Inner Spark

As you know from last week, I had a case of the "don't want to's" and put myself on an unplanned tapper.  I sort of had to ride out the week that way, as my OCD won't let me start anything new in the middle of the week - that is what Monday's are for!

So this Monday came and I was hot on the run path and actually enjoying it again.  I had parked at my son's school and taken off from there through neighborhoods and sidewalks, taking in some new sights, and thinking forward toward IronMan FL 140.6, after all, all the training ventures focuses on that event.

While running, I began to concentrate on the disciplines of triathlon.  It stays heavy on my mind that I need to get more miles in the pool and more time in the saddle to be ready for the big show.  Running is my strong suit and its always my "go to" workout when I get lazy and don't want to go through all that is necessary to head to the pool or bike trail.  While pondering on the future and my workout needs, I began to get a little down and and even thought about seeking out some more IronMan inspiration to help motivate me a little more ..... and like a call from the heavens, my inspiration drove up.

While entering my 8th mile of that workout, I glanced over to my right to see a police car pull up along side of me and the window come down.  As you all know, I have spent my entire adult life in law enforcement, so having a patrol car in my sights is second nature.  Low and behold the driver was Lakeland Police Sergeant Chad Mumbauer.  Chad and I have known each other for years back when I worked the streets in the area.  He had seen me out running and wanted to say hello and give me a thumbs up before driving off.

What's interesting to note is that out of the thousands of cops I know across the state, none of them would have been more inspirational to me than Chad at that moment.  You see, Chad is a hero to me.  Not for the years of working the streets in some of the most dangerous details you can imagine, or his years of SWAT events and call outs rescuing victims from the clutches of dangerous criminals, but for the journey Chad was forced on a couple of years ago where the measure of this man was defined.

Chad was diagnosed with brain cancer a couple of years ago.  When faced with the most horrible news and prognosis you can imagine, Chad dug in deep to learn all about cancer, how to beat it, and how to find his inner spark - that little fire inside that you find and foster to beat all odds, overcome the worse, and cross the finish line.  Chad did something far more tougher than an Ironman, with a smile on his face, coupled with the best mind set anyone could ever have, he beat cancer.  In my book - Chad rocks.

Thanks for pulling up and giving me a smile and wave the other day.  You helped my inner spark buddy.