Don't Stop Trying
Chris DeRienzo, MD, MPP
Chief Physician @ American Hospital Association | Husband and Dad | Doctor | Author | Board at Mednition | Advisor at Concord Health Partners | #Triathlete
The only man who never makes a mistake is the man who never does anything. -Theodore Roosevelt
A year ago this was me in a rural Idaho ER after DNF-ing Ironman Coeur d'Alene - I had a sodium level in the 120s and heat exhaustion, and had scared the heck out of friends and family.
The day, the weather, and the course all got the better of me. I totally failed to adjust my sodium and water intake in the face of 101 degree heat, and failed to adapt my race goals to what the NWS called "one of the most extreme and prolonged heat waves in the recorded history of the Inland Northwest."
In the end 27% of racers DNF-ed that day... but 63% of them didn't and my hats go off to them for their wit and will.
But I survived, and in the end TR's quote captures it right - if you never fail, you're never really trying to push, grow, and learn. This year I'm back on the race circuit with perhaps slightly fewer functional brain cells (thank-you hyponatremia), a little older, and a little wiser.
Never stop trying.
See you at Ironman 70.3 NC!
Executive Director American Red Cross WNC Chapter Communications Public Relations Professional
2yStay strong!
Dare Something Worthy: Searching for Better Outcomes to Improve patient care and quality of life
2yThere is no question . . . "Anything is possible!" Stay well, stay strong and never give up.
Division Director @ NC Division of HCA - Mission Health | Risk Management, Claims, Litigation
2yAs your personal risk manager………… be safe and well. 😊
Director of Organizational Development, AdventHealth, Southeast Region
2yWe’ve gotta do one together Dr. D!
Executive Vice President & Chief Strategy Officer, Cone Health
2yGood luck this year, Chris (& thanks for the perspective and inspiration to keep at it, while learning each time)!! 🙌