Page 59 - HCPVitalityChronicles

Introspection Leads Patrick Alix, MD, to Higher Levels of Fitness and Competition

Doing the TriRock competition in San Alix enjoys the adrenaline rush
Diego this past September was the from cycling. Despite getting a
culmination of various thoughts and flat tire in the fourth mile of his
emotions for Patrick Alix, MD, Pallia- ride, Dr. Alix finished the compe-
tive Care Physician, HCP Grand. One of tition in two hours and five min-
these thoughts was that he wanted to utes. “My goal was to finish it; it
try competing in such an event before was definitely a good experi-
the age of 50. At 45, “I still have a ence,” he said.
quenching to challenge my body
more,” he said. Dr. Alix joined the Vitality pro-
gram at HCP as soon as he was el-
Another was his strong belief in the igible. “I figured I might as well
book The 7 Habits of Highly Effective get perks for being active,” he
People. He started to think more said.
clearly about important things in life
versus those that are non-urgent. “I In the future, he is contemplating
wanted to put something important adding hiking to his fitness regi-
first,” Dr. Alix said, “and that was my men, and sometime in 2014 he
health. As a provider, I am account- would like to do a duathlon—a 5K
able to my wife and children to be run, 12-mile bike ride, followed
healthy. As a doctor, it is important to by another 5K run.
be an example of healthy living. It was
way overdue.” Patrick Alix, MD, at the TriRock competition this The competition made Dr. Alix
past September. appreciate things he might other-
For the past five or six years, Dr. Alix wise take for granted. It also
had been cycling. In order to step up his training to the made him realize what he is capable of. “When you go
level of a triathlon, he listened to tips from an associate through pain, when your body is aching, you realize how
who has done a half Ironman, and he researched online pushing yourself physically and mentally can take you to
programs on how to be efficient and do effective weight the next level of health in your life,” he said. The first most
endurance training. He trained for about six months lead- critical step is to ask yourself why something like exercise
ing up to the competition. is important to you, he added. “Start with yourself. Ask
yourself if this is important to you, and why,” he said. “To
The TriRock consists of a 22-mile bike ride, a 500-meter really be healthy, there is not only the physical aspect but
swim and a 6-mile run. Of the three fitness activities, Dr. the mental one, too.”

All information in the Vitality program is HIPAA protected. Members have chosen to share their personal health accomplishments.

For more information about Vitality, visit www.powerofvitality.com. Contact Janet Galli for further program information.