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Who's the Real MVP?

Chris and I with Mom at Church.
While I was driving to my mom's today I was working through how I would handle lunch. I had packed my bag with an extra bottle of water and a snack bag of nuts and raisins. I was thinking about how much effort it takes to keep this old body in shape and running efficiently. I looked at my wrist which is looking better but I'm on tight restrictions per the doc until the bruise and pain are completely gone. I was starting to get frustrated because while it doesn't limit my running at all (thankfully!!!) it does hamper my efforts in taekwondo. If I follow the doc's orders correctly I can't punch "anything but air" until it is healed. I need to break boards, and punch pads! And I need to spar to prepare for an upcoming tournament. I figured I have to decide how well I want to take care of myself - no one can do that for me.

I started thinking about my online running community and how they gripe at me when I mess up and really do help me stay accountable in many ways. I've written before about it taking a whole village to keep me honest, and I'm not kidding much. That led my thoughts to the last year (yes - I was driving so I had plenty of time to sort this all out.) and the struggles I had physically. I thought about how I've gone to the doc more in the last 6-8 months than I have in the previous 10 years all put together.

I took some time thinking back over my running journey and how I'm beginning to feel better overall. I thought about all the "village people" it's taking to raise me (at 54 years old!). My primary care NP, the cardiologist, my running group, my friends and my daughter all play a role. But then I thought that none of these can really "help" me if I make stupid choices. Kind of like no one can run a race for you. They can encourage, coach, advise and run alongside but there is no one who can run it for you- just with you. That makes you the MVP. You are the most valuable player in the game of life. I am the MVP of my own life.

Right now I have tons of help and had even more when I was in a tight spot a few months back. But now that I am feeling and doing better it can be tempting to lighten up. But an MVP can't let up - not in any game.

So how did I handle lunch? I asked everyone to every ingredient they put in their dishes. And you know what I ended up eating? Nada. Nothing. I had already eaten my nuts and raisins. Everything was loaded with salt so I just sat and visited with everyone and let them eat. It didn't even bother me because the risk just isn't worth it to me. But it didn't seem to bother anyone at all. I guess that's what I was worried about - having to justify my actions. But no one gave me a difficult time at all. Maybe they are starting to understand.

Now I'm home - had a great homemade chicken fajita (my first try - and it was delicious!). And I'm getting ready to get on the treadmill to start this second week of full marathon training off right. I have a lot on my shoulders right now but I won't bore you with the details - just hang around to see how this life MVP makes the necessary changes to beat congestive heart failure one victorious step at a time.
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