Go Hard, But Lather Up First

Go Hard, But Lather Up First

Go Hard, But Lather Up First

Jan 7, 2014 by Kevin Selby
Go Hard, But Lather Up First

I frequently seek the advice of others.  It is comforting to turn to someone who has previous experience and ask their thoughts.  I did this before running my first 10,000 on the track and as I prepped for my first marathon.  Later, the first person I called for advice about a career as a teacher and coach was my first coach, the patient soul who guided me as a naive high school freshman.  Frequently I turn to neighbors, friends, and family for everything from parenting to fixing the house to the best trail for a long run.

Now, the tables are turned.  I have the experience.  I need to share it with you.

I want you to go down my path, but in a different way.  I won’t send you the other direction. My route has been and currently is an awesome one.  The problem is that I recently paid a significant price for something I never knew, at the time, would affect me.

My route over the last 20 years, was mainly spent outside as a runner, coach, teacher, husband, dad, tourist, and just as someone enjoying the outdoors.  Over the last 20 years, according to my doctor, skin cancer has been developing.  

Most of the last two decades I have been sunscreen-free.  Sunscreen is annoying.  It gets in your eyes.  It is expensive.  It smells.  Who had time for sunscreen?  When I was 20 I was more concerned with the number of miles I completed than the SPF on the sunscreen bottle.  I have always liked living in fast motion.  Run a lot, be with family and friends, do a lot.  

In recent years, I have considered my own mortality.  Reflection on health and well being probably just comes with parenting and aging.  So, I started wearing a little more sunscreen and a floppy hat.  Too little, too late.  My skin had taken a beating.  After an armchair self diagnosis and four biopsies on my trunk and face, the doctor found basal cell carcinoma in two areas.   The three inch scars on my right cheek and right shoulders are the result of skin cancer removal procedures that highlighted my holiday season.  Nothing says Merry Christmas like a family photo with dad sporting gauze on his face.

I am not dying.  All of my cancer has been removed.  This is not a cry for help.  In no way do I categorize myself with my fantastic cousin Ken who finished hellish radiation just in time to start chemotherapy.  My experience was minor leagues compared to the invasive surgeries my amazing friend Viki handled like a champ.  Yes, skin cancer is different.  That is the reason I am putting fingers to keyboard.  Skin cancer gets you when you are trying to do right.

I want you to run fast.  Train like an animal.  Race a ton.  Tour the country.  Save money and go to Europe.  Give yourself a crazy and hectic schedule.  Work more than one job. Surround yourself with people who know more than you. Get out hard and hang on for dear life.  

All of these can be very healthy activities, but the risk for skin cancer is high if you act like I did.  Two million Americans are diagnosed annually, and us folks looking for the nearest 400 meter oval or the best trail system in the area are at a high risk.  Yes, you can get sick while being healthy.

Now, in the middle of winter, is the time to get sunscreen.  Wear it regularly.  Get a good hat for training and protect yourself.  If something does not look right on your skin, make an appointment immediately.  I looked at sunscreen as an inconvenience.  Now, it is an benefit.  I want you out training hard and racing for a long time.  Just do it with a little more shade and protection.