“In 1988, I was 5 years old and dad signed up for the Leadville 100 run,” Macy recalled. “We found ourselves up in Leadville at 4 a.m. out in the cold.”

And so, a lifelong team was born. Father and son sharing their love for the outdoors of challenging their physical and mental limits. Limits, ironically, that wouldn’t be challenged by the races run, as much as it would be a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s for Mark. 

“My initial sense was I am not ready for this,” Macy recalled in an interview with Colorado Sports Night. “I was having severe anxiety panic attacks. Just really dark nights of the soul and I realized after a while there I have to grow up to be an adult in a whole new way.”

Accepting it and dealing with it are different things. Now five years since Mark’s diagnosis, it’s an ongoing process.

“Not only do I have concern for our parents, but ourselves,” Travis said. “For me the fear is real and so I’ve become very interested in lifestyle things – diet, sleep, exercise and supplements. Whatever might make a difference.”

Their last race together was the world’s toughest, the Eco-Challenge in Fiji four years ago. Macy spends a lot of his time now coaching endurance athletes and writing and podcasting about mental health.

“For my dad, the word has been engagement,” Macy said.

It’s interesting how questions about our own mortality can enhance our appreciation of life.

“It’s essential and that’s something I’m still seeing from my dad. Finding happiness, his core personality of optimism and resilience are still there. And I’m seeing for him that it’s never too late to help other people. To find happiness.”

You can learn more about Mark and Travis’ journeys at travismacy.com and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. 

Source: Rocky Mountain News

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