Saturday, October 25, 2008

Muddy Meaning of Life

Hi... training has been just going along...kinda meandering like a river with no idea where its going. I have tried to add more time but I have to admit that is a slow process... I know that in roughly 2 months and three weeks, I will have to pay the piper.. the ultra piper...50K.... and I had better be ready.
With the weather getting a little colder and wetter, the trails are getting muddy..but I am good with all of that. I continue to contemplate life. I joked recently about that on my facebook page. But there is truth to it. I have been reading (actually holding a book, not listening on mp3) a book called "One Month to Live" It is exactly what you think. How would you live if you knew you had one month to live? Would you attack that bucket list thats gathered cobwebs on your shelf?? Would you reach out to someone with whom you had a tough relationship??? The best quote I can remember from the book is that "everyone dies but not everyone lives". Man, that one hits home to me. One of our closest friends got the word about pancreatic cancer a few months ago and it doesn't look good. In some way, it could be one reason why I have not attacked my training with the usual zeal.

I want to thank the folks a United Cerebral Palsy of Cleveland for asking me to be the honorary chairman for next summers Cleveland Triathlon. UCP WEBSITE http://www.ucpcleveland.org/welcome.asp You may remember a post in early August on how I swam for a family whose son, Dawud has cerebral palsy. His pic in on my sidebar. That was so inspiring to me, I am happy to be involved for next year. Then, they hope to have staff members of UCP take part in the race. This August, it was families for the most part. Its sobering to note that its unlikely our close friend won't even be around next summer to hear about our Triathlon.

The hearing aids came and its hilarious...its like I am hearing things for the first time. I hear the fans in the ceilling. I hear my fingers clicking the keyboard. I hear the tires of cars on the road, and many, many things. Its startling and I think I have to have them adjusted. I was visiting my friend at hospice and I hear a loud rumble noise and loud "CREEEAKKK" it was just my weight shifting on the bed I was sitting on the edge of and the creak of the springs!!! When I used to wear just one, I could hear some natural sound with the open ear...Now with two, its hard to tell just how loud my voice is in conversations. In the newsroom today, I was hearing guys talking at the assignment desk, which is 50 feet away!!!! Ohh...and Breaking News!!! An aid purchased in 2003 for one ear was 2700 bucks. This year I have two aids, which have more technology, and are a little bit smaller and both of them together cost 2800$$. Best of all, its better for The Bride, who has had to put up with me having no aids for almost 2 months. She deserved better.

Finally, a tip of the hat to Brian Moorman, punter of the Buffalo Bills. He raced in the Pittsford New York Triathlon this summer and even got some coaches and a couple teammates to take part. Good to see the big boys trying to tackle our sport. He raised thousands and thousands for his Foundation. Love that stuff. (click here)
Hey..Life's a Blast!!!

16 comments:

The Lazy Triathlete said...

Good luck on the Ultra. I was reading about Pittsford Triathlon and the PUNT Foundation in the USAT Magazine. That sounds like a great organization.

Donald said...

Even more surprising than the football triathlete is that the Bills let him do it - I'm surprised it wasn't excluded in his contract.

Great news about the hearing aids. It must be a wonderful revelation.

Matt Collister said...

I might turn down the hearing aid until after the election is over.

Lily on the Road said...

Awesome life you ARE living JT...glad you get to hear what's going on now...

You might want to invest in some gators now that the weather is turning mucky...I've been wearing the ones that I won when I'm out on the trails....love 'em...

Good luck with your training. And I'm so very sorry to hear about your friend.

triguyjt said...

matt--- LMAO !!!!! good advice

Wes said...

Good news all around JT!! Giving back to the community is awesome, and you the ears all worked out as well. Awesome :-)

Unknown said...

Hello from California!

I hope you don't mind that I'm stopping by (thanks to a 'meaning of life' Google Search...)

But I just had to take the time to thank you for reminding folks to live every day as if it was indeed the last. Who ever really knows 'when' ...

And I also wanted to thank you for being yet another loving soul in the world who truly lives by the motto of "giving back". You are a great example from whom others can learn.

The world thanks you!

take care,
Louise Lewis, author
No Experts Needed: The Meaning of Life According to YOU!

FREE gift (pdf) copy at: www.noexpertsneeded.com

(No strings/spam attached to offer...simply my way of 'giving back!)

Sarah said...

JT...your posts never fail to inspire!!

This book sounds great. And on that note, I've got a great song for you - it's written by a guy named David Bailey. I found out about David when I worked for the National Brain Tumor Foundation - he's a survivor of like 10 years now (and was originally told he had about 3 months). He's so wonderful and inspiring. The song that really moved me, though, was this one: "If I Had Another" from his album "Hope Anthology" - it's all about what he'd do with only a week...a day...an hour...a minute...a second. Good stuff! Check it out: If I Had Another

If there's anything I learned about life working for NBTF for 4 years, it was to live now, today, and stop waiting for tomorrow to make plans. We're not all guaranteed that gift, unfortunately. Life is just too damn short to be unhappy or always wishing for something else. I think our society is too bent on wanting more, when we already have so much, and it's not until a tragedy that folks realize how full life really is. I think that's why I love your blog - you LIVE!!

Also, congrats on the hearing aids. I know too many people who are too proud to wear them and they don't realize how much they're MISSING! Wooo!!

btw who are you rooting for in the world series???

Janet Edwards said...

Love the qupte....enjoy the 50K training!

Marci said...

Best of luck on the Ultra... you'll do great ;0

Football players getting into triathlons... totally sweet :0

Anonymous said...

Hey JT, thanks for your blog.

This really motivates me, and your upbeat persona always gives me a boost in my training. Keep up the great work and I look forward to more of your posts.

RunBubbaRun said...

Like the muddy shoes. Ultra's are always have some added fun during the winter. You will do just fine.

Glad you are hearing more. But I do think the world is alot more noiser lately. Maybe I'm glad my hearing is going.

Anonymous said...

Good news on the ears!! I'm glad they are working out. I am so saddened to hear about your dear friend. Life is not fair, long enough, or predictable. I think that's why I was so pleased to meet you. Your inspiring and positive and motivating and I never forget to keep my chin up, keep training,going and thinking about "life" not just day to day living. Your the best! p.s We can't wait untill the UCP Triathlon!=)

tracie said...

hey :)

sorry to hear about your friend...but congrats on the invite from UCP for next year!

keep up all the hard work on training, you'll be fine (i know you know it, but it is sometimes nice to hear it from someone else!)

-t

Unknown said...

I'm planning to do a study at the beginning of the year that revolves around that book. Good stuff.

Rainmaker said...

Dang that's hardcore - an ultra offroad in the middle of a cold winter? Eek.