I Told You!

2009-10-12T15:05:00.000-05:00

In my last blog about body image I told you that the ad for breast cancer awareness was "provocative" and controversial...and it's been removed from YouTube. So if you didn't get over to see it...you missed it. Trust me...it was a strange way of getting young women's attention on breast cancer!

Body Image

2009-09-29T14:47:00.000-05:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jI4zkx8As34 This video is a new ad campaign coming out to support Breast Cancer awareness...I'm not sure how I feel about this new campaign. I watched the video multiple times and I still can't decide. Is it good...because certainly with Canadian actress Aliya Jasmine Sovani bobbing her boobs (and boy do they bob!) it more than makes you aware that you need to BE aware. BUT, this commercial or public service announcement also panders on our worldwide obsession on body image. Is it so important to save breasts because of what they convey in a sexual way? Can't we simply hammer on early detection in order to save an entire person?!?

We are coming up on Breast Cancer Awareness Month. And as a breast cancer survivor, it also happens to be the month (October 11, 2006 to be exact!) that my breast cancer was found. This will be my 3 year anniversary...so I'm more than half way to that magic 5 year mark.

My breast cancer was found early and it was found small...only 6mm...and that's tiny! And only found with a routine, yearly mammogram. It could not be felt by me, the doctors or radiologist when she was on top of it with ultrasound. How's that for early detection!!!!

Part of staying fit and athletic and (hopefully) younger, includes getting all our routine exams. So many diseases that took our parents and grandparents can now be detected incredibly early. And with early detection comes much better prognosis. For me, the cancer had not spread. Only a lumpectomy was needed, which left a minimal scar and no loss of sensation, followed by radiation, but no chemo. My prognosis: a 98% chance it will never reoccur. I never had to face whether or not I would lose a breast like many of my friends have had to do.

So this is my blatant plug or maybe it's a plea: Get your mammogram; call every woman, friend or family, that is of age to get hers and ask: "Have you gotten your mammogram this year?" If she hasn't, hound her until she goes. You never want to think: "if only I had insisted she go earlier, she might still be alive!"

I've lost friends and loved ones to other cancers whose disease do not have such a high profile campaigns as breast cancer (or as provocative ads). Men need prostate exams as much as we need our yearly pelvic exams. A few year's back I had to threaten my husband that if he didn't go get his exam, then I wouldn't go for mine. It worked, he hasn't missed his since and neither have I!

When was the last time you had a colonoscopy? or a lung xray? I know these things are yucky...late stage cancer is worse.

Taking care of ourselves with medical preventative maintenance (boy, that's a mouthful!) is as important to our healthy aging as staying active and in shape! No amount of money in our 401Ks or fancy cars and extensive vacations is worth our health. You can't enjoy ANYTHING without health! So just go do it! TODAY!

And let me know...what do you think about the "Save the Boobies" commercial? Too much? Not enough? Worth it?

And to all my sister breast cancer survivors and fighers...high 5's girlfriends! We rock!

Tom DeLay Blaming Old Age

2009-09-16T19:18:00.000-05:00

I had no more hit "publish" with my blog/rant about people using "old age" as an excuse then what happens? Tom Delay announces that he has a stress fracture in his foot that may prevent him from competing in this season's Dancing with the Stars. Did he attribute his injury to working out? NO, he said "that's what happens when you get old!" GRRRRR Come on Mr. Delay. A stress fracture has nothing to do with getting older!!!!

Thoughts are Powerful! Use Them to Your Advantage

2009-09-15T21:31:00.000-05:00

A few weeks ago my doctor sent me for xrays on my right elbow. Tendonitis has been a chronic problem with all the paddling. When I got to the waiting room, all the seats were taken. A woman in her mid 30's stood up and said to me, "here take my seat. I'm still young enough to stand." I was stunned, shocked and let's be honest...a bit offended by her remark. I mean it was polite for a younger woman to offer her seat but I'm very clearly in good shape and I hadn't exactly limped into the waiting room. An overreaction on my part? Maybe. She was, afterall, only trying to be polite. But it got me to thinking about all the negative ways we talk to ourselves and each other about aging and why we need to STOP!

A good friend of mine was recently told by the checkout clerk at a store: "Oh, dearie, let me get someone to carry those bags for you." Geez, it was 2 3# bags of epson salts. My friend could probably have deadlifted that employee. She didn't need the epson salts because her joints were stiff, but because she lifts weights...alot of weights! But because she was perceived as being of a "certain age" she needed help!?!

Too often I hear women (and men!) say: "I'm too old to do that." Too old for what??? Former president George Bush is still skydiving in his 80's! Don't tell yourself you're too old...you aren't. Unless you choose to be!

"Once you reach middle age, everything goes." No it doesn't. That's an excuse. Scientific studies have proven that being a "certain" age has little to do with being physically active. RECOVERY TIME from doing that activity is linked to age. The older we are the slower our bodies recover from an activity. THAT is a fact...but "everything just goes" is bunk.

"All women gain weight after menopause." Women gain weight after menopause because menopause usually corresponds with women becoming inactive. Studies after studies have shown no correlation between menopause and weight gain. I wish it were true...but alas, that's another excuse. Weight gain (or loss) is directly attributed to how many calories are taken in as opposed to how many calories are burned.

"Men always lose weight faster than women." Okay that's a fact...has to do with their higher testosterone levels. So what?!? It's not fair...it just is. Eat half the bowl of ice cream that "he" does and walk an extra time around the park. Gloat over the fact that your waist line has returned and his hasn't!

"Well, you know at OUR age..." you can fill in the blank here. It's the all purpose excuse for just marking time. Every day baby boomers are breaking the artifical "age" barrier by doing everything from marathons to destruction derbies. Dara Torres won a silver medal at the Bejing Olympics...over the age of 40...and yup, she was told "well, you know at YOUR age..." She didn't listen. We shouldn't either.

Our government (not getting on a soap box here!) forces us to take Medicare at age 65. Some companies force retirement at a "certain" age. It's hard NOT to let all those little age related "I can'ts" creep into our conversation and worse, into our own heads. My beloved grandmother (who lived to be almost 95!) always said "Can't never did anything!"

Remember Cloris Leachman at 82 stayed on television's Dancing with the Stars for an incredible 7 weeks. But 20 something, super thin super model Josie Maran lost her spot on the show week ONE of season 5! Cloris may be "older," but she's in great shape...Maran may have been that size 0 the fashion industry worships, but zero is also the score her muscles and endurance were given!

We have to stop limiting ourselves with age thoughts and we have to stop others in mid sentence when they try to "plug" is into those "older" age pigeon holes.

Thoughts are powerful and affect how we perceive ourselves and others. Thoughts create action (or inaction!). Numerous studies have proven that when athletes think negative thoughts it affects their performance negatively. When they think positive...well, you get the picture!

As you might have guessed...I politely declined the seat I was offered in the xray waiting room. Frankly, I would have stood until hell froze over! To have meekly sat down in her chair wasn't something I could do...I didn't need to!

What do you say to yourself that limits you?

What do you allow others to say that "ages" you?

Replace those thoughts with "I can do anything at any age that I want to!"

Where's Your Stupid Line?

2009-09-06T12:00:00.001-05:00

In June I was in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory, Canada...fantastic place by the way! There was a very large poster hanging at a sporting goods store...I took a picture, but it's not going to show up well, so I'll have to just describe it. On one side of the poster is picture of someone doing incredible tricks, just about upside down on a snowboard...obviously one of the kids that is a real pro at that sport. The other side shows an obviously tentative skier in an awkward trying to keep upright at any cost position (been there done that!). Under the poster of the two "athletes," it says: "Where's YOUR Stupid Line!"

In the Colorado 100 http://coloradoriver100.com/ there were kayakers and canoers of every description and skill level. And we were all having the time of our life. Almost 200 boats, the largest field ever, entered this annual ultra marathon to paddle from Bastrop to Columbus, Texas. This was my fourth year to compete in tandem with my trainer and coach. Our familes and friends support us at each of the three stops with water, ice, hugs and more ice. They probably sweat as much as we do! And I KNOW their anxiety level is higher!

The Texas Colorado River is pretty calm with few hazards, but it is long, grueling hours of paddling, drinking water, eating granola bars, looking for a sandbar to answer the call of nature and then starting the cycle all over again. You pass other paddlers and they pass you back. You exchange hellos, how are you doings, where are you froms. One team every year asks simply one question: "Do you like John Lennon?" Heck it a great conversation starter and it makes the miles go a bit faster.

And you see some paddlers that are so obviously hurting and tired and discouraged that you wonder: have they crossed their stupid line? And only THEY can answer that question. Are they really really struggling and need to give it up at the next stop or are they just determined to keep going in order to become better at a sport that we all obviously love!

Some would say that my paddling 100 miles (I've completed it twice in tandem) would cross their stupid line. For me, with two artifical knees, paddling down class IV rapids would clearly cross mine (my orthopedic surgeon that implanted those knees would probably place that line back at class II rapids!).

In this years race, my trainer and I faced our "stupid line" when his old shoulder injury reoccured during paddling. We agreed to pull at the 63 mile stop in La Grange and not do the last 37 miles. To have risked further injury wasn't worth our long term goals and the possibility of serious damage.

We want to be back and able to change our own personal "stupid lines..." but this year...testing that will have to wait!

Have you ever thought about your "stupid line?" Where is it now?

Can you move it further?

Do you WANT to move it further?

Have your passed it?

Follow the Colorado 100 Race with us!

2009-08-31T15:24:00.002-05:00

You'll be able to "follow"me and my tandem partner, Tony, as we compete in this year's Colorado 100 race. Just click on the title to this blog. David will be blogging throughout the race...how are we doing, how much ice have they provided for us (over 200# last year!) and how much fun we are having! You can even leave messages for us that they'll be happy to pass on to us! We have 3 stops where we will get food, water, ice and hugs. So come along with us! It's fun!

Finding the Fun Again

2009-08-31T15:04:00.003-05:00

I've spent the last few months getting ready for compete in my fourth Colorado 100 race...literally a 100 mile ultra marathon race for canoes and kayaks that runs down the Colorado River from Bastrop to Columbus, Texas. But I've spent the last couple of weeks, not out training, but sitting home being sick. First a bad bout with allergies. that went into an upper respiratory infection with the coup de gra being a severely upset stomach when the antibiotics that kicked the infection also kicked out the good flora and fauna!

It's the best thing that could have happened to me! It made me slow down and "think" about what I was doing and whether or not it was what I wanted to be doing.

In this busy crazy world of ours it is so easy to lose sight of what is important to us individually. We are on information overload. We are on busy overload. We are on "achieve" overload. I was busy for the entire summer...it looked like "training." My friends and family said it certainly looked that way to them. But it was actually "burning out." Kayaking was no longer fun. It was drudgery. The achievements in training were no longer fun...they were simply to be endured. The gym was no longer fun...I was robotic and stoic. Any gain I was getting simply didn't interest me any longer. The question that kept nagging me: Was I done with kayaking? Was that it?

Except...

I knew, really knew deep down that I wanted to not only keep kayaking, but I wanted to continue to race. What I wanted back was the FUN I had enjoyed the first few years of kayaking. Now, I know that most people are scratching their heads right now. How in the world could racing 100 miles be classified by anyone as "fun." That was the exact question I needed to answer. Getting sick gave me the "down time" to just think because I certainly couldn't do much of anything else.

In between bouts of coughing and trying to hold down chicken noodle soup I made a list of all the things I loved about racing a kayak. At first it was hard to even come up with a positive emotion, but slowly they began to resurface...the feel of conquering a challenge during training...the expectancy of race morning...best of all, the fun of being with a huge group of active MOVING people that didn't complain (well not much!) about sweating and hurting and having a butt so numb you think you'll never feel again.

What I didn't like about my kayak racing? Racing to win! I didn't like the pressure I put on myself. I didn't like anything about it. It wasn't a challenge...it was pure drudgery. And I don't do drudgery well. But in this world of ACHIEVE ACHIEVE ACHIEVE, it was and is hard to just say "finishing" is enough. Just doing it is enough. Afterall I've already "finished" two of these ultra marathon races, including the very first one I ever entered. How could I walk away from trying for the next level this time?

And I'll tell you, it was hard...very very hard. I beat myself up night after sleepless night, wondering if I was giving up on my "potential." In the end, I had my decision...I wanted to feel the fun of racing more than going for our society's pre conceived notion that we must all go faster, higher, better in everything we do.

I truly believe that we hold ourselves back with this kind of thinking. I almost held myself back from the enjoyment by buying into it. The race is this coming Saturday, September 5. And I can honestly say that I haven't felt this kind of excitement and thrill since I did my first ultra marathon in 2006. And that feels so very very good...and so very very right.

What would you be trying to accomplish if you didn't think you had to go for the brass ring?

What would you try if you knew it would be okay for you not to be perfect?

How does the thought process of "but I can't be as good as so and so, hold you back from even trying?

River of Life

2009-06-17T11:58:00.004-05:00

I hope everyone clicks on the link above. It will take you to the video called River of Life. It's an incredible video of breast cancer survivors that paddle the 460 miles of the Yukon River Quest...in 2006 their story was made into a documentary through the National Film Board of Canada http://www.onf-nfb.gc.ca/eng/collection/film/?id=54097.

Many of these women are involved in the Canadians Abreast...a Canadian Dragon Boat team http://canadiansabreast.abcn.ca/.

I ran across their inspiring motto when I was first diagnosed with very early stage breast cancer. I was struggling to understand that all I'd worked for to get fit and healthy could possibly be lost with treatments and rehab needed to remove the cancer. Their message meant so much to me about life AFTER breast cancer...and there are so many more of us today that can say those precious words: "life AFTER breast cancer."

I hope Canadians Abreast doesn't mind that I've "snatched" part of their inspiring message!

"To raise worldwide awareness of breast cancer awareness and show by example that there can be happy, productive and fun-filled life after breast cancer;

To encourage survivors to regain control of their lives through sport and physical activity..."

Because, when you think about it, their message isn't just about getting on after breast cancer...it's about getting back to life after any event...divorce, empty nest, turning that Big 50, all life's little (and BIG!) bumps.

Next week, June 24, the Canadian team will again enter the Yukon River Quest 460 mile race. You can follow them at http://www.yukonriverquest.com/ Ttmes for all the teams at the various checkpoints. Root them on!

Let their story inspire yours!!!!

Just "Doing It" Feels Good

2009-06-17T11:37:00.004-05:00

About 4 days ago, our former President George Bush (the senior) dove out of an airplane...again. This time to celebrate his 85th birthday. Now, understand one thing...I am NOT advocating skydiving or not skydiving! My passion happens to be a bit more earthbound. But Former President Bush's accomplishment AND his press conference were VERY meaningful and I think bear repeating. He gave 2 reasons for jumping out of a perfectly good airplane: First: "You feel exhilarated. You get charged up and excited. That's not easy to do at 85," he told the reporters at MSNBC. Second: "It sends a message around the globe. Just because you're an old guy doesn't mean you have sit in a corner and drool. Get out and do something and enjoy life."

What will you do this weekend that makes you feel good? Exhilirated? Alive?

What makes you (literally!) feel ageless? Mr. Bush said he didn't feel a day over 84!

When's your next birthday? And what do you want to celebrate on that day?

Write them down...post them here...let's cheer each other on. And ALL send a message that we can get out and do something...no matter our age!

A Single Idea......

2009-05-30T13:04:00.009-05:00

"A single idea can transform a life, a business, a nation, a world." Dan Zadra

I read Dan Zadra's quote this morning...sitting in the sunroom watching squirrels chase each other up and down our large silver maple. Micah sitting on my lap insisting just the right spot under her chin be scratched. Sunday mornings are for such things...watching wildlife, playing with cats, sipping creamy tall no fat, no caffeine Mocha Lattes from Starbucks, and thinking back...and to the future.

Dan Zadra compiled a list of quotes into one of those tiny little books that you keep handy for Sunday mornings and Wednesday inspiration...this one is BE THE DIFFERENCE. The opening quote is Graham Greene's: "There's always one moment in life when the door opens and lets the future in."

Both of the quotes got me to thinking about the moment a door flew open and I stepped OUTSIDE into a whole new future. The moment was non descript (like most "epithany" days are likely to be!). Workout at the gym... I had worked out for several months with a trainer and gotten pretty used to him, his methods, my reactions to his methods...in general "comfortable." Okay, maybe not comfortable, but I no longer felt like all the gym "regulars" were staring at me (because they never really were!).

That's when Tony, the trainer, planted an idea in my head. Find an "activity" I would really enjoy doing...outdoors! I'm sure for many that would NOT be anything close to an "epithany." In fact it would be rather "ho hum" on your list of great thoughts.

For me it was radical, totally out of my comfort zone...and a bone of an idea that I could not get out of my head. Could I????

Going "outdoors" and taking up kayaking has (and continues to!) change me in ways I never thought possible. Certainly it achieved my initial goal: stay a healthy weight, have a fit body. But as my hips shrank...mentally and spiritually I've grown.

In June I've leaving for the Yukon Territory...land of Robert W. Service (Cremation of Sam McGee http://www.traditionalmusic.co.uk/folk-song-lyrics/Cremation_of_Sam_McGee.htm), Klondike Goldrush, grizzly bears, large moose, big skies and bigger mountains. We've hired a guide with Up North Adventures http://upnorthadventures.com/ to take us on an overnight kayak trip down the Yukon River...starting at Whitehorse (they have TWO Starbucks!), and across part of Lake LeBarge (see Cremation of Sam McGee). We'll be in Whitehorse on June 24 to see the start of the Yukon River Quest, a 460 mile canoe and kayak race to "the midnight sun" http://www.yukonriverquest.com/ and to cheer on the Texas teams that have entered this year (go Brad go!). We'll hike and paddle, eat moose burgers, lots of grilled salmon and see an outdoors I would never have envisioned in my future.

What are YOU going to do this summer that you NEVER tried before?

What idea has been back there in your mind just waiting for you to give it life?

Being Athletic? Now? At "Our" Age?

2009-05-25T15:27:00.007-05:00

I never expected to become athletic! I didn't "do" sports in high school (yes, that was a gazillion years ago). Graduated from high school in 1967 to be exact and for everyone from the Houston area...it was Jesse Jones. Ballet, drill team and just enought p.e. to get a required college credit...that was the ticket! Yet, I have found a passion for competing in sporting events...found it at mid life!

It keeps me healthy...it keeps me heading back into the gym to stay in shape...heck, it even keeps me from too many Starbucks Mocha Lattes!!! I've had both my knees replaced following a bad fall in 1975 so I had to "choose a sport wisely." Wasn't exactly a good candidate for becoming a 50ish marathoner! Kayaking fits the bill perfectly for me!

Many of my friends (who I NEVER understood before!) have continued sports that they fell in love with when they were younger. Others have "switched" passions...multiple times. And there's a few like me that came into this "athletic" thing...late.

So what is my question to everyone reading this blog? What sports do you do now? If you don't...why not? What's holding you back? I have 20 years worth of reasons to "not sweat," that I could share! I want to hear yours.

What did you do as a kid (swimming, tennis, racquetball) that you'd like to return to now? What do you think you have to "overcome" to get back out onto the court, into the pool, make you want to pick up a bat.

Do you want to compete? Or just go out and have fun? I was in the "let's have fun" group until I did my first race...never knew I had a latent competitive gene lurking around just waiting to strike!

If you've stayed with it...or found that athletic passion again...how do you keep yourself motivated? Do you partner up? Plan vacations with your sport in mind?

I've been fortunate to be asked to do quite a bit of public speaking on being this "Accidental Athlete" after becoming involved in 24 Hour Fitness (12millionlives.com). And my favorite part of the whole speaking thing is the people that come up AFTER the speech (and the jitters!) is over and begin to share their stories with me. Incredible motivation!

And I know hearing from lots and lots of likewise, older and wiser late blooming athletes with similar stories will motivate all of us!!!

I'm proud to be part of the Baby Boomer generation...defined as those of us born between the years of 1946 to 1964 (I was born in 1949 for those of you that want to calculate it out!). Boomers are now between the ages of 45 and 63 and we represent a HUGE population number...76 milion in the US. (great stat site on us "boomers": http://www.bbhq.com/bomrstat.htm) And the vast number of us are insisting that this "second" half of our lives will not be a "slow slide to the end."

How are YOU re defining Mid Life?