George was the guy that all my cycling friends wanted to be when they grew up. George was a phenomenal athlete. Besides cycling, George was a national caliber runner and world class Nordic skier. He was an alternate member of the US Olympic ski team.
George was the first person to encourage me when I first started racing.
At one club race, I blew the timing of the finishing sprint and came in second place. George had watched the finish and approached me afterward, telling me I had done well and would learn from my mistake. George was an older rider, almost twenty years older, and well respected. His encouragement meant the world to me.
One day, I got a phone call from a close friend. He had terrible news. George had died.
George was only 68. Most people would never guess he was that old. He looked much younger, was in excellent condition, had not an ounce of fat, and routinely beat much younger riders, runners, and skiers in their twenties. In his sixties, George was known for riding training races on his mountain bike, which frustrated many younger riders on racing bikes who could not drop George.
George’s sudden death came as a shock to me, especially since I had recently lost my mother, father, and brother in a short period.
When I was six years old, I was traumatized by the loss of several relatives, including my oldest brother, which left a profound impact on me at a young age.
My wife had a near-death experience when a reckless driver collided with her head-on. We have both lost several close friends, and I have seen my grandparents and my mother suffer during their final years.
Additionally, I had my brush with death after a hit-and-run accident, which required resuscitation. I got a second chance. That gift isn’t lost on me.
I struggle with death and mortality. It’s a cruel reminder that life is short, and there’s no guarantee that tomorrow will come. That fear, along with George’s death, has become a motivator. It has made me want to regain my fitness to enjoy life fully.
Rather than struggling with hilly bike rides, being in shape will make riding more enjoyable. The same applies to skiing, hiking, kayaking, or whatever activity I undertake. As Dr. Peter Attia says, “Exercise might be the most potent “drug” we have for extending the quality and perhaps quantity of our years of life. “(https://peterattiamd.com/category/exercise/)
Life is short and precious. Take control of the things that you can to make the most of the time that you have.