I travel often with my job as an advocate for Navy Medicine. It is many a morning that I wake up and don’t know where I am – a strange skyline, a different treadmill, bad coffee and wrinkled clothing has become part of my daily routine. You would think as a doctor I’d learn to take it easy when I feel my body giving out. But no, I take it a step further and push my limits by never turning down an amazing opportunity. This past week I had the opportunity to attend the Winter Olympics in Vancouver, BC. It truly was a magical experience. And yes, I did get sick.
Stepping off of the airplane in Canada I immediately felt the energy surrounding the Olympic Games. The Vancouver airport was decorated magnificently in the spirit of the Games. I joined the crowd of passengers from all over the world and together we watched the images from the Opening Ceremonies live on a big LCD screen above the immigration tables. Coughing and sniffling I took it all in – the colorful dances and celebration of Canadian culture, mixed with the aerial images of Vancouver and Whistler Mountain. I couldn’t wait to get out of the airport and watch the events of the day.
In my previous blogs I have written at length about the benefits and importance of having a friend to strive and train towards a common goal. The same holds true about having a friend to step in when you need a break. (Thank you friend). Your body is boss and it will give you indications when you’re abusing it. Learn to listen to it. Your body can only take so much stress, travel, and physical exertion. To realize your gains in fitness you must eat well and give your body plenty of rest.
With some coercion by a good friend, I gave my body a rest and watched the Olympics on television as they were going on outside my window. My recipe for getting over a cold (cough, runny nose, sore throat) is a liter of orange juice with two packets of Emergen-C diluted with a liter of water for breakfast and chamomile tea and chicken noodle soup for lunch and dinner. Combine that with lots of stretching, twelve glasses of ice water throughout the day, a good cold medicine with acetaminophen and pseudoephedrine, yoga and tons of sleep and you’ll be back at it in no time.
Two days later I felt much better and was finally able to go see the men’s moguls competition. Dressed in all-USA patriotic gear my friends and I cheered as Bryan Wilson got the bronze and we witnessed Alexandre Biladeau win the Gold for Canada – their first Olympic gold medal on home soil ever! What I remember most from watching these ski runs was the razor sharp focus of the athletes at the top of the hill followed by a flood of emotion at the bottom as they crossed the finish line. I could feel their overwhelming emotion, whether it be joy and elation or disappointment and sadness as their years of training culminated in a 25 second performance. It was a powerful experience that I will never forget.
This experience was a key reminder that it is not how well you do in your final race that matters, but rather how much you enjoy the process of getting there. Be present in the time you spend training with your friends, the hours and hours you spend working on form in the pool, on the track, or on the bike. Cherish the lousy workouts and the awesome workouts, the early mornings, the times you get sick, the times you experience that incredible runners high, the times you win and the times you lose. Enjoy the journey. That is what life is all about.
I met Bode Miller after he won the bronze in the Men’s Downhill Ski Race. This is Bode’s fourth Olympics. He’s been through many ups and downs in his career and many doubted his chances of competing again in 2010. I went up to him and congratulated him on his Olympic medal. He said to me, “Thanks bro. You know, it’s just another ski day. I’m having fun out there and I’m enjoying the experience. It’s great to be alive.” So true Bode, so true.
Andy Baldwin is a Nautica sponsored athlete
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