Live for Today

With the New Year upon us, we have time to reflect and ponder both where we missed, and affirm where we will move forth this next year.  The Tao says, “This is the moment of embarking.  All auspicious signs are in place.”

Planning is a wonderful exercise, and helps us all as individuals and coaches to build, set goals and mark achievements.  I was reminded yesterday that the signs in place are not always what we want to see.  That life is fragile, and we are guaranteed no tomorrows.

I was 16 when I met Rory, and her family.  A three year old with an infectious smile and soulful eyes, who could pronounce my name only as “Keek”.  I grew close to the family babysitting throughout my time in high school.  The she and her sister often got the best of me, and I can recall one evening, waking, book folded on my chest, as the girls giggled, when mom and dad returned home.  It seemed I was the only one who had fallen asleep during the bedtime story.

With time, came separation and change.  Nearly six years ago, I had reconnected with the family, through the older sister Courtney.  Courtney had become the glue that helped to bind the family which now was living in several states.

I received word yesterday that Rory had perished in a house fire, as she slept.  She was a recent college graduate about to begin a new life as a school teacher this week.  At 23, I am troubled that any higher power could exist and feel this was her time.  Tragedies occur every day, we often feel immune until they come to our front door.  I am told that regardless of how much experience one has with sudden death, it always feels the same.

With this New Year, and for Rory, I am affirming to live a better life.  I cannot dwell on the past and its misfortunes for that is history and cannot be undone.  I cannot control the future, and so I will rid myself of its worries and anxieties.  The present is about all I can control, if I can at all.  So I will live for today.  To my little BFF “Rorkey”, you will be missed, but never forgotten.

All one can hope for is the opportunity each day to live, and with that life do something great.  My former principal, who also met a tragic end, would end each days announcements with “Learn something today”.  I hope to continue that mission and, for Rory, I want only to add to it, to “Do something today”.  In 2010, I will live each day like it is my last.  Not with abandon, but with passion.  This year, I will live in the present and be grateful for it.   You will be missed my friend, but your spirit will live on in so many you have touched.

Helping Hands

We have all been stuck, and despite our desires to be self sufficient, we all often need a hand.  Too many times, we are afraid to ask, and suffer.  Then again, in society today, we are generally taught to be suspicious and afraid.  Standards dictate that when a cyclists is stop other cyclist will always ask, “need any help” rarely do we say yes.

Michelle and I started on a 56 mile loop on Saturday, for her birthday.  We left from Round Valley, and headed west.  Just are we were nearing Frenchtown, Michelle flatted out.  Unfortunately this was about as far from our car, as we could be on the loop.  A gentleman mowing his law offered us a pump, and we changed the tire, paying careful attention to the inside of the tire to remove debris.

We were back on track only a few minutes off our pace, when again, Michelle flatted.  It seemed as if a piece of glass was stuck from the outside, so it only punctured the tire once inflated with weight on it.  Tube number two down.  Then we put in another tube, and realize the tire itself was blown!  I attempted a quick fix, using some duct tape, but the tire was shredded.  It was leaking out of numerous ports.

Lesson one, pay more attention to the number of miles on your tires.  Lesson two, carry a credit card.  I had money on me, but only enough for drinks, or food, about $20.  I had a cell phone, but it would literally take friends of family, over an hour to get to us, assuming they could find us.  We could get to town, but didn’t have the money for a new tire with us.  We began walking back toward the car.

I feeling desperate, hitched, and was able to get a gentleman to stop.  I know, I know, but the idea of walking that far, in bike shoes, not appealing.  The gentleman could not get us back, but offered to get us close.  Though a bit out of the way we came, he got us to the interstate, which would have allowed family to easily find us.  Then we found another young man, who hesitantly agreed to bring us the rest of the way.  He made sure to share that he has never done this, but saw we were in a jam.  I assured him, we do not usually hitch rides either, but appreciated his help.

I thought to my friends father who had attended college in Florida in the 60’s.  He would tell us that he would hitch rides to and from school all the time, as the times were different.

We learned a lot Saturday.  When we returned, I took a nap, and Michelle was in the garage, putting on the new tires, and setting up her bag with all the appropriate gear.  So carry money, carry a phone, and credit.  But if you are stuck, don’t be afraid to ask for help.

We sent each a thank you card today, though the one gentleman, I knew only his first name and where he worked, so we hope he receives the note.

Exciting things in the future

So we all know that the economy has been tough. It seems every day I hear and see, some new story or way in which someone has been affected. My wife Michelle and I have decided to join forces and try and turn some of these negatives into positives.

Very soon, a new website and company will be launched, bringing together innumerable services into one place. I will continue on with the coaching of endurance athletes, and Michelle will help create comprehensive strength and conditioning programs to supplement. Michelle will continue to offer group and individual strength and conditioning programs, and I will consult on the cardio and endurance. Hopefully by joining we can offer a greater value and diversity to the fitness starved community.

And as an aside, I want to give some credit to two gentlemen, one of whom is a Blogger AC who have found a path and really impressed along the way. AC and Don, both guys I grew up with and much like everyone else have fallen in and out since high school. They are both running and have made commitments to themselves and the results have been incredible. They have kept a great balance in remembering that the winner of the race is the one who gets to the start. Give AC a shout and reach Don via Facebook and lets tell him to start Bloging for the world to hear about his incredible trip. I am truly proud of what you have both done.

Look for the launch of the new website soon! And no more hints yet.

RU Tri – Day 1

So yesterday started the first day of a new experiment. I am coaching an intro to triathlon program through the Recreation Department at Rutgers University. The class sold out quickly, and there is a waiting list just as long as the number of participants. That is the most exciting part, the possibility of having two sections would be great for this.
We had 26 show up last night which was the most relaxed class we’ll have. There was a great deal of getting to know each other, and some basic outlines of what we will do and what to expect.
I was encouraged that there was a great mix of people with some experience and some with none. It will make the class mess well, and allow mentoring to occur.

I have designed a program for them to train throughout the course of the week, and we will have one training session together, to focus on specifics and form. Many have expressed an interest in joining for other group related training, which I hope to encourage.

Next week is a swim focus, with a friend and swim coach coming to lend a hand, and give us some great drill to work on our form.

Football –
National letter of intent day yesterday, and despite some who backed out Rutgers still had its most highly touted class ever. Hopefully things can be built on. Lots of seniors to replace.

TV – I have been behind in all the shows, so I have no idea what happened on 90210 this week, and FNL is still tomorrow. Man I have way too much to do

Been a while

so I haven’t written in a while. Life has gotten the best. We are still hopefully resolving the sewer line issue tomorrow. It has now been functional, but not completed.

I took the first day back on the MT Bike this weekend, and man was I sore. I tweaked or threw out my back, to the point that I have not swum this week as the twisting/turning was just too much.

My wife and I have started some team teaching at the Gym, in hopes that she will take over at least a few of my classes. She has been doing great with it, just needs to be more comfortable. I need to teach less.
Planned a visit to my brother over the holidays so that should be great, havent been to Cali in a while. Other than that training has been limited, as life and the off season rule.