BUSY BOY

I'm Alive!! Just in case you were wondering, as it has been quite a while. I hope you aren't saying "oh, we haven't even noticed...."as that would be sad:(
Anyhow, I figured it would be time to quickly update you on the "going's on" in my life over the past month. My wife and I have been very busy, with the selling of our old house 3 weeks ago, moving into our new and beautiful house and working on all sorts of other projects.

As you can probably tell, I tend to keep myself busy, mostly on purpose as I enjoy a challenge and I get bored pretty quickly. So in recent weeks I have been working on getting our 3rd Annual Stubborn Buffalo 8 Miler & 5k run/walk, off the ground. Usually this race falls in September, but due to course and budget restrictions this year, we've moved both to Nov.7th and IN town to a more visible location. I'm determined to make this annual, even if the sponsorship money is low, this will not stop the event. I believe that awareness is HUGE, and having an athletic event in C-K is also as huge. The more opportunities that residents have to experience one of these events, the more likely they are to get hooked and adopt a healthier lifestlye. Beleive me, i've seen it happen.
SO, the show will go on..email me for further details.
What else is going on? Well i'm officially getting my triathlon/running coaching business off the ground; it has been stalled abit over the summer, but with the new move comes new opporunities. This is an exciting time and I am looking forward to partnering with local races to help them get greater participation as well.
Hmmm, anything else? Well, i've decided to go back to Ironman...Ironman Lake Placid that is. Next July 25th, it will be six years to the DAY that I raced my first Ironman, which was in Lake Placid. Having all my family and friends by my side, it remains my fastest Ironman to date. I am very excited that six years to the day from my first solo Ironman, I will race my first tandem Ironman; Syd and I will hopefully show the Ironman community that "blind guys are fast too!" As you can guess, I am not a fan of being a "side show" or an "awww isn't that cute, riding a bike for two" To me it is about being respected as an athlete; granted you must earn respect by putting up solid performances and leading by example. I hope that Syd and I can lead by example, showing that anything truly is possible, and no matter what your barriers, you can still race with the feirceness and tanasity of any racer.

On a local note: Fall is approaching, the 2009 race season is winding down, but I'd like to pass along some much needed congratulations to some local athletes for their great seasons:
Tony Reed--finisher at Ironman Kentucky, Ironman Wisconsin, and taking on his next race in Virginia
Janet Bowls (my mother in law)--finisher of Ironman Wisconsin, her 2nd Ironman
Jim Waters--finisher of his first Ironman, in Lake Placid
Karen Deason, Helen Robertson and Pat Bobier--finishers of Ironman 70.3 Steelhead in Michigan
Jason Ramboer--finisher of his first Ironman in Kentucky in a BLAZING 10:47, trust me, that is fast.
Gavin Stuart-who will represent Canada at the World Duathlon Champs. in a few weeks.
And to all other local triathletes and runners who do Chatham-Kent proud!!