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The Sunday Series (154), with Mark Brodinsky

September 3, 2017 By markbrodinsky Leave a Comment

Yes, you can. You just have to believe. Sometimes it really is that simple. Find the will and find a way.

When you try, even if you don’t succeed, you will hold your head up high. You didn’t stand on the sidelines, you got in the game. Got bloodied, got dirty, paid the price.

And now  – you’ve got a story to tell.

Everyone has a story.

I am Mark Brodinsky and this is The Sunday Series.


The Sunday Series (154): Iron Girl

It would have been easy, so easy for Beth Bracaglia to quit – and no one would ever say she didn’t give it a try. Beth was giving it her best and even her best wasn’t good enough to keep her going, or so at least it seemed. Her left leg was hurting so bad she could barely run and the pain was not going away. This was only the training regimen. The main event was still a long way off.

But Beth had come this far and the finish line of the race was what she still envisioned in her mind. Beth was an Iron Girl and she knew it, even if she had yet to prove it to the rest of the world. The world had been waiting for quite some time now.

“I got it in my mind about seven years ago I was going to do this,” says Beth. “It’s so funny, those Facebook memories and feeds that remind you of things from years ago, reminded me I had it in my mind I was going to do this. I think because I was turning 40, I never really told too many people about my thoughts and so it went away, especially with no one to hold me accountable. Then my sister-in-law who lost her husband to brain cancer, decides to do the Iron Girl race, which happened to fall on her late husband’s birthday. I watched her on every piece of the race and I was like, I’m doing this next year. That was 2013, two more years go by and… nothing.”

“Last year I went to support my sister-in-law and her friends and I was standing there with a race shirt on to support them, when this random girl finishes the race and congratulates me too. I said, no there is no medal around my neck. I’m just supporting my friends. I said instead, congratulations to you. She said, ‘it’s my 5th time, no big deal.’  She says to me, why aren’t you in the race? I said I’ve never run a day in my life. I don’t own a bike. I haven’t swam since I was little. She said to me, ‘I just hear excuses and they are bad excuses.’ Then her friends finish and I offer to take their picture. I send it to this woman and she sends me back a note later on saying – See You Next Year!”

That was the beginning of Beth making it to the finish line.  She ended up doing a Facebook Live video walking along the beach: “If anybody is watching this I want to do the Iron Girl race this year and if you are watching I want you to hold me accountable, because I don’t wanna do this, but if you hold me accountable, I will.”

Beth says the offers to help came pouring in. One woman offered up her brand new bike, others offered for Beth to come swim with them, another told her about a running group. Put up your challenge, make it real and others will come out of the woodwork to make it happen. Everybody loves a champion.

But champions are made, not born. So now it was time to get to work. Beth says her husband initially was skeptical. “He knows me very well”, says Beth. “At first it was hard for him to take me seriously, because he knows I’m an all-in-person in whatever I do. He said, ‘I will believe you when I see you start running, not just running your mouth about it. I joined the fall running group and I’d come back and tell my husband I just ran three miles. He said, ‘Three miles! That’s fabulous, go get it girl! He saw me running, cycling, swimming and he really got into it. He would tell me to go to bed early – ‘you’ve got to get up and train!’ he said.”

Did Beth want to quit during her training? You bet. Anything worth doing in life is going to challenge you physically, emotionally and mentally. What Beth didn’t expect was the mental part – the mind part. Unless you find a way to overtake your mind, to change your thoughts, they will work to defeat you. Beth wasn’t letting her brain get the best of her.

“The mental part is what really got to me,” Beth says. “There were several times/days I said to myself, ‘I’m not going to do this anymore. A lot of it had to do with the running, especially when my left leg started to hurt so bad. It was not going away. I hurt me so bad there were times I could not run. I would walk instead, ice down my leg and do what I could to make it better. I thought to myself I could just quit and literally not do this. But the pure aggravation I would have with myself for not complete something, was more important to me than anything. It kept me going. I used positive affirmations:

Beth, you are an Iron Girl.
You can absolutely do this.
You are strong enough and powerful enough.

I would flip my doubts and turn them around and inspire myself.”

Think, believe, do, achieve. Finally, it was race day.

August 20th, 2017, Centennial Park in Columbia, Maryland.  The Iron Girl marathon begins with a swim, then a bike race and then a run. 20 miles in all. Beth’s heat began at 8am. There were women of all ages, from teens to those in their 7th decade of life. Those women in their 70’s, there were four of them who inspired everyone says Beth: “When they started everyone stopped and clapped for them. I’ll never forget when they announced their names, like Mary Jones, who was running her 10th Iron Girl race at age 70.”

For Beth the swimming was the best part, since she swam as a child, the biking wasn’t bad, but the running almost defeated her. “The running really slowed me down,” says Beth. “But I knew going in that was my weakest part. Besides I wasn’t in it for the time. I wasn’t in it to win it, I was in it to finish it. I was just happy to see all the people there at the finish line.”

https://www.facebook.com/wendy.elover/videos/10209755653397368/

Finish she did. Mission accomplished. Iron Girl medal around her neck. This time the jersey and the medallion were real. Real good, because Beth made it happen. So what’s next?

  

“Am I gonna do it again?,” asks Beth. “I would entertain it. I don’t think it will happen this year, because there needs to be a different goal on the horizon for me. If somebody asked me, ‘hey do you want to be in a relay and do it with others, I might. But I could also just take a year off. It’s only been a short time since the race, I want to soak it in right now.”

While Beth is soaking it in, she’s also reflecting on the adventure. “The biggest thing is it’s all a journey,” she says. “I think so often we get caught up in the details of what we are doing and trying to accomplish, that we forget we are doing these things and you should appreciate you have the health you can do something as big as this. I was able to, from scratch, basically do a triathlon. If you have faith in yourself and put the goal out there, you really can make it happen with belief. Take a goal – any goal – if you set it out for yourself and do the work to make it happen, it’s going to happen for you. It’s really that simple. I did it with my business. I’ve done it several different times in my life. I take the goal, write it down, do the work and there it is – it happens.”

Believe it before you see it. Make an iron clad guarantee with yourself that you won’t give up. Then do the work – and next thing you know, you’re an Iron Girl.

Courtesy: Wendy Elover

Until next time thanks for taking the time,
Mark Brodinsky

Author: The Sunday Series with Mark Brodinsky: Real Stories of Courage, Hope & Inspiration, Vol I: (http://amzn.to/2tmmdPo)

Author: The #1 Amazon Best Seller, It Takes 2. Surviving Breast Cancer: A Spouse’s Story: (http://amzn.to/2tn7jbI)

Huffington Post: (http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mark-brodinsky/)

The Profile: (http://www.talkinggood.com/profiles/MarkBrodinsky)

 

 

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Mark Brodinsky
Emmy Award Winner, 1996

Ever thought about writing a book? check this out!

Blog Reviews

Love seeing new blogs hit the ground running like this one (by a dad no less), but I also urge anyone vaguely interested in blogging to stay tuned, I am. Good luck on your journey – glad that I am along for the ride.

Rachel Blaufeld

Great blog Mark! I always appreciate reading what you have to say. You are very gifted and talented and hopefully someday you’ll not just blog, but write a book.

 Stephen Koncurat

I’m definitely along for the ride. We’ve all seen how much damage the written word can inflict. More positive writers are needed. And I love how you are using your personal experiences – those with your wife and children – and your gift of writing to open eyes and to inspire others.

Victoria Endicott

Absolutely beautifully written! The girls in your life must be very proud of you. Thanks for sharing Mark, I look forward to reading more!

Gina Glick Jolson

Very shortly this site will be famous amid all blogging and site-building users, due to it’s pleasant posts.

Leila Galloway

Absolutely beautiful! Are you at all thinking of penning a book? You’ve got a fan base out there that really thinks you should Mark. You write so eloquently. Glad that I got onto this site.

Marilyn Lefkowitz

Mark, You are truly a gifted writer and obviously, a special father and husband . Always a delight to read your words.

I’m speechless…beautiful words flow from your heart just like a gentle waterfall into a tranquil stream… thank you so much for the friend request I was blessed the day I clicked confirm.

Lynne Turner Dorsey

From your first writing in 4th grade entitled “People” which was published in the school newspaper, you have always been able to write. Never more so than when you started “Caringbridge” and now your blog, everyone who reads says what a wonderful writer you are. Our DREAM for you is to become an author and encourage people every day. You are by the far the best and we hope and pray you reach your dream.

Bonnie Brodinsky

I know you always thank us for reading but I would like to say thanks for writing.

Stuart Abell

Great piece. You are an inspiration!

Rob Commodari

Mark I just wanted to let you know that you are succeeding in your “ultimate goal”. I have gained so much from your blogs. I look forward to reading them for the special lift that they give me. Thank you.

Amy F.

I love waking up and starting my day with my coffee and your blog! It a great way to start my day with positive uplifting thoughts!! It puts me in a positive frame of mind throughout the day and allows me to reflect on my personal life, make changes, and grow !!!

Gayle Blank

You are quite talented Mark. Thanks for sharing!

Cynthia

I always look forward to your Blog Mark. Thanks for sharing and as you always do, make it a great / remarkable Day!

Chuck Connolly

Thanks for your Blog Mark. It is fun, encouraging and a nice break from a day full of ups and downs.

Jackie Hetrick

With my busy schedule, there is (sadly) little time for reading. But I have two must-reads every time I come across them, the sports section and your blogs. Keep inspiring and following your dream!

Ed Nemec

Mark, you are a truly remarkable individual. You do speak from your heart, I can’t wait to read your book. You are an incredible writer.

Debbie Press

Mark, I am glad I clicked on your post this morning, which lead me to your writing, your goal.
Would like to connect. This speaks to me.

Aileen Braverman

I can’t wait to read the book. I have followed all the blogs and feel so good that I know u guys. You make me cry but you make me laugh too. All the very best to you!

Beverlee Rendelman

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WOW!!! It Takes 2 is a must read for anyone who has known someone diagnosed with cancer or other life threatening disease. This is the real story of a family lead by an incredible woman, Debbie Brodinsky, who took radical steps to beat the breast cancer beast. The story is told by her husband, Mark Brodinsky, through journal entries he kept starting with diagnosis through one year cancer free. This author's unique ability to pour his heart out onto the page draws you in from the beginning and holds you until the very end.

Thanks to Mark and Debbie Brodinsky for this gift...I have a new perspective on what it means to be a breast cancer survivor. You are a hero, Debbie Brodinsky!

TeeBThree
September 25, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book gives a heartfelt, in depth description of what it is like to go through breast cancer with the one you love. It is beautifully written and I felt as though I was living it with them! I highly recommend this book!

Jgs17
September 24, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

In It Takes 2, Mark Brodinsky windows us into his world where his wife, the cancer patient, is not the only victim. Part journal, part roadmap, It Takes 2 goes to the real humanity of facing the mortality of one's better half. Mark's candid perspective, love, and fierce intention resonate with hope in a story which is about much more than cancer. Mark himself is perhaps the most heroic character for the way he appreciates this life and so many of us in it...as he says, "thanks for caring."

Réné Pallace
September 24, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

It Takes Two: A Spouse's Story by Mark Brodinsky should be read by every person who is experiencing serious illness or injury or by a loved one of someone who is experiencing either of those situations. The book is an eloquent testament to the power of love and the healing energy derived from the belief that things will get better. There is not one word of "poor me" from the author or his wife who suffered breast cancer and the radical surgery she elected to have to beat the cancer. Rather, the book is a celebration of the courage displayed by them both in seeing it through.

The book also encourages readers to speak and write down their true feelings and be validated in them. John Mackovic writing in the Palm Springs, CA Desert Sun on November 2, 2013 quoted author and artist Doe Zantamata who said, " To be happy, you don't have to do anything new. You just have to remember how to believe again...Believe everything good is possible. Believe in your dreams. Believe in people. Believe in love. But most of all...believe in yourself." The author, his wife, their family and extended family and friends never stopped believing in his wife's recovery, and I think, in themselves. Read this book and believe.

Paul A. Riecks
November 4, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book is a must read for anyone with a family member with breast cancer. It takes you through the spouse's perspective from diagnosis to recovery. Mark journaled his wife's journey and put all of his emotions out there. It is beautifully written and inspiring to anyone going through breast cancer. Thank you, Mark for sharing Debbie's story.

Jmu1109
October 23, 2013

ittakes2_reviews_2

A friend recommended this book. This was a great perspective of a man standing beside his partner and passing along to the reader fear, hope, useful information and a broader story than his own. I loved Vinnie the tattoo artist. This is a great book. Thanks for sharing, Mark and "thanks for caring"

Blahsan

ittakes2_reviews_2

This book is a must read. What sets this book apart from other books about surviving breast cancer is that it is told by the husband and his point of view, not from the survivor. At times sad, at times poignant but even through the worst of it you can always feel the love he has for his wife, her strength and the strength of their extended family and friends. The posts that are included from their friends and family lets you really into the heart and strength of the family. I would recommend this book to anyone who is currently going through this, whether you are the person or the caregiver. I also recommend this book to anyone who has a friend that has been or is currently going through their fight now. It was an eye opener for me.

L. Bogash
Seven Valleys, PA

ittakes2_reviews_2

There isn't a shortage of books about breast cancer, but most are written from the perspective of the person who has battled cancer or a physician or other expert. What an enlightening experience to read about breast cancer from a husband and caregiver's perspective! Not only does the author give us insight into his wife's experience and emotions, but he openly shares and reveals his love, compassion, support, and, yes, sometimes anger at the disease as he stands by his wife's side during their journey to beat the beast. Your story may not be the same, but I guarantee if you have a loved one battling cancer, you won't go wrong reading It Takes 2.

 PattiM
September 25, 2013

 

ittakes2_reviews_2

From the moment I opened this book I never stopped reading. Mark invites the reader to come along on this journey that his family went through. I cried, laughed and learned so much. This book will give comfort and knowledge to those going through similar situations. Most importantly, Mark and his family never give up. They get knocked down and get right back up. They fought cancer together and with their strength, determination and will to prevail... They do!

 Jenny Schloss 

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