Author: jeff noel

Retired Disney Institute Keynote Speaker and Prolific Blogger. Five daily, differently-themed personal blogs (about life's 5 big choices) on five interconnected sites.

Lahti, Finland

Lahti, Finland.  August 2009.  Master’s Track & Field World Championships.  Men’s 50-54 age-group, 400 meters.  Lane 8.

Lane 8?

You ask a great question.  Why would anyone strive for lane 8?

It’s the lane the slowest contestant uses.  Most would say it’s the worst lane to be in.

Yes, and…..

The finals!

To be in lane 8, in the finals of the world championships would mean to be in the top 8 in the entire world.

Now does it make more sense?

This morning’s run was 25 minutes of slow jogging.  The first mile, there was some noticeable pain in my left heel.  Not enough to stop running, but enough to keep me from saying, “I feel great!”

Just sent an email to the Sales team in Lahti, Finland to inquire about accomodations near the track stadium.

Nervous. Excited.  Hopeful.  Humble.

Make it a GREAT day, because if you don’t, who will?  Carpe diem, jeff noel  🙂

One week later?

One week later?  Feeling pretty good.

There’s a fair amount of emotional labor (worry) involved here.  It may be a mirage.  Can’t tell yet.

It sure has been a test of my faith and an exercise in self-examination.

Why am I worried?

It’s only a race, right?  One stupid little lap.  Four-hundred meters.  About 54 seconds of my life.

Why?

Why does it feel so important?

Gotta go.  Make it a great day, because if you don’t, who will.  Carpe diem, jeff noel  🙂

PS.  Maybe it’s so important because it’s impossible.  Let me pray and think about that one.  Have you any advice on chasing impossible dreams?

Hope, the dog

Orlando Sentinel article about a biped puppy, found abandoned with his seven siblings.

www.orlandosentinel.com/news/local/orl-lochopedog21032109mar21,0,4491003.story

This dog doesn’t know what’s impossible.

Funny thing.  After ten years of walking, running, stretching, eating right, getting plenty of sleep (mostly), I’m on the verge of discovering the very same thing as Hope, the Dog.

Maybe anything is possible.  Maybe not.

I wonder how much of it is the fact that, if you’re like me, you rarely get a chance to challenge popular belief, and therefore, everything big, is impossible.

Feel free to read this amazing story.  And, oh yeah, make it a GREAT day, because if you don’t, who will?  Carpe diem, jeff noel  🙂

PS.  So far (it’s only 6AM) my left foot feels great.

Two days later

Sunday, March 22, 2009, which is exactly two days after my first left-heel cortisone shot, from a wonderful Podiatrist, Dr. Cyrtis Wagner, at Sand Lake Commons, near Walt Disney World.

Went to Holy Family Church for 8:45AM Mass.  Then went to Gold’s gym around 10AM for a strength and core workout, skipping all calf exercises.  No pain.  Cool.

It’s 2PM and I’m rocking my left foot back and forth over a frozen water bottle, like I always do.  No pain.

No pain!

Cool.  Hope this feeling lasts.

Dream big.  Get there.  Stay there.

The first two are the ones that many people attain.  Dreaming big is the easiest.  Getting to your goal, an aweful lot of work.  Goals have a way of lifting us to extraordinary effort.

But “staying there”!  That’s in a league by itself.

If I have to explain this to you, may I suggest you first re-read the last two sentences, slowly and carefully.

If you don’t get it, well, sorry.

One more try.  Just look at dieting, or relationships.  Losing weight and finding a great partner can be very motivating goals.

Agree?  Good.

Staying at a healthy weight the rest of your life, or staying married for a lifetime, a whole different level of challenge.

Now do you get what I’m saying?  Hope so.

Make it a day to Dream Big.  Carpe diem, jeff noel  🙂

One day later.

So how do I feel today?

Pretty good. Not great or excellent. Pretty good.

I’ll give it another day.

Some mild pain on my left heel when I rub it over a frozen water bottle.

I guess I was thinking there would be zero pain after 24 hours.

I remain hopeful. And faithful. Faithful that whatever the plan is, it’ll work out exactly as it’s supposed to.

In the back of my my mind is the thought of ten years of incredible effort, and an upcoming milestone birthday. And a few other factors all coming together to make for an inspirational story.

Maybe tens years is too early. Maybe 50 is too young.

Maybe not.

I surrender.

For real.

Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂