Ordinary Marathoner

It was my honor to have Dick Hoyt from Team Hoyt as a guest on today’s podcast. When his son Rick was born with cerebral palsy, he was advised to place the child in an institution. Well, the Hoyt’s were having none of that. Years later, Dick and Rick Hoyt are now an icon of the running and triathlon community.

Over the years, the team has accomplished countless feats that were previously deemed impossible for someone with Rick’s condition. Marathons, Ironman triathlons, and the pair even traversed the continental US on a bicycle.

They have since developed Team Hoyt, where other athletes who are dealing with similar challenges are encouraged to do the impossible. It’s truly an honor to have Dick Hoyt on our show.

It’s a different world out there since the last time I’ve sent out a podcast. Social-distancing is the new term, and everyone is an expert on viral pneumonia. Schools are closed, as are restaurants, gyms and any “non-essential” businesses. Liquor stores remain open.

As a podcast producer and social media personality, I should be taking advantage of what seems to be a captive audience. But we are dealing with the crisis here, too, and priorities are priorities. What do I always do when I am having trouble putting out a podcast? I force my wife Stefany to come on the show as a guest.

So here is 30 minutes of me and Stefany trying to have a light-hearted discussion about how we are dealing with the coronavirus. Hope you all are doing well out there and hope this passes quickly!

A great week of Zwifting for Team Ordinary. A new wrinkle in the Thursday Night ride – a bit of trivia! I think it’s going to catch on – we’ll do it every week! Also, former podcast guest Matt Schorer is doing a weekend meet-up ride on Saturdays – reach out if you’d like to get involved.

Stefany and I have been watching the McMillions documentary on HBO. And I’m pissed. I mean… I played the Monopoly game religiously back in the day. Multiple trips to the arches looking for those winning pieces. And while it was always a longshot, the thought that the chances of winning were actually ZERO because someone stole the winning pieces bothers me to no end!

But it had me thinking of some recent advice I gave to a client who is concerned about the Boston Marathon being canceled due to coronavirus. Why bother getting concerned about the things you cannot control? He’s registered for the Boston Marathon, he needs to train for the Boston Marathon. At least until someone tells us otherwise.

In the same vein, why do I bother being concerned about McDonald’s ripping me off nearly 25 years ago when there can be no resolution. I’ll just never go back again… even for a Shamrock Shake or McRib. No. I can’t go back. I must be defiant.

And speaking of defiant, the whole thing got me thinking of a TedTalk I watched years ago by Ron Finley. He talked about gardening as an act of defiance. I know… it takes you a while to consider that, but watch the talk and I think you’ll understand. I feel the same way about running. Sometimes it’s best to take all of the things you’re worried about that you can’t control… and put them to the side. Deal with the things you can change. The things you can do that will show a direct benefit for you. Maybe… just maybe, go for a run.

The Tree of Opportunity podcast did pretty well last week. I had a couple of people tell me I should do some motivational speaking… as if this podcast isn’t motivational enough! I immediately shrugged off the thought, before thinking how silly it was to cut off a branch of my Tree of Opportunity right after talking about the Tree of Opportunity! So… maybe a new wrinkle in the future. The thought of doing it sounds wonderful, and I think we have a hook! When I think “motivational speaking,” I think of guys that come in, speak, get people riled up, sell a few books, then move along. It’s more entertainment. We have a group dynamic here. A team that consistently supports one another. Maybe this is a great place to start!

Philosophers beware. Socrates ain’t got nothin’ on me. I took an impromptu week off yesterday due to the birth of my niece. Holding a newborn child gave me a little perspective on things.

The miracle of life is a powerful reminder of our own individualism and mortality. A child has so many opportunities and options lying ahead of them. For some of us, a lot of those opportunities have passed us by. One of the things that is so great about our sport (and especially our community) is that we often witness people achieving things they never thought possible. Perhaps they once felt as if they don’t typify the person who normally achieves these things – be it age, athletic history, weight, general appearance or even disability. As time ticks by, people may even give up completely.

Yet we’ve seen these challenges be overcome time and time again. Bravery, courage, toughness – building individual discipline and spirit. Making us better people and leading to accomplishments once deemed impossible. And perhaps it’s our purpose here to show others they can do it, too.

The Ordinary Marathon is right around the corner! Don’t think you can be in good enough shape for race day(s)? Truth is, if you start a 10-week Couch-To-5k training plan today, you’ll be ready to run 3.1 Miles by May 8th.

A wise man once said, “Whenever I eat like garbage, I feel like garbage.” Ok, it wasn’t a wise man. It was Matt Schorer. But he couldn’t be more right. In the past 45 days or so, I’ve had one workout that stood out as a complete and utter failure. Turns out diet may have had a lot to do with it. Darn pizza. As always, the best way to succeed in a workout or race, is to do your best to set yourself up for success. Diet included!

Other than the elite and wheelchair fields, Tokyo has decided to cancel this year’s Tokyo Marathon. This was due to the risk of coronavirus. A bunch of athletes sweating and breathing heavy in close proximity? Ok, I get it. But to those who signed up and prepared for this day, this has to be a pretty tough punch to take. Don’t let it stop you.

Join the Official Ordinary Marathoner team at TEAM ORDINARY!

Check out our homepage at www.ordinarymarathoner.com.

Or join the conversation at our Ordinary Marathoners Facebook Discussion Group.

I’ll also follow you back on Twitter if you follow me @OrdMarathoner.

Check out our annual virtual charity race, The Ordinary Marathon. Register early and be eligible for giveaways between now and race day.

What are the odds?

Three former podcast guests. Three Ultramarathoners. Three people all doing the same race this upcoming August – The Leadville 100!

Today we get a chance to sit down with Jeff Beason, Jen Bergstrom, and Brian Burk and discuss this race that has become a signature on the Ultramarathon circuit. Two have them have tried their hands at it before. This year, I expect to see all three of them cross that finish line and earn their buckle.

We’ll ask each of these competitors why they decided to run Leadville this year. How are they preparing? What are their expectations? It was great to have all three returning guests back and we wish them the best of luck in August in their quest for their Leadville buckle. Go get it!

Read Brian Burk’s novel, Running to Leadville!

Join the Official Ordinary Marathoner team at TEAM ORDINARY!

Check out our homepage at www.ordinarymarathoner.com.

Or join the conversation at our Ordinary Marathoners Facebook Discussion Group.

I’ll also follow you back on Twitter if you follow me @OrdMarathoner.

Check out our annual virtual charity race, The Ordinary Marathon. Register early and be eligible for giveaways between now and race day.

It’s been a super-busy week here at the OM. Yesterday we released the podcast with Brent and Kyle Pease – one of the more inspirational ones we’ve ever done. Yesterday, we successfully livestreamed our Thursday Night Zwift Ride. I followed that up by recording yet another podcast – with Brian Burk, Jen Bergstrom and Jeff Beason – all of whom are running the Leadville 100 this year.

Not to be outdone, my FTP increased tremendously on Monday after I sold-out on a Zwift race. Things are coming around… even if I did eat most of the Valentine’s chocolates I bought for Stefany.

Join the Official Ordinary Marathoner team at TEAM ORDINARY!

Check out our homepage at www.ordinarymarathoner.com.

Or join the conversation at our Ordinary Marathoners Facebook Discussion Group.

I’ll also follow you back on Twitter if you follow me @OrdMarathoner.

Check out our annual virtual charity race, The Ordinary Marathon. Register early and be eligible for giveaways between now and race day.

One of the more inspirational stories we’ve had on the podcast. Kyle Pease suffers from cerebral palsy, which has kept him in a wheelchair his whole life. But that never stopped him from achieving some incredible things.

With the help of his brother and teammate, Brent, the two have taken on quite a challenge – endurance sports. Whether it be marathons or full Ironman triathlons, these two have courageously defied the odds time and time again.

Not only have they completed multiple large-scale endurance events, but now they have written a book as well! Beyond the Finish: A Story of Passion, Brotherhood, and Relentless Determination is now on the shelves. And if it’s half as interesting as the story we hear on today’s podcast, it’s worth picking up.

Check out the Kyle Pease Foundation.

Join the Official Ordinary Marathoner team at TEAM ORDINARY!

Check out our homepage at www.ordinarymarathoner.com.

Or join the conversation at our Ordinary Marathoners Facebook Discussion Group.

I’ll also follow you back on Twitter if you follow me @OrdMarathoner.

Check out our annual virtual charity race, The Ordinary Marathon. Register early and be eligible for giveaways between now and race day.

It’s never too early to learn how to make choices that benefit you. For my 10-year old, Samantha, I think she learned a bit yesterday. Normally, it is very difficult to pry this kid away from her iPad. But not yesterday. She had a basketball game, she went to the local trampoline park, we went out to dinner, and then she even helped us assemble her little sister’s kitchenette.

Not one minute wasted on the iPad. A parental victory, and also a victory for her. She left us a note saying how much fun she had – not even realizing she did all of that without the assistance of her little online tablet.

As I thought about that lesson this little girl just learned, I thought more specifically about how that concept applies to training. We all make choices with our time and what we do with it. Are the choices you make helping you or holding you back? Sometimes my choices hold me back – and I’m not always proud of those moments. But sometimes I feel the lure of the bad choice tugging at my soul, and it takes some added effort to make the right choice. I am not judging or asking to be judged… just someone trying to figure it out. Are you making the best choices for you?

Having finally conquered my Zwift LiveStream issues, it was full-steam ahead on the Thursday Night LiveStream. Until someone forgot to plug in the mic! Apologies to the 20+ people who tuned in only to find me speaking to myself.

BUT… it only builds up the suspense for next week’s ride, which we will attempt to LiveStream again!

The coaching business has been ramping up a bit lately. I get so excited every time I get a new call. Part of coaching is just loving what you do… and I love talking to people who are enthusiastic about accomplishing their goals. Even more, I love helping them accomplish them. So, if you want to chat about coaching – even if I’m not the perfect coach for you – I’d love to have that conversation. Reach out and schedule a consultation.