“The problem is that once this happens, it almost always happens again. And if it does, I don’t know what I’m gonna be able to do for him. He’s an older dog. I honestly don’t think he would survive the surgery.”
“Well, we have to make sure that doesn’t happen again.”
“Well, most likely, it is gonna happen again.”
“Well, we also talked about that maybe he ate too fast or drank too quickly.”
“Right.”
“So maybe it doesn’t have to happen again. We’ll monitor that.”
“I’m just saying you may wanna prepare yourself that he may not make it through the night. Maybe 10% of dogs survive this kind of a thing.”
“What-What is that number based on?”
“What is it based on?”
“Yeah, the reason why I ask is I bet that number’s based on regular dogs.”
“Regular dogs?”
“Yeah, and this guy here is not like other dogs. I know people probably say that all the time, but to be honest…I’m not sure he really is a dog. He once ate an answering machine. Just polished it off. He didn’t chew it. He ate it. And then digested it. Then went and had the phone for dessert. Another time, my son had colic and this guy sat up all night, didn’t move, just stayed right there for nine hours just keeping an eye on Conor. So I think maybe that the number applies to regular dogs. But not to him.”
“Well, you got a fighter here. Let’s hope for the best.”
“I know he’s gonna be okay. I’ll see you in the morning.”
from Marley and Me.
The reason I quote this I hope is apparent.
Average lifespan=78 years.
70% of the U.S. population is overweight or obese. I chose not to be.
An above average VO2 max for someone my age is 47 ml/kg/min. Excellent is 60. Mine is 84.
50% of marriages end in divorce.
1% of college athletes go professional.
Less than 1/3 of the population earns a college degree. I will stand with my diploma in 2013.
Less than 50% of students who apply to medical school get in. If I continue my pursuit to go to med school, I will go, and I will get my degree.
The odds have been against us since we were born. If we choose to accept the difficult task of standing out in this population, then those statistics don’t apply to us. I don’t know about you but I refuse to be considered normal, average, or part of another statistic. I do what I want to do and I control my life. I am not controlled by the fate of others.
Chris McCormack responded to Triathlete magazine when asked about criticism from haters:
“I don’t even care. My entire career I have copped flak from haters, so it is nothing new to me. I have never been driven to do what others want me to do. I do what I want to do and achieve what I want to achieve. These are my goals and my objectives and my life. I have never understood why people take such a personal attachment to my dreams and aspirations like it is offensive to them.
“Since day one I have been attacked for wanting to do this style of racing again. Who the hell do I think I am? I will never be able to beat these guys, stick to ironman, go back to Kona. How could I not want to win Kona again? Go and race [Michael] Raelert, I am scared of Realert. The messages I get are just amazing. My answer to all these is: I don’t give a sh#$ what you think. This is my life, my ambitions and my decisions. Like I have done with everything in my career, I do it my way, chase my dreams and try to achieve.
“People call me arrogant or cocky simply because I make these decisions and go for them. I know what I am athletically capable of doing and have never said I think I can win or destroy Alistair and the boys. What I have said is, “I think I have a chance to make the Olympics (something I have never done before), and I think it is worth chasing.” I have won everything I have ever wanted to win in this sport—Kona and everything—what person would not want to go to an Olympics if the possibility were presented?
“So to answer the question, yes I have gotten some hate mail, but, yes, I have had lots of emails of support also. I will continue to chase this dream and if it works out, then awesome. If it doesn’t, then I will have no regrets. My entire career has been built around making sure I have no regrets and leaving no rock unturned. This Olympic chase is the same thing. Why would I not have a go? Anyone who doesn’t see that is blind.
“I ask them to ask themselves what they would do if they were presented with an opportunity to maybe represent at an Olympic Games for their country at 39 years of age, with the possibility to take your kids? It would be awesome. And the worst thing that could happen is that you don’t go, and you can continue to do what you do. Come on. It is obvious what anyone would do, and that’s what I am doing!”