The Only People Without Problems ...

... are either gone from this earth or on their way in. 

 

The rest of us have to get up every morning and figure out how to make it to the end of every day. 

 

Problems are essential to the athlete.  And to the rest of us. 

 

We can `react' to a problem in an impulsive, emotion-encumbered way.  Or we can `respond' to a problem from the `neck up.' 

 

When the bike goes off the road or gets caught in a road crevice we have to `react' fast in order to be safe and survive. 

 

When we approach a traffic-heavy intersection we have time to `respond,' to consider the best solution to potential danger. 

 

In both cases we are called to deal with a problem and come out the other side. 

 

As for `training' (the name of this blog). 

 

Joe Friel shouldn't be an unfamiliar name to competitive athletes.  I've read his many books and followed him on his blog for years.  What many may not realize is that he is in his 70's and suffered a serious bicycling accident and injuries in January of 2014. 

 

"The biggest consumer of my time in the last nine weeks was related to recovering from a bike crash on January 24. That resulted in seven broken bones including the clavicle and scapula, a concussion, blood clots in both legs and lungs, a partially torn rotator cuff and shoulder labrum, and what docs call “adhesive capsulitis” (also called “frozen shoulder”). After six days in the hospital trauma center, all of these injuries required numerous trips to various medical specialists, X-rays, CT scans and an MRI. Then there have been three weekly visits to my physical therapist going on since late February. All of this left little time for anything else." (Link)

 

I strongly recommend his work.

 

Training involves `problems.'  Not all of them have to do with finding the time to train, deciding on the best nutrition and diet, getting your workout plans implemented, or fitting yourself with the equipment that helps you achieve your goals. 

 

In Joe's case it involved dealing with a major injury, the impact that age has on his recovery, and, I'm certain, his own assessment of himself now that he is truly among the `elderly.'  (As am I).

 

As I write this blog entry I'm probably within 15 minutes of his home nearby Scottsdale, Arizona.  My wife is dealing with a problem she has had for many, many years that is in another stage of solution / management: knee replacement.  A talented and experience surgeon spent 50 minutes cutting, sawing, gluing and hammering to `install' a new knee joint. 

 

Joe's problem required a rapid and urgent `reaction.'  My wife's problem required a thoughtful and deliberate `response.' 

 

Both Joe and my wife are now engaged in a form of `remaking' of themselves in pursuit of the challenges ahead. 

 

Lucky they have problems.  Think of how empty life would be without problems.