Fumbling And Bumbling.....A True Triathlon Story.

here is a link to the audio version, in case you would rather listen to this blog: www.youtube.com/watch?v=9iGlsWCPMFs

I never was one who was into sports in a big way. In any kind of way, actually. Okay, sure, so I played little league baseball, flag football in sixth grade, and grade school basketball for one year. Mostly, though, I played for other reasons than because I found enjoyment in competition. That's all behind me now, and all that I can really do at this point is look back and imagine that, had I liked sports and competition, I would have lived, breathed, and practiced the craft until I became truly proficient. Of course, I can currently only speculate, but the reality is, that if I HAD become some kind of sports phenom, that by this point, I would already be retired and done. I guess that is kind of like saying that if Elvis were alive today, he'd be dead by now. Anyway, it would have been a career that was cut short by the ceaseless ravages of Ataxia. However, all would not be lost, because on the plus side I could then become the famous face of this Neurological disease, and be the spokesman to bring public attention, and awareness, that so many are striving for.

I am, however, in endless competition with myself, and as such, wondered what it would be like to execute simple household chores while being timed. I could then strive to break my own record, while enthusiastic sports commentators would be delivering a blow by blow account of the frenzied action. And when I say, "frenzied action," think half-frozen molasses being poured through a pin hole. So, with that thought in mind, I set my sights on three everyday activities that I engage in. They are:

1. The Beverage Lid Screw-ON....I have mentioned this one before, that I seem to have great difficulty putting screw type lids back on containers without dropping the cap multiple times and becoming very frustrated. This particular competition will encompass the retrieval of the beverage from the refrigerator, the removal of the cap, the successful pouring of the chosen drink into a glass, (I say successful because something usually gets spilled, although I am not convinced this is entirely my fault because the glass always seems to be moving, and dodging about), and finally the re-twisting of the cap. My personal best in this event is just under three minutes, that is if I don't become disqualified for spilling. I will be working hard to beat that score and hold the record in this competition for one. I keep confetti in my pocket so that at anytime I can whoop and holler in unbridled joy because I never know when that moment may arrive. When it does come, I will also have to cup my hands around my mouth, clap, and make sounds like a large crowd of spectators. In the picture below, I am preparing to train for this event.

2.  The PB And J....I enjoy a healthy nutritious lunch which usually involves the regular peanut butter and jelly sandwich. Also, the sandwich is the usual staple of my lunch because I am lazy and it has become a habit that has been carried over from my childhood. Those were the days when I could slap one of these delicious cuisines together it about 15 seconds. I think it takes me twice that long now just to get the two pieces of bread out of their heavily fortified plastic bag. And so, in the coming days I will be training hard, ( at least once a day, roughly between twelve p.m. and twelve-thirty p.m.). Since I am my own competition and do not need to keep my training regime a secret, I will let you have a peek into my training, as seen below:

3. The Mouse Trap....Perhaps the most physically challenging of the Triathlon. This rewarding, but sometimes brutal discipline, can alternate between triumph, or tears. It is definitely not for the weak, and should not be attempted without the proper training or supervision. Lives have been lost. I have been doing this for a number of years now, and it never gets easier, in fact, it is becoming more challenging, and I have included it in the Triathlon Event because it demands dexterity and a high level of concentration. The idea will be to try and set a trap in under two and a half minutes. I think that if I focus than just maybe....... And as long as there are mice that want to come into my house, I will continue. Pay attention mice, the No Vacancy light is on. My training pictures are below:

All the activities that I just mentioned were, in a very simplified way, letting you all know that I have not given up. My encouragement to you is that you would not quit on yourself either. That you would continue to fight and to attempt those things that are in your everyday life that used to be so simple. So many things were taken for granted, and I know, my friends, that it is a struggle. One that can be very disheartening, frustrating, and painful at times. The key I believe is to focus on what you can still do. You can bring support to someone else who might currently be having a tougher time than you. You can bring wisdom and experience to those who have newly received a diagnosis and are scared or confused. You can bring inspiration to many by sharing your stories of triumph, victory, or even times when it didn't go so well. You all have touched me and inspired me in one way or another, and I just want to say, "Thank-you," and encourage you all to keep on keepin on!