Broken Resolutions

The New Year is around the corner and millions of people around the world are busy devising their resolutions for the upcoming year. The statistics are dismal. Only 25% of people will adhere to their declarations to make themselves thinner, fitter, wealthier, better at their jobs or less dependent on drugs or alcohol. The origin of the New Year's Resolution dates to 153 B.C. when Janus, a mythical king of early Rome was placed at the head of the calendar, giving us the name January.

Happy Holidays

Tonight and tomorrow Jews across the nation will perpetuate a stereotype by attending movies and eating Chinese food. The holidays represent an interesting time for Jews; we partake in some activities but are bystanders in most. For instance, seasonal parties attract everyone, but we breathe a sigh of relief when cars with trees strapped precariously to the roof drive past (I know in our house we would be scrambling on Valentine’s Day to recycle it).

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To where it bent in the undergrowth.

The Top 10

When bad things happen, it is always a good idea look at the positives and not just the negatives to make the situation more bearable. In deference to David Letterman I have compiled two lists. From the home office in Boulder, CO: “JZ’s Top 10 positive and negative things about recovering from shoulder surgery”.

Anatomy of Comeback

American’s love comeback stories. Tales of cranky, washed up, fallen from grace athletes have been Hollywood fodder for years (my favorite is “The Champ”, the first movie that made me cry. And, how cute was Ricky Schroeder). What constitutes a comeback? Athletes suffer injuries regularly. I think it must be written in the preamble of the Athlete’s Constitution: If you train you will pay the consequences with some type of bodily harm. Since injuries are implicit, returning to the field after something mundane, such as a muscle tear or stress fracture, does not comprise a comeback.

Bodily Functions

Whenever I discuss Ironman with people unfamiliar with the event, they all ask the same question, “How do you go to the bathroom during such a long day?” I answer that we just go on the bike while riding and stop at the porta-potties on the run. Truly, though, this is an oversimplification and completely neglects a more intrinsic problem, GI distress that can occur without warning during training or racing. This matter is so important and so universal many years ago I wanted to write an article for one of the triathlon publications entitled “Where to sit when you have to shit”.

Evolution of a Recreational Writer

I became a recreational writer many years ago. It started in the late 90’s when I was a regular contributor to Triathlete magazine. Subsequent book chapters dealing with various triathlon topics followed. My website provided a new medium for me to express thoughts. And, now, blogging has given me the ultimate freedom to test my limits as a recreational writer and perhaps morph into a professional writer.

My List to Santa

Dear Santa,

I realize you receive millions of letters this time of year and your inbox is quite full. Hopefully, mine will stand out though, given I am not your typical customer. I am a grown woman. And, I am sure you will overlook the fact I am Jewish since you have a reputation of being benevolent and jolly. You see, Santa, I grew up in San Diego, CA and that has permanently thinned my blood rendering me unable to tolerate cold weather.

The Pain Game

Every time I visit with a doctor, nurse, physical therapist, chiropractor, acupuncturist or go to an emergency room I groan when asked this question, “On a scale of 1 to 10 what is your level of pain?” I despise this question. Pain is incredibly subjective; a hang nail may be a level 5 for one person and a gun shot wound a 2 for someone else. I pride myself in having an unusually high pain tolerance and my interpretation of the pain scale is accordingly skewed.

Walking for Sanity

I love to workout. I began my athletic career at the age of 7 as a swimmer and started triathlon shortly after college. I have never taken an extended break from training; I enjoy the outdoors too much and the movement of exercise is vitalizing, whether it is a recovery run or an all-out session. For me, working out is more than just training for the next race. So, you cannot imagine the frustration of my clavicle fracture and subsequent surgery which rendered me unable to swim, bike or run for varying periods of time.

Introduction

This is my first attempt at blogging. I have never been inspired to track the mundane happenings in my life. Until now. It is not that suddenly my life has become more exciting, because that certainly is not the case. I feel that now I have a message to convey. The year 2009 was not a kind one and ended with a very impressive bike crash at the Ironman 70.3 World Championship which resulted in my having shoulder surgery.