30 for Sam (day 5 of 30)

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I made a mistake. I heard part of Sam’s story, that he has Acute Myeloid Leukemia and that he won’t be able to fulfill his tradition of cross-country skiing his age in kilometers this year. He turned 30 on January 15th (last Friday), so his wife Jenny put together a #30forSam challenge. She asked friends and family to do 30 of “something” since Sam couldn’t be outside to continue his tradition. I was hooked.

I decided to do 30 days of running, learn more about his story, and then pray for his situation. The problem is I like to learn linearly, in order; I don’t like to skip ahead. I started back in June of 2015 and I was moving along when Katie (my wife) brought to my attention that other serious health issues are happening and that my blog posts are a little untimely. I made a mistake. Well intentioned, but I didn’t know the whole story.

A few things have happened since my post yesterday. Katie brought my attention to this and so I read ahead, some of the blog posts from this month. This lead me to a post about all the other friends and famly who participated in #30forSam – what a turnout!

Today I just want to say sorry for not knowing more of the story before writing this series of blog posts. I also want to point to all the great work of the afore mentioned #30forSam people – this list blew me away. Congrats to Sam and Jenny for the wonderful community of people you have cheering you on, supporting you in so many ways.

My posts pivot from here, but my commitment is in tact.

run

Indoor run again during a busy day at work, 2+miles on the Curve, this after a big 50-minute interval workout.

from the blog

Community: friends who spend their own precious time to support a friend, totally inspiring #30forSam participants.
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prayer

God, thank you for each person who participated in the 30-of-something challenge. What a turnout, what a story, what an inspiration. Friends and family are special. We need to be well-connected to these people in the good times so that we can walk step for step together during the difficult times.

30 for Sam (Day 4 of 30)

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Day 4 of 30
Today I was back at work and so I was able to do my run on the Curve machine in more normal running conditions. Long day at work (writing this after 10pm) means short blog post. 

run

2+ miles on the curve

from the blog

I read many different parts of the blog today and realized I need to digest more Sam’s story. I was trying to catch up in chronological order and pull my readers with me; I need to fast forward and even pivot my narrative. I’m thankful for Sam and Jenny’s story. 

prayer

God, use our stories to tell Your story. 

30 for Sam (day 3 of 30)

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Day 3 of 30

Five days into Sam’s 7-day chemo drip last June, his spirits were down. But he and Jenny needed to keep their heads down and keep going. Sam needed three blood transfusions that day, so they started connecting the dots. People were asking how they could help so they put a link at the bottom of the post to give blood.

I wonder if anyone did.

Jenny asked for something else – she asked for pictures to be posted on Facebook, “tag Sam.” In the process, she said, “now I’m really asking a lot.” I don’t know Jenny or her writing, but as I read the post today she seems sincere. “I’m asking a lot, for you guys who are mostly in really good health to donate blood (easy, one hour?) and post pics on Facebook (easier, 20 seconds?). It’s the least we could do as we support Sam from afar.
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Today’s high temperature in Oregon, WI was about 3 degrees. The wind chill was south of 10 below zero all day. In my mind, running two miles was the least I could do to support Sam from afar.

run

2.0 miles to Rome Corners middle school

from the blog

Sam, you’re a gamer!

Last night we celebrated solstice out on the 4th floor patio and played a game of HORSE with the deflated basketball out there. You’ll all be amused to know that he still beat me even though his left arm was hooked up to all his IVs the whole time.

prayer

God, keep a competitive spirit in Sam. I don’t know the struggle of chemo but I imagine the physical and the mental aspects are a scary one-two punch. Give Sam the strength to fight.

30 for Sam (day 3 of 30) from Hans Schiefelbein on Vimeo.

30 for Sam (day 2 of 30)

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Day 2 of 30
Simplicity is good, specially when you’re starting something new. Eliminate the things that will add complexity while you’re trying to establish a new rhythm. Today I did my second run in the #30forSam challenge of running 30 days in a row. I ran the same route as last night; sorry, no vlog entry today.

run

Same 2.2 miles as yesterday, up South Perry Parkway.

from the blog: Whaaaat is happening with Sam

So far he’s just been putting his head down and dealing with all of this with incredible grace.” – Jenny, 6/21/15

prayer

God, I read on the blog that Sam loves smiles. We need people in the world that value smiles. Please give those to Sam and help others around him value smiles in the same way that Sam does.

30 for Sam (Day 1 of 30)

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Day 1 of 30

Dear Sam,

Happy birthday! I’m sorry you can’t do your traditional cross-country ski, which this year was a 30k! I am taking the #30forSam challenge by running at least two miles for the next 30 days.

I appreciate your challenge and I am eager to hear more about your story. I heard about this on Tuesday from your wonderful sister Kate when I ran into her at Colectivo on Monroe Street. It took me a couple days to figure out my interpretation of this challenge and I’m looking forward to the next 30 days. I enjoy running, writing, and praying. So I’ll be incorportaing all three aspects to each day’s blog post. Today I even added a video, so technically this is a vlog!

#30forSam (1 of 30) from Hans Schiefelbein on Vimeo.

 

Each day I will engage with my body, mind, and soul. I will:

  • run at least two miles (physical)
  • learn about you and Acute Myeloid Leukemia through your blog (mind)
  • pray for (heart and soul)

Run

2.2 miles around Oregon, up South Perry Parkway

From your blog: 6/19/15, Reliving the past week and realities of hospital sleeping (Jenny).

Jenny wrote “there are myeloid leukemic cells in Sam’s bone marrow.” Simple words, powerful implications. And she ends, “Oh well, let day one begin.”

Prayer: God, I ask for strength.

For me this is day one of looking into Sam’s life, and I cannot imagine the struggle and the journey. And my response is a plea for strength for Sam.

30 for Sam

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Sam has a tradition. Every year on his birthday he cross-country skis his age. Today Sam turns 30, but there’s a problem. Sam has been battling Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) and won’t be able to complete the challenge this year. Let’s put him on our back and get it done.

Here’s what we’re doing. The Sam Weis 30k challenge is where you do 30 of something. Not everyone can ski 30k, so maybe it’s a 30 minute walk. Maybe it’s a 30-mile week of running. Or 30 days of some type of activity. The point is to get in the game for an athlete that’s currently on the sideline.
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I heard about this challenge kind of late (Tuesday to be exact). A long challenge like 30 miles or even 30k is pretty tough at this point. So my contribution for #30forSam is to run at least two miles each day for 30 days. I’m streaking for Sam!

You’ve probably never met Sam. I’ve never met Sam. But Sam needs some smiles and some inspiration. I hope you will join me to and do 30 of something for Sam. On your social media of choice or in the comments of this blog, use #30forSam.

Thanks for reading.

Up and to the right

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We are a full week into the new year. So where are you at? Have I removed this blog post far enough to avoid the temptation of resolution talk? That was the goal.

And yet there is still a goal. There always needs to be a goal. What’s yours? Mine is to sleep more. What?! A health and fitness pro that wants to sleep more? Absolutely.

For about a year now I’ve trained clients (on average) at 5:40am Monday through Friday. I love the mornings. But it makes for a long day since I often also have clients mid- to late afternoon. I’ve done a good job of limiting the early evenings I work both for my health and for family time. Katie has (too often but necessarily) been telling me that I need to take better care of my body, and she’s right. The benefits of sleep have been well documented. As a man in pursuit of a healthy and disciplined lifestyle, I need to have a plan in this area of my life.

New tool: FitBit

I recently purchased a FitBit for a class I’m starting. FitBit, Jawbone, Microsoft Band, they’re all interesting options and they all have one goal: get you healthier. For me I don’t need more steps; I don’t need more flights of stairs. I need to improve my sleep and the past week I’ve increased my hours of sleep each night. Just having this single piece of data has really helped me this week. It breaks down my goal of a healthy lifestyle into a manageable task, and I’m winning!

This has gotten me very interested in data. I realize data isn’t for everyone, and it’s easy in my profession to talk over people with all the exercise science discussions. But at the same time Madison is a university town, there are smart, educated people here. I find myself always guiding the discussion back to their work and their family life – without goals and managing information, you wouldn’t succeed in anything that has meaning. Setting goals, knowing the numbers, and devising a strategy to improve those numbers are the keys to victory.

All is Quiet on New Years Day 

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January 1, 2016
9:16 AM

First thoughts on the New Year:

As I wake this morning, I am thankful for the life the Lord has given me. What a great time of year, to reflect on the past and to plan the future. I love to reflect and I love to plan. Each year I grow in this process. This morning a few things are coming to mind as I begin to plan for 2016:

  • servanthood: how can I serve those I love and that need me?
  • craftsman: master the process, execute and deliver
  • leadership: roles and responsibilities require my stewardship

This is one of my favorite days of the year.

Thoughts from San Diego

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I’ve been in San Diego for only 72 hours but I have moved the ball down the court in a number of different areas. When I came out here I had some big ambitions; I always do when I travel. But with no kids in the trip it was a lot easier to get results. I had projects for work that could be done remotely and all that work feels great do do so far from home (although it was strange to work two hours behind everyone else in Madison).
But the real work was inside my notebook, reading a Great Work, and rethinking how I get work done. Specifically I’ve been organizing and processing files, workflows, and establishing editorial calendars and publishing guidelines. This work is good for my soul. I will return home in a better place and more equipped to succeed because of this time in San Diego. 

I got some time with Todd Durkin this morning. He’s literally the only trainer in the country who I would make an effort to connect with and I’m so happy I could make it work. Of course that meant I had to spend a little more time this afternoon processing that meeting because I have a couple very specific take aways to apply. 

Katie is done with her last meeting in a few minutes here and then we’re going out to find a beach and then go out for the evening. San Diego: huge success and a lot of fun. 

not a fan chapters 6 and 7

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This week we talked about two chapters, including topics of the Holy Spirit and having a relationship with Jesus. Our table ended up spending more time on the Holy Spirit. We discussed the different upbringings we had with church and how that compares to now, as we all attend Blackhawk. We talked about how the author is really putting a divide between being a follower and being a fan. There’s some concern.
As for me, I really lean into this book. I know it’s not perfect and whenever you support something like a book it feels necessary to give 101 disclaimers like “it may not be for everyone…” or “I mostly agree, except…” I want to stay away from this; I’m not a pastor, I’m not a theologian. I’m a married father of three trying to be a better Christian. I take my faith journey very seriously. I want to learn, I want to grow, I want to serve. I want to lead other people to salvation through Jesus. For me, this blog is about living a healthy and disciplined lifestyle. That tag line was written with my profession in mind. I want to help people understand the effect of exercise on their body. But a disciplined lifestyle applies to the spiritual life as well. Here’s my one disclaimer: we are saved by grace. Now, moving on. What are you doing? How are you moving the ball forward? How are you growing? What are you communicating? Can anyone tell that you follow Jesus?
We are filled with the Holy Spirit; we have power. I know I don’t claim that power. But it’s there.

The Spirit of God, who raised Jesus from the dead, lives in you (NLT). Romans 8:11
“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight (Acts 1: 8 – 9).

Idleman makes a great point here. He noted how we often say, “When I get to Heaven, I want to ask David about all the battles…” or whoever you want to talk to. But instead, maybe David will ask us, “So what was it like to have the Holy Spirit?” What a great question! I’ve never thought of it that way. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me (Philipians 4:13), and I have the power of the Holy Spirit inside me (Acts 1:8). Do I want to claim that? Do I want to study that work in me? Yes, I do.
I don’t have answers, I have questions. I am so thankdful for this small group of guys that meet every Wednseday to talk about the Christian life and admit that we don’t fully get it but we’re on a path with some ambition to get better each day.