We Are The World

Just a really short blog...check out this really cool and inspirational video . It's always amazing to me how people come together for a good cause.

USAT Clinic- Charlotte

This past weekend I was in Charlotte for the USAT coaching clinic. I drove down Thursday evening with Greg and met up with Kim. John Kenny, swim phenom, joined us as well later in the evening as he was driving down all the way from Philadelphia. All 3 guys made the weekend a fun experience. We learned a lot over the course of the weekend from Bob Seebohar, Bobby McGee, Ian Murray, and Krista Austin. These four are experts in their various fields and it was a treat to listen to them talk. I took away some very good pieces of information that I can use both with my own training/racing and with my athletes. Janda has certainly taught me well as everything we are doing is pretty much spot on. There is always room for growth and improvement though. What I really liked was the dialogue between the various coaches in the room. Someone always has a little different way to look at things and that can open your eyes to certain methods/ideas you may have not otherwise thought of.

Training has been going pretty well. I've had to improvise a bit the last two weekends because of being away to Michigan and then to North Carolina. I don't think I've skipped a beat though really as workouts this week are rolling right along. I am racing a half marathon in Williamsburg this Sunday so it will be nice to see where my run fitness is really at. My Wednesday morning runs with Todd have helped my run come a ways since the end of last season. I'm excited to race again...it's been a while!

Rachel was being a little creepy the other morning and took a short flip video of me while punishing myself on the trainer. My workout room is little, but I open the window up, set up a couple of fans, have my itunes, and some motivational pictures on the wall in front of me. Late in a tough set on the bike...those pictures go a long way.

Valentine's Day Weekend

I've been too busy the last couple of weeks, but really I wouldn't have it any other way. Two weekends ago Rachel and I were up in Michigan visiting family. Rachel was in Cheboygan with her grandma, mother and sisters for a couple of days hanging out and remembering their father who has been in Heaven for the past 10 years. In the meantime I was spending time with my family in Gaylord.

Living in Virginia Beach is great, but one of the things I regret most is not being able to see more of my two youngest siblings. Christina is a freshman in high school and plays on the girls j.v. basketball team (she has now been moved up to varsity for the state tournament). She has been averaging about 20 pts. a game and she was very impressive at the game I watched. She's going to be one of the best players the school has seen I think when it's all said and done. What can I say...she learned from the best;) Actually I'd love to take some credit for her development as an athlete, but she's put in a lot of hard work by herself and with my Dad to get to a high level.

I had a lot of fun hanging out with my younger brothers Mike and Daniel. Daniel is 5 and is in kindergarten. He is so full of energy and hard to keep up with. He's pretty darn strong for a little guy...his favorite thing to do when I'm home is wrestling. My brother Mike is a senior at Saginaw Valley State University and is going to school to teach. Mike has been doing triathlon a bit the last couple of years and is going to be doing Eagleman this year too. Both him and my other brother are engaged to be married. My sister Jen's pregnancy is going well. Please pray for her if you would. I also got to spend some time with my parents. They are both CPAs and are quite busy this time of year so it was nice to catch up on everything that has been going on. Rach and I will see them, Chrissy, and Daniel the first week of April for spring break.

Saturday afternoon I made my way down to Mt. Pleasant, MI with my brother in law Chuck. We were meeting up with our 2 future brother in laws to cook the girls a nice Valentine Dinner. Here are a couple of short flip videos to show a little how the night unfolded. We were at Susie's (Rachel's youngest sister) apartment as the girls were coming from Elizabeth's (oldest sister) wedding shower. We didn't have a lot to work with, but it was a lot of fun.

Wednesday evening bike session

Here is a short video clip of our cycling group working hard this evening. They are killing it!

Power Test

This is a little past due, but here is a video of a power test Joel and I did after our cycling class a few Sundays ago. This test always hurts, but it's a good hurt...especially if improvement occurs. Music may be a bit corny, but what can I say...I'm a big Rocky fan!

You call this snow?

Well, it did indeed snow. It is nothing compared to a snow storm in northern Michigan, but hey I'll take it. I ran in the trails this morning and saw maybe 3 people. I guess a few others ran from Final Kick, but started a bit earlier. It was really a beautiful morning to be out running the trails. Footing wasn't the best, but other than that it was a blast.

Got home and Rachel and I headed to the little diner down the road...Waffletown USA! It's actually a really good little place.

Next up was my weekly session at Range of Motions with Nick. He kicked my butt today as usual, but I am really starting to see the benefits of me working with him. I am strengthening sport specific muscles and becoming more flexible, while at the same time adding in some cardiovascular benefit.

Speaking of Range of Motions...this is where Joel and I's 2nd 8 week cycling workshop will be taking place. We still have some room left so if you're interested just let me know. We're also allowing people to try out a session and see if they like what we're doing before they pay. Nick is also willing to work with the group for a bit before or after each workout. This is a great opportunity for people to not only work on their cycling, but now work with Nick to get stronger, more flexible, and be injury resistant.

Lastly, I am always keeping up on my track and field. Last night was the Wanamaker Mile. Lagat won as usual. Here is a video of the race...talk about speed!

Movie night with Rachel tonight...life is good.

Time is Flying

It's hard to believe it's already going to be February. I guess that's what happens when you are having fun right? Training has gone very well this first month of 2010. I'm not quite sure exactly what it is, but I've felt great all month. I feel like I've been able to step my training up to a new level. I think taking a good rest after last season has allowed my body to fully absorb all the hard work I did last year. I have also added some things to my repertoire, such as weekly sessions at Range of Motions and massages at Balance. I have changed up the training a bit this winter as I've been doing more intensity on the run front and it seems to be working wonders. Best thing about it is that my cycling hasn't took a hit because of it. Shoot, I've actually improved a bit...at least my high end. Swimming has been coming along. Changing your stroke a bit is tough, but I'm starting to see the benefits. I'm anxious to for the season to get here so I can put all this hard work to use.

February is going to be a busy month. Rachel and I are heading up to Michigan for a long Valentine's Day weekend. The real reason we're going is it marks the 10th anniversary since Rachel's Dad has been in Heaven. She is getting together with her sisters, Mom, and Grandma to celebrate this. I am excited to finally get an opportunity to watch my little sister, Christina, play basketball. She has been dominating all season and I haven't had a chance to see her in high school action yet.

I'm heading to the USAT clinic in Charlotte the following weekend. That should be a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to learning some things.

The last weekend of February I race for the first time this season.

We're actually supposed to get some snow this weekend...up to a foot they say. I'll believe it when I see it. It's been 4 years and it hasn't snowed more than an inch once.

Rachel and I are headed to the Kecoughtan/Phoebus high school basketball game in Hampton this evening. A guy I teach with coaches Kecoughtan and these are the two schools my middle schoolers feed into so I will be able to see a lot of former students out on the court. Kecoughtan is ranked top 10 in Virginia and both teams have a few Division 1 athletes. Should be a great game.