting for for about the last year has not been about beating everyone else in the triathlon or even getting a great time. It has been about my quality of life. I had my infusion yesterday and Lynn told me about a patient that may never be able to complete a triathlon or 5K or any athletic “event” but, because she read our blog, decided that she wanted to improve her quality of life. Lynn got her a bike pedal set that simply sits in front of her chair so that she can move her legs. None of us knows what that might enable her to do in a year, two or ten. It doesn’t matter. I would bet that the simple fact that she is pedaling has already improved her quality of life and lessened the natural human response to dwell on “our problems”.

I spoke to a group of young leaders at some of our team members’ high school the other day. One of the young ladies in class said that a family member died of MS because she quit when she got the diagnosis. I guess my rambling point is that being active may not make our medical problems disappear but it most assuredly will improve our quality of life and will certainly keep us from dwelling on things that are negative. That is what is important. Not winning a race. Maybe it is not something physical or athletic. Maybe it is painting. Maybe it is singing. Find SOMETHING that prevents you from dwelling on the negative, gives you a positive attitude and improves your quality of life. Do not expect your life to continue as YOU planned. Take the life you are given and make it GREAT.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

CB&I HERE I COME!

2011-03-20T10:20:00.002-05:00

48 DAYS 13 HOURS 38 MINUTES AND 15 SECONDS!

DANG IT! I AM GOING TO BE READY TO DO THIS THING!

BRING IT ON!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

Trace (aka Trace the future triathlete)

YOU’RE NOT THE BOSS OF ME

2011-03-18T08:01:00.003-05:00

It always interests me to see how folks deal with their challenges, whatever they may be. We frequently see people that handle things negatively and quickly let their challenges define who they are and ultimately defeat them. I am learning through the amazing folks around me to face them head on, look them straight in the eye and shout “You’re not the boss of me!” I know. A bit juvenile but, hey, it works.

Yesterday I had a chance to have an awesome chat with Ron Brannigan with the group Because We Can. I loved how he described his group to me. He told me that his group rides the MS 150 from Houston to Austin every year and how much he enjoys that ride. Oh. And the riders all have MS. But Ron said when starting to describe his group that they are all in denial of the fact they have MS. (Ssssshhhhh – don’t tell them.) I thought that was such an amazing way to describe how to deal with a challenge and it is certainly not a form of denial that requires enrollment in a 12 step program! (www.becausewecanms.org).

Being a part of Team Inspiration Texas has allowed me so very many opportunities, the most rewarding of which is that every time I turn around, I discover and am surrounded by folks who positively destroy their challenges. It empowers me even more. How cool is that?! The point to all this ranting is do not let your challenges define you. YOU define them. Take them and deal with them in such a way that others will be led to defeat their challenges the same way. Why, you may ask? Because We Can!!!!!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

THE MYSTERY OF RECOVERY

2011-03-16T10:12:00.001-05:00

I want to talk about recovery today. This applies to everyone, not just folks challenged with MS, although it has always been a huge issue with me. I think we are scared to extend ourselves based on our previous experiences. In the past, if I would exert myself, it would frequently take me a long time to recover so that I could function somewhat normally. It could take me several days to a week or more. Sometimes, I would have to go on IV steroids to combat the weakness and fatigue. What does that do to us? It discourages us from exerting ourselves to that level again. But what does that do? Gradually, we just get weaker and weaker because we have not engaged our muscles or our minds. We have not made ourselves “uncomfortable” or challenged our bodies. By the lack of exerting ourselves, we just get weaker and weaker so that when we do something which causes us to challenge ourselves, our needed recovery time actually increases. It is a vicious circle.

One amazing thing that has happened to me in the last 10 months has been through physically challenging myself, my recovery time has become practically non-existent. In the last week I have done a couple of things that some might say were not smart as far as exerting myself. I have on more than one occasion when leaving the gym been asked if I needed help or if I was okay. Perhaps it was the obvious limp or perhaps it was the fact that I looked like I was 3+ sheets to the wind drunk. Now in the past, it would have taken me at least a day or two to recover from this state if I was lucky. Now, I return back to normal usually in less than an hour. (Yes, there is a serious question among many as to whether I am capable of being “normal”.) So, I have added to my growing list of stupid Trace tricks fetes to amaze those around me by showing them that I am fine. Like everything that we have talked about here, this has not happened over night. Be smart about pushing or exerting yourself and know your limits. Push yourself a little every day without over doing it to the point that you actually increase your recovery time. Patience and baby steps, a recurring theme! Particularly patience. It has taken me almost a year and I still have a lot of improving to do. Ask me in 10 years or so where I am!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

CB&I ALMOST FULL!

2011-03-10T10:00:00.002-06:00

If you would like to join Team Inspiration Texas for the CB&I triathlon, registration is almost full. We would LOVE for you to join us! You can register at:

http://www.thewoodlandstownship-tx.gov/index.aspx?NID=306

Peer pressure: Come on. Do it! YOU KNOW YOU WANT TO!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

Trace

Today with Trace

2011-03-06T14:12:00.002-06:00

Folks,

Trace is entering into the final stages of preparation for the CB&I Triathlon. This morning Trace and I met for a bike ride and a walk.

I know it sounds like a broken record when I say this but Trace was AGAIN amazing. I had planned a 5 mile bike with a 1-1.5 mile walk.

Well we biked 10 miles with ease then proceeded on the walk straight away. Not only did we proceed on the walk, Trace went without his walking sticks, a first out on the open road in a long time. Trace was super strong today. I think we could have made the entire CB&I course today comfortably. Oh yeah, we road 10 miles and walked 1.2 miles in 1:20 minutes. Pretty awesome.

Then we went for breakfast! This man excels at everything that is put in front of him. Was a great morning.

Nathan

WINNING

2011-03-04T06:26:00.000-06:00

I was approached by someone yesterday asking about the triathlon. They asked, rather incredulously, “You aren’t racing to win or even place are you?” I simply looked at them and said, “Of course I am.” They looked at me like I was crazy as many usually do.

The Light the Night walk for leukemia was just last fall. Trisha, Joe, Heidi, Anne, Terry and I met at Market Street in the Woodlands to start the short 2 mile walk. I would say several hundred people were there and the square was buzzing with excitement and noise. When I finished the walk, basically being carried by Heidi and Joe, the event had already closed down. Very few people were even in the square, the tents were already taken down and gone and the bands had packed up and left. I mean, you could hear crickets chirping! But there was a young man named Ross who excitedly congratulated me and another who decided to begin his weight loss journey, saying that he was inspired. I won.

Since this started, I have won. New, amazing friends. The formation of Team Inspiration Texas, a team that can only be described as huge and growing of people doing this triathlon with me. An opportunity to reach out and talk to others with challenges and give them hope and encouragement. The creation of a nonprofit organization that will continue this work for years to come. The excitement of knowing that the CB&I tri is the first of MANY events that I will complete. By doing, I win. PERIOD.

I may be acting a bit arrogant when I say this here and now but YES I DO PLAN TO WIN THE CB&I. It is my sincere hope that each of you win as well. The winner’s podium is as big as we need it to be. See you there!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

TEAM INSPIRATION TEXAS!!!

2011-02-28T11:34:00.003-06:00

It is official! Team Inspiration Texas, a nonprofit organization, now has a website. Thanks to all that made this happen! The website is www.teaminspirationtexas.org. The picture on the top of our website is of our new logo. Team Inspiration Texas has already done some powerful things and will do so for many years to come. This blog will remain with the hope that it is inspirational and the website will be more informational.

It is my hope that this amazing group of people can continue to motivate folks like it has motivated me. Thanks to you all for your encouragement and support. I would not be where I am without each of you!

A short progress report – MY SWIMMING, BIKING AND WALKING JUST GET STRONGER AND STRONGER!!!!!!!! I will be ready for May 7th!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Managing Crisis

2011-02-22T10:55:00.001-06:00

I had the privilege to attend a Men’s Retreat over the weekend and there were a couple of things that stood out in my mind and I wanted to share them with Trace and then I realized that there isn’t anything that Trace and I share that we would not also offer to others in hope that it would be beneficial to them a well.

The theme at the retreat was about “Crisis”. Sound Familiar? Fact is we are all either in crisis, just getting out of crisis or about to head into the next crisis. Not the most encouraging news but there is opportunity in each situation. Most of us have a calendar filled with planned events and its probably safe to say that none of those events are scheduled to be a crisis. Life is full of unforeseen events which put us in crisis. The hardest part of a crisis is learning how it provides us with the ability to grow. We still get to choose how and to what degree we grow from that experience but it always has the potential to make us better. I could give a number of examples from the retreat or from my own life but I am sure that anyone that reads this can fill in a crisis from their life which was not planned, extremely difficult, and left absolutely no desire to ever go there again. Yet at the same time, it is those events that make us who we are. Hopefully stronger, wiser, more caring and with a better sense of direction to name a few.

There was an interesting comment made to me that I do not want to get misinterpreted but feel there is actually great comfort in it as well. The comment was that “You can’t die until your work is done”. God clearly has a plan for each of our lives and we need to focus on fulfilling our greater purpose. While it is comforting at the same time that it is unnerving, God does not waste a crisis in our lives and he will always take care of us. Now we can all think of examples of where we think a life was called before its time and someday we can get all the answers but the greatest comfort is that we all have a purpose….each and every day!

I recall thinking last year that riding 180 miles on my bike over the weekend in the MS 150 was going to be a waste of time but it provided me with one of the greatest opportunities of my life and that is the involvement with people who have MS and those that support people with MS. I would have never got there on my own and although riding is not a crisis it shows me that I don’t always have to have all the answers but I do need to be available and willing to work within a far greater plan.

Trace and I feel the same way. The formation of Team Inspiration Texas and the impact it has had on us and others is far far greater than anything else we have accomplished. We also know that is cannot happen alone or in isolation. By coming together on this journey called life which is bound to be filled with more unscheduled moments or times of crisis, we can make a difference in the lives of others but it more importantly enables us to handle the greater transformation within ourselves.

Journey along with us and those around you. Always remember you have a significant purpose so make sure your are working it every day.

Jim

JARVIS’ SUNDAY RIDE

2011-02-13T15:49:00.001-06:00

Nathan and I did not walk this morning and I really missed that time. Instead, I was invited by my triathlon coach, Michelle, to go on a bike ride with the big dogs of her team, OutRival Racing. The routes ranged from 24 miles to 80 miles. Although very tempted to ride 80 miles, I wisely chose the 24 mile trip. I told Michelle that the only way that I would ride was if the rest of the team did not wait for me or give me any special attention and just let me go at my own pace. They did and I rode 24 miles with an elevation gain of about 300 feet. An elevation gain of a foot gave me a great deal of trouble a short time ago. Not today! It was a glorious day for a ride.

When we got back, I told Ana that when I started riding just a few months ago I would go 2 or 3 miles and that was all that I could tolerate. The first time I rode, I could not get off of my bike. In fact, my neighbors were walking by and noticed my obvious predicament and helped pull my bike out from under me. After that, I would stagger in the house and immediately go to the floor. Often, I would have to drag myself around the house on my butt for 2 or 3 hours until my legs came back.

I tell you this to show you that if you try just a little everyday (remember baby steps) and be patient with your progress, eventually it will pay off. I hit a payday today by being able to enjoy an amazing day on a road that I may never have seen or traveled. I can’t wait to see where I can go next but will patiently wait for that joy.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

TEAM INSPIRATION SOCIAL

2011-02-11T06:56:00.003-06:00

Some of the now over 50 members of Team Inspiration registered to do the CB&I triathlon with me met for our first social last night. The picture above is of the folks participating in the triathlon as part of Team Inspiration who were able to attend. It was a truly awesome night. I was reminded of the incredible power that this group generates. I was also reminded that sadness, illness and despair are less conditions than they are decisions to see yourself less than you really are. These amazing people remind me everyday to see myself as I really am, to celebrate my life and health and to, as Jim recently shared, “be who I was born to be.”

I will be 48 next week. Last year my birthday present to myself was going to be to make my house more “handicap friendly.” Fortunately, I did not waste my money. This year, my birthday present to myself is triathlon equipment! I like this year’s present SO MUCH MORE!

Give yourself the gifts you deserve – positivity, health, and happiness. It’s party time!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

HERE IS GREAT HOPE FOR OUR FUTURE, PROGRESS REPORT AND IMPORTANT LESSON

2011-02-06T09:22:00.003-06:00

I need to brag on the young men and women of Team Inspiration. They have always amazed me but this weekend it became very clear to me what exceptional youth surround me and gave me great hope for our future. I know many adults that do not show the kind of maturity and compassion that these fine young people do. Heidi (who is tiny) practically carried me through the finish line at the Light the Night walk and always rides very close to me on our Saturday morning bike rides so that she can keep an eagle’s eye on me. Paco (the young man in the football photo proudly displaying his Team Inspiration wristband) called me from Colorado Friday to say that he was so sorry that he would not make spin class yesterday. I forgave him as he was in Colorado signing to play football for Air Force! (Congratulations Paco.) Reid just joined our group and has an incredible work ethic even noticed by our spin instructor yesterday. Tyler had a major knee injury September 2, 2010, which ended his Senior Year football season as quarterback, requiring him to undergo a total knee reconstruction. He texted me excitedly one day from his doctor’s office not to tell me that he would be playing football any time soon, but to let me know that his doctor had cleared him to do the triathlon with me. Thomas and James used to sit with me at home to make sure that I was okay, do chores around my house, grocery shop or do anything else that needed to be done so that I would not overdo things. They have been like sons to me. They are now sharing in the happiness of my health. And then there is Brandon. Brandon in the last couple of weeks, through shear excitement, has raised a great deal of money for our nonprofit. He has gotten friends like Patrick to join our team and to train with us. Yesterday in the middle of spin class, he turned around and told someone “Yeah. He has MS.” I do not know who he was talking to as I was busy at that point keeping my bike at 100 rpm and trying not to fall off! These young men and women have done so much for me and have encouraged and supported me and shown me compassion that is uncommon in adults, much less folks of their age. Their parents must be extremely proud of them. I sure am.

My progress has been astounding. My swimming, biking and walking are improving at an exponential rate. Sometimes, I cannot believe it myself. Fortunately, I do get occasional reminders not to get over confident or let my ego control. For example, yesterday 5 of my super jocks and two other team members went to spin class with me. I really don’t know why, but my mission was to do back to back spin classes. Maybe just to say "Because I can". Two and a half hours on a spin bike. Two of my super jocks did both classes with me. In retrospect, it was probably not smart on my part because I paid for it this morning on my walk. I thought that since I was getting so strong and improving so much, crushing my previous records this morning would be a piece of cake. Wrong! Nathan reminded me that, as my Handler, on race day if he tells me to sit down, I had better not argue with him. He has become VERY proficient at reading my face and body language and knowing what I need, even when I do not.

The lesson I was reminded of is one that I have said so many times on here. Be smart and do not overdo things. I was not discouraged this morning but disappointed in myself for not being intelligent. DO make the effort but DO NOT be stupid about it. Pace yourself, listen to your body and DO NOT OVERDO!!!!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

NOT JUST SITTING AROUND ANYMORE

2011-01-28T05:45:00.003-06:00

I was reminded last night of how truly mind boggling the last 9 months have been. HOLY COW! It has ONLY been 9 months! To be completely honest with you, last April, I was just sitting around waiting to die. I was tired of having MS. Tired of the pain. Scared to death of going to the mall to shop for Christmas presents because I dreaded not finding a handicapped parking place. I hated that the word handicapped was associated with me. (I never park in handicapped spaces anymore!) My goal was to be able to function long enough to see my sons get through college. WHAT A PATHETIC GOAL AND HOW LIMITING!

Then, my heroes were put in my life and my goals changed. At first, my goal changed only for me. I would get healthier. Then Team Inspiration was formed as one by one people began supporting and encouraging me. They told me that if I could do a triathlon, then so could they and that they would do it WITH me. High school students, doctors, lawyers, engineers and a myriad of others. Folks of all ages and backgrounds, now numbering over 50, registered to do the CB&I with me. With each person, my strength and I think theirs grew. It is amazing when a high school super jock calls and wants to train with you. It is amazing when they wear their team t-shirts to school and pass out hundreds of Team Inspiration wristbands. It is amazing to see how excited they are to be a part of this. The power of this amazing group of people has exploded and now reaches out and touches so many. I am so thrilled that a goal simply for me has become one to help many. We get a steady stream of emails and thanks from those who this blog has touched.

This started with a baby step, and not a very strong one at that. It grew through the power of positive thinking and Faith. It grew with an attitude of I CAN.

It does not matter if your first baby step is a weak one. Mine certainly was. JUST TAKE IT. PLEASE! Know that Team Inspiration is here for YOU. Let us know how we can encourage you to take that step. Let us celebrate with you when you take it and encourage you to take another one. Our strength grows exponentially every time we hear that our message helps someone. Oh. And make your goals POSITIVE!!! When I did, my life changed!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Success

2011-01-24T16:05:00.002-06:00

I came across an interesting quote by basketball hall of fame player Michael Jordan..."I've missed more than 9,000 shots in my career. I've lost almost 300 games. 26 times I was trusted to take the game-winning shot and missed. I've failed over and over again in my life. And that is why I succeed." I highly doubt anyone would ever call Michael Jordan a failure and the point is not that he thinks he is a failure but that he recognizes that there will be many failures or set backs in life. How we handle them is what shapes who we are and what we accomplish in the life we are given.

I also attended a funeral over the weekend for a 9 year old girl that lived her life with Cerebral Palsy. So much grief tied to a parent having to let go of a child. She was not ever able to run and jump or even try to shoot a basketball. She knew what it was to live life with constant failures yet she had every bit as much of an impact on people that she encountered as a MVP. Simply an amazing story yet far too brief. In this time of grief there were incredibly wise words shared by a number of people and a line from the program that resonated within me. And as I allowed it to sink in I realized that this is a message that Team Inspiration carries and a good reminder for us all....."I am who I was born to be".

Chances are you may not be able to do everything that you want to do or accomplish all that you envision. If you learn to live your life knowing and using your gifts and talents then even though you encounter failures which we all will, you will know that you are who you were born to be. That my friend is as close to perfection as we can get.

WHAT IF…..

2011-01-20T09:51:00.002-06:00

What if I get an illness or disease that dictates what I can and can’t (there’s that word I hate again) do? What if I am not qualified enough to get that promotion? What if I am not strong enough to finish a triathlon?

I have wasted so much time questioning myself with “what ifs”. Really, they only limit us and do so on a daily basis. They prevent us from achieving our dreams and goals. We do not know how much time we are Blessed to be on this earth so shouldn’t we cherish every moment? I am not suggesting that we should not grieve or feel badly when we think that “bad” things happen to us. (Remember the farmer in Zen Shorts?) Shouldn’t we make our lives something that can inspire others to be the best they can be, even in the face of adversity? It has taken me almost 48 years to learn something. Do not regret yesterday. Do not over plan tomorrow. If you do, you might miss the joy that is TODAY. Experience TODAY. Enjoy TODAY. Make TODAY your best day ever. Make TODAY something that you are proud to share with others. LIVE TODAY and experience the euphoria that it is. The attitude may surprise you with how you confront and ultimately conquer your challenges.

To the person who inspired this: Stay strong and have Faith. I love you very much, as do many.

To everyone:

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

PROGRESS REPORT AND REMINDER ABOUT BABY STEPS

2011-01-10T07:20:00.000-06:00

I wanted to give you a progress report but first I want to remind you about the importance of taking baby steps.

I do not want those of you who are following this blog to think for a nanosecond that I was able to do a even a FRACTION of what I am doing today when I started this last May. If you read this from the beginning, you will see the progression. As Nathan pointed out last week, I had to work up to taking a break at 1.55 miles. When he and I started walking, I could barely make a half-mile (or less) before I had to stop. And riding my bike KILLED me, even for a short distance. Importantly, even minimal physical exertion frequently caused me to have to rest for the remainder of the day or longer. I am just a weak man made strong by the support of AMAZING people. They have helped me to get where I am. And we have done it by taking baby steps and learning to be patient. I encourage you to go back and read this from the beginning so that you may see what I have learned.

Now for a progress report!

Saturday, Pete and Heather and I went for our weekly bike ride. I rode 15.25 miles WITHOUT TAKING A BREAK EXCEPT FOR SHORT WATER BREAKS AND WITHOUT GETTING OFF OF MY BIKE! When we got back to Villa, Heather insisted that she stand next to me as I got off of my bike. (I have gained MANY mothers and fathers in this process!) Perhaps that was because in the past, getting off of my bike usually consisted of me falling to the ground where I had to remain until I could stand. Even then, my walking was pathetic. Not Saturday! Heather says that I swung my leg up and over the bike like a pro. Better yet, I was able to stand straight and strong and even walked for some time! Could I have done any of that last May? NO WAY! And I tirelessly ran errands the rest of the day!

As you saw in yesterday’s blog, my walk with Nathan was a stormy one! But despite the temperature and driving rain, I was still able to beat my previous time for the 5K!

Make a start! Take baby steps, surround yourself with amazing and positive people who tell you that you CAN, and (to steal the Nike slogan) JUST DO IT!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Sunday's Super Star

2011-01-09T07:52:00.002-06:00

People,

For those of you not in the Houston area, it is 39 degrees and raining pretty hard.

Did that stop Trace and I from doing our walk this morning...NO!

I must say the conditions were pretty miserable but the experience will always be a great , why?
Well other than that Trace and I were soaked, shoes, pants, jackets, gloves, etc. Trace just went out and set another personal best for the 3.1 mile course. Last week was the first week we walked the course without breaks and completed it in 1:17 and change. This week in the cold blowing rain, 1:13 and change.

I am telling you, this guy is a super star. But we all pretty much know that.

Nathan

NO BOUNDARIES

2011-01-03T10:13:00.002-06:00

Life is so strange and wonderful sometimes. Yesterday, after Nathan and I walked, the song sung by Kris Allen came on my radio in the car as I was driving home. For those of you that want to know how long it has been since I was able to walk over three miles without a break, it has been over 15 years. The lyrics follow:

Seconds, hours, so many days
You know what you want but how long can you wait?
Every moment lasts forever
When you feel you lost your way

And what if my chances were already gone?
Started believing that I could be wrong
But you give me one good reason
To fight and never walk away

So here I am still holding on!

With every step you climb another mountain
Every breath it's harder to believe
You make it through the pain, weather the hurricanes
To get to that one thing

Just when you think the road is going nowhere
Just when you almost gave up on your dreams
They take you by the hand and show you that you can
There are no boundaries!
There are no boundaries!

I fought to the limit to stand on the edge
What if today is as good it gets?
Don't know where the future's headed
But nothing's gonna bring me down

I've jumped every bridge and I've run every line
I've risked being safe but I always knew why
I always knew why!

So here I am still holding on!

You can go higher, you can go deeper
There are no boundaries above and beneath you
Break every rule 'cause there's nothing between you and your dreams

Those of you who attend the Team Inspiration victory celebration after the triathlon May 7th will hear this song. That is all that I am saying!

It’s a new year. Make it one with NO BOUNDARIES!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Trace Sherer's Major Accomplishment

2011-01-02T12:33:00.002-06:00

Folks,

Trace Sherer walked 3.1 miles today without a break. I will let Trace tell everyone how long it has been since he has accomplished such a fete. As a measure, Trace had never walked more than about 1.55 miles without a break before today. Trace's prior best time for the CB&I 3.1 mile course was 1:28 minutes. Today, Trace finished in 1:17 and change.

It was an extraordinary morning. Not only did Trace surpass every previous mile stone, I think he did something today that he never thought he would do again. I am constantly amazed by this man.

More than a great job Trace.

Nathan

THE BEST NEW YEAR EVER!

2011-01-01T00:25:00.002-06:00

Well folks -

IT'S OFFICIAL! At 12:00 am I registered for the 2011 CB&I triathlon! This is going to happen! I am so excited! And I have already gotten emails from members of Team Inspiration telling me that they have already registered! HOW COOL IS THIS!!!!

Thanks to you all for making my life AMAZING!

Have an AWESOME New Year!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

MERRY CHRISTMAS

2010-12-25T05:03:00.000-06:00

I hope that each of you has a joyous and Blessed Christmas. Remember – having an amazing life starts with your decision to take that journey. Make that decision today. You will NOT regret it. Have an AWESOME trip! Thanks to all who are traveling with me.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

ZEN SHORTS

2010-12-22T15:30:00.002-06:00

I am reminded daily of the amazing people that surround me. My dear friend, Michael Watson, and I exchanged Christmas presents today. He gave me a children’s book called Zen Shorts by Jon J Muth. He said that as he was reading it to his kids (3 and 6) the other night, he thought about me.

In the book, there is a story about a farmer. “Bad” things happen to him. His neighbors exclaim “Such bad luck!”. The farmer replies “Maybe”. In close time, something related and “good” happens to the farmer. The neighbors exclaim “Such good luck!” The farmer replies … “Maybe”.

I have MS. Most would say “Such bad luck.” Until April of this year I would have shouted what the farmer’s neighbors said to anyone that would listen, proclaiming to the world “Such bad luck!” Most everyone around me, pitying me, said “Such bad luck.” Since April of this year, my response has evolved. It went from “Such bad luck” to “Maybe” to what it is now. “I DON’T THINK SO.”

If I did not have MS, I would not have the friends I now have, the purpose in life I now have, or the attitude about life that I now have. Life is indeed what you make it. Make yours AMAZING.

Thank you Michael.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

SATURDAY, MAY 7, 2011- IT’S ON!!!

2010-12-20T09:14:00.001-06:00

The date for the CB&I triathlon has been set! WOW! This is really going to happen! It will be Saturday, May 7, 2011, beginning at 7 am. The staging area will be at Northshore Park in the Woodlands. Registration will open January 1, 2011. What a great New Year’s resolution! I am so pleased to have so many folks supporting me in this challenge. Have an AWESOME Christmas! With the way my year is going it certainly will be for me!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

JUST IN TIME FOR YOUR HOLIDAY GIFT GIVING!

2010-12-05T08:05:00.000-06:00

Since we started talking, we have talked about the benefits of so many things. We have discovered how my cooling vest does amazing things to keep my core cool in the heat. We have talked about the wonderful job that Jason at Nutrition Central does getting me on the right kind of supplements for what my body needs. We have learned about the constant chastising … I mean lecturing … I mean sage advice I get from Nathan, Jim, Trisha and Michelle regarding the importance of rest and proper nutrition, which, by the way, has FINALLY sunk in. (Apparently, I AM as stupid as I look.)

Two pieces to the puzzle have THANKFULLY been added recently.

In addition to the WONDERFUL box of chocolates that Jim gave me for Christmas (which were devoured far too quickly), he also gave me a Power Balance wristband. These are the bands that you see worn frequently by athletes. They improve your balance (a MAJOR issue for me), strength and flexibility. HOLY COW. IMMEDIATELY, all of these things markedly improved. Perhaps the most shocking to me is that I was able to stand on one leg, JARVIS, and balance and have someone try to push my outstretched arm down and throw me off balance. Previously, you could blow on my arm and knock me off balance. Not anymore! THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Jim! I have done Stupid Trace tricks since Jim gave me the band to everyone’s shock and amazement. If balance, strength or flexibility are a challenge, look into this. I don’t have a clue how it works but it does! In fact, my balance helped me ROCK my bike ride yesterday (17.9 miles) after swimming a third of a mile then ROCK my walk this morning with Nathan, breaking my previous record.

Also, I have been doing the full CB&I 5K for several weeks now during my Sundays with Jarvis. As Nathan pointed out a few weeks ago, the first time that I was able to complete the whole course was right after I began seeing Dr. Scott Oliphant at Village Chiropractic. I was extremely impressed with Dr. Oliphant because he took great pains in learning about my challenges before he ever touched me through a battery of tests, x-rays and the like. He also talked to Trisha (or as he calls her “The Mothership”) before giving me any exercises. As Nathan has pointed out, whatever he has done has made my brain be able to communicate better with my body such that Jarvis is really not an issue. Okay. That will be the last time I refer to him by name. From henceforth, he shall be known as Dr. Doogie and his partner, Dr. Andy Thomas, as Dr. Howser because they are disgustingly young. They, along with Misty in their office, are also now on Team Inspiration and will be doing the triathlon with us!!!!! If you try a chiropractor, make sure they are as thorough and cautious as Drs. Doogie and Howser!

I hope that if you try these things they work for you as well as they have worked for me!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

KIMI - IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT ME! (THIS ONCE)

2010-12-03T11:33:00.001-06:00

My beautiful sister, Kimi, and I often tease each other about how “It’s all about me.” Yesterday a friend told me that a dear friend of hers has MS and that she tries to get him to look at how my life has changed in a short period of time by reading our blog. The response is that his MS does different things to him than mine does to me. I thought about that last night. I hope that this blog has not turned into “It’s all about me.” It isn’t. I am just a weak man made strong by amazing people and by a desire to not be defined or limited by MS. To steal a thought from Jim’s recent blog, I plan to stick my finger in every chocolate in the box until I find the one that I want. I plan to create the kind of life that I want. Yes. I am slow. It has only taken me 47 years to figure that out.

It is my strong hope that readers to our blog learn several things. First, patience is required in order to beat any challenge. If I woke up and decided that I was going to do this triathlon the following week, I would certainly be setting myself up for failure and major disappointment. That is why we have talked about baby steps so much. Gradual improvements every day will eventually allow you to better yourself.

Also, of paramount importance to all of this is to create an environment of positivity in your life. Surround yourself with positive people. Get rid of everything negative in your life or find a way to deal with the negative in a positive manner. Create a positive outlook on your life and that attitude in and of itself will make you healthier. It will remove impediments to your health that stand in your way and allow you to create an amazing life. You will find that GRADUALLY your health will improve. Be patient and watch. You WILL shock yourself. There is a side benefit to all of this. By doing it, you will improve not only your life but the lives of those around you. It is a circle. That will come back to benefit you! Try it!

Perhaps most importantly is to not allow “failure” to be a negative in your life. If I have a bad bike ride or swim or walk, I used to really let that bother me. That only impedes the results of your next effort. The fact that you try is all that it takes!!! Remember that courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying “I will try again tomorrow.” With courage, YOU WIN.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Chocolates

2010-12-01T11:03:00.002-06:00

It is that time of year when we typically over indulge and then set all kinds of resolutions to accomplish more and be a better person next year. Nothing wrong with any of that but I think in the midst of all the Christmas parties and decorating and shopping and everything else that packs our days from now until the end of the year we need to make sure we give thanks especially to those that have made a difference in our lives.

Trace and I have waited patiently for the holiday season to begin so that we could exchange gifts. We figured waiting until after Thanksgiving at least got us into the holiday season. No way either of us were going to be able to wait until Christmas. Trace as usual found an incredible way to express his heart and appreciation to me which most of the time I do not feel I deserve. Amazing what a few words from the heart can accomplish along with a picture and a certificate! Thank you again Trace!!

I on the other hand gave Trace a box of chocolates and a reminder to create Power and Balance in his life. The chocolates are a borrowed idea from Forrest Gump. For all who have seen the movie know that "Life is a box of chocolates...we just never know which one we are going to get". Trace did not get the kind of chocolate for his life that he wanted but he has turned it into such an amazing example of how to truely live the life we are given.

Find the AWESOME in your life and may your life be blessed as you bless those around you!

Jim

Don't Quit Poem

2010-11-30T17:39:00.005-06:00

When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit,
Rest, if you must, but don't you quit.

Life is queer with its twists and turns,
As every one of us sometimes learns,
And many a failure turns about,
When he might have won had he stuck it out;
Don't give up though the pace seems slow--
You may succeed with another blow.

Often the goal is nearer than,
It seems to a faint and faltering man,
Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victor's cup,
And he learned too late when the night slipped down,
How close he was to the golden crown.

Success is failure turned inside out--
The silver tint of the clouds of doubt,
And you never can tell how close you are,
It may be near when it seems so far,
So stick to the fight when you're hardest hit--
It's when things seem worst that you must not quit.

I'm sure alot of you have read this before, but just thought I'd post it for those of you (including me) who haven't come across it until today. Good stuff....

GIVE THANKS

2010-11-24T18:26:00.001-06:00

I love this time of year. I am especially enjoying it this year. I give thanks every day for the amazing things that have happened to me this year which make it an extra special season this go around. I am thankful for my new heroes - Nathan Beedle, Trisha Bicknell and Jim Harrington and for countless new friends, for Team Inspiration and for my improving health. I am thankful that what started as a simple challenge to me has become something much bigger than anyone could have imagined and something that is helping many others.

Whatever your situation, give thanks. If your life is going amazingly well and challenge free, GIVE ABUNDANT THANKS. If you are challenged, give thanks because those challenges make you stronger and a better person if handled with dignity and hope. If things seem very dark right now, find SOMETHING to be thankful for. Like we have talked about in so many aspects of life, see how that grows. You will be amazed.

I also give thanks that I can prattle on and on here and apparently folks read this. I give thanks for you!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING. Enjoy the holiday season and make these days the best for yourself, your family and for everyone around you. Remember – positivity is contagious. Let’s start an epidemic.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Update, Sundays with Jarvis

2010-11-23T05:09:00.003-06:00

For the second time, Trace completed the CB&I 5K run course. As I recall, last week Trace completed the course in 1:49 minutes. This week, Trace finished the course in 1:36 minutes! Trace continues to amaze me but he is looking super strong these days. This result is great for several reasons. Trace took fewer breaks in much warmer conditions. In the past, this temperature change would have had a much more siginificant impact. I will say that Trace probably would have completed the course in under 1:30 but for me making him laugh the whole way.

I think Trace's new Chiropractor has done a lot to increase the neurological activity to Trace's entire body including Jarvis. This past Sunday, it was like Jarvis almost did not exist. Great job Trace.

Nathan

ex·po·nen·tial·ly

2010-11-21T14:22:00.001-06:00

adv – occurring more and more rapidly due to the amazing support and encouragement from the awesome people on Team Inspiration.

Used in a sentence: Trace’s speed at accomplishing the events of the CB&I triathlon is increasing exponentially as his recovery time decreases after doing each such activity!

Thanks guys! Wait until you read Nathan's upcoming report!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Mission 1 - SO ACCOMPLISHED/Progress Report!!!

2010-11-20T13:46:00.006-06:00

When I started this amazing adventure, my first goal was to be physically able to complete each of the lengths of each of the events of the triathlon. When I started, I could not dream of completing a fraction of the distance of any of them. It has taken me just over 6 months but I CAN DO THEM ALL AT DISTANCE NOW! I have 5 and a half months left now to improve the time for each event and combine them to be able to do them all together. I have absolutely no doubt that this will happen and happen very soon. The pictures are of this morning’s bike run which for the first time included hills. Bring it! They were no problem! Thank you again to every amazing person joining me, supporting me and encouraging me. We are having fun aren’t we?!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Yesterday with Trace

2010-11-15T05:20:00.004-06:00

Folks,

Yesterday Trace and I set out from Northshore Park, the site of the CB&I Triathlon transition area, at 5:45 a.m. My intention was to have a great performance like last week, 2.68 miles in about 1:29. Instead, we did 3.2 miles in 1:49 minutes, awesome performance!

For the first time, we completed the full run course of the CB&I Triathlon and knocked it out of the park. Trace kicked more than a little booty. Please congratulate the super star when you see him.

For those of you following Trace's Sunday walks, we have gone from about 2 miles to over 3.2 miles in less than a month. Trace is a star but we all know that. Good job buddy.

Nathan

SOME EARLY HOLIDAY CHEER

2010-11-11T12:51:00.003-06:00

I told Nathan, Jim, Trisha and Lynn that I wanted to send a card out to the world celebrating the upcoming season. I told them that I wanted it to express the incredible joy that the events of this year have given me. I also wanted to share the talents these amazing people have with each of you. Things I see every day. So this is what I came up with! (Turn the volume on your computer on and maximize the size of the movie!)

HAPPY (UPCOMING) HOLIDAYS, good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

P.S. I know this is early but I could not resist. Life is good!

Sundays with Jarvis Update

2010-11-07T15:22:00.005-06:00

Folks,

Trace and I extended our walk this morning to 2.68 miles of the CB&I Triathlon's 3.1 mile course. Trace was awesome. He sustained a better pace over a longer distance than he ever has. Here is the walk data:

Distance: 2.68 miles
Time 1:27:01
Avg Pace: 30 min mile
Avg moving pace: 20:06 min/mile

I am constantly tweaking the amount of rest Trace gets during these walks. We continue to learn that there are many variables to account for. Today we did pretty darn good. Everyone congratulate the warrior who finally appears to be listening to his many supporters constantly instructing him to not over do it.

Awesome job Trace, was a great morning.

Nathan

PROGRESS REPORT! (IT'S GOOD!)

2010-11-01T12:56:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to give you a quick progress report. Things have been crazy busy. What a difference a week makes! My bike run Saturday was 10 miles and was awesome. Thanks Pete for setting my seat height. It is amazing how much more power you get when you can use your entire leg! I then kayaked 3 to 4 hours. Sundays with Jarvis was great as well. While I did not break my prior record, I thought it was my most consistent and strongest walk yet. This weekend some of Team Inspiration will be doing the Novemberfest Bike Race in San Felipe, Texas. There are courses of various lengths. I will be doing 23 miles! Should be an AWESOME weekend! Good luck Jim on your half Iron Man!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best.

-Trace

SETTING A GOOD EXAMPLE

2010-10-28T11:44:00.006-05:00

Jim, Nathan and Trisha have taught me so much. They have taught me about the dangers of ego. They have taught me about the importance of nutrition, supplements and eating right. They have beaten into my head that I MUST rest. And this morning Jim taught me about the importance of setting a good example. We teach our children how important that is and it is so easily lost when we get older and our egos kick in.

Last weekend’s ride and the Light the Night Walk were not great for me. Trisha told me during the walk that she has never seen me sweat so much. I thought that maybe I just had a couple of bad days. I was completely oblivious to the fact that the weekend was hot AND humid, two combinations that I do not do well in. Jim asked me this morning whether I wore my cooling vest. I did not. As my sons say: DUH!

Jim reminded me that I have to THINK about my training. I have to THINK about my nutrition. THINK about my rest. THINK about everything about what an athlete does to train for an event.

But he also reminded me of something that is so much more important than my training for this event for me. He reminded me that folks are watching. Folks are using our journey as an example. Whether you have a struggle or not, if you saw me finish Sunday’s walk, he asked whether THAT would inspire someone to get off a couch or try to beat an illness. If I am being honest with myself, it would not because it did not look easy or comfortable. Jim told me that sometimes, as much as it might pain me, I might have to sit something out and cheer on those who are doing the event for Team Inspiration. That is, of course, IF, AND ONLY IF, I have done everything intelligently (rest, nutrition, minimize the effect of the heat, etc., etc., etc.) and really should not participate myself. That does not mean that I CAN’T (I hate that word) do something. It simply means that I should not do it at THAT time. I have a responsibility to set a good example whether it is in my training or in being smart enough to cheer Team Inspiration on. Thank you Jim, Nathan and Trisha for sharing your wisdom with me and now many others.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

ADDENDUM: The good thing about having so many folks supporting me is that I get feedback very quickly. PLEASE DO NOT THINK FOR A MOMENT THAT I INTEND TO SIT ON THE SIDELINES AND CHEER RATHER THAN DO. The purpose of this post was to acknowledge that I need to be INTELLIGENT about my training, forgive myself when I have a bad day, SET A GOOD EXAMPLE, and .... YES! MIND MY HEROES!!!!!!!!!!!!!

ADDENDUM 2!:

WOW! I apparently very poorly set out my message today. Thank you Anne who walked with me Sunday and who emailed me:

Hey, Trace, I just read your blog ….

May I remind you of …

Ross, the young man who, at the end of the race came over to you, shook your hand, and said, “Wow, man, that was so inspirational” ….

… And the crowd control man, who as we were leaving Market Street with the crowd turned to you and said, “All the best, man – next time you see me I am going to be 40 pounds lighter. Seeing how hard you work will never let me complain and sit on the couch again!”

… And the families who as they walked by asked your name and began clapping and cheering you on ….

Don’t forget about those ….

Take care,

Anne

YOU’LL NEVER WALK ALONE

2010-10-25T08:52:00.002-05:00

I was vividly reminded of the power and compassion of Team Inspiration this weekend. What an amazing group of people are supporting me. Several of our team members joined me for a bike ride Saturday and then several for the Leukemia Light the Night Walk last night. To be kind to myself, both performances were less than stellar. I told the group Saturday to go on and finish the ride at their own pace. They refused. I apologized profusely to my friends both Saturday and Sunday that I was slowing them down and they all told me to stop. They reminded me that we are a Team and that they support me no matter what. I was reminded of the song “You’ll Never Walk Alone.” Specifically of the parts that say “When you walk through a storm hold your head up high. And don’t be afraid…” “Walk on with hope in your heart. You’ll never walk alone.” I am not walking alone. In fact, besides my friends on Team Inspiration last night a group of high school ROTC folks waited behind to walk through the finish line with me. The world needs so many more people like those who have touched me. The strength this awesome group of people gives me will get me there! I thank you all so very much. I could not do it without each and every one of you.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

OWN IT FOR THE LOW, LOW PRICE OF …

2010-10-22T10:37:00.001-05:00

I have talked with so many folks lately who have told me that a friend, relative or acquaintance has MS. Today’s blog applies to those folks or anyone afflicted with any condition or situation in life that prevents them from living a happy and healthy life.

Taking charge of, or OWNING, your existence is your privilege. You can own your health. You can own your situation. You can own your happiness. The cost? Making your mind realize that you can conquer your challenges and being patient and mastering patience. I am still working on the patience part. If you believe that you can make yourself healthy or happy, then you can. But do not expect it to happen over night. Be patient. See what Blessings come your way and how they multiply exponentially!

Sundays with Jarvis has been delayed a couple of weeks. That does not mean I will be sitting idle though! Tomorrow we have a 15 mile Team Inspiration Bike Ride. There is another group doing a run. Then on Sunday, Team Inspiration will be participating in the Light the Night Walk in the Woodlands. We have many exciting things going on right now. Thanks to Jason and Nutrition Central, we have a new professionally created logo! The team is growing by leaps and bounds! We will keep you posted! For now -

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

The Coach becomes the Coached

2010-10-19T09:08:00.002-05:00

Trace and I reminded each other in several ways of this past week that we are not perfect nor do we strive for perfection. Actually we are highly flawed but yet it is through our flaws that we are typically humbled which makes us easier to be around. Furthermore we found a renewed appreciation for each other by switching roles several times and in several ways. For those of you wondering, I do occasionally listen to Trace.

In simple terms the coach becomes the coached. This is an amazing asset contained within Team Inspiration and we make it real as we reach out to each other and support one another. This is easy to do within the boundaries of triathlon training but becomes even more meaningful when we start applying to other messy areas of our lives.

Trace and I will both admit that we are good at making mistakes but we are getting a lot better at being vulnerable with each other and finding out that we can help each other not just in being a better triathlete but to live better. Don't forget to be coachable and be able to coach as well.

As a group of individuals, let's continue to bring more hope and encouragement to this world. Go make it a great day!

Jim

P.S. I'll start to pay attention to Trace's cycling speed when he goes aero....which I know he will. :)

OH WHAT A BEAUTIFUL MORNING

2010-10-16T11:15:00.003-05:00

What an AMAZING day! Pete and Heather Garbes and I scoped out Team Inspiration’s weekly bike training route for now until we decide to tackle the Tour de France! We have a 15.3 mile route picked out. For me, the important part is that I was able to complete it and did not have to hit the ground as soon as I got off of my bike, neither of which would have been in the realm of possibilities when we started this awesome adventure. Team Inspiration will start having a weekly ride and a weekly run every Saturday morning. You can do either or!!! If you are not doing the triathlon with us but are in the Woodlands, join us!!!!!! This is exactly what I keep talking about when I proudly talk about the power of positivity this Group is creating. Joining us Saturday morning will guarantee your being in a good mood all day and maybe all week!!!! (Can you tell that I had a wonderful morning?!)

Hey! Iron Man Jim! Who is that behind you catching up on the bike crazy fast?! Oh yeah. IT’S TRACE! Be afraid! Be VERY afraid!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

STRONG MUSCLES, STRONG BONES...STRONGER MIND

2010-10-12T19:47:00.002-05:00

I'm writing this article in response to Trace's recent rib injuries. Sometimes a strong mind can be a little too strong for the body and injuries can happen. It's important to know not only what you can use to prevent an injury, but how to treat an injury if one occurs. Here are a few tips off the top of my head:

PREVENTION

1) Protect your joints first...they don't repair as easily as muscles. A good joint supplement such as my favorite - BCS Labs ElastiFlex - will not only keep your joints in the best shape possible but give you the piece of mind to not always be worrying about them every time you feel the slightest knee, ankle, wrist, shoulder, or elbow pain. I prefer this specific supplement because it has the widest spectrum of ingredients that have been proven effective in clinical studies, and it is one of the few supplements that contains every ingredient in CLINICALLY EFFECTIVE DOSES. If the effective dose of something like glucosamine is 1500mg/day and a joint product that your friend (or even doctor) recommends to you only contains 200mg.....don't waste your time! Sub-clinical doses will produce sub-clinical results. FYI, other supplements that I recommend for joint health are Fish Oil (I like Scivation Essential EFA), Boswellia, and Bromelain (pineapple enzyme). A good multivitamin is essential too....connective tissue is made of many trace minerals as well as Vitamin C.

2) Get enough rest - most injuries happen when you are overtrained, meaning your central nervous system cannot keep up with the rest of your body. Sleep WELL and even take a nap after intense training if possible.

3) Eat a diet of healthy, unprocessed, natural foods (like Pure Healthy Eatery if you live in The Woodlands). If it didn't come out of the ground, or tree, or out of the animal looking the way you see it.....don't eat it! Processed food is cheating our body of nutrients that it would otherwise get in unprocessed foods. ALSO minimize refined sugar.....not just because its processed, but because sugar releases insulin and constant high insulin levels causes Glycation, which in layman's terms is the hardening of flexible tissue due to sugar....flexible tissue includes ligaments, tendons, cartiledge, but also veins and arteries. Certain B-vitamins help reduce glycation, but minimizing your sugar intake is the best route.

TREATING INJURIES

1) Diagnose the injury - joint, bone and muscle injuries should all be treated differently. For joint injuries refer to PREVENTION step #1.....it's more important now than ever. For bone injuries (such as Trace's ribs) I sold Trace a bottle of NOW Foods Bone Strength which is a multimineral and gives you additional minerals in highly bioabsorbable forms above what is already present in your multivitamin. For muscle injuries, since muscles are made of protein and amino acids you want to make sure you take in extra amounts of them to repair faster.

2) Ice or Heat or Advil - For muscle injuries you want to ICE for the first 24 hours, HEAT for the next 24 hours. ICE reduces swelling naturally while heat relaxes the muscle. If you put heat on too soon it can exacerbate the swelling. For joint and bone injuries NO HEAT only ICE (bones and joints can't relax like muscles). Ibuprofen (Advil) works great, much better than Tylenol for reducing inflamation.....but the body has a natural inflammatory response that precedes the repair process and I wouldn't interupt that immediately when an injury occurs. If you can wait 6 or 12 hours to take Advil then I would, unless the injury is severe.

3) Don't let it bring you down! Injuries happen to everyone (even Super Trace) and this is where a strong mind comes in. Keep your eye on the goal. The human body is a wonderfully complex and adaptive machine and you can't let a little setback discourage you. As they say in the song below....."Don't drop your arms"!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XPOZifPfUsU

HAPPY TO BE TOLD “I TOLD YOU SO”

2010-10-10T07:35:00.002-05:00

This week I am thrilled to report to the world that I was wrong! I have learned my lesson about the importance of rest and off days. During my 2 mile walk with Nathan this morning I CUT 6 MINUTES OFF OF MY RECORD TIME! I did the entire walk in 46 minutes 52 seconds. We took NO breaks. Nathan and Jim have been advising me to rest when I need to and I have finally learned. Thanks guys!

Also, I am starting to feel like Scooby Doo. Nathan brought another mystery guest this morning on the walk. Thanks for joining us Cory! It was a blast. Now if you and Nathan will stop making me laugh, I can REALLY improve my time.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

WE ARE NOT A PATIENT PEOPLE

2010-10-06T11:59:00.001-05:00

Nathan and Jim have FINALLY gotten through my thick skull on a very important point. Bear with me.

Mom went into the hospital many months ago to have a cancerous spot on her arm cut out. In the course of that surgery, an issue with her heart was discovered and she ended up with a double bypass, following which numerous complications and issues kept her from her active life. She is 78 years old. We finally took her home about a week ago. She lives alone and was trying to do too much and fell, causing her to get 5 staples in her head. (Nathan observed “how Sherer-like.” Jim concurred.) She was upset that she was not able to multitask immediately upon her return home. She and I have kept referring recently to the fact that WE ARE NOT A PATIENT PEOPLE. We MUST learn to be.

Nathan keeps admonishing me to stop overdoing things and to rest. His instructions are getting more and more….let’s say blunt. Yesterday morning Trisha started me on something she called “Trace’s Boot Camp.” It includes rapid sets of jumping, side to side squats and pushups. Lather. Rinse. Repeat. I was VERY pleased with how I did. So last night I decided to go to a spin class and work on some one legged drills Jim gave me. I did GREAT until about half way through the class and Jarvis just decided that he had had enough for the day and checked out. Jim was standing outside when I was done and noticed I was obviously not happy. He helped set my bike properly for next time and gave me a lot of encouragement.

He was not so delicate with me this morning. After my workout, when I went in the locker room, he talked about his great and easy swim this morning. He then asked if because he felt so good about it whether he should go upstairs and run a billion miles or find some other way to over do it. OKAY. OKAY BOYS. I FINALLY GET IT. I can stop when I KNOW that I have worked hard and be satisfied with my accomplishment. Success does not mean I reduce myself to a quivering mass of worthless lawyer. (Yes. I know Jim that the worthless lawyer part will still be there.) Here we go again boys and girls. Baby Steps. Rest. Now let’s add be happy with your progress and BE PATIENT. I know that we have said to be patient before but maybe if I keep saying it I will follow my own advice. Mom. Kimi. WE MUST BECOME A PATIENT PEOPLE.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Sundays with Jarvis Update 10/2/2010

2010-10-04T12:31:00.002-05:00

Folks,

Trace has had mostly solid weeks and is now moving, again, into the personal record zone for our two mile CB&I Triathlon run course. Trace capped last Sunday with a new record time.

Here are the last twelve weeks.

10/2/2010 52.40
9/26/2010 54.01
9/19/2010 ~1:29
9/12/2010 1:02.12
9/5/2010 1:03:36
8/29/2010 1:11:34
8/22/2010 1:14:52
8/15/2010 ~1:06
8/8/2010 53:48
8/1/2010 ~57 minutes
7/25/2010 ~1:07
7/18/2010 ~1:20

The White Chocolate Smoothie (Trace Sherer) was moving with some new equipment last week end, my cross-country ski poles. The ski poles added stability that clearly made a huge impact as Trace, as usual, ignored my instructions to take and easy Saturday. Instead of taking it easy, he swam a long way and road his bike for 15 miles. In the past, he would have been drained and probably not set a new personal record. But yesterday was different. Just wait till the ski poles are cut to the perfect length!

Great Job Trace.

Better with Age

2010-09-30T17:05:00.001-05:00

“Better with age”... how many of us would truly use those words to describe any aspect of our lives? Reality is that it should be something we can all use to accurately describe ourselves. This does not just pertain to physical activities but my last triathlon race did enlighten me somewhat. I finished the race a year older and 28 seconds faster than last year. What I realized is that we are taught that age can be used as an excuse for our shortcomings in just about anything. If we truly want to live our lives to our full potential then we just cannot buy into that philosophy.

Do yourself a favor. Pick out a particular measurable item in your life and go to work on it. Work hard and it will get better!! Doesn’t matter what it is or who you are! Then share your results because you will have grown your understanding of what Team Inspiration is all about.

Jim

WHAT TEAM INSPIRATION REALLY IS

2010-09-27T10:36:00.002-05:00

Last week when Nathan, Trisha, Jim and I spoke to the neurological patients, more of the bigger picture of this wild adventure became clear to me. At the beginning of our talk, I asked the group how many members of Team Inspiration were present. The people doing the triathlon with us all raised their hands. I told the group that that was a trick question. At the end of our talk, I told the group that Team Inspiration is not a group of people doing a triathlon together. It is a group of people with challenges fighting to beat those struggles who inspire those without challenges to better their lives. It is also a group of people without challenges who work to inspire those with them to fight them, making their lives better.

I got to thinking this weekend about how this all has come to be. I went back to a letter I wrote Nathan, Trisha and Jim in May when I gave them a metal inscribed with the Emerson quote that is on the top of this blog. In that letter, I used words like inspire, positive, strength and hope. When folks started saying that they wanted to do the triathlon with me, our superjocks wanted a team logo. The symbols they included were for strength, health, friendship and hope. It is mind boggling how everyone involved with us frequently uses these powerful words. I think that is why Team Inspiration has made such a huge impact and impression.

One of our superjocks, Paco Solano, is a senior in High School. He has received a full scholarship to play football for Airforce starting next year. (WAY TO GO PACO!). Yesterday, he came in my house and was so excited to tell me that his picture playing in last week’s football game appeared on the front page of the local paper. (The above picture!) I told him that that was great and that I was so very proud of him. He immediately informed me that he did not tell me about the picture for that purpose. He told me that he was excited about the picture because his Team Inspiration wristband showed very clearly in the picture. He was proud to be associated with our group and happy that our group got some recognition in his picture. Amazing that a teenager is so selfless. I was reminded of another photo someone very excitedly sent me. Iron Man Jim sent me his finish photo from his recent Iron Man in Idaho as soon as he got it. He sent it to me because the medal I gave him in May is prominently shown in the photo. He wore it for the entire Iron Man. This is the kind of good pride we have talked about. This is the kind of positive energy this amazing group of people creates. This is the kind of help, hope and strength this group creates. This is why Team Inspiration has made such a HUGE difference to me and to many, many others and will continue to do so. I am truly blessed to be associated with this team.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

THE TEAM INSPIRATION ROAD SHOW

2010-09-24T05:54:00.006-05:00

I am thrilled that last night Jim, Nathan, Trisha and I were given the opportunity to speak to a group of neurological patients and their support groups. The pictures above are of that event. My heroes shared their insight on helping people with challenges and the group was as enamored with them as I am. Thanks guys.

Team Inspiration is making a mark and helping people and I am so pleased. I never imagined that we would be doing this and it is just the start. We talked to these folks about trying, baby steps and everything we put on here. I am so proud to be associated with people like Jim, Nathan and Trisha who give up their time to help me and now others to overcome life’s obstacles. This is a perfect example of what I mean when I say to surround yourself with positive people and see what happens! We helped one lady in particular to stand without using her arms to assist her but rather only using her legs. She said she had not done that for a long long time. These folks learned one thing for sure - CAN'T NEVER DID ANYTHING. It was an amazing night.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Introducing Myself as Trace's Supplement Provider

2010-09-21T16:09:00.005-05:00

This is my first blog post (hopefully first of many) here and I thought I'd give everyone a little background first. I first met Trace a few weeks ago when he walked into my store (Nutrition Central in The Woodlands, TX) at the referral of Trisha his personal trainer. I was immediately intrigued by his story but mostly at the challenge of trying to find some supplements that would help with his muscle strength and growth. I've always said that I have a nutrition store not to make money but to get people results; profit being only a secondary side effect. I found out through conversation that Trace and I share a similar outlook on life. Not only are we both "glass half full" people but our desire to help and inspire others is what makes us tick. We talked about how so many people fall into the rut of letting little insignificant factors in their lives serve as an excuse to not try, and therefore never get to realize their goals. If I could sum up the correct attitude in one word it would be - SWOLLDIER. It's a word I use as a slogan and in various marketing for my nutrition store, but it's more than a slogan its a life philosophy.....to be a "Swoll Soldier". The "Swoll" part typically appeals to the weightlifting crowd, but really is just a reflection of making gains toward whatever your goal may be. It's about having the same mindset as a real soldier. In the same way that a real soldier knows he has a job to do, he doesn't complain or make excuses, he just does it. You imagine yourself as a soldier of whatever goal you have and you leave your excuses at the door, you just get the job done. Sometimes all it takes is just ignoring that little voice in your head (called Doubt) that tells you the pain of change is greater than the pain of staying the same. Separate your mind from your body and trust your body to set only your limits, and your mind to set only your goals.
One last thing.... TRACE - KEEP UP THE GOOD WORK SWOLLDIER!

WHEN BABY STEPS GROW UP

2010-09-21T10:49:00.003-05:00

I have talked since we started about baby steps. At some point we graduate. Kindergarten comes first. That is where I am. The run is at this point a real challenge. Last weekend’s walk was PATHETIC. But the bike and swim were fine and continue to get stronger. I am learning to listen to my coaches, trainers, handlers and friends and to not get hard on myself when I do not do well. I also remember Scarlett’s words of wisdom: “Tomorrow is another day.”

Part of growing up is accepting responsibility. And accepting ownership of our role. The people who have supported and encouraged me to get to the point where I am now have done an AMAZING job. So much so that one of Team Inspiration’s members, Eric Barna, nominated me for RunReview’s list of the 101 Most Influential Runners. I was included in this list.

http://www.runreviews.com/most-influential-runners/

by runreviews.com
I am humbled and honored by this selection. I have said it before and I will say it again. I am humbled and honored by every person who is supporting and encouraging me in this challenge. I accept responsibility and ownership of the role that you have given me. I thank you for the challenge and for your confidence in me.

TOGETHER we will ALL overcome our challenges.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

THE DIFFERENCE TEAM INSPIRATION IS MAKING

2010-09-12T08:54:00.002-05:00

Well first let me say that I cut another minute off of the walk this morning. I originally would have been upset that the improvement was so minimal, but I am finally listening to my heroes, trainers, handlers and friends. I am also listening to myself. BABY STEPS. Now every minute of improvement is a victory. My improvement is growing and my recovery time is diminishing. Both exponentially. My swimming and biking continue to get stronger and stronger. Team Inspiration gains new members regularly and the positive energy we are creating is explosive. So much so that the “fever” is spreading. Allow me to explain.

My heroes and I have been asked to speak to a group of neurological patients and their families and support groups next week. I am proud of my heroes because they have each accepted this challenge and are looking forward to it. We have a chance to encourage folks to begin taking those baby steps and to just START with the same kind of adventure that we are on. Branden has asked me to talk to the sister of a client who has just been diagnosed with MS. I am getting requests like that more and more frequently. We are really making a difference. I love that. And the fact that my health through my workouts continues to improve and that Team Inspiration is exploding just makes me try and work harder. That makes me healthier. This is all about positive energy, hope, strength, friendship and all of the things in life that make us whole and happy. As I have said before, I am SO PROUD of everyone who is on this journey. I am so proud of the fact that all of the amazing people around me are making the effort to bring others into this circle of positive energy and make their lives better too. I am proud to be associated with this group of exceptional people.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

PROGRESS REPORT – PERSONAL AND TEAM INSPIRATION!

2010-09-07T10:49:00.000-05:00

First and foremost – CONGRATUATIONS TO IRON MAN JIM. He competed in The Austin Olympic Triathlon in Austin yesterday. The race included a 1500 meter swim, a 40K bike ride and a 10K run. Jim came in 7th overall and 5th on his swim in his age group! We are VERY proud of you Jim. Can I pick my heroes or what?

While my performance is not as stellar as Jim’s, I continue to improve. My swim just keeps getting stronger and my walk is getting back to where it was some weeks ago. This Saturday morning, I rode my bike outside 12.5 miles. What was important about the ride (besides the fact that I did not crash) was that in the past after I ride, I have had trouble getting off of my bike and I usually have to sit for at least 5 minutes before I can do anything. THIS WEEK NOT ONLY WAS GETTING OFF OF THE BIKE NOT A PROBLEM, BUT I DID NOT HAVE TO SIT AT ALL! In fact, I immediately did an hour of weight work and swam a half of a mile. This is a result of staying with my training. It improves a little every day and my recovery time is decreasing exponentially. YOU CAN IMPROVE. JUST KEEP TRYING.

Team Inspiration is also growing quickly. I am VERY pleased to announce that team member Shanon Watson’s mother, Jennifer Watson, who owns a personal shopping and event planning service in the Woodlands (www.twperfectgift.com), is going to be taking over various aspects to maximize the benefits our team has for MS. The idea is that we will try to raise money for team equipment including sweatshirts for winter training, gym bags, triathlon suits and uniforms, etc. Any money that is raised that is not used for team equipment will then be donated to the MS Society. Nathan and Trisha are setting Team Inspiration up as a charitable organization. What started with a few people helping me is going to help a great many. I am very pleased with and proud of everyone who has joined me on this exciting and rewarding journey.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

-Trace

Sundays with Jarvis Update

2010-09-07T08:13:00.003-05:00

Folks,

Here are Sunday results for the last 8 weeks:

9/5/2010 1:03:36
8/29/2010 1:11:34
8/22/2010 1:14:52
8/15/2010 ~1:06
8/8/2010 53:48
8/1/2010 ~57 minutes
7/25/2010 ~1:07
7/18/2010 ~1:20

There are a couple of things that happened during the last four weeks that need to be described. Between 8/15 and 8/22, Trace had a couple of physiological issues to deal with.

As Trace described on 8/15, he was having a MS issue that in the past would have resulted in him staying in bed and calling his nurse for treatment. Instead like the genius he is, Trace decided to meet me at 5:45 a.m. for a walk and not tell me what was going on with him. Immediately less than 100 meters from where we start, I noticed that something was not right with Trace's stability and balance. I don't think there is any other way to describe what he did on 8/15 but pure guts. He powered through the 2 miles. Of course after we are in the parking lot resting he decides to tell me of the MS issue he started having in the morning. I was floored. Not with the fact that Trace did not tell me, unfortunately that is normal. I was floored by Trace's strength and toughness. Trace left after the walk looking fresh as a daisy. In many ways, this 8/15 walk was by far the strongest accomplishment, to me.

So before 8/22, Trace crashed on his bike, nothing too major, but Trace's left side was pretty beat up. The thing is that Trace's left side is stronger than his right side and Trace typically uses the left side to whip Jarvis into shape and power through exercises. On 8/22, Trace was not able to use his left side in the final mile as usual. This was a learning experience for both of us. I learned that Trace's muscles are sensitive to many influences, heat and now swelling through injury. The heat and swelling appear to have an impact on Trace's control of Jarvis and other muscles. As you can see by the remaining times posted, Trace appears to be healing well.

On 9/5, we took 17 minutes worth of breaks in that 1:03 time. I know Trace could have been under 1 hour for the walk but I am forcing him to work on greater consistency, rather than bettering his time. Trace's fitness has never been an issue during our walks, Trisha has him super fit! There are very real logistical issues that Trace is tackling: hydration, heat, proper nutrition, proper rest and MS. Three of these are being handled very well, hydration, heat and I would love to meet someone who tackles MS better than the White Chocolate Smoothie. Trace does need to work on his nutrition and most of all, he needs to learn how to rest in some form, let alone actually resting properly.

Until next time,

Nathan

NATHAN HAS A NICKNAME AND PROGRESS REPORT

2010-08-29T08:16:00.000-05:00

Nathan will write later on the last few weeks of Sundays with Jarvis. While I have not been at all happy with my performance, the important thing is that I have finished the walk each week and have never taken longer than I did when we started this great adventure. Baby steps, remember?! My swimming and biking continue to get stronger. I am swimming between a half a mile and a mile several times a week. I am biking a great deal as well. Last Saturday morning I biked 11 miles outside in this very mild Houston heat before I crashed my bike. I let ego make me sloppy and hit a curb. That could explain the poor walk performance last week and again this week but everyone tells me that wrecking is expected. Jim has wisely advised me that I should not, however, make it a regular part of my training. He is SO wise. I am LOVING my training and workouts and am feeling stronger every day.

And now for this week’s great news. Nathan finally has a nickname. We have Iron Man Jim and Trisha, the Pie Lady. We have the Super Jocks and Trace’s Angels (who you will meet later.) Nathan’s new nickname is “THE HANDLER.” You can call him the White Chocolate Smoothie Handler if you like. Now I know that that name conjures images of an animal trainer and I expect many jokes and jabs at my expense that I now have trainers and handlers. In the legal parlance we call this “taking the wind out of the opponent’s sails” so I will allow time for you to make all of the appropriate or inappropriate jokes and references now. (Insert all jokes here along with a great deal of laughter. Trace pretends to be offended and hurt by them.)

Are we finished? Now the story. Nathan talked to the gentleman who will likely be running the CB&I triathlon next year because he wants to do the whole race with me, even though we would start at different times given the difference in our age. He was told that if he was my “handler”, then we would be able to start at the same time. So there you have it. Nathan will do the entire race with me. I only hope that he can keep up with me. I’d hate for him to slow me down.

With his new designation as handler, Nathan has demanded several perks. He wants to do the race in sunglasses. He wants a Secret Service Earpiece. He wants a black tshirt with the word HANDLER in big white block letters across the front. He will do the whole race talking into his earpiece and looking from side to side suspiciously.

As you can tell, I am having a BLAST with this. Life is good!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

Trace

THE IMPORTANCE OF REST

2010-08-19T10:33:00.001-05:00

A wise man (Iron Man Jim) once again reminded me today of something that he, Nathan, Trisha, Michelle, Eric, Lauren and a host of others have been trying to beat into my brain for some time now. That is that we MUST take time to rest and to allow our bodies to recover. Jim used a word in quoting an article that got my attention. Lawyers either love or hate the word. EGO. Jim told me: “Don't let ego ruin a rest day. Discipline is also about keeping the tiger under the hood on your easy days.” I am learning that I MUST take time to recover. Last Sunday was all about ignoring my body’s pleas for rest. I took it easy Sunday afternoon and Monday and was better than ever Tuesday. So we have learned two things this week. Rest is a part of any workout regime and to do what I have done. That is to surround yourself with people that are WAY smarter than you!!!!!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

Trace

WHEN AN UGLY REMINDER IS A VERY GOOD THING

2010-08-15T08:10:00.002-05:00

Nathan will fill you in on the details next week of Sundays with Jarvis but I wanted to share an important lesson with you that I learned this morning. You are probably smarter than me, so this would have come to you very quickly but lawyers as a general rule are very dense so it takes us so much longer to figure things out.

When I got up this morning at 5 am to go walk with Nathan, I immediately fell twice. I am talking MS fall. The kind that I have not had since April. It's basically where Jarvis and his brother both say “It’s too early. I quit and am going back to bed.” The voice from the little girl in Poltergeist rang through my head saying “It’s baaaaack.” In the past, I would have freaked out and called Lynn and told her that I was not doing well and that I needed to start my IV steroids as soon as possible. I probably would have thrown myself a HUGE pity party and spent most of the day in bed. After all – I have MS. But Nathan would be waiting for me and I would not fail him. So I went walking.

I did not tell Nathan about my falls. He also did not mention to me the fact that the second I started, he knew that something was seriously wrong. The important thing is that I finished the walk. I did not blow my time from last week out of the water. I took more frequent and longer breaks and it was obvious that I was struggling. I did not, however, take longer than I did when we started this adventure. To me that was HUGE. AND I FINISHED. Nathan attributed that fact that I was able to finish to Trisha and the core work she is doing. I agree.

The key is what I always say here. KEEP TRYING AND DO NOT GET DISCOURAGED when you have a bad day. It happens. JUST DON’T QUIT. Maybe don’t push yourself as hard that day and know that you will try again tomorrow. Remember that courage doesn’t always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying “I will try again tomorrow.”

I rode 13 miles on my bike outside yesterday, swam a good bit and walked this morning. I have trained all week. So bad days like this are to be expected but will not beat me. Too many people are counting on me! That keeps me going. The folks around me see to that by encouraging me on good days and on bad.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

Trace

THE POWER OF THE POSITIVE AND PROGRESS REPORT

2010-08-11T11:05:00.001-05:00

It is amazing to me how negativity drags us down. Even the slightest bit of it can affect us deeply and permanently. And it is so hard to shake negativity off. We are always going to have challenges and obstacles in our lives but I have finally discovered that if I learn from them and do not dwell on them, they are less likely to be an oppressive burden. Live for today, do not regret yesterday and do not obsess about tomorrow. Concentrate on being the best you today. The rest will take care of itself. It is the overwhelming positivity in my life that is allowing me to do the things that I am doing. That starts with the people I am around.

Now to highlight the dramatic effect the positive environment around me has created, let me share with you some of my latest workout results. I am now training at least two hours a day. I work about an hour in the morning and then an hour in the evening. I mix up the type of workout I am doing. Michelle has a schedule for me which includes my time with Trisha and Nathan. I am trying on the weekends to combine my workouts more closely together in time so that I can get ready to do the three events in the triathlon without a break. I was thrilled this weekend when I rode my bike outside 14 miles then swam about a half mile. Sunday, I cut 3 more minutes off of my walk time with Nathan then swam 1600 yards (.9 miles) in 52 minutes. I then worked with a friend on swimming afterwards, so I swam well over a mile that day.

I cannot breathe without someone encouraging me or giving me an ata-boy. This incredible positive environment around me is making me do amazing things. I hope that you all can create this environment in your lives.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

Trace

Sundays with Jarvis Update

2010-08-08T19:00:00.002-05:00

I think I should just let Trace's results speak:

2.0 mile portion of the CB&I Triathlon run course

Date Time
7/18/2010 1:20 minutes
7/25/2010 1:07 minutes
8/1/2010 57 minutes
8/8/2010 53 minutes 48 seconds

Folks, this improvement over 4 weeks is nothing short of awesome.
The great thing about this morning, other than that Trace set a new personal record, is that we took only one break. There are two interrelated components that still need to be tweaked for Trace to attack this triathlon: mitigate the impact of the heat and the timing and duration of his rests periods to minimize Jarvis's impact. I think we got the rest period nearly right today, one long 7.5 minute break at the 1.0 mile mark. Even with this long break, Trace still demolished his previous best time. His performance was awesome to say the least but particularly in light of how he looked when he rolled out of his car at 5:45, TIRED. Fitness wise, Trace is a machine, we just have to get these logistical issues worked out.

Sundays with Jarvis is going to be a bi-weekly report from now on for a couple of reasons. First, for those of you that know him well, Trace can tend to put too much emphasis on a single performance and I think context is important. Second, with the logistical issues working the way they are, I think Trace will be getting into a groove of more consistent times and less dramatic improvement.

Great Job Trace, AKA White Chocolate Smoothie and Hemp Seed Speedo Man (for those of you who do not know or belong to Villa, Trace is dawning Speedos these days)

Talk to you in a couple of weeks.

Nathan

AGAIN -- I AM SO PROUD

2010-08-05T14:14:00.003-05:00

I am proud of every person on this journey. This is why. I just received this email from a dear friend of mine and want to share it with you all:

Good morning Trace,

I wanted to share with you that I love reading all the emails/blog updates. It is encouraging for me as well as others. However, it was even more special this morning when I read it out loud to my mother who is really struggling right now with her MS.. As you know, I am in Colorado with her and the timing was perfect for me to open your email and share your enthusiasm and amazing story with her. I try so hard to educate her on the importance of exercise not only for physical health but for mental health. She was so happy for your success and prays for continued success in your personal goals.

I have been trying for YEARS to encourage my mother to participate in some form of exercise program. I have fought with her, joined with her, ignored it for awhile, and even tried the "for me" card. She is an amazing mother and a fighter. For years she has tried not to let this disease get the best of her. She tried to keep her lifestyle as it was prior to her diagnosis. However, her "Jarvis" is not cooperating at all anymore so changes are demanded now and she is discouraged. It breaks my heart to see this decline and I want to take her away and mother her......she won't have it. However, she said she wants to follow your stories because they inspire her. As a matter of fact, after reading your blogs this morning, she went to her closet and grabbed an old pair of shoes (with a slight wedge) and put them on. She instantly felt better because she was able to walk without her tennis shoes and brace on for a full morning. She knows she has to be cautious but she states "boy did it feel good to have a regular shoe on!"

Just wanted you to know that I am proud of you and THANK YOU for the email/blog updates. They are reaching out to my mom as well as many others and encouraging them to believe they can do more!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Lynn

ANY QUESTIONS CLASS?! WE CAN AND ARE GIVING PEOPLE HOPE AND ENCOURAGEMENT! I COULD NOT DO THIS WITHOUT EACH AND EVERY ONE OF YOU. LET'S KEEP IT UP!!!!!!!!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

Trace

A GOOD KIND OF PRIDE

2010-08-05T09:19:00.003-05:00

There is pride that is bad and pride that is good. Let’s talk about the good pride. Jim’s daughter, Alyssa, came to the pool yesterday to coach me and give me some swim drills to work on. Here is a beautiful 17 year old (she must take after her Mom thank goodness) who got up before dawn and gave up her sleep and time to help me. Besides the obvious thought that her folks must be very proud of her, she is obviously very proud of them. Eric, a friend from high school that I have not seen or talked to in almost 30 years, sent me an email telling me that when he thinks of quitting training in 100 plus degree heat for his next uber-athletic event, he pushes himself because he knows that I am training for the CB&I next year. I am very proud of him. After Alyssa put me through my paces yesterday, Jim and I talked and a little more of this amazing mystery became clear. We are all PROUD of each other for so many different reasons and on so many different levels. This is not about competition. I am not (YET) competing with the Jim, Nathan, Trisha, Michelle or Erics of the world. I work hard and show up at the gym because I want the people supporting me to be PROUD of me and my efforts. Jim has told me that he shows up at the gym when he would rather sleep because he knows that I am there. Perhaps he wants me to be proud to have him as a mentor. I work hard on my Sunday morning walks with Nathan because I want him to be proud of me and to feel like his time is well spent. Whether I am proud to know and be associated with Jim, Nathan, Trisha, Michelle, Eric, Alyssa or any of the now over 50 people on Team Inspiration or whether they are proud of me, it is that pride that is motivating us to do things that we did not think possible. Whether athletically, helping other people in ways we have not been previously comfortable with or providing support in whatever way we can, the energy we are creating is bigger than any of us will ever understand. I am so PROUD of everyone on this journey with me and I want to work hard to make them each proud of me.

This started with a very few people and has grown to enormous proportions. For those of you with a challenge, you can create this kind of pride as well. Again, we go back to baby steps. Surprise yourself. Make someone proud of you. See how it builds.

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

Trace

PROGRESS REPORT

2010-08-01T08:56:00.003-05:00

Nathan will write about Sundays with Jarvis later. I realize that I talk a lot about various things here but I wanted to give you an overall status report. PLEASE keep in mind that when I started this in April or May, I could not do even a FRACTION of this. It is my sincere hope that the folks who read this will just TRY to do a little, do it consistently and someday (who cares how long it takes) shock yourself with what you CAN do and what you are doing that you never thought possible. PLEASE JUST TRY. The improvement in your quality of life will amaze you. And, like me, you might find yourself wrapped in the love of many AMAZING people. People whose blinding light of encouragement, support and love propels you to heights you never imagined you would soar.

First, I should set the record straight on a few comments made recently by my dear friends. Stuart -- I have hair. Not much but I have some. Okay a little. Okay, not much at all and I can see how you would miss it, particularly due to the glare of my tanless body. Jim – I do not whine. Ever. (Note to self -- do not whine around Jim or anyone that might report to him.) Nathan – I ONLY talk incessantly because if I am talking, I know that I am alive. The day you all need to worry about me is the day that I shut up.

We talk about the walk/jog/run with Sundays with Jarvis. That is improving. I wanted to let you know that my swimming is getting very strong. I am swimming between a third to two thirds of a mile every day, 7 days a week. I alternate strokes and using a kickboard and pull buoy. Based on my heros’ advice, the more I swim with my arms, the more I save my legs for the bike and run portions of the CB&I. For example, yesterday I swam a half mile ALL with my arms using a pull buoy. When I started swimming in April, I could barely stand swimming a lap without taking a break. So see, you CAN do this. I am also biking a great deal. I am doing between 10 to 20 miles a few times a week. Yesterday I did a 10 mile run OUTSIDE without my cooling vest and really did not have a problem. (I did it at 5 am before it got hot.) The fact that I could do that distance outside is something that I would not have dreamed possible in April. Again – you CAN do this.

Folks – this is all about baby steps. Do not take on so much that you get frustrated because you do not see progress fast enough. Be patient with your body, yourself and your challenges. I assure you that the changes in the quality of your life will be exponential. I LOVE my life more now than I ever have. I love the people around me. I love waking up each day and genuinely look forward to what the day will bring. I am a truly Blessed man!!!

Good luck, KEEP TRYING and my best,

Trace

No Excuses!

2010-07-28T09:24:00.002-05:00

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

THE LEGEND OF WHITE CHOCOLATE SMOOTHIE AND WHAT A SURPRISE!

2010-07-26T13:00:00.002-05:00

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)

2010-07-26T08:46:00.003-05:00

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