As with many people, it often seems my life is guided by lists. Household chores, to do lists, training plans, lists on calendars. As a Champion, I was lucky enough to hear Don Kern, director of the Grand Rapids Marathon, speak last week. He caused me to think about lists in a different way.
When I heard that Don Kern would be speaking to the Champions, I had to attend. My first marathon and running race are coming up October 21st at the event he organizes. I thought I might perhaps get some words of wisdom about nutrition, pacing, or hear a bit about the set-up of the course. Instead I got much more.
Don Kern reminds me a bit of myself. We both seem to lack in any natural athletic ability. Like me, he was also one of the last kids to be picked for every team in school gym class. But the one thing he kept reminding us was that “ordinary people can do extraordinary things.” And he did do something quite extraordinary -he achieved the world record for running marathons on all seven continents in the shortest time (25 days). Not only that, it was the fourth time he had run marathons on all seven continents. Running seven marathons in 25 days is still difficult to wrap my head around let alone adding the travel to the picture.
He also discussed the importance of having 100 things on your Life List (things you want to do in your lifetime). And, unlike many of the items on my lists, it seems these items will lift me up and inspire me, not weigh me down with the burden of all I need to fit into a day.
So I came home and started my own list. There are many things on it from all areas of my life. I thought I would share some of my fitness-related goals with you though:
1. Qualify for the National Weight Control Registry. This requires having maintained a weight loss of over 30 pounds for over one year. I completed this goal today! Yay Me!
2. Finish a marathon. I am hoping to cross this one off the list on October 21st because I don’t want to have to do it again 
3. Finish a century bike ride.
4. Do a pull-up. I’ve never been able to do one. Ever.
5. Complete an Iron-distance triathlon.
As much as I am in this for the process, I have to admit I still want the experience of #6. Even if it is when I am 80 and the only one left in my age group.
6. Have a podium finish in my age group.
So get out your paper (or app) and think about what inspires you!
5 Comments
Lorri,
As always, I enjoyed your post. Here are my two thoughts on this post. Your number six is a cinch. Based on my experience, if you haven’t achieved that by the time you are 50 I’ll be surprised, but it certainly will happen. Secondly, I think I’ll start my own list, but at my age I will call it my bucket list and again with the age, maybe I should kept it to 50 things. I can see you accomplishing all those things in short order.
Great idea lorri – I agree with Gary you will make #6 and yes it is a really great feeling so do not give up – congrats on all you have already achieved
Hey Lorri, I so wanted to attend the meeting with Don. I seriously need a jet! Great list, as it pertains to item #4, keep in mind that there is a difference between a pull-up and a chin-up both in execution, and difficulty. A pull-up is performed with a wider than normal grip, with your palms turned away from you. A chin-up is performed with a narrow grip, and your palms facing you. The chin-up is easier to perform, so you may want to focus on that first. If you work at it, it is no different than training to run 13.1 miles for the first time. Here is a great link to get you started, be sure to let us know when you nail it. I promise you it’s not impossible. Good luck! http://www.fitstep.com/Misc/Newsletter-archives/issue69/how-to-do-your-first-chin-up.htm
Adding make a life list to my “to do” list. Imagine it will be a combination of some fairly straigtforward goals to be achieved in the short term, and some pie in the sky “what if’ kinds of things. Gotta have a dream or two!
It’s so kind of your, Gary and Karen. As always
Rick, Ann did have a way to call in for meetings. Not sure how well you can hear that way. I really appreciate that article. Last I tried, I was a few inches away from doing a full chin-up. Having the process laid out for me is great. Now I have to start on that one!
Good luck, everyone, with your lists!