I was asked by a friend recently if I merely "traded addictions" from booze to running and the answer is no. My newest addiction isn’t running at all; I am now addicted to living a fearless and sober life.
There is no doubt that I am passionate and committed in everything that I do; fatherhood, running, healthy eating, business, you name it. I live with complete passion, a commitment to excellence, and I believe the only things worth doing- are those that you are willing to do completely.
I have also faced the prospect of living without running in my life. Many people don’t know that I had a severe injury and underwent spinal surgery just two years into my sobriety. I was forced to not only face the prospect of never running again, but also the thought of never walking again without severe pain. I know that if I were forced to retire from the trails and from racing that my life would look different, yet it would be almost exactly the same in many ways. I would continue to confront my fears, challenge myself to be free, and not give anything less than everything to my pursuits.
I know that many people will never understand what drives me commit so much energy and effort into the things I do- but I can tell you that I am driven by the need to be free from the ties that bind my mind and body- I am not a slave to them. I have been fortunate to have been granted the strength to bust the chains of addiction and servitude, and I am now free to shape my own life. I know now that in my new life even if I lost the gift of being able to run, I will never have to crawl again...
(from May 2011)
There is no doubt that I am passionate and committed in everything that I do; fatherhood, running, healthy eating, business, you name it. I live with complete passion, a commitment to excellence, and I believe the only things worth doing- are those that you are willing to do completely.
I have also faced the prospect of living without running in my life. Many people don’t know that I had a severe injury and underwent spinal surgery just two years into my sobriety. I was forced to not only face the prospect of never running again, but also the thought of never walking again without severe pain. I know that if I were forced to retire from the trails and from racing that my life would look different, yet it would be almost exactly the same in many ways. I would continue to confront my fears, challenge myself to be free, and not give anything less than everything to my pursuits.
I know that many people will never understand what drives me commit so much energy and effort into the things I do- but I can tell you that I am driven by the need to be free from the ties that bind my mind and body- I am not a slave to them. I have been fortunate to have been granted the strength to bust the chains of addiction and servitude, and I am now free to shape my own life. I know now that in my new life even if I lost the gift of being able to run, I will never have to crawl again...
(from May 2011)
Hey Dave! Really enjoying your blog! I'm trying to get back into fitness/healthy lifestyle now in my sobriety. You are an inspiration to me!
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