UNBROKEN [11.17]
May 19, 2017
Market: New York
Athlete: Christian Schulz, Goldman Sachs
Four years ago, as a 42 year-old smoker with a beer gut and a demanding job and two kids, I was pretty sure my days as an athlete were well behind me. And though we were happy, my wife and I weren’t exactly thrilled that middle age was looming on the horizon. (Not that we doing much to postpone the inevitable. Let’s face it, at the end of long day it’s easier to sit on the couch with a beer than to drag yourself back out to the gym.)
And then I came upon a story about The D10, and I was inspired: inspired by the challenge of so many grueling and disparate events; by the competitors who tirelessly train and raise funds for it; by the Memorial Sloan Kettering community and their ongoing battle against pediatric cancer; and most of all, by the patients, from whom we can all take a lesson in courage and perseverance. So I signed up for the next year’s event and set about trying to get back in shape.
My co-workers sort of chuckled, probably assuming I wouldn’t actually do it. But I did, and I really enjoyed the experience (despite my somewhat dismal performance) and I felt genuine accomplishment when I finally hauled my tired old ass over the finish line after that last 800 meters. I vowed to come back and give it another try. So I spent the next year training harder and eating better and, yeah, pretty much got schooled again – but this time not quite as badly. The year after that, I kicked it up another notch, and did a little better once again. My wife has been with me every step of the way, as my training partner and motivator, and together we have made a ton of progress. We have lost weight, improved our diet, increased our strength and energy and, in my case, finally managed to quit smoking after more than 20 years. Best of all, we have helped to raise over $10,000 for the fight against pediatric cancer.
In 2017, I am training simultaneously for The D10 New York and the NYC Triathlon, which takes place just 5 weeks later. Not so long ago, this would have seemed impossible. I recently joined The D10 board, and I am privileged to assist in organizing and recruiting for this event which has had such a positive impact on my life.
Bring it,
Christian