The Jimmy 2008...what a great day.

Sunday October 19, 2008

Manhattan Beach, California USA

I was lucky to be able to be a part of the Jimmy Miller Memorial Foundation's annual surf fiesta! Celebrating Jimmy Miller's life and love of the ocean. A great format of teams, an interesting assortment of boards(that had to be used), and tons of FUN! The turn out was amazing! Those of us lucky enough to have known Jimmy and grown up together, it was a homecoming of sorts. It was wonderful to see many generations of guys & girls enjoying the ocean and each other. The foundation helps those with handicaps escape and exercise via "ocean therapy." A wonderful cause...please take a moment to check it out. If you can help, it's a great cause.

www.jimmymillerfoundation.org

007 is coming...

I am not a big movie fan, but for 007 I have a great deal of anticipation.  I remember growing up seeing Roger Moore (not my favorite Bond), all the interesting places, and of course the kick ass gadgets.  Now with Daniel Craig playing 007, it seems that there is a strong resurgence in the Bond movies.  I plan to be in the theatre on November 14 when the "Quantum of Solace" opens.

New puppy!

We recently added another dog to our family.  We have Barrett (boy)a 2 1/2 year old puggle, and now Miley (girl)a 2 1/2 month old puggle.  She is super cute, but also a lot of work.  We are all adjusting to our new family member.

Evergreen Triathlon (Olympic Distance)

Last Saturday I went to Normal Illinois with Ken to do the Evergreen Triathlon. I haven't been to motivated, so training consistently hasn't really been happening. I hope to have a "personal best" race...interesting expectation. I have only done one previous Olympic distance triathlon(a few years ago), and I made just about every mistake you could. I have learned a lot since then and hoped to put together a good race. As I pulled out of the driveway at 3:45am to go to Ken's to drive down together, it started raining. I hoped that it was raining at the race, or at least maybe by raining now it would all blow through by the time we arrived at the race site. Nice to go to the race with someone that has been there before, and to not have to drive alone. Once we arrived at the race location it wasn't raining, and was much cooler than it should have been. Once all set up in transition with wetsuit in hand, the rain started. The water was just barely wetsuit legal at 77.8 degrees F. I was happy to have the extra buoyancy! I nice 1500 meter swim of 27:12. Somewhere between taking off my wetsuit I lost my two gels in my tri top back pocket. Rainy and windy bike. Happy to not have too many turns under the conditions, completing the 25 miles in 1:15:05. On to the run more rainy fun! A 10K in 52:25 which was okay. I had hoped to do under 50 minutes, but did the nest I could. I think the lack of nutrition was key to the weak run. Still a personal best time of 2:37:54 earned me 7th place in my age group. Motivated to train better! Enjoyable day despite the conditions, and I look forward to returning next year to an even better result.  Ken raced hard to 4th in his age group!

Photos & Fun...

I am learning a lot and enjoying seeing the world around me in a whole new way.

The runs...

Recently I have had string of bad runs. I have been running after work, and they've all been pretty hot days. I can see how this would lead to some not so great runs, but most have been bad. I am looking forward to a change...maybe becoming a year old is what will break the string.

Season starts strong...

Seven Bridges Season Starter is a local 5k and 10 mile run. Early in the season with cool weather for the second year of this race. I improved over last year, and that makes me happy. I finished with a time of 1:13 for 10 miles, and a pace of 7:18. A 17 second per mile pace gain. So far so good...

New interest...

My new interest in photography, is becoming quite enjoyable. It has become a great creative flow of energy. I am learning new things all the time, and really enjoying myself. This photo was from my recent trip to Taos, New Mexico. It is the Rio Hondo River in the canyon that leads to Taos Ski Valley resort.

2008 a year ahead...

I have been having a hard time motivating... I now have an outline for the year's races. I hope to have a good solid year of Triathlon. Hopefully this will help my motivation. Hurry up spring!

Book: Surfer's Code by Shaun Tomson

Surfer's Code by Shaun Tomson
rules:
1) i will never turn my back on the ocean
2) i will paddle around the impact zone
3) i will take the drop with commitment
4) i will never fight a rip tide
5) i will paddle back out
6) i will watch out for other surfers
7) there will always be another wave
8) i will always ride into shore
9) i will pass along my stoke
10) i will catch a wave every day
11) all surfers are joined by one ocean
12) i will honor the sport of kings

Some of these rules can be carried over into the rest of the world outside of Surfing.

This will make you smile...

iFreakin' amazing!

iPhone, very impressive! Maybe it will "help" me blog more regularly....it does everything else! So far I am a huge fan. (only had it 3 days)

Cold is an understatement...

We are in a "cold snap" here in the Chicago area. Growing up in Southern California near the beach, I would have to call this a "cold thermonuclear warhead detonation." It is crazy... Today was 2 degrees F, and factor in the wind and it was -20 degrees F.
WOW...cold. No training outside for a few days.

2008 the year ahead!

I plan on working on my "race season" plan, what events etc. I hope to put something up soon.