Training Update

Last Saturday a group of us met at 5:00am for a 1:45 hour run. The pace was easy but the weather was sour. It was cold with a steady wind. We got in about 10.5 miles and then went to the Masters Swim at 7:00. The Swim was a challenging 4000 meters with tons of intervals. Training in the winter in Chicago is tough! I am looking forward to Memphis in May. Sunday Morning it snowed 5" and the Bike Training was moved indoors. Hopefully the weather will turn soon as I am ready to ride outdoors. Many of my Tri buddies have had the chance to travel to more favorable climats lately. Several had the chance to travel to Tucson for a long weekend with great weather and plenty of outdoor training. Another friend is in Southern Cal this week for Super Seal. You can check out his blog at www.trainingbible.com. Look for Adam's blog. Yet others are in Florida this week for warm weather training and relaxation. My coach is Carla Hastert, you can read more about her at www.trainingbible.com. Look under Find a Coach. She is doing a great job keeping me focused on Ironman and building a strong base for endurance and stamina. I would recommend her to anyone. Check back for more training updates. Iron Man Wisconsin, September 13, 2009.

Two Cows

Okay, My second Political-Type of Post in two years:

The Two Cows...



TRADITIONAL CAPITALISM
You have two cows.
You sell one and buy a bull.
Your herd multiplies, and the economy grows.
You sell them and retire on the income.

AN AMERICAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You sell one, and force the other to produce the milk of four cows.
Later, you hire a consultant to analyze why the cow has dropped dead.

A FRENCH CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You go on strike, organize a riot, and block the roads, because you want three cows.

A JAPANESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You redesign them so they are one-tenth the size of an ordinary cow and produce twenty times the milk.
You then create a clever cow cartoon image called 'Cowkimon' and market it worldwide.

A GERMAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You re-engineer them so they live for 100 years, eat once a month, and milk themselves.

AN ITALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows, but you don't know where they are.
You decide to have lunch.

A RUSSIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You count them and learn you have five cows.
You count them again and learn you have 42 cows.
You count them again and learn you have 2 cows.
You stop counting cows and open another bottle of vodka.

A SWISS CORPORATION
You have 5000 cows. None of them belong to you.
You charge the owners for storing them.

A CHINESE CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You have 300 people milking them.
You claim that you have full employment, and high bovine productivity.
You arrest the newsman who reported the real situation.

AN INDIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
You worship them.

A BRITISH CORPORATION
You have two cows.
Both are mad.

AN IRAQI CORPORATION
Everyone thinks you have lots of cows.
You tell them that you have none.
No-one believes you, so they bomb the shit out of you and invade your country.
You still have no cows, but at least now you are part of Democracy....

AN AUSTRALIAN CORPORATION
You have two cows.
Business seems pretty good.
You close the office and go for a few beers to celebrate.

A CORPORATION IN THE STATE OF Mississippi

You have two cows.
The one on the left looks very attractive

Economic Stimulus

Okay, my first Political-Type of post...don't know where it originated.

Economic Stimulus Plan Explained...

This year, taxpayers will receive an Economic Stimulus Payment. This is a very exciting new program that I will explain using the Q and A format:

Q. What is an Economic Stimulus Payment?
A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers.

Q. Where will the government get this money?
A. From taxpayers.

Q. So the government is giving me back my own money?
A. Only a smidgen.

Q. What is the purpose of this payment?
A. The plan is that you will use the money to purchase a highdefinition TV set, thus stimulating the economy.

Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ?
A. Shut up.

Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely: If you spend that money at Wal-Mart, all the money will go to China. If you spend it on gasoline it will go to the Arabs. If you purchase a computer it will go to India. If you purchase fruit and vegetables it will go to Mexico, Honduras, and Guatemala (unless you buy organic). If you buy a car it will go to Japan. If you purchase useless crap it will go to Taiwan. And none of it will help the American economy. We need to keep that money here in America. You can keep the money in America by spending it at yard sales, going to a baseball game, or spend it on prostitutes, beer and wine (domestic ONLY), or tattoos, since those are the only businesses still in the US

2009 Race Schedule

Triathlon training is ongoing and challenging in the bitter cold Chicago winters, however we are persevering and will continue to train. The upcoming season will be packed with challenges. Here is the schedule:

May 19, 2009 Memphis In May, Olympic Distance, www.mimtri.racesonline.com
June 6, 2009 Rockman 70.3, Half Iron Man, www.rockmantri.com
June 14, 2009 Batavia Sprint, www.bataviatriathlon.org
Aug. 1, 2009 Steelhead 70.3, Half Iron Man, www.steelheadtriathlon.com
Sept 13, 2009, Ironman WI, 140.6 Ironman Distance, www.ironmanwisconsin.com

No races are scheduled for July as I will be back in Ecuador on a mission trip with the church. I will be posting pics from each race as they are completed. If you would like to join me in a race, register with the links provided and let me know.

For those interested, my Triathlon Club is Multisport Maddness, http://www.multisportmaddness.com/. Take a look at the videos on the web site.

Coach Doss (Bill)

I graduated from Briarcrest High School in 1979. This weekend a group of guys are going to celebrate a group of men that were influential in our lives during our high school years.  These men were the Coaches.  Football, Basketball, Baseball, Cross Country, Track.  Back in those days we did not have La Cross, or swimming, and Soccer was just beginning to gain momentum in the South. I only played football as a freshman, looking back I regret not playing every year, however, my real passion was running track.  It was because of my desire to run and compete in track that I met coach Doss.  During the spring of my freshman year I decided to ask coach Doss if I could go out for the track team.  I remember being very frightened by coach Doss and it was a small milestone just to muster the courage to ask.  He agreed to let me try and from that moment on I was determined to do my best.  As it turned out, like most coaches, coach Doss was more than willing to help me provided that I tried to help myself.  This man was determined to insure that every individual on the team that put out the effort would succeed.  I mention succeed, not win.  He taught me that winning did not equate to success.  Oftentimes I did win, oftentimes my name was in the paper as a winner, but success is more than just being in first place.  Success embodies doing your best, if you win then great, but if you tried your best and did not come in first, your could still experience success.  Back in those days a coach did not make much money, especially at a private school.  I remember he drove a Volkswagen Beetle during a time when most of the kids at Briarcrest drove cars much more expensive than a Beetle.  Coach Doss would meet me on Saturday Mornings at Haley Stadium to spend individual time with me.  He did not receive extra pay, he did not have to instill into me a discipline to achieve, but it was part of his nature.  To him it was the right thing to do. This man invested in my life.  This man saw in me a potential to succeed and cultivated the desire to do so. I will forever be grateful to coach Doss for the impact that he made in my life.  I am confident that I am not the only man who could extol the positive influence that this man made on individual lives. 

I do not know if coach Doss will ever read this blog, but if he does I want him to know that I appreciate his character, I appreciate his example, I will forever be indebted to him for the investment he made in my life.   You are one of my heros.  I could not be at the reunion, but if I were, I would not be ashamed to give coach Doss a heartfelt embrace and tell him face to face that I loved him and thank him for giving to me an example to follow. You're the best! 

IMWI2009

On September 7, 2008, Brooke and I traveled to Madison, WI to volunteer at the Ford Ironman Triathlon.  For the first part of the day, we were stationed at Whalen and County Road M on the bike course.  The bike is made of up two 56 mile loops through the Western part of Madison, WI.  After our duty was over on the bike course, we were stationed at state street and Lake street assisting runners during the 26.2 mile run finish.  What a blast!  We enjoyed everything about the event.  On Monday, yours truly, stood in line with about 4000 other insane people and signed up for the Iron Man race being held on September 13, 2009.  Training starts immediately.  I will be updating you from time to time on the progress.  Looking forward to finishing the race in 12 hours or less...and yes, I will get the tat.

Tribute to Uncle Gene

August 18, 2008 - Today is my younger sister's birthday, she is 39.  It is also my older sister's anniversary, 28 years.  It is also the day that my Uncle Gene took a step from this life to life eternal.  It is a day worth remembering.  Uncle Gene lived 93 years.  What I mean is that he "lived".  As long as I can remember he was full of life, I mean I never saw him down.  Once, back in the early 90's, I went and visited him in the hospital in Memphis.  He needed some blood so a group of us donated.  While in the hospital room, he was entertaining us with stories; mostly about the attention, or lack thereof, he was getting from the nursing staff.  Not for one minute did he complain about his illness, but rather was content on recalling past experiences and making those experiences relevant to the moment.

On several occasions, while traveling on business, I was able to stop in and visit with him at his home.  He was always excited to see me and welcomed me in with open arms.  During our visits, he would fill the conversation with the triumphs of his sons and daughter, as well as the exploits of his grandchildren.  He would always provide me with history lessons regarding our family and it's legacy.  I can remember very vividly how he would raise his right hand about chest high, hold it there until I was finished talking, and then go on to tell me about an experience or funny story that was related to our conversation.  Our discussions would stimulate a memory and he seemed delighted to recount his experiences.  

I remember talking about the War, the history of the family and it's roots, his experiences as a salesman with the Langenberg  (sp) Hat Company, and a bit of advice to a young businessman like myself.

If I could talk to him now, I am sure he would be telling me another exciting story about the amazing sights and experiences he is having in Heaven.  I am sure that Aunt Vadine, Uncle Bill, Grandma and Granddad have already had a chance to reunite.  I imagine that My Aunt Sylvia was the first one to wrap her arms around him and say " I have been waiting on you, welcome home...I can't wait to show you around."  Well, one day, we will meet again, and I am sure he will have some great stories to pass on to me.  Until then, I have been uniquely blessed to have a relative like Uncle Gene.  

He heeded the call to arms when his country needed his service, he was a dedicated husband, he was a wonderful father to his two sons and one daughter.  He was a productive, hard-working American, who instilled the values of self-worth, faith in God, servant leadership, and love to his family and friends.  He was part of a generation of Americans that made is possible for me to live and thrive in this country.  He and his generation laid a foundation on which this country has been built and made it possible for you and I to achieve and dream.  

He will be missed...but only for a little while.  I will see him again.