From KT – June 30, 2013
Yo DaVita !!
It’s Sunday afternoon and I am back on the grid. What a glorious 3.5 days of mountain biking/camping it was!
The first day of biking for me was Thursday, which was the third day for the broader group of DaVita vice-presidents. Then my son and 4 of his friends joined for the Friday ride, and most of the DaVita group left Saturday pre-ride. We were on the amazingly beautiful north rim of the Grand Canyon. It was hot.
I facilitated conversations at lunch on most days, and always before and during dinner. We sung campfire songs with Mark Mazak on guitar, after our hearty dinners under the stars. This year’s group came up with one of the best lists of potential new answers to the question I ask every year “What can we do to make our Village/community/human concepts come more true for more of our people?”. I took notes and will bring them home. One of the ideas that came from the campfire discussion 7 years ago was the creation of The Tour DaVita – because I wanted something that had some of the same elements, namely exercise, all-day fresh air, physical beauty, organized reflections, and camaraderie …. BUT that could have hundreds of teammates participating, many with family members … not just 12 or so.
The mountain biking was quite intense, so the actual exercise hours may look light to you – but remember we are on trails out in the woods, trails with lots of ups and downs. So this was extremely high quality exercise; working cardio, muscular, balance, coordination, etc. It also feels like a lot of work to clamber in and out of a small tent at my advanced age of 57, but I guess I won’t count that.
Anyway, as far as hours of biking exercise:
Thursday = 4.5
Friday = 3.3
Saturday = 3.8
Sunday = 1.4
I did rehab Thursday & Saturday, my PT wants me to switch to every other day. 15 minutes each day. I also did 10 minutes of additional stretching each day, so Village Vitality overseer, please add those minutes up!
On the diet coke front, I had 2 over the 3 days. I hope to avoid any today, Sunday. Time will tell.
On weight, I fear that the amount of food we ingested will mean I did not make much progress there. When I get home, I will have 2 hours to shower, pack, and head off for meetings in DC that starts first thing Monday morning. Quite the re-entry. Anyway, this means I will not get to my standard “first thing in the am” weigh-in. But I will try to remember to check it, even though it will be mid-afternoon.
Tis my hope that thousands of you are continuing to reach your MTM goals for a healthier life. It was fun to picture 5300 of you lining the sides of the trails during the tough uphill climbs, urging me on. And the fact is I also ate less at meals and snacks than any other mountain biking/camping trip, a tribute to the Tribal Affect that you have on me.
One for All, KT
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Victoria Malara said,
July 1, 2013 @ 10:12 am
Hi KT, It is always inspiring to read your blogs. I went mountain biking a few weeks ago and could not move after that. My herniated disc and neck decided to complain. How dare they. So, I have decided to stick to roadbiking and cross training for good health and Tour DaVita. I was excited to see you ride with your son. This year my son Michael will be riding Tour DaVita with me and the rest of the Tour DaVitans. I can’t wait for him to experience it all. The company culture, core values, the spirit of the ride and seeing first hand working for a corporation is not boring. Look forward to seeing at Tour DaVita.
Alejandro said,
July 1, 2013 @ 12:58 pm
Wow…what a trip!!
Thank you for sharing these great moments with us. And congratulations on staying away from the diet cokes!! Two in three days is a good average. Hopefully you will find something to replace that caffeine (and aspartame)… maybe dark chocolate or korean gingsen.
These were quite a lot of hours of mountain biking…probably a lot of sweating and detoxing as well. Physical activity correlates to productivity, usually highgly effective people are also in very good shape. So increasing physical activity helps with progress and advacement in life!
Thank you for setting the example for us in the village!
Beverlee said,
July 2, 2013 @ 7:27 am
Congratulations on another successful Match the Mayor. I’m looking forward to Tour Davita and hope to see you before the sun sets on the century ride. Thank you for all your inspiration!
P.S. – It may be a little devilish; however, I cracked a smile when I read about the late night ice cream snack. My husband can relate!
KT's responses to June 30th comments said,
July 8, 2013 @ 10:20 am
Wow…what a trip!!
Thank you for sharing these great moments with us. And congratulations on staying away from the diet cokes!! Two in three days is a good average. Hopefully you will find something to replace that caffeine (and aspartame)… maybe dark chocolate or Korean ginseng.
These were quite a lot of hours of mountain biking…probably a lot of sweating and detoxing as well. Physical activity correlates to productivity, usually highly effective people are also in very good shape. So increasing physical activity helps with progress and advancement in life!
Thank you for setting the example for us in the village!
– Alejandro Leon
Alejandro, I totally agree that I am more productive and better to work with when I am getting my exercise and eating well. Ride On!
– KT
Hi KT, It is always inspiring to read your blogs. I went mountain biking a few weeks ago and could not move after that. My herniated disc and neck decided to complain. How dare they. So, I have decided to stick to roadbiking and cross training for good health and Tour DaVita. I was excited to see you ride with your son. This year my son Michael will be riding Tour DaVita with me and the rest of the Tour DaVitans. I can’t wait for him to experience it all. The company culture, core values, the spirit of the ride and seeing first hand working for a corporation is not boring. Look forward to seeing at Tour DaVita.
– Victoria Malara
That is awesome that your son will ride with you !!! I had a herniated disc a few years ago, and then neck issues a year or so after that. Fortunately a couple injections and some therapy got them back in line. I wish for you the same recovery. One for All…
– KT
Wendy Flinn said,
July 12, 2013 @ 5:06 am
I am so to see MTM coming to an end, it helps to keep me motivated knowing I need to log my activity each day! Since joining Davita & participating in my first MTM in 2012, I had found a new life, life balance, healthy lifestyle that I would have not otherwise had. When MTM 2012 ended, I had lost 18lbs, then 22lbs by the time I went to IMT summer meeting.I continued my newfounded lifestyle into MTM 2013 starting with a total weight loss of 33lbs & coming to the end at 37lbs, just 6lbs shy of my goal weight! I am so thankful for the opportunity & support from the DaVita team, you all have truly helped me save my life or at least extend it:) I am anxious (yes I said anxious) for my new glucose & cholesterol test results later this month to see how they too have improved in the past year! Thanks for encouraging & inspiring me each day!