I Did the Miles and I Am Living the Dream

July 25, 2010

Day 23 - 63.7 miles

I have completed the miles of the Tour de France. Really hard to believe. I was up so early this morning, 3:30 am. Went downstairs to do my crunches and push ups. Came upstairs for my traditional toast and jelly and then waited to a little light came out. Started on my bike at 5:00 am. It was already 81 degrees but with a good northwest wind. I decided to spend my last ride on Sandy Hook where I did most of my training. Was one of the first people there at 6 am. Did a couple of loops till I reached 40 miles and then headed home. I was strong and kept a pace well above 15 miles and hour. Reached home with two miles to go. Did the final 5 loops around my development. My victory laps. Rene got the pictures of me finishing. Not the crowds that the Tour will have in Paris, but for me the sense of accomplishment is the same.

There is so much to talk about that I saw and experienced and learned about myself over these past three weeks. First, there is another world out there from 4:00 am to 7:00 am in the morning. The sunrise along the shore is spectacular. The wild life on Sandy Hook is fascinating. The smells you experience along the ride are so definitive. Ride thru small towns early and you can smell the bacon and eggs. Out in the farm land you can smell the horses and the manure. Along the ocean and seaport towns the fish smell is really prevalent. Sounds are always present. Sounds of the birds at 4:30 am. By 5 it is a full chorus and by 5:30 they are back asleep. When riding inland early you hear the roosters, the dogs barking as you ride by. On some main roads the cars let you know they are coming by honking and of course you get the young kids yelling at you. Then there is the best sound of all you experience on the lonely roads out in western NJ, that is the sound of silence. How peaceful the ride can be.

Today I had an epiphany. I had asked Rene the other day why she thought I was doing this. She said because I was bored and depressed. She was right. I needed a challenge to wake me up. Today I looked back on my life and this is what I found. 40 years ago I was in a similar position and discovered the marathon. Soon after getting involved in running my life got direction and I started two successful businesses. 20 years after that I again was down and my personal life was not good. This time I discovered triathlons and the Ironman Triathlon in Hawaii. After completing that I was introduced to a new business that turned out to be very successful. And the challenges in my personal life were resolved for the better. Now 20 years later at the age of 64, I have completed the third leg of my athletic trilogy. Once again the challenge and success of this endeavor has gotten my juices flowing again. I am re energized and I have a business model that I will now pursue with a huge amount of focus and dedication. I am positive that this will be very successful.

Several of my friends are retired and ask me well so are you joining us. Not now. I need competition and challenges, be it in the business world or athletic world. Now is the time for me to get serious again in the business world and do something I love doing. If you love it than it is not work. I am now ready to move on.

I learned so much on the road these past three weeks. It really has been a journey well worthy traveling. Let me thank all the supporters out there. You have been the motivation that I needed. Your donations will make a difference. Let me thank Bruce Robinson, Bob Rosa, Dick Cohen and Marc Bloom who came out and road with me during my rides. That was immensely helpful. Let me thank Jim Vacarro and his Team at Central Jersey Bank who sponsored my efforts and who helped with the awareness to the public and fundraising. To the Peddler Bike Shop in Long Branch who kept my bike going and kept me supplied with whatever I needed. A big thank you to Olga who gave me massages all year long and during the event to allow this 64 year old body to keep moving. For both my daugthers and their husbands, thank you for you concern and support, I needed it. Finally the biggest thank you goes to Rene. She has given up the month of July, the heart of the summer to be at my call. She had my food always there. She was available to get me when needed and was the ultimate support person. For that a huge thank you.

That's s it. I worked hard for 11 months to be able to punish my body for three weeks. Was it worth it. You bet. If you have a dream and a true passion to realize it, than the journey is the best part. Life is out there to be experienced and enjoyed any way that is right for you. Just go for it. Make that plan and set your goal, do the work consistently and persistently, and the dream will be yours for the taking.

Total Distance: 64 miles
Total Time: 4 hours and 15 minutes
Total Elapsed Time: 4 hours and 20 minutes

Total Distance the last 23 days: 2266 miles

Phil