Year In Review

So the book on 2008 is pretty much written and closed. I think it was a pretty successful year, but certainly with some room for improvement, change, and still lots more to learn. I just finished Malcolm Gladwell's latest book, Outliers, which analyzes what really makes people successful. One of the key concepts that Gladwell talks about is the 10,000 hour rule. Basically, it takes 10,000 hours to master something, which works out to roughly 10 years. This would be year number six, and three and a half years with Coach Joel where I've been training in a way that I think is representative of pursuing excellence. So I've still got another four to go, which in my own mind seems about right. Until then (and hopefully beyond), I will stay in the role of kohai, with Joel serving as sempai.

When I started this, I thought I would write something epic and reflective on the year that has passed, but at this point, I'm really just excited for 2009 to arrive. I'm excited to get back into a full and regular routine of training. Before too long, it will be the first race of 2009. And not long after that, I'm sure I'll be writing something similar about the upcoming year, which will probably fly by just as this year did.

In no particular order, I guess I will do some stream of consciousness on the year that is about to become "last year" and what I will do in what is soon to be "this year." The most exciting thing to happen in 2008 was definitely getting engaged, and while Jill and I haven't set a date yet, we're thinking sometime near the end of 2009, once the season is over. I am reminded that lifting weights is important, and after taking 2008 out of the weightroom, I will be back to weights and stretching, courtesy of a CHEK program designed by Lance Barrett of Corrective Kinetics that Jill gave me for Christmas. XC skiing is a lot of fun, and I will hope to do more of it in 2009. I may even buy a rifle so I can go biathloning with Khai. I'd like to ride my MTB more, something I didn't get to do too much in '08. I'd like to be more relaxed on the days that I'm not training, but I also hope to have less of those days spent on airplanes. That is one of my biggest goals - fly less. I have some immediate goals related to times, wattages, and pace, but it's really striving for consistency of quality that is my biggest goal. In the build up to the second IMAZ, I had the most consistent 11 weeks of training ever. I'd like to repeat that more and more. I will learn to sleep on my back, since it is better for your neck. I will show up the airports earlier, and I will (hopefully) not miss any flights (I think I was at three in '08). If I get a new car, it will be a Honda Fit Sport in manual. And the first sticker to go on it will be an In-N-Out Burger sticker. But I hope the CRV holds out for another year. I'd like to go to the windtunnel, but one of the other lessons learned, or rather relearned, this year was that comfort is power and power is king. I think Slowtwitch.com will keep growing, and with it my "To Do" list. I will keep my inbox less full. I'll try to eat even better. I hope I don't forget the things that I learned in a moment. For the first time ever, running made me happy this year. Two years, swimming made me happy. Before that, biking was the first. I guess being happy doing all three makes me a triathlete, though I'm still a neophyte in my own eyes. I hope the Yankees win another crown.

To all of my supporters, thanks for making the year happen. For everyone that reads this, thanks for caring enough to do so. I'll see you all in 2009.

Merry Christmas

© Ken Libbrect

The Silver Lining To 2008

The National Post just came up with their list of Top-20 Canadian Moments of 2008. The number one moment? The silver stretch run. "Whose run for silver?" you may be wondering. Yes, that's right. I'm sure will all the travel he's done since August, he's probably anxious for the accolades to stop. I'm not tired of it yet, though. I can honestly say it's a moment that will stay with me forever.

Why Train?

Get places faster!

Clothes Make The Man

Clothes make the man. Naked people have little or no influence on society. - Mark Twain

After my post on True-Motion, I've been thinking more about clothing. Mark Twain's advice is truly timeless. So I set out to find something equally timeless that really speaks to the heart of what I want to express when I get dressed in the morning. I hope I am able to make some trips to the podium in 2009, because I've got some new BAMF gear that I will wear if I do.

"I really felt great out there today. What a fantastic race. I'd like to thank the volunteers, the race directors, and my sponsors. Now please don't mind me while I shrink all your heads with my voodoo magic and drink the blood of an unborn lamb in order to truly give thanks for my victory."

Step It Up

I'm not much of a fan of self promotion, but I also couldn't help myself after True-Motion was kind enough to put together this collage from the race in Arizona. True-Motion makes great clothing that I've been lucky enough to show off at a couple of races this year. The polo in the photo is my favorite. It's the "Step-It-Up" polo, though I may campaign to have the name changed to the HTFU or BAMF polo. SIU just doesn't have the same ring to it. It's a much more subtle way to say you're a triathlete while maintaining a touch of class that your latest "FINISHER" t-shirt just doesn't offer. If you want to accessorize either yourself or your favorite triathlete, you can get 10% with coupon code - RAPPSTAR.

Real Kids of BAMFness: Michael Stolzenberg

"They didn't take away my heart, my brain and my spirit." - Michael Stolzenburg

Our BAMF comes to us via reader input. Sometimes even BAMFs need a little help, and this is one of those times. Here's the scene: an eight year old boy drives his motorized wheel chair around the block. When stops it, he holds up his arms, grinning, and says "Look Ma!" His mother laughs and says, "I know, no hands." The mother knows this is the punchline because Michael Stolzenburg doesn't have any hands. He doesn't have any feet either.

In July of this year, Michael was infected by a rare tropical bacteria called Chromobacterium violaceum. Antibiotics should have treated, but they did not. Sadly, Michael suffers from a rare immunity disorder. As a result he became extremely sick and spent seven weeks in the hospital. Septicemia due to a lack of blood flow ravaged his extremities, forcing doctors to amputate both hands and both feet.

The one time quarterback and lacrosse player has been forced to face a level of adversity that no one ought to. But this eight year boy is thriving. He talks about when - not if - he returns to playing sports and hanging out with his friends. The prostheses that would allow him to do so exist. But because of his age, he'd new a new pair roughly every six months. Any parent can empathize with a kid outgrowing clothes and shoes. But what if your child was outgrowing his hands and feet? The cost of these artificial limbs is staggering for even one. Michael needs four, and he needs those four replaced regularly. The cost for a set? Approximately $100,000.

Undaunted, Michael continues to echo the advice given to him by Miami Heat star Udonis Haslem. "Don't ever let anyone tell you, 'You can't.'"

MS, you are a BAMF.

If you want to support this BAMF-in-need, please visit the Michael Stolzenburg Trust.

Real Men of BAMFness: Richard Collier

I've lived a dream. It was short-lived, but I lived it. It's kind of gratifying for me to know that I made it, I survived. And I would have survived many years, I know that. It's something that I have my memories and I'll always have them. I have my friends, they're always there. - Richard Collier

The story of how a $7/hour produce stocker at a WalMart became an undrafted NFL lineman for the Jacksonville Jaguars is remarkable. The story of that same NFL lineman getting shot 14 times, including a devastating bullet through his spinal cord, is tragic. But the real story of Richard Collier, told eloquently by ESPN.com's Elizabeth Merrill, is in the story of his survival. In three months since the accident, he has lost 80lbs. from his 6'7" 300lb.+ frame, some of it in the form of his left leg from just above the knee. He struggles to bench press 170lbs., something he probably could have done in his sleep before the accident. He is in a wheelchair because the bullet through his spinal cord has robbed him of his ability to walk. Doctors use the word "paralysis." Richard will not. He believes he will walk again. And so do I.

© Elizabeth Merrill, ESPN.com

RC, you are a BAMF.

Best Week Ever Pictorial

Thank you to Brent Curry, Clarke Rodgers @ SportZFoto.com, Kerry Yndestad @ Yndecam.com, and Joel Filliol for the photos.