Here's to 2009

A new year is upon us. The best thing about New Years Day is the knowledge that it is the one day each year in which the largest amount of humanity unites with the hope that "today will be better than yesterday". For many it is world peace (less war would be more realistic), 5 less pounds or saving money. For me I have done away with the personal resolutions this year in exchange for pure Hope (Capitalized because I think our President-elect has turned this into a religion). My hope is for family members to be in the hospital a lot less, for business ethics to return to our culture, for greed to take a backseat to humility and honesty. I emerge from 2008 more aware. I appreciate my time with my kids that much more for 2008 reminded me that our children can be taken from us at a moments notice. I appreciate time with my parents and my wives parents as I learned how fragile life can be for them as well. I became aware that true friends care so very little about your professional success or failure. They are just always there for you when you need a friend, a good joke, or a bike ride. I learned our justice system actually has a way to keep the sickest of humanity behind bars for a very long time; yet, it allows for the rehabilitated to go free. I learned that in the very event you achieve your greatest athletic achievement, another might lose his life. Most of all, I was reminded every step of the way that my wife will always be there to help me through it all. For all of this I am much more aware of how charmed life is to be filled with challenges.



I have spent the week wondering what my athletic goal should be for the year and I have decided to concentrate on something small - the mile. I am going to concentrate on improving my mile time while still training to compete in the Alcatraz Triathlon in the Fall. I hope to document my process using this medium as a source of motivation.



A quick tip of the hat to Matt for his awesome time in the Resolution Run and making me his Bear Bait once again. I was however able to find that perfect place where pain - pride - and pleasure all come together - the pure runners high, the zone; whatever you want to call it, it is beautiful. I ran as hard as I could all the way to the finish with the last mile being a 6:39, a true negative split as the other miles were all 7:15 or slower. Fitting for my theme of being thankful for friends - as I came onto the track for one final 330 I was beat, I figured I was spent. To my delight I could hear Matt cheering for me at the top of his lungs to "bring it home". As always, a true friend is there for you if you are paying attention. I finished the race in record time for me and very proud of the run. Success is individual, and this race was a success.


So for my toast to 2009 I have stolen a line from my sons favorite GH band - Dragonforce - "Through the fire and the flames we carry on!".