"On The Edge"

If you're not living on the edge you're taking up too much space!
The challenge of course is to be close enough to the edge to gain something from being there without actually falling off, and/or being so stressed that it overwhelms the gains. That's the sweet spot I'm trying to find both as relates to my training and to life in general.

First consider the training aspect. I read an expression in some book recently that went something like this...."the body will not be rushed". It simply takes time to build strength and endurance despite all the hype we may want to believe about "mind over matter" or the "power of positive thinking". Because I have limited time however I need to make the best use of by bringing my body as close to the edge as possible and keeping it there as much as possible. I think gradually I'm starting to get a feel for this. I'm starting to be able to predict somewhat better how I'm going to feel come next workout, and whether I will be ready for it. Today I had a good ride on the trainer....just over 55km in 2 hours... and I finished up not feeling wasted. So tomorrow will be the test as I head out for a long run. If I truly am getting more in tune with my body my prediction of a strong decent run will prove out. I promise I'll tell you the truth of it in tomorrows report.

On the life part of this idea things are a little less clear. I know in general how much value there is in living life in the fast lane. My work has kept me challenged and invigorated for many years and I wouldn't trade those experiences for anything. Somehow my illness has however made me re-evaluate a little bit. Not in the sense that I want to necessarily move farther from the intellectual edge but perhaps in the sense that it merits a little more evaluation of the dangers associated with the edge. It occurs to me that you can become addicted in a negative way to living life at an intense pace. Unlike the body I think the mind can perhaps be fooled a little bit. Especially a weak one like mine! Living on the edge can become a need instead of a gratification....much like any other addiction. So I'm still thinking about this one, but in general I think I need to move back a little bit, becoming a bit safer and perhaps a bit less stressed.

I want to thank Janine Grespan again for the beautiful job she did with the tonsil cancer stuff, and to remind you that though she barely mentions herself, she underwent all the same crap I did. Here is a link to part II which I admit I kinda liked. http://www.southwesternontario.ctv.ca/healthlifestyle.php.
A also got a very intriguing note from her this afternoon and I quote...

"Before I forget...the News Director was very impressed with your story...he insists we keep in touch and I do a follow up with you when you compete next summer...our BC affiliate can shoot your participation!! Won't that be exciting!??? No pressure, eh?"

I wish to dedicate day 77 to my nephew Sean, who I don't know very well but must be ok....after all he tolerates his mothers family!

And to support the idea that it make sense not to overanalyze...
"Don't worry about life, you're not going to survive it anyway."---Anon

And from son peter on the dividends that healthy living pays...
"Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die!"---Anon

love
peter