Mt Lemmon

Just finished climbing Mt. Lemmon today. A must do. 2.5 hrs 50 km (27 mi.) of 6% grade climbing. 8,000 feet altitude. Coming down is simply a blast.

JD, Rex, & BK Inspiration Factor

There are fine examples of dedication & hard work ethic around us everyday. Our Barrie Triathlon Club [TC] is filled with 85 living examples. Nevertheless, most recently, three individuals to the forefront. Brendan Kavanaugh (BK) is simply one of the nicest people you will ever meet with a heart of double platinum covered in the purest gold. BK is 100 % Runner endeavouring to crack the sub 3. I have witnessed his endless dedication to this process. Last Sunday, when BK turned in a 3 hour & 44 second Mississauga Marathon I cringed for him. BK will do it. Why ? Because he is devoted to the cause.
Rex, is another guy, who has had his story recently published in the Running Room magazine. If you haven't had the opportunity please read it. The Tri season has started and Rex will be turning heads (again) with his race times.
Lastly, there is Jon Dow. A 21 year old, with 175 lbs. frame with 1 % body fat. Like Rex & BK just a super human being. Two years ago, John Dow was a 1:55/100 m swimmer, 32 kph avg. bike rider, and a 4:40 pace runner. Today, JD is unstoppable. JD won the CF 10K Run this spring. JD tells me he can consistantly hold a 1:40/100 m swim pace. God help him if he ever gets a new tri bike, because this machine pumps out close to 36 kph avg going uphill. At Sundays Mississuga Marathon JD came in third. No, not in his category, overall. Time, 2 hrs and 47 minutes. Yikes.
To Brendan, Rex, and Jonny Dow, thanks for being an IF [Inspiration Factor]. Most importantly, thank you for being great family people and great friends to many. To you guys!

Jon Dow is second from the left. Brendan is third in from the right.

I saw Alfred E. Newman at the Midway

Alfred E. Newman. The back wall of the Midway has a picture of Alfred E. Newman. There must be easily 250 to 300 pictures of celebrities, Arnold Swarzenegger, Elvis, John Wayne, Daryl Sittler, Mel Brooks, Jane Manfield, Paul Newman, Burt Reynolds, Clint, the Rat Pack and Alfred E. Newman.
The Midway is by default a retro diner that was last renovated when the Captain Kangaroo went off the air. Located on a street that once was a going concern,in Barrie, Canada, the Midway serves in my opinion the absolute best breakfast. There are several to choose from, but guys, the one you want is the "Lumberjack". The service is attendative and prompt. Coffee is re-filled quickly and before you know you need more. There are many regulars. The Owner accepts cash only. Parking is limited. The Midway's loyal following is so true blue, that there are Seniors who are no longer able to drive, will take the Barrie taxi at heir own expense to break themselves loose of their retirment homes just for a good ole meal, a cup of joe and some down to earth conversation. As I was gulping down my lumberjack breakfast i studied the 5 X 7 print of Alfred and recalled my elementary days whereby i would race down to the local variety store for the next month's edition of "Mad" magazine. The first Mad Magazine i ever bought did a satirical version of Clockwork Orange a Stanley Kubrick movie that just had made it to the theatres. Yesterday, I saw Alfred E. Newman.

Rammstein in Toronto May 8th 2011

Well worth the wait. Rammstein, Toronto is your new North American home. As Lemmy of Motorhead has often said, "Toronto, you have been the best audience and we thank you!". Rammstein fired out almost all the tracks from their latest cd "Lifad". The Toronto Fire Department must have been crappin their pants. [lol]. Sitting at the far end of the ACC in the first row of the upper level we could feel the heat from each thrust of fire. For Ramstein fans who stayed away, you will be terribly sorry you missed this one. Come back soon to Toronto.

The Swim

In High School and still til this day, if i go to a football game, i go early to watch the punters & QB's in warm up. To me the perfect spiral is like poetry. I'm just amazed how effortless professional QB's can arch the ball with perfect touch and it slips through the air into the receivers hands. Or a punter warming up with very little effort can soar the ball with an amazing spiral and send it 50 yards. Proudly, being a former QB ; i'm quite proud I have nice spiral. Doesn't it matter ? Not really.
Swimming is the same. Ever watch the gift of someone who glides through the water making almost no splash, no waves but is moving incredibly fast, it's beautiful. Even more artful, is with two front crawl strokes they have covered a distance of 5 meters to your 2 meters. I'm sure many of us Triatletes with non swimming backgrounds wonder if it will ever be possible to swim like a Phelps or a Torpedo. I have done a ocean full of reading on swimming, and one common element is this art takes time to develop sometimes four or five years. Its discipline, it's hardwork, and it's mostly working on technique. Last year I swam with the Barrie Masters and I put my heart and soul into practice. I was told by many that my swimming had improved dramatically, but I was disappointed in not loping off more time from my 100m pace. This year swimming without the Masters but four times a week, i am starting to see results. People you have no idea how happy this makes me. I'll be honest i'm not a fast swimmer, but my improvement is quite satisfying.