Sorry for not posting last week. No excuse other than I let the weekend and subsequent week get away from me. The weather is great and the family and I have been pretty active the last few weekends…not that we ever sit still for long.

I can’t believe that a year ago this week Mark and I were only a week away from IMAZ. I send best wishes to all those triathletes, especially the first time IM distance racers, participating in next week’s race. I know how those nerves must be churning right now. Trust in your training and have fun. Those 9-17 hours will go by in a flash!

As I think that my year hiatus is about to pass, thoughts of what 2011 might bring start filling my head. I already have the MS 150 on the calendar (a 2-day bike ride from Houston to Austin in support of Multiple Sclerosis research) but beyond that it’s yet to be seen. I have to get past my February conference before I can think of devoting greater time and energy to new goals. There is also a lot of worry and paranoia about what kind of news the New Year will bring at work. The legislature comes back and already the newspapers are discussing potential cuts of up to 25% or more in highered in Texas. I can tell you that would be devastating to us. Definite motivation to get out and work off some stress through a long run or bike ride. Oh, well, can’t worry about what is yet to pass. The Cowboys win last night is evidence miracles can happen.

You will notice I’m posting more endurance sports-related articles throughout the week. I hope you’ll take time to peruse them. Great information in the ones I post. Trying to stay with the most relevant and interesting articles so as not to waster your time.

I’ll end by sharing the story that our daughter learned to ride her bike without training wheels this weekend…all by herself. The first thing she said to me was, “Now I can do triathlons, Daddy!” Putting aside the fact she can’t swim, you can imagine how proud that made me.

Kia Kaha!

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		ROBIN QUIVERS: What Makes an Athlete?
	It occurs to me that being an athlete is a state of mind. It’s setting a goal and measuring your performance against it. It means making the outcome and how you got there matter.

With 4-5 weeks left I am concentrating all my energy on 9 research papers, a culminating performance presentation, a final research stats homework assignment, and wrapping up two practicums with a detailed report. Add in some administrative forms for my committee and I have a load with several weeks left.

The thing is I can feel myself getting fired up for the push, while I have wiggle room, I don’t want it. Instead I want to complete all of this before Christmas so that I can sit back and relax with my family. That is my victory prize, that is my winning time, my podium finish. We all have races to run, and we all have finish lines. It is so important to follow our race plan, make adjustments when necessary, and sprint for victory when the time is right.

Look out boys, the Big Dog is close to starting his sprint.

Be well brothers!!

L3-Live, Learn, and Lead
Schmidty

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Sorry I missed my reporting last week…crazy week with travel, plus had a MONSTER ear ache and really slowed me down. Ear ache gone now and feeling good. Strength training this week was excellent and since ear problems, no swim on Tuesday but replaced it with a run and some cotton in my ear! Training is going nice as my weeks have progressed I;m in the 2nd stage where I’ve raised my % to 61% of 1 rep max at 16 reps. I started focusing on running fast this week as I’m going for another 5k podium finish at the Jingle Bell run in December…it’s my only first place race and I’d like to think I can defend my crown! Problem is….about 7 extra pounds already…increased protein,some extra muscle (hopefully), and a few extra treats have helped it on the belly….I can do it and will work hard to make sure the weather is terrible and all competition stays home! Stay thirsty my friends…..

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		14 Cool Places To Run A Marathon
	With one of the world’s greatest road races, the New York City Marathon, taking place in our own city this weekend, we wondered about other…