Journey to 26.2 (Part 1)

Many strides, kilometres, thoughts pass in the initial starting stages of a 26.2. What is a 26.2? For those not familiar with running jargon; 26.2 is short for Marathon. Roughly 26.2 Miles, 42.2 Kilometres. 1 Year Ago; The 2017 Colfax Marathon was my 26.2 debut. I had no time to think of what to expect or pre-26.2 jitters as I was constantly in running / life mode.  For most runners; participants; this is not new. Add on the layers of being a Type 1 Diabetic & numerous other conditions anemia, hemophilia, vertigo & my time was in a literal vacuum. I had no time to think about it; I’m constantly preparing the body for conditions.

So this is where the journey to 26.2 begins;.........

24k of Type 1 Endurance

Stride after stride I felt stronger & quicker; glancing at my Dexcom monitor strapped on my upper left arm: blood sugar 67 & falling double arrows.  Arms swinging like a pendulum; I took a big swig of water & glanced at my other vitals on my watch: pulse 110 / 39.01 minutes / 4.3 miles into a 5 mile race. On the outside, I was calm, powerful & a running Diabadass passing runners in the final stretch. Inside, my sugars were depleted, pulse quickening, & dry mouth; (Hypoglycemia) for me! I realized I needed to finish this race fast or.................

The Life Reset by Geese

The Year 2016 hasn’t gone exactly the way I planned. Ever since January 2016; it has been a downward spiral; my hoist of health issues (blood disorders) has dominated the year. I missed my first World Series of Poker in 13 Years; havn’t been to Vegas since January; havn’t played a hand of poker since January & I’ve actually spent more time this year in Hospitals than I have in casinos & in public combined. You’re probably thinking “Impossible; There’s No Way”.

It took me throwing my cell phone (one tough cell phone & it still works just like me) multiple times 

The 150K Tilt of Poker & Life: Part 2- The Blackhole

5 hands into this cash game & 5 hands I played-I lost. (Pocket 9s; AK; AJx; Pocket 2s; Pocket Kings) The stakes & HANDS didn't matter; Full-on tilt engulfed me. I didn't even remember buying in. Poker was imitating life & I was ready to let it rip. Life can sometimes smack you down over & over. If you aren't careful; being smacked & smacking is all you will know. I asked the floor person for chips & was told you already bought in; Chewey but there is a seat at 1/2!. I looked down at my once big stack to see a few dribbles remaining.

The 150K Tilt of Poker & Life: Part 1- The Fester

Go 2 for 3 on your tournament All-In's & sit below your stacking stack of 5k with 1.3k; How does it feel? Not good. 1 of the 2 All-In wins; you chop. How does that feel? Urgggh. How about All-In on the flop with pocket Jacks vs A-6 off on a board of Q,Q,3,K.  I know I'm ahead but this is Texas Hold'em; there is one more card to come. Before the last card is dealt; I'm prepared for the worst regardless of what I hold & the magical "King" appears. My Jacks are counterfeited & I lose to the A-6x. Needless to say; I didn't cash in this particular tournament but managed to survive with the shortest stack far longer than most players.

If you let it; your job/profession can negatively impact your life.