Macca in Dallas

2007 Ironman World Champion Chris "Macca" McCormack came to Dallas last night for a question and answer session. I found him to be articulate and approachable. He's an engaging speaker with a compelling professional and personal story. I hope to have the audio recording available later today.

Stay tuned...

Hook'em Weekend

Podcasting and reporting on triathlon has many rewards. Foremost is the meeting of the sport's greatest professional and age-group athletes.

Here are a few photos from my weekend during the 2009 Longhorn Ironman 70.3 in Austin, TX.

Enjoy!

Stay tuned...

US Open Triathlon LIVE AudioCast and TweetCast

Put up a boat load of money, design a fast race course in one of America's flashiest cities and what do you get? The world's fastest triathletes ready to race, of course, and Athletes for a Cure will be there to bring it to you LIVE.

Join me and my co-host, Stu, of the Simply Stu triathlon podcast for a live, wire-to-wire TweetCast and simultaneous AudioCast of the Lifetime Fitness Toyota US Open Triathlon from Dallas.

Coverage begins at 8:00 AM (Eastern) on Sunday, October 11, 2009 and will continue until the conclusion of the professionals' race.

Follow on Twitter

Get live from-the-course tweets by following @athltes4acure

Follow live audio on your phone and computer

Get live audio and color commentary of the race here; www.BlogTalkRadio.com/athltesforacure and on your phone at (914) 338-0298.

Listen to Athletes For A Cure on Blog Talk Radio

Don't miss all of the action as series point leaders Matt Reed and Sarah Haskins race head-to-head against the world's strongest Olympic distance triathletes; Greg Bennett, Javier Gomez, Mary Beth Ellis, and Rebeccah Wassner, and many other triathlon stars.

Stay tuned...

TweetCast of the ITU Duathlon World Championship

The ITU Duathlon World Championship races are coming to Charlotte, NC and Athletes for a Cure is TweetCasting the professional races LIVE via Twitter.

On Saturday, September 26th, starting at 9:30 AM (Eastern) follow @athletes4acure on Twitter and catch the only comprehensive start to finish coverage of both the men's and the women's races.

I will be Twittering the 10 kilometer run, 40 kilometer bike, 5 kilometer run live, on location from the Lowes Motor Speedway from the first lap to the final breaking of the tape.

Set your phones, and Twitter catchers to follow @athletes4acure or go to TweetChat.com and follow hashtag #afac for an interactive chat-like program.

This TweetCast is another exclusive from Athletes for a Cure.org Visit them today and get involved in the fight against prostate cancers.

See you... or make that Tweet you... on Saturday starting at 9:30 AM (Eastern)

Stay tuned...

Four the logbook

What would you call an Ironman performance that includes a personal worst swim time, a bike crash, nausea, blisters on both feet, a slowest personal finishing time, and three days afterward on crutches? Some may go as far to say it was a disaster but I say it was my most rewarding Ironman performance.

Normally, my blog post after an Ironman would include separate, detailed sections for the swim, bike, and run. After Ironman Florida 2006 I wrote about racing with a 105 degree fever and bronchitis. The report of Ironman Wisconsin 2007 was long on the flat tire and bike penalty keeping me from breaking the 14 hour mark. With me, for the entire race, were the names of over 500 cancer fighters, survivors, and souls. Then, just seven weeks ago, I wrote about a stomach in revolt and my quixotic aspirations against the ski jumps of Ironman Lake Placid. So, writing about this year's Ironman Wisconsin would seem to be the normal thing to do on a blog about triathlon but on this occasion it would be too normal. This time I'm departing from the expected and will write not about the events of the race but about the experience of the race, and the experiences of becoming an Ironman.

But, so as to not completely depart from tradition I'll summarize the day. During the swim I made a tactical error in that I took the first loop of the two laps too conservatively resulting in exiting the water 20 minutes slower than capable. Next, I crashed on the bike around mile 50 and skinned my hand, knee, shoulder, and cracked my helmet. The medic tending to me required me to sign a waiver refusing further medical attention before allowing me to continue. I removed the leg bandage a few minutes later because it itched. Then my leg went numb shortly afterward. The numbness affected my running gait from the start of the marathon resulting in two blisters on one foot and three on the other starting at mile six. It was too painful to run the last 10 miles of the marathon and I walked all but the last quarter mile to the finish. My finish time was 16 hours and 5 minutes, some 90 minutes slower than my first Ironman in 2006. It was a long day filled with challenges, self-doubt, determination, and relying on experience. Despite the challenges, the idea of quitting never entered my mind. It was only a matter of finishing within the time limit. Two days later I was on crutches, resting my blistered right foot.

On this day I beat the conditions; fought the raging headache after the crash; gritted my teeth with each pain filled step of the run; beat back the nattering negativism; and won.

Ironman at its core is a race born out of bravado. On its surface there's nothing complicated about it. Three events over three ridiculous distances. It's an endurance test to be done in 17 hours. That's it. Period.

But if that's all Ironman is then why the popularity of these races? Why the mystique, why the spectacle? Obviously Ironman is more than the distances of its core. Ironman's essence is what it teaches and its lessons about the athlete's most important subject; themselves. Each of my four races was a lecture unto themselves.

Ironman Wisconsin's class was in session and here is what was learned:

Team sweat has no odor

Lasting friendships and cleaves are seldom born from the good times only. Unlike in the previous three Ironman races, I traveled to Madison as part of a team. Five athletes, plus myself, of Negative Split Racing traveled from our home base in Dallas to take on the course. Five of us were veterans of the distance and one was making her first attempt. These athletes were my corps with whom I would train with week in and week out. Together we ran the same trails, swam the same waters, and biked the same

roads. We watched each other have breakthrough training days and break down training days too. Each of us had our moments of keeping ourselves together on the toughest of tasks and each had our moments of falling apart under the toll of seemingly small training duties. Some became

injured and recovered, some continued to improve while some worked doubly hard just to maintain their fitness. Some never recovered from injury while some did, and one brought her injury with her, but none stopped, and none ever gave up.

We encouraged each other and believed in each other when we may not have believed in ourselves. We had espirt de corps. Virtual teams, or cyber-social groups, know only the good times; only the laughter and excitement of a cheery meeting. They are teams in title only. What they don't have are the bad times and what they lack is communal sweat; the honest sweat that has no odor. They don't stick together because don't have the messy glue of shared misery. What Team Negative Split Racing gave me were companions on the tough days of adversity's forge, and the best of times; the kind not measured with a clock.

Build no perfect past

Over the last three years of talking to and learning from triathletes I now know that no athlete is content with what he did yesterday. This again is another lesson taught by Ironman. The non-athlete, if given a choice, most would give up the reality of today for the memory of yesterday or the fantasy of tomorrow. But not the Ironman triathlete. For him tomorrow is a promissory note and yesterday is a cashed check. It is today that matters and what he does today and its affect on his future. Tomorrow is another opportunity to excel and yesterday's past is just that; the past. Trying to relive the perfect past is of no use. For the training athlete, when he's in his element, his time shortens and lengthens at a pace only he understands.

Where it starts

The road to Ironman leads to self-discovery long before you make it the starting line. Parents, teachers, and sages sing the familiar song to become the thing we are, to fulfill our design; to choose our own reality, our own way to being a person. But for all they did tell us as to what to become often they didn't tell us was how to do it; or how hard it would be. But once the athlete takes on Ironman he begins to fill the void. For him, he soon learns that where fitness starts, so does self-discovery. These athletes succeed or fail while making no excuses. They recognize themselves without pride or prejudice. They train to possess their own experience rather than be possessed by it, to live their own life rather than be lived by it. They fight their limitations, fight their pain, fight any unfairness, and do not give in, and will conquer the distance, the road, or the hill alone.

The non-athlete often sees the Ironman and his asceticism as jejune folly. What they see as an avocation of self-denial and sacrifice is seen by the triathlete as a key to place of purpose. There's an entire other world that begins on the other side of exhaustion and sweat. Its place with its own rewards for the present day. An athlete that pushes himself to this place is intoxicated with the athlete's truth and the dedicated lives to go there. They know the blindly intoxicated sees things the sober man never will.

Where it suspends

The roads to four Ironman races have lead me to many places and none more important than today. Here today I suspend my Iron-distance racing. Although I have not had what others may say is the perfect race or a performance worthy of satisfaction to step back from Ironman's punch bowl. To them I say they have missed the point. They have confused racing the clock with Providence and I shake my fist at Providence. I entered the road to Ironman imperfect for the distance but I didn't let my imperfections keep me from participating. I now leave Ironman far from perfect but much farther away from the uninspired spirit wearing the clean, neatly folded, under-used soul of my yesterday.

Ironman has served me well and I have tried to embody its spirit and learn its lessons. And in my opinion, so should you.

Stay tuned...

None other

The training is done, the bike is check in, and the bags are packed. There's only one thing left to do and that's to race tomorrow in Ironman Wisconsin. Two Ironman races in one summer (Lake Placid being the other) has proven to be all I expected: tough, tiring, frustrating, and exhillerating.

Nerves are building and my gut is tense. But, despite the trepidation, I will respect the distance but have no fear because there is no other place I'd rather be than right here, right now.

Stay tuned...

Follow my progress with the Athlete Tracker at Ironman.com My number is 1686.

Numbered

Don't look now Madison but I've just been assigned athlete number 1686 and I'm on my way to get me some Ironman Wisconsin!

Go HERE to follow live on Sunday, September 13, 2009 starting at 8:00 AM (Eastern).

Stay tuned...

USA Triathlon LIVE Audio and TwitterCast on 8/22!

The uber-cool folks at Athletes for a Cure are hosting the first LIVE Audio and LIVE TwitterCast of the USA Triathlon Elite National Championship races on August 22nd.

To follow on any phone call 914-338-0298 and you'll be connected to the race coverage or click here and you'll be taken directly to the BlogTalkRadio.com site and then click "play" to hear the race.

Click Here for the WOMEN's race starting at 12:30 PM (EST)!

Click here for the MEN's race starting at 3:00 PM (EST)!

To follow the TwitterCast of the race go to www.Twitter.com/athletes4acure and follow @athletes4acure Please use hashtag #afac so others can follow your tweets about the races too.

Stay tuned...

Meet the Dallas Endurance Sports Examiner

Newspapers and magazines have been a fascination of mine for as long as I can remember. From as soon as I could read I was known to have my nose stuck in the pages of the news. I looked up to newspapermen, reporters, and columnists for what they had to say and because they were lucky enough to have a medium to say it. While other boys wanted to grow up to be firemen, astronauts, and professional baseball players I wanted to become a writer for a newspaper or magazine.

However, just as it so often happens to kids those dreams of fighting fires, blasting off into orbit, and hitting a grand slam in Yankee Stadium just sort of came and went. Just like me becoming a journalist. Lacking a plan, direction, and dedication to wordsmithing, not to mention talent, it's no wonder it never happened.

Over the years I would stumble onto the opportunity to write something about a current event, a technical topic, or an opinion. Like the year when I was a financial columnist for a regional newspaper way back in the early 1990's or when letters to the editors of the defunct Dallas Times Herald newspaper and Worth magazine were published. Each time my name appeared in print I would buy a dozen copies of the publication and mail them to my mom and friends.

Most recently I wrote the introduction and co-edited, with Staley Krause, "The Meaning of Tri," available at MindsetTriathlon.com

Now, before anyone gets the idea I think my writings measure up to being worthy of your time, think again. I don't. The fact you're here right now, reading this, is humbling to me. Here's my suggestion, when you're done here, point your computer to the blogs of a couple of really good writers like these: TriGreyhond and IronWil. Go ahead, do it. You'll thank me.

Although I'm long down the road of my career in finance, the want to be a journalist has never left me for very long. I suppose that's one of the reasons why I started the "Stay Tuned Report" triathlon news podcast and Twitter the news of triathlon. The sport is a part of me now and having a front seat to its growth and development has me energized.

As an outgrowth of this blog and the podcast I was introduced to the Examiner.com by triathlon media man, Roman Mica, of EverymanTri.com. He suggested I apply to write about triathlon and endurance sports for the Examiner.com and guess what? It happened. Today my first article was published and it's official. I'm again a published author.

Here it is. The article is about the upcoming USA Triathlon National Championship and ITU Tuscaloosa Pan American races.

Where this new adventure will take me, and you the reader - if you continue to honor me with your time and attention - I don't know. But if you decide to read my articles I will promise you journalistic integrity, accuracy, and writing to the best of my abilities.

Stay tuned...

PS: Tell a friend and sign up for email alerts of new articles too.

Tilting at Ski Jumps

Travel west on New York State Highway 86 from Wilmington and you'll see them. Perched on the side of Whiteface Mountain, they tower over all that's natural. As if the steepness of the hills leading up to the village of Lake Placid or the roar of Chubb River rushing only yards from your tires were not reason enough to feel small in Mother Earth's masterpiece, the Adirondacks, the two ski jumps awe even seasoned world travelers. To the observer, either they kiss the sky, or impose omnipresence, take your pick. But they won't be ignored as they play host to all in their shadows.

Built for the 1980 Winter Olympics, the 90 and 120 meter ski

jumps, set flights of both victory and disaster. Against the natural panorama they are stark reminders that no one leaves Ironman Lake Placid untouched.

Myself included.

I almost didn't attend this year's Ironman Lake Placid. Dark clouds blew over my original motivations to race and a personal struggle much weightier than 140.6 miles ensued for months. When at the moment I nearly cancelled my plans my quixotic self was rejuvenated. That's when, in a poetic confluence of events, I met the men and women behind Athletes for a Cure and AllTri. It's for their cause I decided to humbly toe the line and raise funds. To joust the windmills of my time.

With my head filled with Cervantes's notions of dreaming the impossible while raising awareness for those affected by prostate cancer I sought the windmills that are the ski jumps. As plans of personal redemption go this was one had real possibilities. Race an Ironman course on my own terms, make peace with the past, and joust for those who can't; and I'd cross the finish line renewed. As an athlete you and I are never more perfect than when we are racing.

So let's race!

It was threatening rain during the short walk from the rented house to the swim start. While putting on my wetsuit the weight of the task covered me. Heavy in thought, I sat down on the banks of Mirror Lake and it began to rain. The one question that loomed darker than the clouds over head that was, "Was it enough?" Had I done the right training in the amounts needed to joust? Should I play the race conservative and do just enough to get by or push myself from the cannon's shot? My answer was: the hour had come to be bold and honest. No more hiding self-doubts in a coat of bravado. It was time to expose them to the light.

Getting through the swim was the first order of business. Covering the distance was what I had trained for but what I didn't expect was 2.4 miles of shoving, grabbing, and kicking for the entire swim, not just the start and the turns. Half of the time my hands protected my face and the other half they pulled myself across the water. Just as soon as I would break away from the traffic around me I would swim upon another pack. It didn't matter if I swam wide to the right of the buoys or to their left, I was met with kicks and elbows. I exited the water in just over 1 hour and 23 minutes. Well below my best performance but, not to take anything away from the other swimmers, it was a tough morning commute to transition.

That would be the easy part of the day.

I dashed into and out of the changing tent and onto the bike without delay. Through the transition area it was all smiles, waves, and kisses that rained down like confetti.

The Lake Placid bike course has something for everyone. From white-knuckled 50 mph descents, to flat stretches for hammering, and finally a grinding climb up Whiteface Mountain to crush any fantasies I might have that this course is easy. It's on the last few miles of the climb they see you. Standing there, snagging clouds in their crowns, the ski jumps see every turn of the pedals.

The first of the two loops of the bike had only one mishap when I lost my asthma inhaler at a water station while exchanging empty food wrappers for full. Shortsightedly, I didn't stop to retrieve it. Seduced by the downhills I felt too good to stop. But nonetheless I completed the first 56 miles ahead of schedule and was feeling great for it too.

Soon that would change.

Once out of Lake Placid for the start of the second 56 miles it's only a few rolling hills until the steep downhill sections begin again. That's where I pushed the pace and one by one I passed those who had been ahead of me for the morning. No sooner did I pass the mile 76 marker did I feel the first sharp pain in my gut. In a matter of minutes my stomach was churning and my face felt flush. Around mile 80 I was hanging over the guardrail vomiting with all my involuntary strength. From that moment on the complexion of my race would change. The fight was on and the windmills weren't the only things turning.

Throwing up on the bike was never in my training schedule and certainly not in the race plan. I had a flat tire plan, a broken chain plan, a nutrition plan, a hydration plan, a dropped-a-water-bottle plan, even a wardrobe malfunction plan. But what I didn't have was a get-sick-and-continue-to-race plan. All of the technology for measuring my heart rate, wattage, and average speed was shelved. The only plan now was the suck-it-up-and-keep-moving plan.

The simple approach was the best. As the sport increases its technical measuring capabilities, and we enter increasing levels of complexity and decision making, we need to remember that the simple path can harness all the solutions, all the answers, and all the power we'll ever need.

The plan now was to push when I felt good and rest when I didn't. The plan was to take in water and salt as much as I could stand. Just keep moving and keep jousting. Even if I had to throw up again. (Which I did I second time.) No matter how much time it took.

Seven hours is a long time to be on a bike and every muscle in my body didn't hesitate to painfully remind me of it too. While cresting the final hill before entering Lake Placid I looked at the ski jumps casting long shadows. This time they were regally shining in the early afternoon sun. Unimpressed by my accomplishment, they knew there was a marathon yet to run.

On occasion I see the run as a happy, exhilarating, and nourishing to my soul experience. In running my mind flees with the my feet and the mysterious efflorescence of language seems to pulse in my chest, in rhythm with my feet and the swinging of my arms. But not this time.

I managed one of the few smiles of the day with the ski jumps looking on.

I hadn't eaten in four hours. My eyesight was fading and the usual pulsing of the running joy in my ears was replaced by a heavy pounding of a headache. My chest was aching from the asthma. The error of not retrieving my inhaler had me hurting and wheezing. For the first time, ever, I felt like stopping. Quitting was not an option but, I had a problem to solve, one with 26.2 miles and two very steep hills to climb. What I needed was a solution.

My solution was not to look - or at least to look as infrequently as possible - at my stopwatch or far down the road. I had to stay centered on the moment. I looked down at the pavement directly in front of me. Concentrating on the basic, essential things that I had to get done, I put one foot in front of the other. I silently counted to 100 then started again, over and over. Time passed more quickly and productively by staying focused in the moment. Time on the clock was not a problem as long as I kept moving forward.

Feeling a little better I took in some food at a water station. Bad idea. Soon enough I was doubled over the shoulder of the road. I threw up two more times on the run. Making sure I drank water and dowed salt were my only hopes of finishing. That, and a shot of inspiration.

And the motivation I needed came from watching the other athletes. I wasn't the only one walking and I wasn't the only one coloring the course. More than a couple of others were sick too. I felt for them and offered words of encouragement when I went past. It's possible they were feeling just as bad as I did and maybe worse. If they could keep keep moving then I would too. Even if it meant admitting my losses.

Lost were my plans of setting a personal-best time at the Ironman distance. Lost was grabbing this course by its throat and shaking it with all I had. Gone was my daylight finish. The peace I despirately sought passed me without as much as a word. But, instead of accepting my loses as endings I saw them as detours - headed in the intended direction - and kept on moving. Eventually, I was on the last set of hills towards the ski jumps. They were still visible in the night sky and refused to be ignored. And so was I.

Losing is something that happens to us all one time or another. It happens so often you'd think we'd all be experts at it by now. The problem with too many of us is we equate losing with total failure. Instead of becoming experts at bouncing back, we've become expert victims who don't try again. I've had my share of loses but I refuse to become a victim. Just like in this race, I've had to bounce back, several times, during the same day. It's a part of Ironman - and life - and you must train for and accept its eventuality.

The marathon took 6 hours and 20 minutes to complete.

The Lake Placid finish is on the outdoor speed skating oval next to the Olympic arena. Running towards the finish line was like being awakened from a bad dream. In my dream, lasting 32 miles on the bike and 26 miles of the marathon, I was a broken, exhausted man with a stomach in revolt. The music, the spotlights, the throng of the cheering spectators woke me out of my daze. When I awoke, a few hundred yards from the finish line, I was an athlete again. Finally, I was strong, alert, and could run like the wind. Crossing the line I flexed my arms in celebration. One step later, I fell into the arms to a volunteer.

Finished: in 15 hours, 9 minutes, and 18 seconds.

When it's at its hardest there's nothing more valuable than courage and courage is available to all of us. Finishing didn't require a great amount of physical strength - just look at my pace per mile to see that - but it is , in fact, based almost entirely on strength of mind. The joust began there and that's where it ended.

In February I renewed my purpose and set out on a noble path available to a late-adult-quixotic athlete. Okay, so Quixote lost touch with reality and began titling at windmills and maybe all of this Ironman business and jousting ski jumps may seem crazy too. But in the end, I achieved several goals that most men never attain. Or so I suspect. Maybe someday I'll have a clearer vision of what all of this means because today I'm too close to the smoke to see the fire alarm and too busy fanning the flames to pull it.

Yes, I do see Ironman as quixotic and still worth the effort.

We all need to pursue some noble and difficult-to-attain goals, or what's a life for? Today, this is mine.

Stay tuned...

Chasing an Answer

The big day is just around the corner. The training is almost done and on Sunday I'll jump into the brisk water of Mirror Lake for 140.6 miles pure of challenge.

Often asked and seldom answered to satisfaction is, "Why?" Why spend countless hours training? Why the expense? Why the time away from friends and family? Why race Ironman? Like I said, the answer, no matter how sincere and thoughtful in response seldom reveals itself entirely. So often the motivations are open to interpretation too. Perhaps because there is no one reason, no one motivation, no one truth. It's complex in a master painter kind of way. Like Picasso, Jasper Johns, Dali, Van Gogh, and Pollock the meaning of their work lives somewhere between the creator and the created. Often discussed and understood by only the truly wise is our purpose defined. And that, in itself, may be the essence of the Ironman, the race and Ironman, the athlete.

Join me, athlete #1519, Sunday, 7:00 AM Eastern, on IronmanLive.com while I chase not only the the finish line but my own truth too.

Stay tuned...

Force for Good

Thank You To All Tri

by SCOTT ZAGARINO on JULY 13, 2009

All Tri Fitness founder Randall White presented a check to Brian Brode (@triboomer) on behalf of the new organization to Athletes for a Cure for $1875.00 on July 7th.

The premise behind a new “fitness+philanthropy” nonprofit called All-Tri – whose slogan is “Your fitness. Your cause” – which makes any 501(c)(3) public charity in the United States eligible for funding, from literacy, global warming and AIDS, to breast cancer, the arts and women’s shelters.

Launched just one year ago in Dallas, the 22 founding participants celebrated raising $70,000 for 17 causes and toasted the numerous fitness benefits they’ve achieved, from weight loss, strength and toning, to increased energy and morale, to improving serious conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis.

Charities benefiting included Athletes for a Cure, The Alzheimer’s Association, Dallas Wind Symphony, Gilda’s Club, and North Texas Gladney Center for Adoption, to name a few. Each participating athlete had to net $1850 in fundraising to complete the All-Tri fundraising+fitness program.

All Tri was founded in 2008 by a handful of people who met through a health charity training program and saw an opportunity to expand the philanthropy+fitness model.

In its first outing, All Tri inspired and prepared 22 novices and experienced athletes to complete an endurance event while raising more than $70,000 for 17 different charities.Beginning in August, All Tri starts training new and experienced runners for half-marathon or full-marathon distances in the Seattle Marathon on Nov. 29 and five-person-relay teams or half-marathon or full-marathon distances in Dallas’ White Rock Marathon on Dec. 13.

INFORMATION:

Go to www.alltri.org

Stay tuned...

Announcing the 2009 Athletes for a Cure TwitterCast Tour

How do the super hero folks of the Athletes for a Cure Foundation follow the first LIVE TwitterCast of the St. Anthony's Triathlon? With a nationwide tour, of course!

TwitterCasting of St. Anthony's was an unqualified success and in every effort to increase awareness of the mission of Athletes for a Cure and the demand of triathletes worldwide we will be TwitterCasting LIVE from six additional top shelf races in 2009.

Follow each race on Twitter with Twitter.com/Athletes4aCure or www.TweetChat.com using hash tag #AFAC.

Allow me to present the schedule for the Athletes for a Cure Tour 2009!

June 14. AFAC will break out the tour at the Escape from Alcatraz Triathlon LIVE from San Francisco! Don't miss a single moment of the action from a packed pro field in this historic and storied race venue.

July 12, Boulder, Colorado. Considered a must-do race in the mecca of triathlon, the Boulder Peak Triathlon is consistantly voted as one of the best races in the country. Professionals and age-group athletes come from far and wide to challenge 

themselves in the high altitude of the American Rockies.

August 22. Tuscaloosa, Alabama. USAT Elite and Age Group National Championship. Athletes for a Cure travels to TwitterCast the head-to-head contest of the fastest of the fast at the International distance. Tune in while this LIVE coverage keeps pace with 2012 Olympic team hopefuls and USA Triathlon's top amateur athletes of all age-groups.

September 20. Disney World, Orlando, Florida. The premier event of the Athletes for a Cure Foundation, is a weekend multisport festival with something for everyone in the family. Follow ten-year-old Winter Vinecki of TeamWinter.org while she races again to honor her father in this fast growing regional race. It also highlights the fundraising athletes all racing towards the ultimate goal - a cure for prostate cancer. Now is the time to get involved by joining in the quest at Athletes for a Cure.org Follow along on race day as the TwitterCast showcases these athlete heroes.

September 11. Dallas, Texas. Toyota US Open Triathlon. Not only is the city big but the prize purse is too. All eyes will be on this International distance race when the Lifetime Fitness Series holds its championship within the glitz and glam of Texas's premier city.

September 25. Austin, Texas. This, the first 70.3 race on the tour, promises to bring out the fastest in the land as athletes look to qualify for the next year's 70.3 World Championship. The challenging course is quickly gaining a must-do rac by both professionals and age-groupers alike.

Now is the time to mark you calendars and be a part of this unique fusion of social media, sport, and utmost important causes. You can count on the Athletes for a Cure Foundation to bring you all of the action direct to your favorite Twitter catching device monthly. Don't miss any of the action and sign up to follow Athletes4aCure on Twitter today.

Stay tuned...

Scaffolding

In March I wrote, "CapTex Tri for AllTri.org and AthletesForaCure.org" on my calendar. It would mark the end of an 18-month triathlon racing suspension. A combination of a bad knee, bad timing, and bad decisions added up to a longer than expected absence from the swimbikerun.

Unlike for other Olympic distance races when I would beat myself into exhaustion - and probably injury -  this time I took a moderate training approach and followed the advice of coaches and veteran athletes-of-a-certain-age. The focus was on fewer days of training allowing for more rest and physical adaptation. Swimming, my best event, moved away from the fast-as-you-can-go interval sessions to slower, more endurance and skill building sessions. 

The run - my limiting event - training concentrated on strength, hill repeats, and track speed. Bike training was much like the run; short speed sessions over long endurance rides. A six day a week training regimen was now down to four. Although my left kneed isn't 100% healed, and may never fully recover, I felt the most prepared for a triathlon since last summer.

More importantly than completing the race for my body I also fulfilled promises. Like erecting scaffolding surrounding an aged structure I put in place a standard suitable for work intended to be used as a basis for enquiry and design. The project? My purposes for racing.  A purpose to strengthen my family, to encourage my friends (like this guy, and this guy, and the gonna-be 2 x Ironman pictured to the left), and wear the race colors for those that can't but wish they could. 

Please allow me to divert from this post's stream of self-examination and review my race.

During the swim I arrived at the first turn buoy with the front of the pack by taking smooth, below a hard effort pace when either a competitor's hand, foot, or elbow hit me on the corner of my left goggle so hard it knocked them off of my head and bloodied my nose. While seeing stars from what felt like a prize fighter's jab I hurriedly retrieved my goggles from the water. But while trying to put them back on dozens of other athletes pushed, punched, and kicked me as they tried to get around me and the buoy. In the scrum the strap broke. There I was, getting pummeled in the middle of a frenzy, only 300 meters into the swim, tasting blood from the collision, with a broken pair of goggles. My options were to swim without the goggles, repair them while treading water, or quit. I chose the repair. After the main pack of swimmers passed me I tied the ends of the thin, black strap into a square knot. Although I couldn't breathe through my nose and couldn't focus my left eye, I could continue the swim. And I did. It took me over 35 minutes to finish what usually takes me 27 minutes... and it hurt.

Into T1 I went, finding my bike without trouble. I put my helmet on and grabbed my sunglasses. While putting them on the left lens popped out the frame and into my hand. It took a couple of year-long minutes to fit the lens back into the frame before heading out on the bike course. The CapTex bike leg is nothing but fast fun.  The course is a four loop hammer through downtown Austin with two come-to-a-near-stop u-turns in each loop. For all that was lost in the rugby match of a swim it was made up, and then some, on the bike. As a bonus, on each lap I got mucho cowbell from my wife and family who were easily spotted waving their American flags.

Although my ran wasn't my fastest time in the sun I was happy my nose had stopped bleeding and I could see out of both eyes. The pace was kept at a moderate effort that I felt I could hold and still finish the race in under three hours. Which is what I did with a couple of minutes to spare.

Now back to the heart of this post. Some have said they might not have continued after getting their goggles knocked off their head and the taste of blood would have sealed their decision. And, that's exactly what it did for me. But my decision was not to quit. The whole fracas in the water, the eye, the nose, the blood, the hastily repaired goggles, all of it added up to race experience for which I wouldn't change a moment. Not one.

The reason for going to Austin to race was more than the swimbikerun. It was to keep a promise, regain purpose, and rediscover something forsaken. The race put AllTri.org on the map in its debut fundraising event. AllTri.org will direct $2,000 of generous sponsor's donations to the Athletes for a Cure Foundation. Gladly, I toe the line for the millions of families affected by cancers who have turned over their bodies to radiologists, insurance companies, pharmacists, oncologists, counselors, case workers, therapists, and blind faith. Maybe in a way of reclaiming myself they too can reclaim their hope. Those two promises were made and kept. (Stay tuned for a lot more from them.) I went to Austin as part of a family. Rediscovering their support rediscovered their love. Racing in Austin renewed my purpose. I am as common as they get and the logical thing would be to accept the common place and the common existence. But everything beyond the logical, everything instinctive tells me different.

Again, I see my world as a triathlete. The way I eat, the way I sleep, the way I drive, the way I evaluate the world is first filtered through the gauze of the swimbikerun. With purpose.

Stay tuned...

My Fickle Love

She's at her strongest in the spring is this paramour when we meet. Depending on the day, sometimes the hour, she changes direction with whim. As long has she remains at my back we ride like the famed. Her pushing is welcome and so are the whispers and when we are moving together the wheels beneath glide across the road rising to meet me. While we are this way I swim in her bliss.

But, she's the capricious sort as well and when we cross my very frame is shaken. Her wrath can sting my cheek and the more I resist the harder she insists upon her intent. My heart rises and sinks with her presence depending upon the size of her will.

Turing to face her shows how fickle this love is. What only a moment before was a happy entwined shared interest union quickly becomes a push against her nature. In the summer she blows the burning embers of our romance into my face and in the winter her steely chill cuts to the bone.

In the end she again brands me Othello. Despite hearing her swirling against my sturdy walls I take to her anyway. I am a man of action prone to quick decisions sometimes on false pretenses of easing her passions. Self deluded, I continue to swim, bike, and run with her all along proving that I love not wisely, but too well. 

The struggle against the wind is futile. There's no changing her on my terms. No, she has ways of her own and can't be controlled by any man.

Love me or hate me, she strengthens me and toughens me. With my resolve - for as much as she is insistent I am stubborn - in place she makes me a better athlete. Othello reminds that the passion of love outdoes the reason of logic. Why swim, bike, and run in the rain, in the cold, in the searing heat of summer, and yes, even against your paramour wind? The answer isn't found on the balancing of scales but in the beating of the hearts. Nay, that's certain, the pity of it Iago!

Stay tuned...

Stay Tuned Report 36 Podcast Now Available on iTunes

Stay Tuned Report 36 is now available for download at iTunes.

The Special Report edition features sounds and interviews from the St. Anthony's Triathlon held on April 26, 2009.

History was all over this race. High winds lead to waters so rough the amateurs did not swim. Despite the 5 foot swells the professionals did swim while everyone else raced a duathlon. This was the first time in the race's 26 year history the swim was cancelled.

The race also marked the first ever official LIVE TwitterCast of a triathlon. Brought to the internet by the fine folks of Athletes for a Cure.org and sponsored by Oakley, the only place to get a live broadcast of the race was through Twitter.

Listen in as 2008 Ironman 70.3 World Champion Terenzo Bozzone introduces the show and I bring you the sounds of the race and get the reaction of professional triathletes, Andy Potts, Laura Bennett, Brooke Davison, Becky Lavelle, and Timothy O'Donnell only moments after they completed the race.

Stay tuned...

St. Anthony's in Pictures

Triathlon, the real triathlon, is the experience.

Triathlon, the real triathlon, is the people you meet.

Triathlon, the real triathlon, is the purpose.

Thank you to Athletes for a Cure.org for making the first LIVE TwitterCast of the St. Anthony's Triathlon possible.

Podcast interviews with numerous world champions and professionals-on-the-rise coming soon.

Stay tuned...

Follow Athletes4aCure on TweetChat.com

Hey 'BoomerNation,

It's less than two days until the first TwitterCast of the St. Anthony's Triathlon sets off it's ground breaking event.

On Sunday, April 26, at 6:30 AM Eastern Time (USA) set your Twittering devices to "follow" Athltes4aCure as I Twiter LIVE as it happens, wire to wire, race action. When you want to join in the conversation type in #AFAC.

To not only follow the action, but to be a part of the global experience follow along at TweetChat.com  This cool corner of Tweetland allows you to interact with the others following 

the race. Here's what to do:

Go to www.TweetChat.com and register with your Twiter name and password just like below this. Then when asked what Room to Enter type, #AFAC.

How every time somebody Tweets with #AFAC in their message you'll see their tweet appear on 

TwitterChat similar to a chat room.

Also, by adding #AFAC to your Tweet from any device (e.g. phone, 

Blackberry, Twitter.com) your message will appear in the #AFAC room too.

Come join in this special event sponsored by Oakley and the Athlete's for a Cure Foundation.

Stay tuned...

TwitterCasting for Athletes for a Cure

Join me in making a new project a success while giving hope to the millions of American families fighting prostate cancer. Tune in via Twitter for the first-ever LIVE TwitterCast of the St. Anthony's Triathlon on April 26th.

I am honored and proud to join with Scott Zagarino of the Athletes for a Cure Foundation and TeamWinter to serve as their TweetCaster in this breakthrough event. Because I will have a press pass and access to the inner working of the race you can look forward to my daily Tweets and podcasts with the world's finest triathletes, Tweets from within the professionals' course briefing, and unprecedented live starting line to finish line account of the race as it unfolds from the announcer's booth.

Read below the announcement from the Athlete's for a Cure web site:

We have an exciting announcement for those fans who wants to follow the St Anthony’s Triathlon on April 26th. Athletes for a Cure will be broadcasting a live Twitter feed of the race from starting gun to finish line from @athletes4acure Twitter followers on race day.

Triathlon reporter and podcaster Brian Brode (@triboomer) will be at the race and providing the minute-by-minute call with pro race updates, age group results and stories from the racecourse.

St Anthony’s Triathlon is a traditional season opener for the top pros in the US and this year is no exception. A sampling of the triathlon stars on hand;

- Greg Bennett, Australia

2008 Triathlete Magazine “Short Course Athlete of the Year” (Non-Drafting), 2005 St. Anthony’s Triathlon winner, 2006, 2007 & 2008 Lifetime Fitness Grand Slam Series Champion. 2007 Triathlete magazine “Triathlete of the Year”

- Matt Reed, Boulder, CO

2008 US Olympian, 2008 USAT Male Athlete of the Year Elite ITU, Broke a course record in when he crossed the finish line to become the 2007 St. Anthony’s Triathlon professional male champion. He followed that performance with another win in 2008. Now, the 6’5’’ New Zealand native is back to defend his 2007 and 2008 championship title.

-Andy Potts, USA

2007 Ford Ironman 70.3 World Championship. 2008 St. Anthony’s Triathlon runner-up. 2008 Top 10 performance at the Ford Ironman World Championship. 2007 USA Triathlon’s Male Olympic/ITU Triathlete of the Year and the Male Multisport Non-ITU Athlete of the Year

-Terenzo Bozzone, New Zealand

2008 Triathlete magazine “Ironman 70.3 Athlete of the year”. 2008 Ironman 70.3 World Champion. 2009 Ironman New Zealand Runner-up

-Laura Bennett, Palm Beach, FL

Married to Greg Bennett, 2008 US Olympic Team, 2007 HYVEE World Cup Champion, 2007 Triathlete Magazine “Triathlete of the year”, 4 Time Medalist at World Triathlon Championships, 2003 St. Anthony’s ITU World Cup Champion

-Joanna Zeiger, USA

2008 Ironman 70.3 World Champion, 2008 Triathlete Magazine “Ironman 70.3 Athlete of the year”, 4th Place 2000 Sydney Olympics

We’re proud to be on the cutting edge, and we hope you and your fans will “follow” on race day.

Stay tuned...

I'm Growing Bolder

I've never considered myself an evangelist. Not because I didn't want to be for those few things I truly love, but more because I didn't think anyone would want me to carry the mantle. That was until after much encouragement from athletic brethren in the sweaty pews of sport did I begin writing, appearing on podcasts, and began my own show about triathlon. Slowly an audience (I prefer call you all, the readers and listeners, friends, though) developed and I had a voice and a medium for a message. Since actively Twittering about the life of this once sedentary altruist, more attention as to the whys and wherefores of swim-bike-run continues to grow. But still, never believing my own press, did I believe anything I had to say would go much beyond my family and a handful of friends.

That's why I was surprised when, a couple of weeks ago, I was contacted by the good folks at GrowingBolder.com and invited to be interviewed on their talk radio show which appears on Central Florida's #1 AM station, WFLA, and in South Florida on station, WBZT. They wanted to talk about how triathon changed my life and speak to their listeners about the beneifts of fitness. Evangelist or not, I felt the time was right to spread the good word on our wonderful sport and I took them up on their offer.

Listen here as I speak with the entertaining hosts of the show, Marc Middleton and Bill Shafer, about the benefits of fitness and and running out of a "burning house" to a healthy lifestyle.

While you're at it, check out all of the other cool stuff at GrowingBolder.com and become a member of one of the most informative and interesting corners of the internet and social media.

Stay tuned...

The Meaning of Triathlon Anthology

For Immediate Release: Triathlon Essay Contest is Now Open

(Peoria, IL) - *MindsetTriathlon, The World’s Only Triathlon eBookstore Celebrates its Grand Opening With a Writing Contest for Triathletes.

Write a short essay, exploring the meaning of triathlon in your life and you could be published in “The Meaning of Tri” anthology and win a Nu Technology Dolphin 1GB Waterproof MP3 Player with headphones. The top 15 essayists will be chosen for publication and the top 3 will win mp3 players.

As a new season begins, and your minds are focused on all the training particulars, MindsetTriathlon encourages you to look to the core of why you race and train. What does it mean to you? How has it changed you and your approach to your life experience? What have your wins or losses meant to you and how have they affected your outlook? What do you think about when you're training? How do you feel when you're not? Write a short essay of between 2,000 and 5,000 words, addressing your own personal, philosophical experience with the sport of triathlon and submit it to us by April 16th. You could be published in our anthology and win an underwater MP3 Player!

*Contest details available on MindsetTriathlon on March 16th. Visit:http://www.mindsettriathlon.com/index.php for more details. All entries due by April 16th, 2009.*

Other grand opening details include: sales up to _50% off, $5 FREE account credit, up to $40 in free downloads, and $5 in account credit for everybody who signs up for a new, free account._

Visit http://www.mindsettriathlon.com on March 16th and enjoy savings on all the most popular training titles from Ben Greenfield Fitness, Skyhorse Publishing, Crowood Press, Human Kinetics, Cycle Publishing and Wyltan Books. Discounts up to 50% OFF.

Remember, when you use an eBook instead of a printed book, you’re making a sustainable choice - a choice that protects the environment in which you train.

Stay tuned...

Honoring Dr. Michael Vinecki and Advancing the Cause of Team Winter

Today we learned the sad news of the passing of Michael Vinecki, age 41, of Gaylord, Michigan. Michael was diagnosed with prostate cancer on his 40^th birthday.

Michael came to my attention through his daughter, Winter, after, at the age of 9, she completed an Olympic distance triathlon as a part of TeamWinter.org She formed Team Winter to raise awareness of prostate cancer and money for the Athletes For a Cure Foundation. A non-profit organization raising money to find a cure for prostate cancer. To date, her efforts have brought in over $100,000.

Earlier this year I had the opportunity to interview Winter on the “Stay Tuned Report” podcast released on February 6^th. Although we didn't meet in person it was clear, from the very moment she came to the phone, that I was talking to no ordinary 10 year old.

During earlier meetings with her mother and with Scott Zagarino, the president of Athletes for a Cure I was informed that Michael's cancer was in an advanced stage and his passing would come soon. Although I understood the situation I have to admit I was in denial of just how soon, soon was to be.

Michael passed away at with the entire family snuggled in bed with him.

Michael's family has two requests. First is for you to go to AthletesForACure.ning.com and leave a message in the guest book.

The second request is, to show your support for the 2 million other American families fighting the same battle by wearing your Team Winter Edition Oakley Sunglasses at races this year. You can order yours at the “Shop at the Athletes for a Cure Store” link on the AthletesForACure.orgweb site. Proceeds from every pair of sunglasses goes to the fight against prostate cancer.

Although I never met Michael or had the privilege of speaking to him I feel a deep personal loss at his passing this is a result of getting to know a little bit about his wife, daughter, and three sons. I am sending this message to mourn the loss of Michael and share in the grief of his family's loss and perhaps in that sharing, to find the strength to bear that sorrow and courage to sew the seeds of hope of a day when no more lives are lost to cancer.

What we say today is only an inadequate expression of what we carry in our hearts. Words pale in the shadow of grief; they seem insufficient even to measure the bravery Michael shown in his last days he was with us. His true testimony will not be in the words we speak, but in the way his family is living their lives in the fight against this scourge of a disease and in the way he fought to the end with dignity and purpose and yielding to the struggle surrounded by his family and bathed in serenity.

Yet his wife, Dr. Dawn Estelle, his son's Yukon (11), Magnum (8) and Ruger (6) and especially his daughter, Winter may release their grief but are not about to yield in the fight against cancers. No, from the example set by Team Winter we are all shown a light on a pathway to a world free of these life robbing diseases.

Won't you join me and them in this noble effort and leave a message of encouragement or shared sorrow at AthletesForACure.ning.com? Won't you strap on your goggles, mount your bike, lace your shoes and take up the battle station in a fight that affects us all?

Godspeed Michael and here's wishing strength and friendship to Dawn, Yukon, Magnum, Ruger, and Winter and those that love him.

Choices

OK, I admit it. I'm not the most impulsive of guys. Plans with schedules suit me just fine. To-do lists and I get along famously and a clock in every room only make sense. A + B = C and my world is a happy place. It's just the way I am and I likes it.

Today was tyipcal. My schedule was set and things were humming along nicely. A swim in the morning, breakfast at 7:30, in the office at 8:00, two meetings, lunch at 11:30, a conference call at 2:45, home at 4:15. Yes, all was going well. Next on the schedule was a planned 90 minute bike session. On the trainer.

Not long after getting home I changed into my cycling kit and saw this...

BUT, just before I hopped onto the saddle I heard this, "Daaaaaddy? Will you ride with us to the park?" And saw this...

It was decision time. Either follow the painstakingly designed training schedule and spin like a caged mouse for an hour and a half or...

join in a leisurely ride with the Divine Mizz M and TriBuddy in the park on an Indian summer afternoon.

I chose my children.

The trainer will have to wait. The schedule will have to be adjusted.

So, maybe I'm not a slave to the schedule after all. Hmmmm... learned something about myself.

Stay tuned...

Of Teleology

The athletic track behind the high school, down the street from my home isn't unique. Oval, rubber surface, eight lanes and a grass infield. Ordinary. But only on the surface.

On top of the surface, where we dwell, we the athletes ply our trade. We run. And, we are anything but ordinary.

Because we run.

We run out of motivation. From a stop we put ourselves into motion. We run as a result of causality.

We run with purpose. Driven are we. Using our bodies as the means of instrumentality.

We seek the finish line. From the first step of causality, through churning legs, pumping arms, and burning lugs of instrumentality we reach finality.

Finally.

Only by understanding the end-purpose, the teleology, does the first step, and every step afterwards make sense.

Where will these athletic endeavors take me? The answer doesn't live in introspection or self-evaluation because these things look inward. The real answer is outward living. By surrendering to the telos (the end result) and investing myself in the truth (the logos) will running in ovals make sense and value.

Why do you swim, bike, and run? Look to the end for the answer and the sound of the starting cannon becomes more than the beginning.

Stay tuned...

Winter on Rachael Ray Show

Here ya go 'BoomerNation...

10-year-old triathlete Winter Vinecki who raises money for prostate cancer awareness recently appeared on the Rachael Ray Daytime Show. To learn more about TeamWinter and Athletes For A Cure go to TeamWinter.org and AthletesForACure.org. You can also follow them at Twitter.com/Athletes4ACure


Winter and Dad on the Rachael Ray Show from Athletes for a Cure on Vimeo.

Stay tuned...

I See You Rocky!

What started out as a phone to call to support a buddy ended up a personal challenge. It was a test of will and another display of stubbornness.

Some call it crazy and others call it the Rocky Raccoon 50 Mile Trail Run.

To understand what happened last Saturday, February 7th, I have to go back to December 2007. That's when my friend, Brett, of "Zen and the Art of Triathlon" podcast announced, he was going to run the 50-mile version of the race for the second year. He was on a mission to improve his, less than self-satisfying, time of the year before. Although, most mortals would be happy to take home a finish, Brett was wanting to have a better experience on a course that kicked his butt and thrashed his legs. I heard his goal and decided to do what I could to help him achieve it. That is, I would pace him for the last of the three 16.67 mile loops.

You see, I haven't raced in anything... ANEEE-thing ... since April of last year and had to sit out Ironman Louisville while healing a bum left knee. Considering I hadn't run any distance beyond 10k I was sure I could build up to 17 miles in two months, but run 50 miles? No whhhay, Jose! But, with my doctor's okie-dokie, I had a plan: run only one loop, cheer on my friend, and drink beer post-race, right? Riiiiiiiiiiiiiight.

That was the original, sole intent.

(Excuse me while I wax Oscar Wilde) Then again, I re-learn, intents are seldom sole or original.

As the day of the race came closer I started to get a touch of self-bravado that so often gets me in trouble. I told myself, if I could run one lap I could probably run two. And if I could run 33.3 miles I could surely do one more 16.7 mile loop, right? Riiiiiiiight.

As long as my knee didn't hurt I'd make a race-day... errrrrr ummmm... race-moment call.

A week before the race I interviewed 10-year-old triathlete,

Winter Vinecki, of TeamWinter.org and Athletes For a Cure.org She's racing in honor of her father who is fighting late-state prostate cancer. I told her of my plans to run in the event and would try, emphasizing TRY, to run the whole 50 miles. She said, "I know you can do it. I hope to meet you someday."

...gulp...

A couple of days later a TeamWinter t-shirt arrived at my home. It had a personal message to me on the back. No pressure,

hmmmmm?

When Brett met me at the race packet pickup cabin in Huntsville State Park he was looking fit and in a quietly confident mood. He said, "Look, if you pace yourself and don't get hurt, you CAN do this, Brian."

Puffing out my chest, I said, "Sho' 'nuff."

Race morning was comfortably cool. Athletes running both the 100-mile and 50-mile contest mingled, drank coffee, and made last minute adjustments to their gear. At 6:00 on the dot the 100-milers took off and at 7:00 we, the 50-milers, crossed the starting line.

We ran together with an easy pace and the first loop was done without drama or incident. Well, I did catch a root with my foot and did a slow motion stumble-rumble-bumble to the ground. But, no big. I dusted myself off and headed down the trail laughing about it with Brett.

Somewhere during the 19th mile I began to fade. Both knees were hurting and my left quads began to cramp. I couldn't hold Brett's pace. We gave each other a manly-man, "whaz-up" knod and he disappeared into the woods. From that point on my run-walk-run plan set by the stopwatch was chucked into the creek and replaced with walk-the-hills and run-the-rest plan.

There's really not much more to add to the report other than I had to pop a nagging blister on my left foot around mile 40. I was between aid stations but I had a foot repair kit in my pocket and used it for a quickie field dressing. Once at the next aid station a medic tended to it and within a couple of minutes I was back to pounding the trail.

With four miles to go the sun set and I ran wearing a headlamp. Running by a narrow cone of

light is disorienting and oddly satisfying. I felt solitary in my effort and feeling sure

 I was where I needed to be and was happy with my decision to go for the the full 50 miles.

I crossed the finish line in 12 hours, 55 minutes. Unlike any other race I have run there were only a few cheers around the finishing area. No throngs of the crowd or thumping music. No Mike Riley declaring, "You are an Ultra-Runner," or hundreds of cowbells ringing like confetti falling from the trees. Just a nice young lady to put a medal around my neck, another to take a photo, and somebody pressed a bottle of water in my hand. And that was satisifying just the same.

Brett, walked up and congratulated me and without much more we picked up our duffel bags, shuffled to his car, and left the race site pleased with our respecitve races. He bested his previous year's time by over 90 minutes, and I finished with a smile, and dirty shirt with a sweet message from a child on the back.

It was a good, long day.

Stay tuned...

Set Your TiVOs...

It's time to set your DRVs and video recorders to the Rachael Ray's Daytime Show. Her special guest is 10-year-old triathlete Winter Vinecki, of TeamWinter.org and Athletes for a Cure.org

Her story is inspiring in so many ways. My suggestion for you is to record it and watch it with your children.

She appeared on the most recent "Stay Tuned Report" and that show quickly became the most downloaded episode.

Be prepared to be inspired.

Stay tuned...

48 and Growing

Thank you to all that have sent birthday wishes! Y'all are too kind.

My 47th was full of ups and downs in business, personal life, and sport. I am looking forward to this year, my 48th, and believe in its promise of good health, prosperity, and love of family and friends.

Probably the happiest period in life most frequently is in middle age, when the eager passions of youth are cooled, and the infirmities of age not yet begun; as we see that the shadows, which are at morning and evening so large, almost entirely disappear at midday.

~Thomas Arnold

This weekend I will again participate in the raceAthlete.com's B-Fit B-Day Challenge. The B-Fit B-Day Challenge is to swim, bike, and run distances determined by the numbers in your age during the week of your birthday. Since I am 48-years-old my goal is to:

Swim 4 miles,

Bike 48 miles,

Run 8 miles, in a 24-hour period.

The swim begins at 7:00 AM on Saturday, February 14, at Lake Grapevine near Dallas. Yep, I will attempt the swim in the open water.

I'll close with paraphrasing a quote by Malcolm Forbes

"Getting older isn't for sissies!"

Stay tuned...

Who Do You Race For?

Who Do You Race For?

It's not a rhetorical question. Who do YOU race for?

Tomorrow I will lace up my trail runners and attempt to complete my first ultramarathon, the Rocky Raccoon 50 mile Trail Run.

Tomorrow I will be an Athlete For a Cure. Racing in honor of those in the fight against prostate cancer.

Tomorrow I will wear with pride this shirt given to me by Miss Winter Vinecki and her mom, Dawn. Click here to be introduced to TeamWinter.

Who Do You Race For?

Stay tuned...

Trails of Serendipity

Harrisburg, my birthplace, always was a small town in the shadows of the bookend cities of Pittsburgh to the west and Philadelphia to the east. It was just urban enough to have city trappings and just rural enough that city folk would talk about deer hunting every autumn.

My family's row-home (the less fancy moniker of a townhouse) was located on the eastern hills a couple of miles from the Susquehanna river. The terrain was rolling hills, thick with oaks, maples, and pines. Most of the buildings were circa 1940s and the roads older still. Never more than a couple of blocks from these intersecting streets would be large tree covered hills dropping into thick under-woods and creek bottoms. These hills were too steep to develop over and too small to tunnel under. As a boy I would go to these places and for hours ride my bike, climb the branches, and stomp through the mud. There's a unique aroma in the mud under a melting snow. Warm and thick with decaying leaves mixed with clay. The shine of the white walls of a new pair of Converse or Keds gym shoes didn't stand a week's chance of clean on my feet.

A suitable running and riding trail was always a few minutes away. Who owned these lands? I didn't know, and didn't care. All I was doing was playing. Just as importantly, the owner, if there was one, didn't care about it either. Those were the 60s and the 70s.

Now, that decades have passed since leaving Harrisburg and being well settled near Dallas, as of late there's been one question I ask my triathlete and running friends, "Where are the good running trails?" Each one's answer had a common theme, "the good ones are at least 20 miles from your house."

Not that I wouldn't drive over 20 miles for a good place to run off-road but it seems oddly strange the lack of trails in the great northern plains of Texas. So much effort and money is used to either plow under the prairies or pour concrete over the lands for roads, buildings, and parking lots. Not that I'm against development because I've benefited personally and professionally in the urbanization of these lands. However, now that I look up from my ledger, poking my head above the network of roads and enclaves, I wonder, where are the "woods?"

I know, just like they said, "at least 20 miles away from your house." But, still, it's unsettling to think every farmer's trail was either behind private property's barbed wire or covered with the groomed bluegrass of a fairway.

And that brings to me yesterday morning's run. The plan was to run 14 miles over the suburban streets outside my front door. Past million dollar homes, a private golf course, trendy apartment complexes and tony cafes. Near the start of the course is a large park designed and built by the local Department of Recreation. It's more than a park with green spaces, pavilions, and swing sets though. It's a nature preserve with many acres of untouched underbrush and wild flowers. This is a park my family knows well and I have run many a mile on the paved pathways that wind between the bluffs.

Yesterday, while passing the park, I took a closer look at a sign I've seen countless times before. But, unlike countless times before, yesterday, I stopped to read it. It read, "Mountain Bike Trail is OPEN." It's a 2.2 mile single-track, planned route of circuity with dozens of switchbacks, modest climbs, exposed tree roots, and small rocks.

The sign said, "OPEN," and I stopped, and thought, and stood. To continue on the sidewalk would lead me towards a two mile stretch of blacktop and all of it's urban suburbaness. But, a turn to the right would put me on the trail.

I turned right. Not knowing what was waiting for me, I took to the trail.

Just two steps off of the concrete the trail took a drop under the tree branches. Only a minute later the winding trail came to a creek and the soil was wet and cool along side my legs. It had an aroma. It was thick with familiarity. It was Pennsylvania!

At that moment, the run was no longer a training session. It was play. My feet loved every step of the trail. My eyes were smitten with the curves and undulations of the path. It was unexpected and rewarding.

Serendipity. Not only did I find the unexpected treasure, but it wasn't, "over 20 miles from your house." It was less than a mile from my front door!

However, the essence of serendipity is its magic. Otherwise, it's just a mere unexpected find. The magic is where the discovery takes you.

A fortunate meeting,

An unexpected feeling.

Catch me in your dreams

Hold me until my heart redeems.

It's just a day in my life

A day of love, abundantly rife.

Serendipity, it is, all along

To bring me back to where I truly belong.

-- Shiv

Stay tuned...

Stay Tuned Report Special Interviews with Ultraman Katie Paulson

Hey 'BoomerNation. Two new Special Edition episodes of the "Stay Tuned Report" are up and ready for listening.

These two shows are special because they focus not on the news of triathlon but on an age-group star, Katie Paulson.

What do you do when completing 9 Ironman races doesn't leave you physically exhausted and emotionally elated? Many would hang up their tri-gear and find a new thrill but not Katie. Instead, she extended the distances waaaaaaaaay out there and signed up for the 2008 Ultraman World Championships.

What's an Ultraman triathlon? It is a 3-day, 320-mile (515-kilometer) individual ultra-endurance event which takes place on the Big Island of Hawaii. Entry is limited to 35 participants and is by invitation only. Founded in 1983, the event is held annually on the traditional Thanksgiving weekend.

In this two-part special interview edition of the, Stay Tuned Report triathlon news podcast I catch up with newly minted Ultraman, Katie Paulson. She recounts her three days of racing and her post-race feelings for all to hear.

There are two ways to listen:

1) Subscribe and download from iTunes. Search for "Stay Tuned Triathon Report."

0r...

2) for those that would rather not use iTunes go to Drop.io/StayTunedReport and click on the file. A new window will open and the interview will automatically begin playing. Waaaay too easy!

Stay tuned...

ALL-TRI for Athletes is HERE

For Immediate Release.

Hey all...

Check this out. All-Tri.org

Join me for a Happy Hour here.

More information is on the way.

Stay tuned...

"Rocky" Under My Skin

Today's thoughts are about a Rocky Raccoon...

But, not this kind...

noun pl. raccoons -·coons′ or raccoon -·coon′ Any of a genus (Procyon, family Procyonidae) of small, tree-climbing, American carnivores, active largely at night and characterized by long, yellowish-gray fur, black, masklike markings across the eyes, and a long, black-ringed tail.

Nope, not this one either...

"Now Rocky Raccoon he fell back in his room

Only to find Gideon's bible
A Gideon checked out and he left it no doubt
To help with good Rocky's revival."

What kind, then? THIS is the one that's under my skin...

Mark the date 

'BoomerNation. 

February 7th, just

four days before my 48th birthday, I'll lace up my Asics and give up my Ultra-marathon virginity on the trails of the Rocky Raccoon Trail Run in Huntsville, TX. I'm in for the 50-mile version of this little sweatfest in the woods.

Along with me in the mud, sweat, and beers will be the ZenTri PodDaddy, Brett, of Zen and the Art of Triathlon podcast.We'll be partners with a mutual goal:

finish this mo-fo with a smile because it's over, and a want to sign up again.

This will be a huge challenge as the longest distance I've ever run is 26.2 miles in two Ironman triathlons and three stand-alone marathons since 2005. Oh there's one more thing... the longest I've ever run on trails is... gulp ... 9 miles.

All of this seems quite normal in my consistent, if not persistent, middle-age state of wanderlust and adventure. No mid-life crisis, mind you. Just another piece of the project called Brian.

Stay tuned...

Oh yes... now it's only 23 days until...

24 ...

... days. That's all the time remaining before I ...

Stay tuned...

Time Trials and Tribulations

What does a 25-yard pool + a stopwatch + a lap counter equal? Yep, you got it; swim time trial!

It seems like it's been ions since the last time I goggled up for training. Oh yes, I've done some splashing here and there but it's been a long time since my shadow darkened the lane lines for more than hour. Next week begins the structured swim training and to establish a baseline for effort and volume my assignment was to swim 1,000 yards for time.

Just after 11 AM I ducked out of the office feeling like it was grade school recess. Within minutes I parked the car, dashed into the gym, jumped out of the shirt and tie, and dove into the water.

2 x 50 yards easy, 2 x 100 easy, 1 x 50 fast, 1 x 50 easy and I was ready. Swim coach, with stopwatch and lap counter placards in hand, counted down to the start.

On purpose I didn't wear a watch and coach didn't call out any time splits. The planned silence is to keep me focused on the technique and develop a sense of pace.

OK, so it's good for all of that but it's also good for the mind to wander. Somewhere around 500 yards sensory deprivation got the best of me and thoughts of what's going on at the office, the real estate holdings, and family crowded out thoughts of the strokes. Body position and breathing rhythm be damned, I just had to solve work problems during this recess. At 800 yards I was just as tired in the head as well as in the arms.

The last few laps were only a blur. My form was a mess and breathing labored but the tribulations were crystal clear. Finally, I was done.

1,000 yards in 18 minutes, 32 seconds for a swim pace of 1:51 per 100 yards. No world record for sure but a fair number considering the time away from the pool.

Soon, I was back in my car driving towards the office to tackle those things weighing me down in the pool. But...

... office stuff be damned, all I could think about during the drive were my swim stroke and breathing rhythm.

Stay tuned...

Getting a Leg Up

Kudos to my orthopedic surgeon and triathlon team coach, Gerald.

Running seven days in a row hardly ranks as an accomplishment in most runner's book but to me it's some exciting stuff. Considering just three months ago I couldn't run a mile without my left knee bringing me to a painful halt and, not long before to that, climbing stairs made me cringe. So, to me, a week of logging 23 miles is an accomplishment worthy of note.

Especially when it was pain free.

The prior 30 days of weight and cross-training has done a masterful job of strengthening my left knee. Being able to run, I mean really run, feels great and gives me hope for a full 2009 race season.

Stay tuned...

Front Wheel Recall

Mavic has issued a voluntary recall of its R-SYS front wheels, the company announced this week.

Mavic is advising consumers not to use the front wheels from any of its R-SYS wheelsets (R-SYS, R-SYS Test and R-SYS Premium) because of the possible risk of spoke failure.

The system relies on a unique set of tubular carbon spokes. While front wheels rely solely on the tubular carbon spoke, the rears combine those with Zicral spokes and the risk of failure is, therefore, lessened.

According to Mavic, consumers should immediately cease use of the front wheels and return those to a Mavic dealer. The company has promised to deliver “a new upgraded R-SYS front wheel” at no charge beginning on March 31. Until the replacements become available, the company will also provide consumers with a set of Aksiums wheels that they can keep even after they have received the replacement R-SYS front wheel.

The company advises anyone with further questions to contact their Mavic dealer or call 800-664-9228 for further information.

Stay tuned...

Find Me a Race!

'nuff said.

Stay tuned...

01/02/2009 A Sad Day in US Financial History...

MER - US (Merrill Lynch & Co) ... Symbol not found

Stay tuned...

Strain Campaign

A month ago I had a wild-hair idea to prepare this 47-year old body for the '09 season.

What was it?

Just a little thing I called the 30 Days of Strain Campaign. I would for 30 days in-a-row do some kind of strength training in addition to a reduced swim, bike, and run routine. Each day I would either hit the gym to lift weights or, if the gym was closed or I couldn't find the time to get there, I would do a series of Army calisthenics (push ups, sit ups, one-legged squats, repeat) at home. These calisthenics also were my so-called easy days.

Some said that I shouldn't embark on such a campaing calling it a sure-fire way to get hurt and I was reminded that triathlon ain't a weightlifting contest. But, being the stubborn type, I went ahead with my own idea. However, I knew that strength training without setting a goal really wasn't of much use if it didn't lead to functional strength. So, I had to set a base line of performance.

On November 29 I put myself through this physical evaluation:

Eight repititions of two-legged squats: 160 lbs. ............ 1 minute rest,

Push ups to exhaustion: 42. .......... 1 minute rest,

Pull ups to exhaustion: 5

Body fat: 8.9%

Following a plan of alternating days of low weight/high repetition  and high weight/low repetition seemed to be a logical sequence to increase endurance as well as strength.

The campaign ended yesterday and that means today is final evaluation day. Here are the results:

Eight repititions of two-legged squats: 235 lbs. .......... (75 lbs. increase)

Push ups to exhaustion: 78 .......... (increase of 36)

Pull ups to exhaustion: 16 ......... (increase of 11)

Body fat: 7.2% ......... (decrease of 1.2%)

Something, unexpectedly, I learned about myself was, I didn't like the gym. And I definately didn't see the gym as a place to be social. I was there to get a job done. Give me a set of dumbells, some high-energy music, and a place to stand and I was set. The life of a gym-rat is not for me. Leaving the building gave me a puppy-escaping-the-pound rush.

Another good thing after the 30 days is my left knee is stronger than it was before I began the campaign. It's not 100% but it no longer hurts to run or climb stairs.

What's next?

30 Days of Running!

Stay tuned...

Merry Christmas '08

From the 'Boomer house to yours....,

... here's wishing you a happy Christmas of generosity, charity, and unconditional love. Especially, unconditional love.

Stay tuned...

Frankly

[Some parts of this post have been totally made up. Be sure to read to the end. Which one do you believe is true?]

Hey 'BoomerNation,

It looks like I've officially arrived. All of this blogging and podcasting has resulted in blogesphere glitteratti.

While spectating the White Rock Marathon in Dallas I was approached by this gray haired guy who asked, "Are you, Triboomer?"

"Yes, yes, I am. What's your name?"

"Great! I'm Frank Shorter."

**My brain searching for the familiarity of his name.**

"Hi Frank. Good to meet you," I said, still vexed by why his face and name looking and sounding familiar but I can't place either. "Did you run the half-marathon today?"

"Oh no, I just finished the race broadcast and I'm getting ready to give the awards to the winners."

"Oh, so you're the race director?"

He raises his an eyebrow and says, "No, I'm Frank Shorter. Four time National Champion, the only American man to win an Olympic Gold Medal in the marathon. Also, I won the silver in Montreal in '76?"

"Oh, oh... yes. You're THAT Frank Shorter, aren't you?"

**He turned red from embarrassment**

"Yep. And I wanted to say 'hello.' I've heard your podcast and read your blog..." **voice squeaking** "blog"  **clearing throat and lowering voice** "I mean, blog..."

... and I just wanted to say, 'hello'."

"Meh," I sighed. **shrugging shoulders in apathy**

"Hey 'Boomer. Can we get a picture made together? It's OK I call you 'Boomer, isn't it?"

"I guess."

**handing his cell phone to my buddy, Kris, making sure he knew how to operate it**

We strike a pose. Click. Done.

"Cool, 'Boomer. I'll email it to you. I know the email address from your podcast."

"Well, Frank... gotta go. Thanks."

"OK, good to meet you too, 'Boomer. Bye"

"Bye."

[Or it went like this..."]

I was standing on the floor of the American Airline Center with my buddy, Kris. We were trying to find our triathlon team coach, Gerald, who had just finished the marathon in under 3:46.

Kris taps me on the shoulder, "Hey, that's Frank Shorter standing over there."

"Where?"

"Right beside you, geesh!"

"You mean, the guy I almost bumped into a sec' ago?"

"Yup."

"Oh."

**silence**

"Hey Kris, let's get his picture"

We walk to where Frank is standing and talking to some tall runner-type guy."

**Politely wating for Frank to end his conversation with this guy**

"Hi, Frank. I'm Brian. Nice to meet you."

"Ummmm... sure, um ... Ryan... good to meet you too?"

"That's Brian."

"Whatever."

"Thanks for coming to Dallas and announcing the race. I remember watching you win the gold medal in '72 and the silver in the '76 Olympics."

"Meh," he said. **shrugging shoulders in apathy**

"Hey Frank, can I have my picture taken with you? I'll put it on my blog."

"Your blog? Yah, that's what the world needs, another blog."

"Yeah. You read blogs? Do you listen to podcasts? I have one of those too."

"Meh."  **shrugging soulders in apathy and a deep sigh**

I hand the cell phone to Kris. We strike a pose. Click. Done.

"Hey Bruce, I need to run. Bye"

"That's Brian."

"OK, Ryan, take care, 'K?"

"That's BRR-ian."

"Whatever."

"See ya, Frank."

[and that's EXACTLY what happened... sort of]

Stay tuned...

I George

'Tiz the season of introspection and taking inventory of accomplishments. Some new and shiny while others collect dust, losing their luster trapped in a "what have you done for me lately" attic.

Failings grow fat under the ego's microscope and accolades elude.

If left unchecked, one might actually share the lament of George Bailey in "It's a Wonderful Life." That his life has been ruinous and perhaps it would be better if he had never been born.

That's when, angel-in-training, Clarence, arrives eager to earn his wings. To show George his efforts are meaningful. Quoting from the movie, Clarence says to George, "Strange, isn't it? Each man's life touches so many other lives. When he isn't around he leaves an awful hole, doesn't he?"

Doesn't he, indeed.

Introspection is good. A life examined is better than not. But sometimes it can lead to ruminations that take you out of the reality of Bedford Falls and land you smack in the middle of Pottersville.

But, remember, Clarence is there to help by teaching.

So, instead of jumping down from bridges, stop! Find the one that sees the gleam of your good deeds under the dust and say like George did:

George Bailey: What is it you want, Mary? What do you want? You want the moon? Just say the word and I'll throw a lasso around it and pull it down. Hey. That's a pretty good idea. I'll give you the moon, Mary.

 
Mary: I'll take it. Then what? 

George Bailey: Well, then you can swallow it, and it'll all dissolve, see... and the moonbeams would shoot out of your fingers and your toes and the ends of your hair... am I talking too much?

As I make my race plans for 2009, I will remember that you, dear reader and podcast listener, will be out there with me too. Whether physically, or virtually, you and I will share the course, using our freedom and our health to benefit others as we race like hell back to Bedford Falls.

Stay tuned... 

Impoverished this Time

I have a confession to make. I'm in poverty.

Time poverty.

It produces an all-too-familiar feeling that burns my gut: a racing brain, the tight stomach that says I'll never get everything done. "There aren't enough hours in the day," I cry, and then I watch, helplessly, as more commitments appear on my shcedule.

I'm not suggesting that time anexiety is just one stress among many. It is THE root of stress. Not having enough time, that is, being time impoverished, is the cause of my anexiety.

Where's the solution? Within, of course.

Time management, that all too familiar Peter Drucker coined phrase, is really a misnomer. Self management is a more accurate term for the problem... and the solution.

Where will I start? In the present. Dwelling in the present is where I will be manager. Dwelling in the past is futile and being future-obsessed is an open invitation for worry to get between my head and my pillow.

Live in the present moment, where, suprisingly enough, there's always plenty of time.

Stay tuned...

Katie Paulson UltraMan Day 3 SHE DID IT!

Katie Paulson is an Ultraman!

In Stage III, Katie ran the final event, a 52.4-mile run, in 11 hours, 15 minutes, and 10 seconds. Her total time for the entire race was 32 hours, 28minutes, and 22 seconds.

Reports are she's doing well and is happy to finally relax.

Congratualtions Katie!!

Stay tuned...

Katie Paulson Ultraman Update: Day 2

Katie's progress in a word: stupendous!

She completed the Stage II 171.4-mile bike leg climbing 6,400 feet in a time of 10:03:19. After traveling around the southern and eastern side of Hawaii she made it to the northern island town of Hawi in 25th place overall and the third place woman. The trek took her through the tropical and, no doubt, the hilliest terrain of the island. Her total time thorough Stages I & II is 21:33:12.

Today she runs. And run, she will. Starting in the famed turn-around town, she will beat feet 52.5 miles on the hot, black highway that is the bike course of the Ironman World Championships.

I have passed along all of the comments left by y'all and will see that she gets them all. So, give it up 'BoomerNation and cheer her on to the finish!

Stay tuned...

Katie Paulson Ultraman Update: Day 1

Ultraman 2008 Day 1 is done and we find the 'BoomerNation's first-time contestant, Katie Paulson, right in the thick of things. Yesterday she completed the 6.2 mile swim in 4:37:33, and the 90 mile, first of two bike legs, in 6:32:20 for a total time of 11:29:53. That puts her current place at 26th out of 38 starting athletes. Five athletes of the original list have dropped out during the first day.

Today, day two, is a 171.4-mile bike from Volcanoes, through Hilo, up a 3,000-foot hill to Waimea and the Parker Ranch, then up and over the spine of the 3,400-foot Kohalas and down to Hawi.

Let's everyone send her some bloggie props by leaving a comment below. I will forward them to her at the end of the day.

Go KATIE!

Stay tuned...

Ultraman Quest

This sport promised introductions to amazing athletes and personalities and I'm happy to report in the four years I've been a triathlete it hasn't disappointed. One athlete that fits the definition of amazing is, Katie (Catherine) Paulson of Dallas, TX.

Inside a walled office she's an attorney for a manufacturing company but outside of those walls she's a multisport tour de force. She is a 7x Ironman finisher, ultramarathoner, often using her athleticism for charity too. Plus she has one of those "you just like this girl" personalities. (Oh fellas.... she's single too.)

Always searching for her next athletic conquest, today she toes the line in the 2008 Ultraman World Championships in Hawaii. To hold the title of Ultraman she will cover 350 miles (515k) in three days by swimming 6.2 miles (10k), biking 261.4 miles (421k), and running 52.4 miles (84k) circumnavigating the Big Island of Hawaii.

'BoomerNation... give up some blogger love and follow Katie, starting today, at UltraManLive.com. Because she doesn't have her own blog you can leave comments on my blog and I will email them to her.

Be sure to come back for a full report on Katie's quest.

Stay tuned...

T-VOW "From Coma to IM Hawaii"

This Triathlon-Video of the Week showcases Brian Boyle's journey from aspiring body builder, to horrific car accident, to the finish line in Hawaii.

Stay tuned...

Speed of Desire

Here's a question for ya. What's the shortest span of time ever recorded? I'm confident I know the answer because it happened in my house. Please allow me to explain.

But first, a bit of history of quantum physics theory and application.

Remembering a few things I learned in college physics classes ...(It's amazing the things I do remember from the days I wasn't cutting class, or sleeping in class, or cutting up in class,or trying to get up the nerve to ask a girl for a date... while in class. None of them said 'yes,' by the way. But, I digress.) ... I recall a bit about the functionality of speeding up materials, measuring the speed, and the goal of controlling the material while at high speed.

Much of what the professors would teach in the early 1980's was theory and not actually observed or repeatedly measured in the laboratory, until some late advances turned theory into reality. An example is the millisecond. By definition it is one thousandth of a second. But, it wasn't until the brains in the labs in Silicon Valley began to shrink the silicon wafer circuit board was it possible to measure and control electrical signals moving that fast. Today it's a term we see often and is commonly used in measuring the time to read to or write from a hard disk or to measure packet travel time on the Internet.

Not long afterwards things were being measured, built, and regulated in micro-seconds or one millionth (10 ^-6 ) of a second. That lead to Moore's theory of computing speed doubling every 18 months and soon computers were accessing RAM at the speed of a nanosecond which is one billionth (10 ^-9 ) of a second.

And close behind were the ubersmart kids of the late 90's who use lasers to transmit digital code at a femtosecond which is one millionth of a nanosecond or 10 ^-15 of a second.

In 2004, scientists in UK's National Physical Laboratory observed electrons moving at 10 attoseconds! That's 10 one quintillionth (10 ^-18 ) of a second; or 10 one thousandth of a femtosecond.

And that brings me back to my discovery of the fastest thing ever recorded. Yep, standing in my kitchen on an ordinary afternoon I observed, measured, and felt the power of the fastest thing ever measured.

And that is.... the time between telling a ten year old I will buy her a new bike and her asking to go get said bike! Before I could say, "how about after dinner?," she dashed from the kitchen to the garage and buckled herself into the car. The whole thing took 1 attosecond! I'm sure of it.

She's had her eye on this little 21-speed Trek number for a while. Nothing like finding a bike that fits and is in your favorite color too!

So, all of you Einstein types, put down your lasers, photon microscopes, and spectrometers and turn your focus to the speed of desire of a kid for a new bike.

Now that I think about it. The same can be said for grown ups too.

Stay tuned...