Buried Alive and STILL on his Feet!

Five hours, 40 minutes, and 51 seconds is how long it takes to run a marathon after training underground. Edison Pena was one of the 33 men who survived trapped underground in a mine for 69 days. He was known as “the runner,” because he filled the days underground by running through the mine tunnels and signing Elvis. Not even a dark hole of abyss stopped him from keeping his running spirit. What have you done lately?

It is all too easy to start making excuses to not hit the pavement, go to the gym, or attend your weekly yoga class. Are any of our excuses any good? The Chilean miner had only work boots, mining clothes, a bummed knee and dark tunnels and he found a way. What’s the secret to keeping up with the running spirit?
2 hours, 8 minutes and 14 seconds is how long it takes to win the New York Marathon. Gebre Gebremariam won the marathon while a former marathon champion Haile Gebrselassie announced retirement leaving the race after only 16 miles with an injury. Running professionals, these men make a living by concurring world records and finishing in times unfathomable by the hobby runner. Does it have to be your source of income to stay dedicated?

The first couple weeks of training are strenuous, mortifying, painful and agonizing, yet so many make it through with one goal in mind: finishing the 26 mile, 385 yard race. Nearly 45,000 runners had that common goal in New York City this year. Whether your goal is a marathon or a mile on the treadmill, it takes self motivation and determination to get to the end of your race. No one will do it for you and only you can get yourself there.

The Chilean miner stated he did this to motivate others. Hopefully he motivated you. The only way we can keep ourselves healthy and decrease the growing rates of obesity and diabetes is to become more heath conscious and active. There is a solid link between obesity and diabetes, heart disease and a number of other illnesses. Going to the gym or hitting the pavement is more than a hobby, it is a life saving activity. Every day I see patients who let go of their running hobbies because they got too busy. Not only did they lose an enjoyable hobby, but they also lost their health and are now trying 10 times harder to reverse the consequences of an inactive lifestyle. Let Pena, Gebremariam and Gebrselassie’s running accomplishments be your motivation to get up, get out, and run!