I Have Good News And Bad News….
By: Dario Bucceri
Tags: Positive Thinking, Life, Life Lessons, Lifehacks, Overcoming Obstacles

The Running App

I remember the day I was told by the specialist that the difficulties I had been experiencing with the dexterity of my hands, the inexplicably low moods, fatigue, lack of movement in my arms when I walked, my foot that dragged from time to time, growing difficulties when trying to write legibly and the interminable tremors in my hands arms and legs that had become a part of my life were the result of a degenerative neurological disease in my brain known as Parkinsons.

The good news, he said, was that I wouldn’t die from it. the bad news however was that with the passing of time it would increasingly affect my life, something that I would have to live with. I was told to inform the licensing authorities which meant that my drivers licence was adjusted and placed on a more frequent renewal cycle, enabling them to monitor my progress and to determine whether they were going to let me continue driving.

It was a stunning bit of news that rocked my world. I’m the breadwinner in our home. My work involved me travelling to my clients, using my laptop for hours at a stretch during a working day. The problem was that with the passing of a working day, my ability to type at any speed, with any sort of accuracy, would slowly ‘come off the boil’ as would my accuracy.

I remember walking out of the hospital having purchased a coffee at the Costas in the reception area, going to the pay point, where I left my coffee as returned to my car. I spent ages trying to get out of the parking lot. I was properly shaken. More than that, I was out of control and I was terrified. I eventually found my way out of the hospital grounds and called Sue.

What to say? This was not a good day. I was really struggling with the whole situation and didn’t do much of a job at communicating with her.

I returned to work.

Life was somehow different and I couldn’t figure out why — nothing changed from one day to the next, to be honest. It was just, somehow, different.

The medication began to take effect and with one small adjustment, I was given back my life! The tremors became more controlled, my dexterity improved somewhat, my mood went back to near normal as though nothing had ever happened. My face which had become permanently expressionless (known as masking) came back to life and so my journey on this new road that had been set for me had begun.

It took another three months or so for me to get to grips with my new normal. I was told in no uncertain terms that there was no cure, that medicine would slow the effects of the disease but that if I really wanted to do something to help myself, I would absolutely have to lose weight (about 4.5 stones or 28kg), get fit and keep moving.

It took 6 months and some serious self talk to mobilise myself.

Thing is, I realised that I was going to get to old age one day. When I got there, I would be thinking one of two things. #1 If only I’d done as they asked, I might be more mobile right now” or #2 “Thank God I listened to the medics and moved while I could, it has improved and prolonged the quality of my life”

#1 was never an option, I would go for #2.

As it turned out, I bought a pair of running shoes and some gear in the last days before the lockdown occurred. I signed up to the NHS couch to 5km fitness app, got up early the next morning and got to work on getting fit and maintaining my mobility.

On my first morning out, my task was to run for 60 seconds, walk for a bit and then run for 60 seconds. I nearly died — you have never experienced 60 seconds take this long! Spots in front of my eyes, gasping for breath, barely able to put one foot in front of the other. Definitely not a pretty site!

With the passing of time (9 weeks in fact) I completed the programme by running for a full 30 minutes. I was properly chuffed!!!!!

I wondered if I could go a bit further. I did. Maybe just a bit further. I did. Came the day when I tried 7kms. Hard work, but I did it. 9kms. Same again, but I did it.

This was getting exciting. 10kms, 13kms, 15kms, 18kms. My distances continued to grow. I decided to try a half marathon, 21.1kms. I didn’t say anything to anyone in case it didn’t work, but I tried and it did! I’ve completed a half marathon each week since.

Because I can.

Thats when I looked at my year to date mileage on the running app and saw that I had just passed 1000km’s in training runs this year. 124 runs, 7’27’’ avg pace per run, for a total of 124 hours, 52 minutes and 48 seconds on the road. In the process, I’d lost 4 stones (25kgs) in weight.

This is the thing. I’m not telling this story about the last 18 months or so for you to think big thoughts or to be impressed. I have a long way to go. Everyday presents another opportunity to break the discipline and to stop running or start overeating again. Everyday is a new day, with its own challenges and distractions, its own never ending craving for chocolate, a lot of it, preferably loaded with fruit and nuts!

I am very aware that this journey isn’t over ’til its over. I am also aware that I have a lot to be thankful for. I have two friends battling cancer. There are folk with Parkinsons that live extremely limited, painful lives. People all around me are struggling with issues and life-challenges that put my experience into perspective for what it is.

I am thankful that this is all that I have to deal with right now.

So why tell the story?

I want to encourage you. Its been a tough year. We have faced seemingly endless obstacles. Some of us have experienced extremely painful losses. Others have lost their livelihoods. Its just been a bloody difficult time.

I’m telling the story to remind myself and to encourage you with the thought that no matter what life throws in our direction, the one thing over which we have control is how we respond to it.

I could have arrived at the 23 December 2020 weighing 18+ stones having not run one centimetre, wishing that I had.

Alternatively, I could have arrived at the same date, immeasurably fitter, much lighter and in a better state of mind than I’ve been for years. Fundamentally, it was my choice.

I want to encourage you with the idea that we have the power to leverage progress in our lives using obstacles and negative events as a driver.

I want to encourage you with the fact that we don’t have to be defined by our circumstances or life experiences. We can choose to define ourselves, rising above those circumstances or life experiences to become bigger, more loving, more generous, more determined people.

I want to encourage you with the idea that if we take the time to master ourselves, compete against ourselves, conquer the inevitable discomfort caused by personal growth and persevere no matter what, we can change our world.

I did.

So far.

Never mind Couch to 5km’s in 9 weeks — I’ve just done couch to 1000km’s in 10 months….

Come on now….

You can do this!