Long Live Robert Goulet

I remember Dad singing Robert Goulet songs to my Mom.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick cork

Donating Bone Marrow

Back in May of 2006 I donated bone marrow to some dude in Ohio.

I was minding my own business when I get a call from a woman in Oregon with the donor bank. She reminded me that I had given blood for a police officer in Atlanta (thanks to Bill Wallace) and apparently marked the box (or didn’t check the box for NO) on a form that said I was willing to donate other “things”.

I raised my hand and volunteered without giving it much thought. She asked me a few questions and advised me she would be in touch if they came up with a match with my blood type. A few weeks later she emails me with a request to set up a screening interview that would qualify me for additional blood work. During the screening call she told me how “rough” the process of donating bone marrow can be. But, she also told me that there was a fellow in Ohio with Leukemia that needed my help.

I will make this long and drawn out adventure a short story…

I gave up about five tubes of blood and qualified with a good match to donate my bone marrow. Suddenly time is of the essence and I need to submit myself for the procedure. Joanne and the girls were in Great Britain on holiday. So, the timing was good. But, I had to get myself to and from the medical facility for the procedure.

It was awful.

I wish I could say I was able to grit my teeth and feel great about the experience.

But, it was REALLY awful.

So… I received another call late last week. They need me again.

Interestingly, Joanne and the girls are off to Great Britain again in two weeks for another month holiday.

Here is my point for this particular Blog entry…

I have decided to leave this decision up to my “friends”. Many of you know the agony I endured last time. But, we also think I did a good thing. /1 This Blog gets a lot of hits each day. So, if just 20 people tell me they think I should do this again, I will square my shoulders and jump back on the gurney.

Email me at brian@unsinkablebriancork.com, or call me at 404 451 4799.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

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1/ All of this has to be anonymous. We can never learn the identity of the person we help, or the end result.

Not Just Words…

We all grew up with certain catch phrases, terms or quotes making a lasting impression in our lives.

Here are some examples of things that people that have played pivotal roles in my own life have said and, as a direct result, changed me, and the course of my life, in a meaningful way…

1. “You could drop Brian into a Nebraska corn field and two weeks later he would own the farm.”
Who said it: Clifford Cork, Sr. My Grandfather.

2. “It’s what you don’t see that will always kill you.”
Who said it: Gunnery Sergeant Tilson, United States Army Rangers

3. “As I get older my Dad gets smarter.”
Who said it: Lots of dudes.

4. “Follow your dreams and be true to your friends.”
Who said it: David Sugarman, one of my best mentors.

5. “Be part of the solution, not the problem.”
Who said it: Chuck Schmidt, Battalion Chief with Lousiville Volunteer Fire Department.

6. “Happy wife, Happy Life.”
Who said it: Clifford Cork, Sr. and Sonny Newton at Chick-fil-A

7. “Just be a Love Kat.”
Who said it: Tim Sanders

8. “If you are going to give someone a ‘piece of your mind’, make sure it goes with a chunk of your heart.”
Who said it: Brian Patrick Cork

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

This Is Me

Most of you know who you are.

Thanks for letting me help.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

4:15 Mile

I ran a 4:15 mile in High School.

A runner churning out seven-minute miles /1 will never know how quickly his arms and legs have to move to run a sub five-minute mile.

You can’t practice by running slow. Interval running is crucial to faster running and peak fitness.

The Kenyan runners who always win marathons never jog. So, I train at 80 percent of my maximum heart rate until I am exhausted. This has always taught my body what Mike Hildebrecht, one of my High School coaches, called “recovery endurance” through a sequence of sprints and rests. Over time, you will still need to give your body a break to optimize gains (consider cross training), but this ability to push yourself to the brink of collapse and recover quickly is essential for top aerobic athletes.

This training philosophy served me well as a Runner, Lacrosse Player, professional Triathlete, and a Volunteer Fire Fighter.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork

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1/ The average man of decent fitness runs 8 minute miles during training runs.

Daily Rituals

Embrace daily rituals.

Whether it’s making coffee (or, going to Starbucks) /1 just so or walking the dog with your spouse.

Routines can lower blood pressure and slow heart rate.

See also: In My Life, but only if you dare.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork
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1/ I have never tasted coffee in my life. However, I drink Vente Ice Chai’s from Starbucks several times a day.

How does forgiveness work?

James Lewis:

I despise you.

Fortunately, I don’t think it’s my responsibility to forgive you.  That is what Christ suffered on the cross for. Perhaps this is me having a “Love Kat” lapse.  Or, maybe it’s God making sure that I never forget and work every day to not be like you.

NOTE: As I contemplate all of this, I am listening to Eddie Vetters new album “Into The Wild.” It’s great.

Now, I am going for a long run.

Peace be to my Brothers and Sisters.

Brian Patrick Cork