Show the World? Nah Show Yourself!

Ali, Balboa (Stallone), listen to the confidence, and the determination, the conviction in their speeches! Just the speeches alone motivate me! But these vids are cool too. Turn to where you have to, to find some motivation today. That invigorating fire, called desire! Desire to be better always, do not settle for mediocrity!

Cassius Clay said, "I'm gonna show YOU, how great I am!"

I think it's best to tell self, just how great self is. Self will listen, and not only hear the truth, but feel it, and know that it's real! So as David said... be encouraged as I am encouraged, and let self know how great you are, self will manifest it to the rest of the world without having to say a word!

Trek 100 Training Day 5 Lunch Time Ride

 
Got to stretch them out in 60+ degrees today! Amazing day to ride in. Wonder if they'd let me get by with a cordless phone, so I could work outside? It is simply gorgeous out! Opted to ride for lunch today, only regret... now I need salt, and could eat a whole bag of, set you on Hollywood fire, Frito's Corn Chips!!! 

Training for Trek 100 Day 4

Training can be painful.

Training should be meaningful.
Training should be fun!

Training is painful when your quad, and calf muscles tell the rest of your body (stiff neck, aching shoulders, burning lungs, etc...) that they need to pick up the slack, so they don't make your spirit weak.
Training is meaningful, when you can feel, see, and taste the hard work paying off.
Training is fun when you learn!!!

I learned that it is more fun to ride your bike out of the woods, rather than have your bike ride you out of the woods.
I learned that even if you are only a couple of miles from home, that a patch kit, and pump can make life so much better!
I learned that I have a great Christ-like partner (my middle son) that offered to let me ride his bike out of the woods when I got a flat. Which also taught me that my generosity does not just make me a better person, but it being observed by others (my son in this case) helps others. A humbled and generous spirit is not just making my son a good kid, but helping him to develop into a great man!

Flat tire and all, great day, and one training session, with a few great lessons!

Training for the Trek 100 Day 3

Strength CONditioning Day 3.

Always pick a trustworthy partner...

The beginning of training. We are still able to smile after the torment of riding through the bog, and then back out in 0 degree Celsius to the grocery store!

How to complete the day, and end a good strength training session!

Training for the Trek 100 Day 2

Strength conditioning Day 2.

Nothing makes you stronger, than love wrapped in a smile! This is Day 2...

Got a good leg burn on the mountain bikes today. The trailer is a great way to train, but please note, that we are on a closed course, and we are professional idiots, children please do not attempt this at home!

Big Down Under!

The Tour Down under wrapped up the past Sunday in sunny Australia.

Portuguese rider Thiago Machado rode strong, and finished strong to take 3rd in the final stage, and 3rd in the General Classification.

Jan Bakelants used his TT wheel on the rear to lead a strong early charge and break away. His surge awarded him with winning the most aggressive rider jersey.

As a team, Radio Shack Nissan/Leopard (I still like the name Leopard, and love the simple 0 underscored logo!) Trek won the overall team standings in the Santos Tour Down Under. Big start for Trek!  

Training for the Trek 100 Day 1

Agility Training Day 1

Well the bog proved to be more of a challenge than expected! Legs got a bit weary on day one of the ice bog, and fog training, but we survived. My partner challenged the bog, and got his front wheel nearly fully submerged, sunk in the bog forks deep, and lost to the bog in Round 1.

He came out a bit muddy, but conquered the bog in Round 2 as we made it back to the hood safely! I "almost" wrecked from laughing as I watched him flip in Round 1! I did however, manage to keep it upright, and rubber side down, so I am pleased to think that I passed the agility test and Saturday was a successful day of training!

My Heart & Heaven Just Got A Little Bluer!

At Last.... has a new meaning to me now. At last Ms. Etta will no longer suffer. Etta James is a Jazz and Blues Legend that will be sorely missed! Love you Ms. Etta, and thank you for the joy that my heart felt as you poured yours out to the world in song...

This is almost like someone calling me and telling me that one of my aunties had gone home to be with the Lord! Not every singer, or celebrity can do that to me, I know with some people, they treat anyone with a little bit of popularity and social status that way. Like someone just informed them that their best friend passed. In all actuality, perhaps Etta and her songs were an ailing hearts best friend? But regardless of how she affected anyone else, Etta James (Jamesetta Hawkins) along with the late Koko Taylor, Gladys Knight, and Chaka Khan, had such unique and powerful voices that spoke to my heart and my soul, that it made my hair stand on end! I love the Blues, and the ladies of the Blues!!! I am tore up with each sitting and watching of the Billie Holiday story (Lady Sings The Blues), Today is another bitter sweet chapter in this thing that we call life... the brevity of it still amazes me!!! Here's a sweet good-bye to a lovely songbird that will be missed.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2012/jan/20/etta-james

First Of The Year Mate!

It is that time again! The Tour Down Under starts tomorrow in Australia, and here ladies and gentlemen is your Trek line up:

Cyclist (Country) Expertise/Possible Victories
Daniele Bennati (ITA) Sprinter
Linus Gerdemann (GER) Overall
Ben Hermans (BEL)
Tiago Machado (Portugal) Time Trial/Overall
Hayden Roulston (NZL)
Jesse Sergent (NZL)
Jens Voigt (GER) Beast (In a good way)/Overall in my book, not the experts...

I would rather have the 23 degrees Celsius that the Aussie's will see tomorrow than the 0 that I will be facing!