January 27, 2013

V Formations


The last few weeks has brought millions of visitors to Southern California. Not the normal Disney/beach seeking human form, rather the feather/flocking migratory form.

Just last week I was out on a hike with my daughter in the upper newport bay. Overhead came drove and drove of these v-shaped flying formations. There must have been 10,000 in these flocks that flew over our head in less than 5 minutes. And they kept coming! As I watched I could only wonder, where are they all going? Do they sleep? I just new they were headed toward the ocean.

Two days later is was out for a rare run on the beach. It was about the same time of day, just before the sunset. Then over the sand they came. Thousands. Swooping down from their v-formations several hundred feet over head to just inches above the surf. They continued flying, so close to the water they disappeared into the choppy sea.

It's good to be in the presence of nature.

 

  

January 22, 2013

The Great Curve


It's been a rather slow blogging period for me these last few months. Sorry folks. The number of posts I've written are at an all time low. I just haven't been motivated to write. Such is life. I think it has something to do with my overall fitness and training. I've written a couple of posts but just can't see the value in publishing them. One was on whether elite runners dope like cyclists. But I realized there is just too much negativity surrounding doping. I would rather write to inspire myself and anyone reading my blog, not dwell on negative energy like that topic does.

As I write this, I realize there is nothing that creates more motivation to write than running itself. If figures, because my running has been lacking as of late. Maybe it's due to my chronic sore groin, or maybe its simply the ebb and flow of my own motivation. One thing I've come to realize is that I can reach out and grab motivation, but I can't always hold on to it. This conversation with myself reminds me of the great Talking Heads song the Great Curve. If motivation where my "world", this song says it all. "the world is near...but it's out of reach...some people touch it, but they can't hold on". I love that song. I used to listen to it really loud in my car.      

In any event, I'm signed up for Vermont 100 and Leadville 100 in July and August. Wooohoo! I'm looking forward to both, but not in the way I used to look forward to 100 milers. In previous years the mere thought of training for and attempting a 100 mile race would send a surge of energy through my veins. I would rush out the door and pile mile upon mile into my training. Then my body would simply break down. Maybe I've finally learned more about my body. About my own feeble limitations. My weaknesses. 

"...A world of light...she's gonna open our eyes up...A world of light...she's gonna open our eyes up
She's gonna hold it move it hold it move it...Hold it move it hold it move it
A world of light...she's gonna open our eyes up..." 

Yes, when my motivation comes around, I'm going to open my eyes up. 

January 6, 2013

The Lance Armstrong Saga Continues...



Just when I thought the doping scandal of Lance Armstrong had become yesterday's news, I read this. A confession! Really? What? When? Why? Of course...bring it on Lance! As I said in my letter to you in October, you have so much to gain with a confession. It could be your mea culpa. Your coming out. As long, that is, as you admit you did the wrong thing, and behaved the wrong way...for most of your career. As long as you apologize to the countless people and organizations you berated, bullied and sued to prop up your now-disgraced and pummeled anti-doping image.

Lance, do the right thing. Confess. We know it will cost you a lot of money. But what is the value of a clean conscience? What is the value of looking someone straight in the eye and telling them the real truth? What is the value of being capable of openly talking about your own weaknesses? At this stage, we don't care about why you did it, we care about why you now believe it was wrong. We don't care if you want to compete again in triathlons and confessing is your only option to do this. We care that you, after all these years, want to do the right thing. Now, stand in front of the microphone...and do the right thing.