End of Year Reflections

Hey all,
It's been awhile since I've blogged out my noggin thoughts so it seems fitting to get something out before the new year. 2008 was a pretty good year for me in athletic achievements, but mainly my goals were geared towards mental hurdles. I've been fortunate enough to be given some genetic gifts that allow me to do these big Ironman races a little easier and perhaps a little quicker than the average population. I didn't have to work too hard to get long legs, and other than some natural habits growing up I've never had to deal with weight issues. I'm lucky that way. I'm certainly no where near the most talented out there, but I also never take for granted what I've been given. It can be taken away like that! Take a long hard look at yourself and point out the mental and physical assets you have. Whether it's great strength, good looks, a 150+ I.Q., artistically gifted, etc., none of them are secure so you should feel lucky you have what you have. Throw in the fact I'm not one of the 5-billion people who can't get a clean drink of water I tend to knock on wood daily. There, I just didn't it again.

So with the end of the year I'm thankful yet again for my health, my family, my friends, and how the lottery of life chose me to be one of those people who CAN pour a clean glass of h2o whenever I want. In 2008, we had an election and our country made history by electing Mr. Obama. I am thankful. Though skin color is completely irrelevant in my book, history is being made and I couldn't be happier. I just wish Kate and I could have been in Grant Park that night to witness what we saw on CNN that night. The sigh of relief I had after this extremely long process was incredible. And this president-elect is already showing how embracing all societies (black, white, gay, straight, you name it) and making wise choices in my book will make this country and this world a better place. I'm not one to strut my political views too much (so please no political comments), especially when I know members in my own family have opinions that don't exactly reflect my own. But I have been passionate about this round of politics and I feel like we got it right. Time will tell of course, but it feels apparent to me these next four to eight years won't involve a president with a personal agenda. "W" is on his way out and the door couldn't hit him in the ass any faster!

In 2008, my wife and I have settled into Idaho and are comfortable calling it home. When you first move anywhere it feels as if you're only visiting. The newness of it all is very exciting and you can't help but think how much friends and family would dig this place. Countless times I'd be running in the foothills on my own thinking, "Damn, my brother would love this.", "Mark and Adrian would love this downtown", "The GFOQ boys would be awe inspired with these climbs.". It was sort of like I was physically living in Idaho, but my thoughts and emotions were in another timezone. 2008 settled some of that down, especially since a lot of family and some friends made the trip to visit us. They sort of reconfirmed my suspicion that they would love this place. Them being out here also slowly let me start putting my thoughts and emotions into Idaho's timezone. I don't think so much anymore about how people from where I used to live would enjoy this. The door is always open for them so whenever they're ready they can always visit. Until then I'll be in the foothills not thinking about how they would dig this, but how much I'm digging this right now. Whenever Kate and I would head with our friends to Chicago to do some clubbing (one of our occassional treats), the wrist-watches stayed at home and there would only be one time...NOW. As the night went on, we'd ask, "What time is it?" The time was always now. This is how life should be lived. Learn from the past, live in the now, and that's what I'm trying to do.

So what does 2009 bring? Athletically, I have two major challenges lined up. In January I will start gearing up for a marathon in May. Kate and I looked at a very nice marathon to do in Eugene, OR, but due to some class time conflicts we had to change the location to Ogden, UT. The Eugene marathon looked to be a much faster marathon since I could train at elevation in the foothills then bust ass on a flat trail at 400ft elevation. Such as life. The Ogden Marathon starts at roughly 5500 ft and ends at 4500ft. So that could still be a speedy race (in theory), but obviously elevation over 5000ft has its affects. Anyways, I will put 5 hard months of training to get ready for this marathon. It'll be my first marathon without a swim/bike warm-up since 2002 and I'd really like to test the body out. My goal is also get my long distance running geared up for 2010 when I'll be back at the Ironman distance. I'm pretty stoked!

My other big race for 2009 is in September over in Aurora, CO. This is the Newton 24hr Race and it'll be a team event with my friends Eric and Brent from the mid-west. The course distance is a tenth of an Ironman and you do loops for 24hrs straight. The team with the most loops wins, pretty sweet. The catch is you have to do three complete loops (swim/bike/run) at the beginning then you can switch it up. Since the swim course closes at sunset and re-opens at sunrise you have to bank up your swim before the sun sets then bike/run all night until the sun comes back up. It is going to test the mind and body wonderfully and I'm excited to get the body ready for the challenge. It should be fun.

If you read Kate's Blog you'll know that her and I have been very excited to get back to downhill skiing. Our local resort opened yesterday so I cleared the work calendar and we bombed up there with our two good friends. This is also part of my 2009 workouts. I love to ski and it's a great workout (though Nordic skiing is the real ass-kicker) so I'm very excited for the season. The snow is flying around here, more so than normal so I imagine the Valley will melt away soon enough. But the mountains will remain white and it's awesome to have something so cool so close.

That's about it for 2008. Everyone stay safe, give hugs to the family during the holidays, and steer clear of the amateurs during New Years Eve. I'll be back to being an Ironman blogger in January.

Take care,
Drew.