Dr. Freddie So
Ottawa Marathon
This week's geography quiz - how far is Boston from Ottawa? 1 minute and 16 seconds to be precise. That's how much I missed my Boston Marathon qualifying time (3 hours 10 minutes 59 seconds). I finished my first marathon, the 30th Ottawa Marathon in 3:12:15 for 226th place out of 4170 people. I tell you this not to impress you, but to impress upon you that if you get rid of your fears, misconceptions, and doubts, you can achieve anything in life. Although I did not quite reach my intended goal, there were many life lessons learned.
The Marathon - 42.2 km, 26.2 miles of pounding pavement, Gatorade, gels, and bars, all with 5,000 other people – talk about the definition of insanity. Well, it was all worth it. Having just completed the Ottawa Marathon on Sunday, I must say that it is an honour to be part of the 0.1 of 1% of people who ever complete this insanity. I want to thank my chiropractor for the many adjustments before the race (and definitely after), my massage therapist, my pacer Dr. Tony Deutscher, and my family and friends who prayed and wished me well (next time pray for a slower clock).
For those of you that don’t know my story, I was a sick child – traumatic forceps birth leading to a damaged nervous system and immune system. Years of childhood illnesses from asthma, allergies, and ear infections leading to many hospital trips, antibiotics, puffers, and even scary nights in oxygen tents. Always short of breath, wheezing, and not able to play sports to a full extent. My mind had relegated me to a life of sickness and pain.
Then I was referred to a chiropractor, and my life has changed. With specific spinal adjustments, my nervous system’s power was released to allow my organs, muscles, and tissues to begin healing and function closer to their God-given potential. Years later I have become a chiropractor to serve others in the same way.
The marathon for me has now become not just a test of physical strength and endurance, but also of mental and spiritual resolve. For motivation I watched ‘Chariots of Fire’ before my race and during the race, I kept reciting one line by sprinting champion Eric Liddel, "So where does the power come from to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said the Kingdom of God is within you." I could only do so much myself, I had to rely on a power greater than myself to accomplish things beyond what I was told I could do my whole life. The Good Book says, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Phillippians 4:13.
So next time you are faced with a situation, challenge, or obstacle that is overwhelming you and beyond what you think you can handle, know that you can turn to the One who created you and gives you the power to succeed in all things. And for those of you who are running, get your spines and nervous systems checked by a chiropractor. You’ll prevent injuries, improve performance, and be your best.
Peace and Health to you all,
Dr. Freddie So, Oakville, Ontario, June 2004
P.S. Anyone want to join me for a 50k Ultramarathon at the end of June? The sky’s the limit now.
Dr. Freddie So
Ottawa Marathon
This week's geography quiz - how far is Boston from Ottawa? 1 minute and 16 seconds to be precise. That's how much I missed my Boston Marathon qualifying time (3 hours 10 minutes 59 seconds). I finished my first marathon, the 30th Ottawa Marathon in 3:12:15 for 226th place out of 4170 people. I tell you this not to impress you, but to impress upon you that if you get rid of your fears, misconceptions, and doubts, you can achieve anything in life. Although I did not quite reach my intended goal, there were many life lessons learned.
The Marathon - 42.2 km, 26.2 miles of pounding pavement, Gatorade, gels, and bars, all with 5,000 other people – talk about the definition of insanity. Well, it was all worth it. Having just completed the Ottawa Marathon on Sunday, I must say that it is an honour to be part of the 0.1 of 1% of people who ever complete this insanity. I want to thank my chiropractor for the many adjustments before the race (and definitely after), my massage therapist, my pacer Dr. Tony Deutscher, and my family and friends who prayed and wished me well (next time pray for a slower clock).
For those of you that don’t know my story, I was a sick child – traumatic forceps birth leading to a damaged nervous system and immune system. Years of childhood illnesses from asthma, allergies, and ear infections leading to many hospital trips, antibiotics, puffers, and even scary nights in oxygen tents. Always short of breath, wheezing, and not able to play sports to a full extent. My mind had relegated me to a life of sickness and pain.
Then I was referred to a chiropractor, and my life has changed. With specific spinal adjustments, my nervous system’s power was released to allow my organs, muscles, and tissues to begin healing and function closer to their God-given potential. Years later I have become a chiropractor to serve others in the same way.
The marathon for me has now become not just a test of physical strength and endurance, but also of mental and spiritual resolve. For motivation I watched ‘Chariots of Fire’ before my race and during the race, I kept reciting one line by sprinting champion Eric Liddel, "So where does the power come from to see the race to its end? From within. Jesus said the Kingdom of God is within you." I could only do so much myself, I had to rely on a power greater than myself to accomplish things beyond what I was told I could do my whole life. The Good Book says, "I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Phillippians 4:13.
So next time you are faced with a situation, challenge, or obstacle that is overwhelming you and beyond what you think you can handle, know that you can turn to the One who created you and gives you the power to succeed in all things. And for those of you who are running, get your spines and nervous systems checked by a chiropractor. You’ll prevent injuries, improve performance, and be your best.
Peace and Health to you all,
Dr. Freddie So, Oakville, Ontario, June 2004
P.S. Anyone want to join me for a 50k Ultramarathon at the end of June? The sky’s the limit now.