Happy Healthy YOU
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Kelly Spencer - Happy Healthy YOU
(A wellness column by Kelly Spencer: writer, life coach, yoga & meditation teacher, holistic healer and a mindful life enthusiast!)
In last week’s article, we explored and witnessed Victoria stepping out of her comfort zone and on to the stage to perform her first jazz recital. This week we are staying with the theme, but ramping it up... a lot.
Have you ever wondered how far you could push your body, your mind and your heart?
I have the extreme honor and bragging rights to interview my husband, Jeff Ward. Jeff just completed a 200 mile (320 km) gravel road bicycle race in Kansas, USA. There are a lot of activities I really love to do, but for 20 hours? I simply can’t imagine.
To make this story a bit more incredible, Jeff was diagnosed with Charcot-Marie-Tooth, a neurological disease when he was ten years old, leading to surgeries on both feet when he was a school-aged child. This challenge led him to shy away athletics. One activity he always loved though was bike riding. He found an unexplainable freedom and joy, riding his bike for hours at a time with his childhood buddy, Don.
Jeff’s childhood was amidst dysfunction, experiencing many abusive scenarios that led to severe and debilitating anxiety as a child. By late teens, he had developed addictions to cope with life. In 1992, by the age of 21 years old, Jeff got clean and sober. Since that day, he has searched for growth, continually seeking to be happier and healthier.
Is pushing your limits a new concept to you?
Jeff: "In this capacity, yes. This was definitely the toughest physical and mental demand I have voluntarily experienced. I have pushed myself and overcame many obstacles in my life, but nothing like this."
What obstacles did face preparing for the race?
Jeff: "Self-doubt. There was a fear of pushing myself and not being able to do it. Fear of the unknown. I trained but never felt like I trained enough to get here. I had never ridden a bike for 320 km. The furthest was 200 km in one day, so this was a big stretch."
How did you overcome your self-doubt and fear?
Jeff: "I did it despite them. I just stepped into my fears. I trained by pushing myself mentally and physically. I would do long rides to London or Turkey Point then would do a mountain bike group ride and then pedal home, tired and spent. It gave me confidence when I pushed myself successfully. I also acknowledged my fears and self-doubt with Ben, a friend who I trained and rode the Kansas ride with. Talking about the anxiety I was feeling about the race with my friends and family helped release a bit."
Did you feel physically ready for the race?
Jeff: "Three weeks before the race, I sprained my ankle and one week before I crashed on a trail ride. I hurt my shoulder and neck. I started to get really fearful, not just emotionally, but fearful that my physicality would not be able to accomplish it. I reached out to a lot of people to assist me prepare and heal. Dr. Dickson, my chiropractor, worked wonders on my body and as well he used laser therapy on my ankle to help heal it. I went to a Reiki Master, Laura Dunn, to release some fears and stay aligned. She also gave me some healing essential oils for my ankle. I got lots of race and nutritional advice from guys that have experience, like George Papadakos and Donny Klassesn. I reached out a lot."
So you get to Kansas, and you start the race at 6 a.m., what are your thoughts and feelings?
Jeff: “Holy (bleep) I can’t believe I am doing this!”
What challenges did you run into?
Jeff: "Eleven miles into the race, the gravel road turned to mud: thick, slippery mud that made it unable to ride. We walked our bikes about four miles by foot. This was with 185 miles to go! This took almost four hours. I was thinking that if there was another spot like this I would probably quit the race. My feet were wet and aching as we walked through water and mud. My previously sprained ankle was getting pretty sore."
How did you get past this discouragement?
Jeff: "Once we got to the first check point, which was 75 miles in and about seven hours into the race we had a quick 20 minute rest and a bite to eat, cleaned up the bikes and headed back on the gravel roads. I started to feel more hopeful although I had to acknowledge my body felt fatigued. I had to remind myself to eat and drink water. So I slowed down and focused on the view. The beauty of this country trail was amazing. There were no houses or buildings, just beautiful breathtaking landscape. I focused on the joy around me, rather than the things I I wasn’t enjoying."
At the second check point (150 miles in), how were you doing?
Jeff: "A headwind gave us some challenge during the second leg of the race, so we began drafting with other bikers, meaning you take turns being the leader. It kind of helps to pull each other. It was 9 p.m. now; my body was really tired but I was so excited to be at this check point. It was hard to eat but I forced myself as it was required. I could feel the adrenaline rush. I had the first glimpse that I was going to do this. I had a knowing that I would finish the race."
You didn’t think you were going to finish?
Jeff: "No. I tried to imagine finishing it, but I couldn’t. So I let go of the expectation of it. I had to keep reminding myself to let it go. Or I would say in my mind “whatever I do, is enough.” So this last check point was the first time I truly imagined finishing."
So its 1:30 a.m., you have been riding for 19.5 hours on gravel roads, hills, mud and cow paths... how do you feel at the finish line?
Jeff: "Euphoric. Exhausted. It was the most amazing feeling. My body was numb, and I was running on adrenaline only. I was so happy that I pushed myself to this limit: a very proud moment."
Your completion of this race deems you an 'Ultra-Endurance Athlete'? How does that title sound?
Jeff: "Not real." (laughing)
Would you do it again?
Jeff: "I am excited to do more events and challenges for sure."
Do you have any advice for those wanting to push their limits?
Jeff: "I always have to challenge my belief system. Each time I challenge it and step outside it, life opens up more and more. So, my advice would be, step outside the box. Challenge your body, mind and heart and belief systems. You don’t have to be perfect. Whatever you do is enough."
(If you would like to see an article on a specific topic, please email kelly@indigolounge.ca)