Sport

Love in Marriage

2011-11-22T04:01:00.000-08:00

http://www.bishopsheen.excerptsofinri.com/audio/Life_is_Worth_Living/Marriage-Problems.mp3

Why Violence? “Because The Decadent Are Never Satisfied!”

2011-10-28T19:56:00.000-07:00

The dictatorship of relativism decrees that tolerance is the only virtue. Because there is no such thing as truth I must tolerate ‘your truth’ and you must tolerate mine. The problem with this is that tolerance must eventually end in decadence. It ends in decadence because if there is no truth, then there are also no moral standards, and if there are no moral standards, then anything goes, and if anything goes, then decadence is the result.

by Father Dwight Longenecker

Right is Right

2011-10-15T19:08:00.000-07:00

"Right is right if nobody is right"...

Bishop Fullton Sheen

"Right is right if nobody is right and wrong is wrong if everybody is wrong." Fullton Sheen

Listen to the following audio recording.

http://www.americancatholictruthsociety.com/sheen/05LineuptheClaimants.mp3

Soldier

2009-07-24T12:02:00.000-07:00

One of the last products of the old East German sports system still competing, Voigt is the antithesis of the stereotypical robotic athlete who came off that assembly line. Born in a small town north of Hamburg, Voigt said he had a warm, communal childhood where doors were left unlocked and "everyone took care of each other." His father worked for a manufacturer of agricultural equipment.

Voigt was bored in school, and he speculates that today, he would be diagnosed with attention deficit disorder. Instead, his parents encouraged him to burn off energy in sports, and he tested off the charts for endurance potential. At age 14, he went to a national sports school in Berlin and spent the rest of his high school years building on his raw talent in cycling and track and field. He still holds a grudge against a high jump coach who dared to say he hadn't given his full effort....

For the full story click here.

To see the crash click here.

Big Rock Candy Mountain

2009-07-12T15:23:00.000-07:00

One evening as the sun went down and the jungle fire was burning
Down the track came a hobo hiking and he said boys I'm not turning
I'm headin for a land that's far away beside the crystal fountains
So come with me we'll go and see the Big Rock Candy Mountains

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains there's a land that's fair and bright
Where the handouts grow on bushes and you sleep out every night
Where the boxcars are all empty and the sun shines every day
On the birds and the bees and the cigarette trees
Where the lemonade springs where the bluebird sings
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains all the cops have wooden legs
And the bulldogs all have rubber teeth and the hens lay soft boiled eggs
The farmer's trees are full of fruit and the barns are full of hay
Oh, I'm bound to go where there ain't no snow
Where the rain don't fall and the wind don't blow
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains you never change your socks
And the little streams of alcohol come a-trickling down the rocks
The brakemen have to tip their hats and the railroad bulls are blind
There's a lake of stew and of whiskey too
You can paddle all around 'em in a big canoe
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains

In the Big Rock Candy Mountains the jails are made of tin
And you can walk right out again as soon as you are in
There ain't no short handled shovels, no axes saws or picks
I'm a goin to stay where you sleep all day
Where they hung the jerk that invented work
In the Big Rock Candy Mountains

I'll see you all this coming fall in the Big Rock Candy Mountains

The Cold Within

2009-05-20T18:48:00.000-07:00

Six humans trapped by happenstance
In dark and bitter cold
Each possessed a stick of wood--
Or so the story's told.

Their dying fire in need of logs,
But the first one held hers back,
For, of the faces around the fire,
She noticed one was black.

The next one looked cross the way
Saw one not of his church,
And could not bring himself to give
The fire his stick of birch.

The third one sat in tattered clothes
He gave his coat a hitch,
Why should his log be put to use
To warm the idle rich?

The rich man just sat back and thought
Of wealth he had in store,
And keeping all that he had earned
From the lazy, shiftless poor.

The black man's face bespoke revenge
As the fire passed from his sight,
For he saw in his stick of wood
A chance to spite the white.

And the last man of this forlorn group
Did nought except for gain,
Giving just to those who gave
Was how he played the game,

Their sticks held tight in death's stilled hands
Was proof enough of sin;
They did not die from cold without--
They died from cold within.

-- James Patrick Kinney

2009-02-11T07:22:00.000-08:00

This is a photo from the Stars and Stripes 2008 article in Issue 5 of Cyclocross Magazine about the 2008 cyclocross national championships. The photo is of the Masters Men 45-50 coming out of the first turn after the sprint start. A nice image for our Team Kaos sponsor Chipotle. It's often said by people in the know, the position you're in at the first turn is going to be close to the position you finish. I can't count all the riders ahead of me #1370, but I'll bet there's close to 62 of them up there. I started in 62nd and finished in 63rd. This was a great race experience. I had Monsignor Tucker as my Pit Man. Talk about serving the flock, wow, I'm humbled and very fortunate be a part of this.

2009-02-09T00:37:00.000-08:00

The "D" Streeter's will rock you.

Kicking my can all over the place.

2008 in review

2009-01-06T08:16:00.000-08:00

Watts up?

2008-11-07T08:15:00.001-08:00

Neal Henderson, coach of budding superstar Taylor Phinney, told us he asked the 18-year-old phenom to unleash an all-out sprint while using his PowerTap watts meter. Phinney maxed out the unit's display with an incredible 1999 watts. When they downloaded the file, it read 2050 watts.

Hmmm . . . .

The Good Life Gravel Adventure

2008-09-21T20:11:00.001-07:00

Alright Good Life, that's Nebraska. Gravel - Mr. Obvious. But the whole time I was riding I kept saying to myself, Wow this is just an unbelievable Adventure. From the time I showed, I was impressed not only with the organizing efforts it takes to put an event like this on, but mostly with the quality of people all around.

It wasn't your lolly gag stroll through the park. Once we hit 112th St. it was Game On! Completely dark w/o a front light it was navigate by feel, and for a roadie the sound of gravel getting thick around your tires made me a little nervous. But just like on the road, it's a matter of holding your line,, then let your front wheel float over the thick stuff, and try to slowly move toward the hard pack.

To make a long story short. Exactly nine hours and 135 miles later I finished this event. Those legs up there are amazing devices. This won't be my last Good Life Gravel Adventure. Now if I can just get the flat tire situation under control.

photos courtesy of Cornbread.

Bike Hits Bear

2008-09-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

A teacher from Montana escaped with bruising and a big scratch after he hit a bear during his ride to school, the Associated Press reports. Jim Litz was going over a hill at about 25 mph when a black bear appeared about ten feet in front of him. There was not enough time to swerve, so he hit the animal. Litz flipped over his handlebars, and he and the bear tumbled down the hill together. The bear rolled onto Litz's head, cracking his helmet, and scratched Litz once across the back before running away. Litz's wife spotted her husband as she drove by soon after the crash occurred, and she took him to the hospital.

2008 NE State Road Race

2008-09-08T07:49:00.000-07:00

Congratulations first to teammate Chris Spence the new Nebraska Road Race Champion. And second congratulations to Chet, Nebraska Cat. 3 Road Race Champ!

Teammate Joe McWilliams attacked on lap 2 at the top of the big hill, before the false flat and last little rise before the turning east. I tried to bridge by attacking at the top of the last rise, but gave it up shortly after being pursued. Joe was away with Chet for about a lap, which gave Chris and I a free ride. After they were reeled in Joe muttered something undiscerning but the gist of it was I'm through. It was a good hard effort.

Half way through lap three at the south end of the dam after the turn a group of five Aaron, Kevin, Jarred Chris and I got away for a brief period, but was brought back at the top of the big hill. We probably could have stayed away if we would have had a complete effort, but there were other motivations.

Just before the dam, teammate Chris Spence attacked hard and Nick went with him. I wasn't in position to go and thought Aaron or Jarred would try and bridge, they didn't and Chris and Nick were gone pronto. At the end of the dam in the feed zone Kevin L. swung over to get a bottle, I was following suite when I noticed Jarred, Chet and Kevin B. cranking it up and getting separation big time. I ditched my idea of a bottle and went really hard trying to catch on. I rounded the corner into the wind and knew it was time to burn a match. I caught this group at the bottom of the next hill, completely spent, if the pace would have kicked it up again at this point I would have been gone. I looked back and there was nobody. I recovered and had another free ride in pursuit of the two leaders. Of the four of us Chet and Jarred were the only ones working. As we came around to the entrance of Liebers Point we had one lap to go. As we came around to the north end of the dam of the last lap we confirmed our suspicions, that Nick was dropped by Chris. At the end of the dam with Jarred and Chet losing ground Kevin B. and I started pulling. I felt safe we wouldn't catch Chris and could possibly catch Nick who like me was a Cat. Three. We caught Nick shortly after we turned onto the Liebers Point road.

As we drew closer to the finish I knew it was coming, I just didn't think it would be quite so soon and quite so fast. At one Kilo to go, I was at the front with Jarred, Chet, and Kevin in tow, at the bottom of a hill before the final short rise and before the final right turn Jarred from All 9 Yards must of floated off the back to gain momentum. When he came charging by I had to jump hard to try and catch on. I came into the final ninety degree corner so hard I didn't think I was going to be able to keep from going off the edge of the road and had to tap the breaks, but not only to stay on the road, but because there was a car directly ahead in what was suppose to be an open road. I came around the car not being able to find a gear. The gear I was charging up the hill in was way to big after the corner, I went down two, but it wasn't big enough, went up one okay, dang, Kevin and Chet are now on my wheel, I'm dying here. Shift up, let's go, ouch can't turn it, I'm roasted, shift back down, try to maintain. Here comes Kevin and Chet, and there they go. fifth in the overall, Second in the Cat. Three's. I got within 10 feet of Jarred's wheel at the turn, but was coming into it too hot, where he was able to pedal through it. Great move on his part. He was dead and slowing at the end like I was, but he was just far enough ahead and was able to hold on to it. Sometimes things don't go as you would like them, but that's life and racing.

2008-07-14T14:06:00.000-07:00

For my friend John the Rock, who shattered his left heel during the Papillion Crit Saturday evening on the last turn of the last lap, we feel your pain. Get well soon.

2008-06-12T04:35:00.000-07:00

The 45+ Open Nebraska State Crierium Championship was my first race at 10:00 a.m. The course is flat and fast with a 3 block strecth to the finish line. I tried several attacks getting some separation, but could not stay away. So resorted to a field sprint which went well. I finished first in my category.

2008-06-09T01:12:00.000-07:00

2008 Norfolk Classic Weekend Road Race

Take the tin man add sodium, high humidity and what you get at the end of a 64 mile road race.

That's right, Yours Truly. Rusty joints desperately in need of lubrications. If cramps were only so easy to cure.
I wonder if the spectators could hear the squeaking in the final sprint.
Or if the video was thought to have gone array with the stuttering of the clip.

I raced the Road Race as a Cat. 3 in the Cat. 1/2/3 field, consisting of 5 Cat. 1/2's and 7 Cat. 3's. Teammate and fellow Cat. 3 Justin M. flatted on the first of two laps never able to catch back on. As a team we had a strong Cat. 1/2 field with 3 out of the five contenders. Chris rode off the front early during the first lap and Ian was soon to follow. Matt went for the bridge while I did my best to block and disrupt flow. He actually made the break, but was too spent after arriving to keep up the brutal pace. He let go and we picked him up on the way by. I took 4 water bottles mixed with Gu20 and Salt and left one to get as a hand-up in the feed zone. I picked up my first bottle on the first lap, and two more on the 2nd, and drank them all. I ate one Cliff Bar and 4 packets of Gu. I felt pretty good during the race with an occasional muscle twinge, but noticed big problems while chasing an attack on the final stretch with cramping inner thigh muscles when standing to going hard. With 1 kilometer to go I was siting perfect at 3rd wheel, I waited as long as I could for the sprint which was beginning to wind up. I was cramping so badly I could not spin the pedals. I thought I was going to wreck, because I had to throw my bike from left to right, leaning in the opposite direction just to make the pedals go up and down, forget about them going round and round. Oh my, - the pain.

Took second in the 3's, 2 bike lengths back of the winner, Colton B. a very fine athlete, a Junior, congratulations.

2008-05-30T14:34:00.000-07:00

Rock Island Rocks, I've got to hand to the city and race organizers this was a great event. Our race was wild and dangerous. 45th out of 87 or 88. No good excuse today. Lots of diving into corners. One of my Iowa buddies, the same one who went down yesterday Bryan Mortiz crashed again today. One of the downed riders actually bounced off my shoulder and I could hear the carnage in my wake. I got away on a break with Bryan with 6 laps of the 24 to go. We only stayed away for a lap and a half and he wrecked with 4 laps to go. I knew where to start the sprint, as directed by teammate Matt P. Which was the straight before the last two corners. But all 72 of the rest of the riders who were still in it had the same idea. The announcer was going nuts. It must of been quite a sight seeing 72 riders coming around the final turn sprinting with everything they've got. It was an unbelievable experience, Everyone needs to do those races, if for nothing else than to be appreciated a little as a racer. The streets were packed with spectators, all cheering, in fact on our parade lap everyone stood up and clapped for us continuously for the entire lap. It made 45th just a little easier to take. I showed our average speed as 26.6. It was fast, very fast, right from the gun.

2008-05-27T16:09:00.000-07:00

With four laps to go praying just to be able to finish with the pack, a 37th place finish out of over 80 starters seems better in hind sight.

Guilt starting to set in for plans to miss my 30 yr H.S. reunion, and opting to race my pre-season goal of Snake Alley became too large a burden to bare. So Saturday instead of east to the races, I circumnavigated west 200 miles to celebrate with good friends of my alma mater. Then as the snare unleashed Saturday night I rocketed 500 miles east to the races pausing briefly in Lincoln for a few Z's.

I arrived in Muscatine IA around 12:30, for my 3:00 race. This was by far the largest field I've ever raced. The race is in Weed Park, one of the coolest parks around. Yeah, don't get out much. But seriously, it sits high on a bluff, overlooking the Mississippi with a brand new water park nestled into a hill, and lots of detailed stone work and shelters . The course is a mile long with a long slopping up and downhill aprox. 4 percent grade. At the bottom of the down hill there is a smooth speed bump which you get air on and can easily wreck if you don't hit it square. I raced the cat. 3's scheduled for 18 laps. The race was really rather uneventful, an occasional one man break would get off to soon be brought back by the pack. I continuously worked just to stay in the top 15 which I accomplished 80 percent of the time. The hill was the most taxing part of the race. I had the strength, just found it hard to breath. It seems to take me a few weeks to acclimate to high humidity. There were a couple of crashes and one I saw first hand at the start finish with just a few laps to go taking out my Iowa friend, caused by someone throwing a couple of punches at another rider. Nice huh. I knew the winner up the hill on the last lap before the sharp corner at the top would most likely be the overall winner. I was sitting very well about 10 places back on the inside going very hard up the hill, when the rider in front of me suddenly just sat up, he was through. I was blocked as riders sailed by me on the right. When I got to the corner I charged making up about 5-7 places coming in 37th. Avg speed was 25.3 mph, max was 42.

2008-05-15T19:10:00.000-07:00

Mr. Joe Martin. It's not easy to write about a race where you place 30th. I've got several excuses. It was to humid. I'm 5lbs over weight. I've never climbed like that. I haven't been training for Time Trials. I'm too old for this. Weak sauce.

The truth is all the above except. I'm too old for this. I don't believe it. When I look back on the race and think about where I could improve three things are evident. My climbing needs to improve. My ability to ride at or above LT (whatever that is?) for a sustained period of times needs work, and holding a position in the top ten of a crit is paramount.

Now for the report.

The road race was 69 miles with an 11 mile lead out and two 23 mile laps with 1500' of climbing per lap. There was an attack shortly after the beginning of the first lap. I seriously thought the peleton was going to let this group of 8 - 9 go. So I went to the front and pulled them back in before it got out of hand. When we hit the first major climb of the day I was astonished not at the grade at first, but the length of the climb and the speed we were going. I seriously thought I was going to be dropped, then it leveled out for a little bit then kicked up again and the speed was steady. Once over the climb we began a false flat section where there was a steady push. We came to a stop sign where the grade must of been close to 15% during a slight rise. Then it was just steady up up up. This is where I was at the front and felt like I was going backward. After slipping back 3/4 of the way through the peleton I felt a friendly hand from an Iowa racing buddy on my back helping me to overcome my fall from grace. Once on top the climb the descent was fast and furious. The county was beautiful and the temperature was perfect. The second lap went much better. I knew what to expect, and I never once looked up from the wheel in front of me during the climb to be intimidated by the monster. On the back side of the loop I felt a twinge in my inner thigh and immediately drank the rest of my water. I had no problem borrowing a couple of bottles from some riders willing to share, again thanks Iowa. It was a little too late to stave off the inevitable and with 20 miles left my right thigh locked tight. I went straight to the back and tried to hang on with a few painful pedal strokes every couple of seconds just to maintain contact. It must of been quite a sight watching me pedal stiff legged. Realizing this stiff leg pedaling was not going to work I gritted my teeth and forced my leg to bend and went as light on the pedals as I could. Sooner than I thought possible I was pedaling normal with less pain. By the time we approached the finishing stretch I felt fine enough to sprint. But the sprint was really for placement the time bonuses went to the first three places and belong to a 4 man break who put exactly 3 min. on the field. As long as I finished in the pack I would be alloted the same time as the winner of the pack sprint. I came in 21st overall. We rode 69 miles in 2:58:41, average speed was 23.0 and my max speed was 49.9.

The Time Trial was 2.5 miles uphill. The average grade was 7% with most of the climb at 10%, because the first .5 miles was actually downhill. I felt physically weak going into the start. I had no desire to do this. I gave it my best shot, and had a worthless result, (Garbage in, garbage out). I went from 21st to 46th after the time trial. I had a goal to finish in the mid 10 minute range and end up 12:22.

After a great homemade meal by my teammates sister and friend then crashing so hard on the blow up mattress that I slept through my teammates 5 min snoozers for 2 hours, I woke feeling fresh and recharged.

Watched some great crit. racing before my 4:10 debut, supporting friends and teammates. My crit. went as well as I could have expected considering my recent gut punch in the Time Trial. Of the 45 min's I hung for 32 before dropping. I really wanted to drop completely out and be pulled. But this guy on this red Trek caught me and kept waiting for me looking back and telling me to common, common. I felt like telling him to get lost, scat, leave me alone in my misery. But he wouldn't go away, and I wouldn't quit. So I mustered up enough courage to push hang on and start taking my pulls. It was nice to work with someone, we each took our sections. Then he put the heat on in the section before the hill and gaped me. I sprinted with everything I had left, just to finish without a time gap from the Trek, although I was actually about 10' back. I was really glad that this experience was over. I was happy I didn't get pulled. Wished I hadn't lost contact with the main group. Think I can do better next time.

2008-05-06T09:11:00.000-07:00

I indulge myself in rich refusals.
—Donald Justice

As cyclists, we define endure. From the way we suffer during our efforts to the way we consistently go out to train day after day, year after year and even the way we deprive ourselves of dietary items that seem for all the world utterly innocuous, we could teach a thing or two to Sisyphus...

Red Marbles

2008-05-05T12:03:00.000-07:00

I was at the corner grocery store buying some early potatoes. I
noticed a small boy, delicate of bone and feature, ragged but
clean, hungrily apprising a basket of freshly picked green peas.
I paid for my potatoes but was also drawn to the display of fresh
green peas. I am a pushover for creamed peas and new potatoes.
Pondering the peas, I couldn't help overhearing the conversation
between Mr. Miller (the store owner ) and the ragged boy next to me.

'Hello Barry, how are you today?'
'H'lo, Mr. Miller. Fine, thank ya. Jus' admirin' them peas. They sure
look good.'
'They are good, Barry. How's your Ma?'
'Fine. Gittin' stronger alla' time.'
'Good. Anything I can help you with?'
'No, Sir. Jus' admirin' them peas.'
'Would you like to take some home?' asked Mr. Miller.
'No, Sir. Got nuthin' to pay for 'em with.'
'Well, what have you to trade me for some of those peas?'
'All I got's my prize marble here.'
'Is that right? Let me see it' said Miller.
'Here 'tis. She's a dandy.'
'I can see that. Hmmmmm, only thing is this one is blue and I sort of
go for red Do you have a red one like this at home?' the store owner
asked.
'Not zackley but almost.'
'Tell you what. Take this sack of peas home with you and next trip
this way let me look at that red marble'. Mr. Miller told the boy.
'Sure will. Thanks Mr. Miller.'
Mrs. Miller, who had been standing nearby, came over to help me.
With a smile she said, 'There are two other boys like him in our
community, all three are in very poor circumstances. Jim just loves
to bargain with them for peas, apples, tomatoes, or whatever. When
they come back with their red marbles, and they always do, he
decides he doesn't l ike red after all and he sends them home with a
bag of produce for a green marble or an orange one, when they come
on their next trip to the store.'
I left the store smiling to myself, impressed with this man. A short
time later I moved to Colorado, but I never forgot the story of this
man, the boys, and their bartering for marbles.
Several years went by, each more rapid than the previous one. Just
recently I had occasion to visit some old friends in that Idaho
community and while I was there learned that Mr. Miller had died.

They were having his visitation that evening and knowing my friends
wanted to go, I agreed to accompany them. Upon arrival at the
mortuary we fell into line to meet the relatives of the deceased and
to offer whatever words of comfort we could.
Ahead of us in line were three young men. One was in an army
uniform and the other two wore nice haircuts, dark suits and white
shirts...all very professional looking. They approached Mrs. Miller,
standing composed and smiling by her husband's casket. Each of the
young men hugged her, kissed her on the cheek, spoke briefly with
her and moved on to the casket.
Her misty light blue eyes followed them as, one by one, each young
man stopped briefly and placed his own warm hand over the col d pale
hand in the casket. Each left the mortuary awkwardly, wiping his
eyes.
Our turn came to meet Mrs. Miller. I told her who I was and
reminded her of the story from those many years ago and what she
had told me about her husband's bartering for marbles. With her
eyes glistening, she took my hand and led me to the casket.
'Those three young men who just left were the boys I told you about.
They just told me how they appreciated the things Jim 'traded' them.
Now, at last, when Jim could not change his mind about color or
size....they came to pay their debt.'
'We've never had a great deal of the wealth of this world,' she
confided, 'but right now, Jim would consider himself the richest man
in Idaho '
With loving gentleness she lifted the lifeless fingers of her
deceased husband. Resting underneath were three exquisitely shined
red marbles.
The Moral : We will not be remembered by our words, but by our kind
deeds. Life is not measured by the breaths we take, but by the
moments that take our breath..
Today I wish you a day of ordinary miracles ~ A fresh pot of coffee
you didn't make yourself...An unexpected phone call from an old
friend...Green stoplights on your way to work..The fastest line at the
grocery store...A good sing-along song on the radio...Your k eys
found right where you left them.
Send this to the people you'll never forget. I just Did...
If you don't send it to anyone, it means you are in way too much of a
hurry to even notice the ordinary miracles when they occur.
IT'S NOT WHAT YOU GATHER, BUT WHAT YOU SCATTER THAT
TELLS WHAT KIND OF LIFE YOU HAVE LIVED

Iowa City Road Race/Old Capital Crit

2008-04-28T15:58:00.000-07:00

Temperature was chilly in the low40's with a 25 mph NW wind gusting to 35. Had a nice field size of over 20 riders. The first two laps were rather uneventful with the pack staying together. Some guy took off hard from the go and was later reeled in when he hit the wind. The race was 52 miles long, four, 13 mile laps. About a quarter lap into the third lap going up the big hill before a long false flat and 90 degree right turn the pace quickened. As we crested the hill onto the false flat I looked back and spotted a gap. I looked around at the 6 other riders and recognized two strong riders from Bikes To You and hollered we've got a gap, let's go. A short while later someone reafirmed our commitment "this is it". We all hunkered down, I came to the front and pulled thinking if I could just get to the stop sign at the top of the hill round the corner fast with seven strong we could put time into the peleton. Once we hit the tailwind, everyone immediately began working hard rotating through, we were flying, running smooth, real smoth. We turned right and was immediately hit by a really strong crosswind almost taking the wheels right out from under us. I thought, man I should have switched my Mavic Ksyrium wheelset with bladed spokes for my Dura-ace set, which aren't effected so much by the wind. I swear everyone was leaning over almost 30 degrees into that cross wind. But this section was short, capped by a real short steep uphill, then it would be back with the wind for a while. I came to the front thinking one more hard push here would seal the deal. As we were coming up to the inevitable 6 mile headwind section I tried to encourage the riders to keep our rotation going and not to get discouraged with our slow speed. By the time we got around to the start going into the last lap we had a gap of 2 - 3 minutes. We all continued to work hard together until we got within a half mile of the finish. At this point I had rotated to the back and I don't know how, but Wil from Bikes To You was up the road into the wind with two hills yet to go. I couldn't believe he thought he could sprint from there to the finish. Pogoing my way forward on wheels making headway I came up on his team-mate Bryan who when saw me coming near hollered go Wil, and I realized a hill and a half away the train had stopped here and it was time to go for everything I had. At this point Wil was 300 feet ahead 1/3 way up the last hill with 200 feet at the crest to the finish line. Wil was dying big time and I was gaining fast. But I lacked 10 ft of real estate to earn the top prize. I've got to hand it to him, he dug really deep and found a way to win. Congratulations to you Wil, and your mate Bryan, nice racing with you. Unfortunately team-mate Matt Pav missed the break, he said he got to within 5 seconds of bridging it. I've got to do better at working with team-mates, we were so hell bent for leather, that I didn't even look back, maybe there would have been something I could have done to bring him along.

The Crit was the race for my team-mate to shine. Matt Pav rode like a warrior the whole race. He even won the most aggressive rider award in the 3's category. The race started off with a bad omen. as we were driving to the venue in my van one of my comrades said hey look you can see the field from here, which was a block and a half off. As we all looked this rider simultaneously goes down smash half way down the steep part of the hill. It was like wow did you see that. Well checking out the course a short time later, we over hear two riders. One saying "yeah the dumb $@#* freaked out when came down the hill, locked both breaks and crashed. The course was a bit intimidating with the fast downhill and no escape route, only a 90 degree right turn and steep uphill rising and falling 75' in less than a half a block. The course was in bad shape with orange paint everywhere marking the rough spots. Coming down the hill, my bike was bouncing and shaking so hard at 38 mph I thought my headset or wheels were going to blow apart. I didn't feel too bad going up the hill, was holding my own if not gaining a little. I got a bad start, although I was at the front, I missed my pedal as 20 riders went screaming by. Once I got it together, I started moving up, and by the 10th lap out of 25 I was 3 from the front. Pav was on a solo break and had a 20 second lead during the first few laps. If I only could have gotten up there earlier I could have tried to slow down the field. With two laps to go the speed was insane and a gap opened with a rider in front of me. I came around to try and close it down finally accomplishing this at the bottom of the climb on the last lap. Getting banged into by a rider at the bottom of the climb I was a little unnerved after burning several matches to catch back on. The gap opened again at the top of the climb with nothing to blame but my ticker. No more matches on this last lap, 10 feet and then I turned into the wind, now 15'. I was bumbed, we were strung out for a block and I knew my chances were over for a good finish. I just dug deep to hang on and ride it out the best I could, not getting passed and taking 14th, in the money with one place to spare. Pav however pulled in 8th and earned some unneeded respect with great aggressive riding.

Spring Classic

2008-04-12T19:25:00.000-07:00

I raced the 3's with the 1 - 2's. Sixty miles in 28 degrees at the 11:00 A.M. start. Northwest winds were at 25 mph gusting to over 30 mph. After coming off the 2 mile lead-out and onto the 5 lap section we turned north to climb a long 3 tiered hill. Near the top of the third part of the first long climb four riders rolled off the front, two teammates Ian and Matt, cat 1 and 2 respectively and Jay T. and Eric K. cat. 2's. By the time I got to the front to give chase a large gap had formed. I was able to bridge up about a 1/4 mile later just after the first corner turning east. I took my turn in the rotation trying to recover. When I rotated to the back after about three times at the front I came off the back about 6 feet and couldn't catch back on as the distance grew. I was running on adreline from catching on, but the sling shot of reality got me from behind. Chasing hard turning west after crossing the dam, people were running all over the place, hollering and yelling rider down. I saw that it was my teammate Ian who had crashed. As I went by I could tell he was in a lot of pain, holding his leg mumblings with "broke" coming through loud and clear, dang, he's out for a while. There was a reflector/light on the yellow line that Ian hit at 25 mph which he didn't see in the pace line. I chased for the rest of the lap and to the base of the same long climb I originally got dropped on. Running out of energy I looked back to see a chase group closing in on me. I thought it was best to save my energy and try and hang on when they came by. The lead group now consisted of three riders. I worked together for part of the the 3rd lap. The lead groups time was coming down and since me and the Horizon Organic rider had representation in the break we stopped working with our group and our speed dropped. We consisted of Marc W. Kevin B. Horzion Organic, and Tom P. After deciding that the break had a safe gap, we began to work again. We caught up with Jay T. who now longer could hold the pace of the break after recovering he joined in the rotation. At the top of the first long climb at the beginning of lap 4 Jay had a "oh $%&@" and abandoned the race . After turning east at the top of the long climb Ian who had crashed caught us. He had just time trialed for two laps. After about 3/4 of a lap Ian launched a beautiful attack heading west with a strong crosswind. I had just come to the front of the rotation half way up a short steep climb when I saw Ian out of the corner of my eye attacking strong. I jumped hard and got separation from the group. Ian had the lungs to keep the effort up, and I hung on. We got a nice little gap and I pulled for the rest of the race about 40% of the time. I did not contest the finish line and Ian crossed first taking 3rd me 4th and Eric K. and Matt first and secound.

Sugar - Eat More....Want More!

2008-02-19T09:42:00.000-08:00

Sugar - Eat More....Want More!

Monday, 21 January 2008

The Holidays have come and gone and so have the trays of cookies and fudge and leftover turkey and potatoes. It's January and we're left with gray days, indoor biking, some treadmill running and mornings that we just don't feel like getting out of bed. But just because you're spending less time working out and more time near your refrigerator and stove, isn't a good reason to get out the cookie sheet and ice cream machine. And here are 10 reasons why:

Top 10 Reasons to Cut Your Sugar Intake

(I didn't say "eliminate")

10. The average person could lower their weight by 20-25 lbs/year by eliminating simple sugar from their diet. Have a habit? Going 3 weeks without sugar helps break the addiction.

9. The average American ate 172 lbs of sugar in 2000. It's up to around 200 lbs in 2007. It was 5 lbs/ year in 1945.

8. Sugar has no nutrients. EAT TO TRAIN AND LIVE. Don't train to eat. Sugar actually pulls nutrients from the body and therefore suppresses the immune system.

7. If one-fourth of your calories come from sugar, then your body will crave more food to get the necessary nutrients it requires. You then overeat to fulfill your nutritional requirement. And then you gain weight.

6. The side effects of sugar intake are depression, mood swings, fatigue, anxiety, weight gain, and the craving for MORE SUGAR! Does that sound like someone you know?

5. Dr. Nicholas Perricone, author of "The Wrinkle Cure" and maker of some kick butt facial products says sugar is responsible for up to 50% of skin aging. The products can only help so much!!! Beauty comes from the inside out.

4. Sugar causes the body to produce insulin. Anything that tells the body to make insulin is a stressor on the body. Continually high sugar/glucose and insulin levels increase your risk of Type 2 Diabetes.

3. In 1970, Americans got about half a pound of high fructose corn syrup a year. In 1997, it had increased to 62 pounds a year. Fructose is more readily metabolized into fat than other sweeteners. (Darn corn!!!!)

2. Sugar and all simple carbohydrates such as syrup, honey and fructose increase the amount of triglycerides and cholesterol in the blood.

1. Trying to lose weight while eating sugar is like trying to exercise with a broken leg.

My advice: Practice the 80/20 rule. Be good 80% of the time and allow yourself a treat now and again. Your body will look and feel younger, leaner and stronger!

If you're interested in a Resting Metabolic Rate test to determine your true "burn rate" at rest or if you'd like to just take a look at your nutrition and training to create proper food periodization please email me at jenny@getzoomperformance.com or visit our website for more information at http://www.getzoomperformance.com/

In the meantime; eat whole, eat fresh, eat fit.

Jenny Weber
USAT Level 2 Certified Coach

Blind Girl

2008-01-02T06:54:00.000-08:00

There was a blind girl who hated herself because she was blind.
She hated everyone, except her loving boyfriend. He was always there for her.
She told her boyfriend, 'If I could only see the world, I will marry you.'

One day, someone donated a pair of eyes to her. When the bandages came off, she was able to see everything, including her boyfriend.

He asked her,'Now that you can see the world, will you marry me?'
The girl looked at her boyfriend and saw that he was blind. The sight of his closed eyelids shocked her. She hadn't expected that. The thought of looking at them the rest of her life led her to refuse to marry him.

Her boyfriend left her in tears and days later wrote a note to her saying: 'Take good care of your eyes, my dear; for before they were yours, they were mine.'

This is how the human brain often works when our status changes.
Only a very few remember what life was like before, and who was always by their side in the most painful situations.

Life Is a Gift

Today before you say an unkind word -
Think of someone who can't speak.

Before you complain about the taste of your food - Think of someone who has nothing to eat.

Before you complain about your husband or wife - Think of someone who's crying out to GOD for a companion.

Today before you complain about life -
Think of someone who went too early to heaven.

Before you complain about your children -
Think of someone who desires children but they're barren.

Before you argue about your dirty house someone didn't clean or sweep -
Think of the people who are living in the streets.

Before whining about the distance you drive
Think of someone who walks the same distance with their feet.

And when you are tired and complain about your job -
Think of the unemployed, the disabled, and those who wish they had your job.

But before you think of pointing the finger or condemning another -
Remember that not one of us is without sin and we all answer to one MAKER.

And when depressing thoughts seem to get you down -
Put a smile on your face and thank GOD you're alive and still around.

Ride Back To Health

2007-12-21T19:30:00.000-08:00

At the Nebraska State Fair the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC) provided blood pressure and cholesterol checks, showing I had let my health slip into danger. It never occurred to me that almost two years later they would be the main sponsor of my bicycle racing team. At age 44 and 235 lbs. I knew I needed to reverse this downward spiral of poor health. A friend from work convinced me to sign up for Bicycle Ride Across Nebraska (BRAN). The over-night stay in Arthur, my childhood home, BRAN’s twenty-fifth anniversary, and additional vacation days gave me good reason to participate in the longest bicycle ride of my life. After receiving encouragement from my wife and two daughters I submitted my entry into the 2005 BRAN.

When I was dropped off in Kimball with bike and camping gear, I seriously questioned what I had gotten myself into as I watched my ride pull away.

On day 4 of 7 while cruising along, six strong Nebraska Medical Center / Team Kaos bicycle club riders from Bike Masters bicycle shop of Omaha came steamrollering past in perfect wind cheating formation. They were drafting each other expending much less energy than me, but moving by much faster. I slipped onto the back of the pack as they rode by. After 300 miles of going it alone I really appreciated and enjoyed the concept of efficiency. Shortly there after someone in the group called for a friendly race to the next re-fueling station, which was on top of a distant hill. As we approached the speed kept increasing, and you could feel the tension of the heartbeats rising. Gears were clicking and sweat was flowing. I threw my right shift lever down two gears grabbed my drop bars stood on my pedals and hammered my legs as fast and as hard as they could go. I came through our imaginary finish line a half a bike link ahead. I’ve been hooked on racing ever since.

On BRAN I met a serious amateur racer from Colorado who raced the 55+ category and was one of the best in the state. I couldn’t believe they had categories for people my age and older. He was an inspiration and when I got back to Lincoln I decided to do the mountain bike race at the Cornhusker State Games (CSG) to test the waters before doing the 3 stage road race the following week. To my surprise I had immediate success winning the beginner Veterans 35+ division, an action photo in the Lincoln Journal Star and my family cheering me on. I finished 4^th overall in the 35+ open at the CSG stage race with a 2^nd in the road race. I continued to compete and improve in 2006 winning the honor of Rider of the Year, the Nebraska State championship Criterium, Road Race, and third in the Time Trial.

This spring my goal has been to join the bike racing team UNMC/Team Kaos and move up the ranks from a category 4 (Cat 4) racer to a Cat 3 racer forgoing age brackets. The Friday afternoon before Kolach Days and the Norfolk Classic Bike Race I received a call from a United States Cycling Federation official with word that I had now earned Cat 3 racer status. Along with packing for Kolach Days and our Family reunion honoring my Grandparents I took my bicycle and my new Nebraska Medical Center/Team Kaos uniform to partake in one of the omnium events taking place in Norfolk on Sunday. With my wife, daughters and teammates cheering me on every lap I took first place in my debut as a Cat 3 racer on Sunday.

Now I weigh 175 lbs and have a resting heart rate of 38. I feel young again. Within 3 months of starting my training for BRAN my blood pressure and cholesterol readings dropped out of the danger zone to a normal level. With family, job and rental property to maintain, I train a bare minimum of 8 – 10 hours a week. I encourage others to get cardiovascular exercise. The secret is not to go more than 3 days without at least a 20 min cardio workout. Exercise improves mood and builds character through discipline. I’ve been very blessed with family, great camaraderie within the bike community, and for the wake up call from the Nebraska Medical Center shouting DANGER with my test results. UNMC also deserves a special thank you for primary sponsorship of my bike club and race team that promotes health and community service. If you decide to take up biking, for safety sake get good bike shop quality equipment and always were a helmet.

Life

2007-12-17T08:28:00.000-08:00

STORY NUMBER ONE

Many years ago, Al Capone virtually owned Chicago .. Capone wasn't famous for anything heroic. He was notorious for enmeshing the windy city in everything from bootlegged booze and prostitution to murder.

Capone had a lawyer nicknamed "Easy Eddie." He was his lawyer for a good reason. Eddie was very good! In fact, Eddie's skill at legal maneuvering kept Big Al out of jail for a long time.

To show his appreciation, Capone paid him very well. Not only was the money big, but also, Eddie got special dividends. For instance, he and his family occupied a fenced-in mansion with live-in help and all of the conveniences of the day. The estate was so large that it filled an entire Chicago City block.

Eddie lived the high life of the Chicago mob and gave little consideration to the atrocity that went on around him. Eddie did have one soft spot, however. He had a son that he loved dearly.

Eddie saw to it that his young son had clothes, cars, and a good education. Nothing was withheld. Price was no object. And, despite his involvement with organized crime, Eddie even tried to teach him right from wrong. Eddie wanted his son to be a better man than he was. Yet, with all his wealth and influence, there were two things he couldn't give his son; he couldn't pass on a good name or a good example.

One day, Easy Eddie reached a difficult decision. Easy Eddie wanted to rectify wrongs he had done. He decided he would go to the authorities and tell the truth about Al "Scarface" Capone, clean up his tarnished name, and offer his son some semblance of integrity. To do this, he would have to testify against The Mob, and he knew that the cost would be great!
So, he testified. Within the year, Easy Eddie's life ended in a blaze of gunfire on a lonely Chicago Street . But in his eyes, he had given his son the greatest gift he had to offer, at the greatest price he could ever pay. Police removed from his pockets a rosary, a crucifix, a religious medallion, and a poem clipped from a magazine. The poem read:

The clock of life is wound but once,

And no man has the power

To tell just when the hands will stop

At late or early hour.

Now is the only time you own.

Live, love, toil with a will.

Place no faith in time.

For the clock may soon be still.

STORY NUMBER TWO

World d War II produced many heroes. One such man was Lieutenant Commander Butch O'Hare. He was a fighter pilot assigned to the aircraft carrier Lexington in the South Pacific. One day his entire squadron was sent on a mission. After he was airborne, he looked at his fuel gage and realized that someone had forgotten to top off his fuel tank. He would not have enough fuel to complete his mission and get back to his ship. His flight leader told him to return to the carrier. Reluctantly, he dropped out of formation and headed back to the fleet.
As he was returning to the mother ship he saw something that turned his blood cold: a squadron of Japanese aircraft were speeding their way toward the American fleet. The American fighters were gone on a sortie, and the fleet was all but defenseless. He couldn't reach his squadron on and bring them back in time to save the fleet. Nor could he warn the fleet of the approaching danger.

There was only one thing to do. He must somehow divert them from the fleet. Laying aside all thoughts of personal safety, he dove into the formation of Japanese planes. Wing-mounted 50 caliber's blazed as he charged in, attacking one surprised enemy plane and then another. Butch wove in and out of the now broken formation and fired at as many planes as possible until all his ammunition was finally spent. Undaunted, he continued the assault. He dove at the planes, trying to clip a wing or tail in hopes of damaging as many enemy planes as possible and rendering them unfit to fly.

Finally, the exasperated Japanese squadron took off in another direction. Deeply relieved, Butch O'Hare and his tattered fighter limped back to the carrier. Upon arrival, he reported in and related the event surrounding his return. The film from the gun-camera mounted on his plane told the tale. It showed the extent of Butch's daring attempt to protect his fleet. He had, in fact,
destroyed five enemy aircraft.

This took place on February 20, 1942, and for that action Butch became the Navy's first Ace of W.W.II, and the first Naval Aviator to win the Congressional Medal of Honor. A year later Butch was killed in aerial combat at the age of 29.

His home town would not allow the memory of this WW II hero to fade, and today, O'Hare Airport in Chicago is named in tribute to the courage of this great man.
So, the next time you find yourself at O'Hare International, give some thought to visiting Butch's memorial displaying his statue and his Medal of Honor It's located between Terminals 1 and 2.

SO WHAT DO THESE TWO STORIES HAVE TO DO WITH EACH OTHER?
Butch O'Hare was "Easy Eddie's" son. --