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Tomaino Arm Care Network

Dr. Tomaino's Blog

Inspiration from yesterday's Ironman competition

August 9th, 2010
While I was struggling to get my 45 minutes in on the Elliptical yesterday (since I turned 50.....yes 50, last month), I watched the ironman competition---2.4 mile swim, 112 mile bike and then a 26 mile marathon. There were all kinds of participants--each driven by a different motivation, and all inspired by shared determination to succeed at the expense of physical pain.

I, for that 2 hour broadcast, forgot about my right knee pain and left heel pain---my own afflictions from years of running and biking---overwhelmed by the emotional fortitude of the participants. One young man was born without legs. With bilateral prostheses and only his buttuck (gluteal) muscles, he made the swim and the bike, but was not allowed to start the run because too much time had elapsed. One 76 yo man had to drop out of the race because of exhaustion. Mike Adamle, a former NFL running back--now age 60--finished, and one lady who literally could not walk after a stroke, 2 years ago, finished.

Each showed, independent of their time, speed, condition, unparalleled resolve.

Many of us endure physical pain, and perhaps even greater numbers endure emotional pain. Our bodies and our minds are so fragile at times, and vulnerable. As I watched that broadcast and viewed the spectrum of participants and individual stories, I was a bit in awe of it all. What can't we humans do when we have resolve. As I think about the inevitable fatigue that our bodies experience as we get older, get injured....whatever......it becomes very clear to me that what is most nourishing is a joyful spirit, faith, hopefulness, optimism and love. Just try smiling more in a day, and you'll see how infectious! Indeed, despite all that we may endure in our lives, finding and nourishing a peaceful spirit is what we should all hope and pray for.

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