Throughout this blog’s history, I’ve highlighted several inspirational stories.  Inspiration has come from different faces and different places.  There are those who have overcome adversity, others who defied the odds, and others who have performed at the highest level.  We all find inspiration from different sources (and for different reasons).  What is inspiring to one may not light the fire for another.  I therefore strive for variety within this section.

Today’s story is one that is quite unique.  The individual performance of Mark Covert at any given time may not be record setting, but the cumulative total certainly is.  Mark Covert has run a mile or more every day for over 40 years.   Assuming he continues, he will soon close in on 15,000 consecutive days.

He has run every day of my life.  Talk about consistency!  Can you imagine running for 15,000 consecutive days?  I’m fairly certain we’ve all had bad days.  I’m sure Mark has had his share, yet nothing has stopped him from getting up and heading out the door.

As stated within this article from 2007:

He’s run hours after hemorrhoid surgery and aboard a cruise ship while a tropical storm hit. Then there was the day 20 years ago when he broke his left foot. Although he managed to get home and to the hospital, his foot “was so swollen they couldn’t even put a cast on it,” Covert recalls. “So the next day I wrapped it in an Ace bandage, put on a makeshift boot, and hobbled through. I wasn’t going to miss my run.”

ABC news recently covered Mark’s journey.  The full video can be found through the link below (it will play after a brief commercial):

Mark Covert’s Story (Video)

And despite the impressiveness of Mark’s streak, he is not alone in his “streaker” quest.  There’s actually a United States Running Streak Association that was founded in 2000.  Within the association’s web site, a list is maintained for active streakers.  There is a long list of runners who have run every day for 30 years or more.  The full list can be found below:

Official USA Active Running Streak List

Notice within the list that you’ll find people from all walks of life.  It isn’t as if these are aimless runners who don’t have anything to do but run.  The great majority of those included are professionals with full time jobs, just like the rest of us. An abbreviated list of included professions includes the following…

Software developer, dentist, attorney, professor, real estate agent, doctor, finance manager, accountant, banker, systems analyst, operations manager, school principal, financial planner, landscaper, etc.

These real life examples have essentially crushed the “I’m too busy” excuse.  As I’ve mentioned before, the busiest people in the world are still dealing with a 24 hour day.   No one has the ability to stop time.  The clock is always ticking.  We are all busy.  Get over it…

It’s also nice to see individuals who have defied conventional wisdom.  Who would have thought it was possible to run every day for 40 years?  What about all the warnings uttered about overtraining, overuse, injury, and soreness?  How have so many ordinary folks gone against the grain?

Could it be that we as humans are in fact more capable than most realize?  Could it be that YOU are actually capable of doing things that you don’t currently believe?

At the end of the day, no one can tell you what you can do.  Everyone is welcome to an opinion, but opinions are not written in stone.  As Dirty Harry (Clint Eastwood) once said in a movie, “Opinions are like assholes, everyone has got one.”

I myself regularly receive emails from keyboard jocks who tell me I shouldn’t be doing this or that.  I love it when a teenager writes in and tells me that what I’m doing is dangerous, and will lead to injury.   I honestly can’t remember any significant injury that I’ve ever endured in the gym.  The only injuries I ever had were hand problems as a young fighter.  I’m now a father of two in my 30’s. I work 6 (often 7) days a week.  I sleep less than most and train harder than most.  I don’t do it for any other reason than the simple fact that I enjoy it.  I wouldn’t be waking up at the crack of dawn to train by myself in an old garage-converted-gym if it wasn’t fun.

And no, I’m not suggesting that you wake up today and run for the rest of your life.  The point to this entry is that we as humans are extremely capable, particularly when we become consistent with our efforts.  I myself prefer to target my efforts in different, regularly changing directions.  I may not run 40 years in a row, but recognizing that it is possible does benefit me in other ways (specific to my own interests and needs).

There is much to be drawn from Mark Covert’s example.  As Bruce Lee once said, “Absorb what is useful, discard what is not, add what is uniquely your own.”

If you’ve ever met someone who regularly use the “poor me” excuse, I suggest that you share the story of Dana Shealy.  She is a cancer survivor who had her foot severed in an automobile accident.  Her leg was later amputated.

Neither the accident nor the cancer has held her back.  Below she can be seen squatting 365 pounds and deadlifting 315.

Not too shabby for a woman who has overcome cancer and had to adjust to life with one leg.

Read more

Below is a video that highlights the life of 2009 NFL first round draft pick Michael Oher.   His story is truly incredible.  Less than 10 years ago, he was an illiterate youth who struggled to find food each day.   He’s now a college graduate ready to embark on a professional football career.

Read more

Below is a video of a pre-game locker room speech that I’m sure many will find motivational (thanks to Frank for passing it along).   I wasn’t sure what to think when I first opened it, but I found myself ready to slam something by the time I was done watching.   It’s one of the better pre-game speeches that I’ve seen.  The coach certainly had his time fired up to go out and play some football.

A related link can also be found here with a modified version of the video.

Below is the first of two video clips that tell the story of O.J. Brigance.  Brigance is a former NFL football player who is now in the fight of his life after being diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (often referred to as Lou Gehrig’s disease).

A more recent video can be seen below.  Within the video, it is clear that his health has unfortunately deteriorated.

Brigance has the kind of courage and character that we can all learn from.  The courage that he continues to display is as inspirational as anything I’ve ever seen.  His story should serve as a valuable reminder that we should never take anything for granted.  Life can come and go in a split second, and no one knows when it will be their time.

I realize that there are days when we get lost in the craziness of life.  Everyone is busy and days often fly by.  Occasionally, it’s useful to take a moment to reflect however.  Life can be hectic at times, but stories such as these are reminders that life is something that must be cherished.

You can read more about Brigance and his charity organziation at the link below.

http://www.brigancebrigade.org

Below is a video that was recently posted to my Facebook page (thanks Wiggy).   This story certainly belongs in the blog’s inspirational archive.  It is literally impossible to not be inspired after watching this three minute clip.  There is nothing else to say. Words cannot describe what this man has endured and become.

My advice is simple.  Watch it now.