Life -- should be an everyday adventure

I've learned in the last few months that life doesn't always care what you think. Life isn't always going to go your way. Life doesn't wait on you... Sometimes, when you least expect it, life throws you a curve-ball...and that thing hits you square in the nuts. Other times it hits you right in the heart. And at that point life changes. I'm used to change. At this point in my life I have seen people come and go, made many bad decisions, been lost in the world of grief, and tangled in some misfortune. I'm here now, though, and I'm smiling, laughing and enjoying what I can. My sights are set on different things than many...I like to keep things simple. The more 'stuff' you have, the more you can lose. Experiences can never be taken away. When good people come into your life, treat them well. When individuals try to change you, move on. In short, life is precious. I think we know that. Reflection is a good thing, take the time to do it daily, if not more often. Stopping to smell the roses doesn't mean you actually have to stop anything, it means you have to start...smelling some roses. Someone once told me I was 'bad on paper'...makes me laugh actually cause it's true. They also told me more...lots of good stuff. I'm thankful for that individual. Maybe more than they will know, but I remind them daily. Do that, definitely do that!

Tuesday Night Lights

Tuesday began as a normal day, although I ended up going in to work a couple hours early to make up for time that would be lost that same evening.  Jared and I  were given tickets to the Twinkies game this particular evening, which was slotted to begin at 7:10pm.  I normally work until 8pm, thus the early start.  Jared and I decided to ride our 29'ers into the city and catch the game, then ride home afterwards.  The plan was to meet up on the Cedar Lake Trail at about 7 or so, then high-tail it into downtown from there (about 4 miles or so).  Of course, getting home from work at 6:30, putting all the appropriate gear on, heading out the door without forgetting anything, especially your ticket, and hitting the trail was quite a show.  I, of course, got out the door late, so the first few miles of my commute were quite painful.  Rolling on a 29'er with mountain tires and 33 psi, not setting any speed records here, but effort was high, and the smiles were still plenty.

I met Jared under the bridge, nothing fancy happened there, so get your mind out of the gutter.  We got our stuff together, cracked, and shared, a Bells Two Hearted and off we went...straight toward the stadium.  What a sight with the sun setting st our backs and the backdrop of the Minneapolis skyline in full forward view.  These are times I feel most blessed.  Taking in the small stuff and purifying it as it purifies my soul.  The section of trail is not long, but it's flat and fast, so we pushed...we were late, but the game wasn't the only point of the evening, so there was no stress in that.  We finally got to the trail head to split off and head up to stadium level.  You could here the announcers on the loud speakers and feel the energy in the air.  It's electric.  Locked up our rigs and headed to the gates, ready for beers and baseball.

Right as we entered there was a beer stand, Summit as a matter of fact.  We grabbed a couple and started it off right.  Our seats were behind the twins dugout, but we grabbed a view from right field until the inning was over, then headed down to check out our seats.  Once we got nestled in, it was on.  It felt like we were on the field.  You could hear the players talking to one another, and the swing of the bats.  I felt, again, blessed just for the opportunity to be there.

A friend of mine was texting me asking who was pitching, catching, designated hitting...I didn't know, but I had already succumbed to the fact that she was way smarter than me when it came to baseball, among other things, so I texted back (with some inspiration from Jared) "#whocares".  The phrase now lives on as one that makes us smile, and laugh.  Inside jokes are funny, but blogging about them is way less funny....

The game continued on and the beers continued to flow like Niagara.  We were having a blast listening to the hecklers behind us, while the gent one row in front of us was taking pictures, and bragging about it (he was an interesting character, to say the least).  It was the nicest Spring evening I think we had in MN this year to date, and the game was great as well.  The Twins did end up winning 8-6, but not without holding off a 9th inning rally by the Angels.  Definitely got me wanting to head out to more games in the very near future.

Now the game was over, and being a Tuesday night game on a decently cold Spring night, the crowds were not too heavy on the way back to our bikes, and the roads were pretty calm as well.  The nice thing about living in the first ring suburbs is the fact that the trails lead right to the places you need to go.  If you know how to navigate them well, they are a great, safe tool for a cyclist.  You just need to watch out for the occasional Molotov Cocktail, and run-away rock.

So Jared and I are feeling pretty good about our adventure back home from downtown Minneapolis.  Feeling no pain, we headed back to St. Louis Park.  I decided at some point in the return journey that I was hungry.  When you're busy all day and carelessly having fun at night, one thing sometimes gets forgotten...tonight it was ingesting calories and carbs through solids (plenty through liquids though).  There is a spot off the trail that you can navigate through to get tot the West End of SLP quite easily.  It's not truly a trail head because it is land that is owned by the railroad and they don't want you crossing over the tracks there, for multiple reasons...but, again, if you know where to go, it's a perfect outlet to get tot the other side of town in a heartbeat.  So we did, and headed over to Cooper for some snacks and one more beer.  By now it was approximately 11:00pm and it had been a long day.  We didn't hang out at the bar too long, but did enjoy some laughs and more story telling.

It was now time to head home and get some sleep.  Jared and I went our separate ways at this point and pedaled away into the dark, cold night.  I found myself home at about 12:15 or so, found my bed and fell right into it.  The next morning came quickly and it was back to business.

Nothing too crazy happened while we were out that evening, and that's mostly a good thing.  It was an adventure that was talked about for the rest of the week and we were very thankful for the opportunity to live like the other half, if only for one night.  The important thing that I took away from this was the simple fact that life is simple.  We strive to make it complicated and muck it up with schedules, money, things, and a need to be a certain something.  Status is nothing, feeling alive and free is everything.  For me, being on a bike, and hanging out with friends and my kids is what gets me there.  Don't mistake things for success, surround yourself by good people who take stock in you...

Bishop -- OUT!

Happiness, it's in your heart, your mind...not your wallet!

I 'borrowed' this list from a website, also heard it being talked about on the radio!  I liked what I heard almost 100%.  What I have found in my 37+ years of living is that money can make things fun, you may have some happiness that stems from it...but most of the good things that come from it, for me, are the things that I share with my money.  Out with the kids or friends, buying presents for the one you love, upgrading something in life to make you look better, feel better, etc.  It isn't the money that makes you happy though, it's the experiences that come with it.  Choose wisely!  That being said, you don't need money to be happy, you need experience.  In my experience I can honestly say that the things that have made me most happy are quite simple.  Keep it simple and read on for more enlightenment.  I'm interested to see what you may think about all this:

1. Don’t hold grudges. Happy people understand that it’s better to forgive and forget than to let their negative feelings crowd out their positive feelings. Holding a grudge has a lot of detrimental effects on your well being, including increased depression, anxiety, and stress. Why let anyone who has wronged you have power over you? If you let go of all your grudges, you’ll gain a clear conscience and enough energy to enjoy the good things in life.
2. Treat everyone with kindness. Did you know that it has been scientifically proven that being kind makes you happier? Every time you perform a selfless act, your brain produces serotonin, a hormone that eases tension and lifts your spirits. Not only that, but treating people with love, dignity, and respect also allows you to build stronger relationships.
3. See problems as challenges.The word “problem” is never part of a happy person’s vocabulary. A problem is viewed as a drawback, a struggle, or an unstable situation while a challenge is viewed as something positive like an opportunity, a task, or a dare. Whenever you face an obstacle, try looking at it as a challenge.
4. Express gratitude for what they already have. There’s a popular saying that goes something like this: “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything; they just make the best of everything they have.” You will have a deeper sense of contentment if you count your blessings instead of yearning for what you don’t have.
5. Dream big. People who get into the habit of dreaming big are more likely to accomplish their goals than those who don’t. If you dare to dream big, your mind will put itself in a focused and positive state.
6. Don’t sweat the small stuff. Happy people ask themselves, “Will this problem matter a year from now?” They understand that life’s too short to get worked up over trivial situations. Letting things roll off your back will definitely put you at ease to enjoy the more important things in life.
7. Speak well of others. Being nice feels better than being mean. As fun as gossiping is, it usually leaves you feeling guilty and resentful. Saying nice things about other people encourages you to think positive, non-judgmental thoughts.
8. Never make excuses. Benjamin Franklin once said, “He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else.” Happy people don’t make excuses or blame others for their own failures in life. Instead, they own up to their mistakes and, by doing so, they proactively try to change for the better.
9. Get absorbed into the present. Happy people don’t dwell on the past or worry about the future. They savor the present. They let themselves get immersed in whatever they’re doing at the moment. Stop and smell the roses.
10. Wake up at the same time every morning. Have you noticed that a lot of successful people tend to be early risers? Waking up at the same time every morning stabilizes your circadian rhythm, increases productivity, and puts you in a calm and centered state.
11. Avoid social comparison. Everyone works at his own pace, so why compare yourself to others? If you think you’re better than someone else, you gain an unhealthy sense of superiority. If you think someone else is better than you, you end up feeling bad about yourself. You’ll be happier if you focus on your own progress and praise others on theirs.
12. Choose friends wisely. Misery loves company. That’s why it’s important to surround yourself with optimistic people who will encourage you to achieve your goals. The more positive energy you have around you, the better you will feel about yourself.
13. Never seek approval from others. Happy people don’t care what others think of them. They follow their own hearts without letting naysayers discourage them. They understand that it’s impossible to please everyone. Listen to what people have to say, but never seek anyone’s approval but your own.
14. Take the time to listen. Talk less; listen more. Listening keeps your mind open to others wisdom's and outlooks on the world. The more intensely you listen, the quieter your mind gets, and the more content you feel.
15. Nurture social relationships. A lonely person is a miserable person. Happy people understand how important it is to have strong, healthy relationships. Always take the time to see and talk to your family, friends, or significant other.
16. Meditate. Meditating silences your mind and helps you find inner peace. You don’t have to be a zen master to pull it off. Happy people know how to silence their minds anywhere and anytime they need to calm their nerves.
17. Eat well. Junk food makes you sluggish, and it’s difficult to be happy when you’re in that kind of state. Everything you eat directly affects your body’s ability to produce hormones, which will dictate your moods, energy, and mental focus. Be sure to eat foods that will keep your mind and body in good shape.
18. Exercise. Studies have shown that exercise raises happiness levels just as much as Zoloft does. Exercising also boosts your self-esteem and gives you a higher sense of self-accomplishment.
19. Live minimally. Happy people rarely keep clutter around the house because they know that extra belongings weigh them down and make them feel overwhelmed and stressed out. Some studies have concluded that Europeans are a lot happier than Americans are, which is interesting because they live in smaller homes, drive simpler cars, and own fewer items.
20. Tell the truth. Lying stresses you out, corrodes your self-esteem, and makes you unlikeable. The truth will set you free. Being honest improves your mental health and builds others’ trust in you. Always be truthful, and never apologize for it.
21. Establish personal control. Happy people have the ability to choose their own destinies. They don’t let others tell them how they should live their lives. Being in complete control of one’s own life brings positive feelings and a great sense of self-worth.
22. Accept what cannot be changed. Once you accept the fact that life is not fair, you’ll be more at peace with yourself. Instead of obsessing over how unfair life is, just focus on what you can control and change it for the better.


Bishop

holding back....

The frustrating part of winter for me, especially since we never really have seen winter yet, is the lack of motivation. I need something, someone to hold me accountable. With so much going on and many pre changes its sometimes difficult to wrap your head around training, being. I need release....poetry in motion and a diagnosis, premonition to listen to be to feel to live and to fulfill. Bring the hurt, the pain, the beauty to remain...constant, influent, and independent. Let's listen to the one who has mastered...it all, and determined the sanity enough for calamity and admirability to fulfill the need to be indeed and run fully free!

18 different directions, yeah,...18!

Lately I've been limping through life without a whole lot of cares, plenty of resposibility, but really not a care in the world. It's dangerous here! Have you been here before? Have you just looked at a day as an endless opportunity to fuck around? I'm not like that though. I can work, I can do things, and I do...I do alot. Maybe that's why every new direction I get pulled in takes that much more energy, that much more time and that much more outta me. I need progress, emotion, structure and sanity...3 out of 4 ain't too shabby.

Put it in perspective for a moment. I'm healthy, happy (I think, no, I'm sure), lucky, safe, sound and ready to tear the world apart with positive things! Why do I feel like nothing is ever getting accomplished. Why can't I take it to the finish, what am I scared of?

I need counsel, maybe, to get me over life's humps, the day to day stuff I can do...it's the things that throw everything else off course that I suck at. how to focus, to breathe through the situations, to make sure the days don't just turn into weeks, then months then a year.

Where does the time go?

Go make something of yourself, prove to you that you matter.

Love is the best thing, but apparently not the only thing!

THE ONE I LOVE

Gonna close my eyes
Girl and watch you go
Running through this life darling
Like a field of snow
As the tracer glides
In its graceful arc
Send a little prayer out to ya
‘cross the falling dark
Tell the Repo man
And the stars above
That you’re the one I love
yeah

Perfect summers night
Not a wind that breathes
Just the bullets whispering gentle
amongst the new green leaves
There’s things I might have said
Only wish I could
Now I'm leaking life faster
Than I'm leaking blood

Tell the Repo man
And the stars above
That you’re the one I love
You’re the one I love
The one I love


Don’t see elysium
Don’t see no fiery hell
Just the lights up bright baby
In the bay hotel
Next wave coming in
Like an ocean roar
Won’t you take my hand darlin'
On that old dance floor

We can twist and shout
Do the turtle dove
And you’re the one I love
You’re the one I love
The one I love

Shed a tear, pierce the heart

Ah Brooklyn, Brooklyn, take me in!
Are you aware the shape I'm in?
My hands they shake
My head it spins.
Oh Brooklyn, Brooklyn...take me in!

Three words that became hard to say....
I, and Love, and You!
What you were then I am today...
Look at the things I do!

Dumbed down and numbed by time and age
your dreams to catch the world the cage
the highway sets the travelers stage
all exits look the same.

3 words became hard to say...

I'm sorry, you deserve better! You deserve what you long for!

Lack of blogging...

must mean I've been busy elsewhere! And that is so true indeed.

Life isn't so complicated, it just gets that way with the busy schedules and the mayhem of having 3 kids (for me anyway). I am trying to rely on the simplicities to get me though every moment.

Training has started to ramp up quite a bit in the past weeks. Swimming 2 days a week has become quite the theaputic brain massage that has been lacking in past seasons. It's coming together but has a long way to go.

Can't wait to get on the bike! Enough said...although, I did get a new saddle and I love it so far (as far as I can tell form trainer spinning).

Running has been okay but inconsistent. I'm still feeling very strong when I get out there, so that's good I guess. We have a race tomorrow. The Get lucky 7k in wonderful DT minneapolis. It's 4.3 miles of pure glory. Weatherman says cool crisp morning air but lots of sun! I can dig anything over 20 degrees at this point. Most don't agree!! : )

Lots of other great things are happening! I won't indulge just now, but trust me when I say life is good!

Haven't Blogged for quite some time...

Not a whole lot new happening at this point. Just trying to stay busy with the kiddos and jobs stuff.

First Race coming up in a couple of weeks. I mentioned that in the previous post. I'm pretty excited to run a race....its been a few months or 6, so I'm due. Everything seems to be holding up fairly well for this old man. Just taking training easy and trying to not get injured.

Family is good, friends are good! Life is good....

Bish

Get Lucky 7K...I'm gonna get lucky!

Well, the first race of the year is now on the books!! Team Ortho's "get lucky" 7k slotted for march 20th, 2k10.

time machine and I are signed up already and hoping to finish off 'team horsecock' with entries of Rocky and Shawn.

i'm not gonna set any wild goals quite yet...gonna refer to the bible before doing anything hasty (the tri bible that is).

Really looking forward to this one. Not only is it an urban race downtown Minneapolis, but its followed up by beer and fun irish festivities at Keirens Pub.

I can only hope for all of team HC to make it. Can you imagine The Bishop, Time Machine, Litespeed and Rockstar all taking it to the bank in one morning. Good morning mutha crunkin minneapolis. RACE TO THE KEG, thats right.

Bish out

Ice fishing, the devil and blackberry brandy....

this will "BBB" you up!

Thats John...Blackberry mixing devil

Chad and I (BFF's)
Chad (Time Machine) and I headed up to Lake Mille Lacs on friday to seek out fishing and adventure. We got both!

Keith, my buddy from work, was generous (too generous probably) enough to let T.M. and I use his fish house over the weekend. Consider us lucky...cause it is an awesome place to relax, fish, enjoy an array of beverages, and talk shop! So, come Friday after work...we headed straight up and met Keith and his brother John. Keith had to head home right away and get things ready for his son's birthday party. Keith gave us the quick tour and was on his way, and Chad and I began unpacking and started fishing right away.

The night started going by quickly, the barley pop began to flow smoothly,
and the air was still mild...so we headed to shore to take in the local scenary.
In that...there was none. Buzzies (bar) was real slow filled with a bunch of, well, up north snowmobile dudes who clearly drank alot of beer. Can't say I fault them, but I'm just saying. Not the scene we were looking for, so one and done and bakc to the fishing.

Chatting it up about triathlon, this seasons races, TT bikes and the like. We continued to drop lines, replace minnows and shoot the breeze. Night fell hard and it was time to rest for an early morning at the 'man-shack'.

Saturday morning came on with a fury. High expectations had been set for 'man-fort' fishing...and it was early I was tired, but we were pumped to get way out on Mille Lacs and do some jigging. Now, let me walk you (talk) through what the 'man-fort' is exactly....Keith and his brother John were given a little 6' by 6' fish house to drag around the lake! So whenever there is a potentially good spot to fish they pull the little 'man-fort' out there and fish from that (it is way different than the BIG fish house that both Keith and John have, way smaller and no real amenities). Two chairs, two holes, a little sunflower heater, a gas lantern, and some nice pictures...that pretty much sums up the 'man-fort'! So we drive 6 miles out into the middle of the lake, all our gear ready to go and we find the MF and get to it. At this point its all about fishing and chatting and listening to rap music on the 10 dollar radio...who could (would) ask for more?

So, there we are...fishing, laughing and sharing. What Chad and I do best! We enjoyed the horrible reception on the radio until the playoff games started later that day, then the reception was great for some reason.

We headed back to the main house after about 3 hours and relaxed a bit, jigged a bit, and played some cribbage. It wasn't too long before the 'night-bite' was coming on and we headed back out to the man fort. We didn't have any heat this time around, but it wasn't too terribly bad outside with the sun beating down on the tin roof. We listened to the game, continued our discussion about triathlon and racing, along with gear and bikes. We got completely skunked in the afternoon \ evening fish so we, again, headed back toward the main house closer to shore.

Our ice fishing guide (and friend) john called us and invited us over to his house for some beverage and food. So, we headed over there and had a great time with John and his family. Thanks for the blackberry brandy John...YOU JERK!!! As the night dragged on, we decided to go up to Buzzies restaurant and have some more fun and food. It was busy, the crowd was 'typical' and loud. A couple down the hatch and back to the house for sleepy time.

Sunday morning came on like wild fire and we were slow to get up. The aftertaste in my mouth was of blackberries and stale beer...i wanted to go over and punch John right in the nostrils. I just didn't have the energy.

Slowly Chad and I gathered some strength to start cleaning up and getting ready to get out of dodge. The Vikes were playing at noon and he had a football party to get to, thanks for inviting me you dick (what)...just kidding! i was ready to go home and lick my wounds anyway.

We got everything picked up and put away and headed back to Albertville. The weekend had gone by so fast, but it is one I will not soon forget. A nice relaxing fishing trip with a great friend. Everyone needs that once in a while or twice for sure.

Thanks to Keith for allowing us to use his fish house for the weekend. A half thanks to John for not getting us heat in the man fort, and for making sure we didn't consume too much brandy...thanks a bunch. And to the local authorities for understanding we were not locals and letting us off with just a warning. Us city folks don't know you can't do that sort of stuff up north. Oooopsie.

Bish...out!

Tough times call for extreme measures....

Yesterday I learned that my services were no longer needed at the Minneapolis Auto Auction. I was employed there for over 5 years and they have decided to pull the plug on my employment. Part of me wants to believe that it was a decision based on the economy...but my knowledge of the inner workings of the Auction oas a whole lead me to believe that I was sanbagged to an extent. Shout out to all sandbaggers...you only make me stronger (and your intent, if in vain, goes unrecognized form here on out).

Anyone who may find themselves reading this, to all my friends, family and loyal followers (HA), please think of me if any opportunities arise. I appreciate it in advance.

Life is full of surprises, and isn't a good one...but its what you do with your surprise that matters. Here's to surprises.

Cheers,

Bishop

the Bee's knees

I wish I had Bee's knees....

I bet they don't ache like mine do.

Bursitis, IT band (different legs), and lack of recovery, is really putting a damper on my goals for the year.

If training can't start within a month (or a week) I may go crazy.

Half iron??? You may have to wait for 2k11.

Finding the time to find the rhyme!

So...the new year is among us
or we are among it!? Doesn't really matter.
Fact is, January is half over
and its been a cold one.

February is my least favorite month,
thank goodness its a short one.

Whats on the docket...
I find myself asking that probably more
than my 'readers' are asking...
but here ya go (if you care or not).

Upcoming weekend of ice fishing with Chad
(fellow triathlete and good friend).
Pretty excited to hang out, talk shop (TRI)
and get in some potentially good fishing.
Good time to veg-out and reflect as well,
then return just in time for the Vikes game.

Training continues, but not nearly enough as I would like
the month is still early and so is the season in general.
in the next few weeks I plan to educate a bit more
on nutrition and timing. Putting in the time and the hours
will have to come in time, but the body is nOT ready
for that yet.

That last note is a bit frustrating.
I feel pretty lousy coming into this season.
Maybe too much time off and not taking great care
of my body is catching up with me.
Time to be smart about things.

More reading and less guessing.
ramp up slowly into the biking portion of training
that may be the toughest part...
I love to get out on the bike and just go.

Why are my knees so sore? Thats whats really killing me.
injury after injury and now my knees too.
What to do
what to do.

I will keep you posted as I experiment with lots of ICE,
mild anti-inflammatory drugs and rest.

Bish...out!

First week back in "training"...

Not so great, really! Mostly worked on core and strength training. Ab Ripper X from the P90x DVD series really kicks my ass everytime...but its al good.
I usually follow this up with some upper body weight work (curls, hammer presses, push-ups, etc.)...just to keep the juices flowing. So, not a bad week, but nothing too special either.

The biggest move of the week was getting the bike trainer set up for the first time in the new house. I was really excited to get on the bike again and spin for a while (don't forget, I have been dealing/battling bursitis all winter long...not to mention the whole season leading up to now). I was nervous as all get out to spin. I had done a couple few mountain biking trips late in the fall and they all seemed good as far as the knee went, so I figured it was time to experiment.

So I trained at low RPM's in a high gear to simulate hill climbing (if thats possible on a trainer). First warming up for a about 10 minutes at a slow and easy rate. Then 3 sets of 5 minutes, about 50RPM or so with 1 minute rest in between. Followed by single leg spinning for 90 seconds once per leg...then i felt it was time to be done as to niot aggrevate the knee.

Seemed all good until yesterday (spin was on Saturday) when my knee felt stiff and there was some swelling and water inside. Ughhhhh...I didn't wait long enough to heal. maybe I never truly healed itn eh first place, what a mess. My Half Iron season may be going right down the tubes and there is literally nothing I can do about it.

How frustrating!

Guess we will just continue to concentrate on the core and see how strong we can get that and go from there.

Bish....frustratingly....out!

Yes, its true!

I watched the Bachelor last night...so shoot me. Why wouldn't a guy watch that show? 25 (some would argue, including me) beautiful women...or at least 10, throwing themselves at some d-bag pilot who is the blonde version of Tom "m-f'ing" Cruise and just as goofy looking when he tries to play sports. Its funny stuff. Yet the best part of the evening was...(drumrole)....conveyor belt LOVE! Really....yes sir indeedy. that stuff was funny. You have 5 Bachelor reject chicks who hope for love by some chance meeting of pre picked and pre packaged dudes rolling accross a conveyor belt one by one promoting some odd antics to show their 'true' colors. Ughhhh, this should have been impossible to watch, but it was quite a treat, and in such a weird way. Cheers to bad TV that is fully entertaining. Ish.

have a great day

New Year and first race on the books!

Okay!! Today is official start to New Years training!

2k10, bring it on.

First Race on the schedule...legit! TRInona June 13th.

TRI-buddies Shawn, Chad and myself are going to caravan

and race this gem together. Can't wait...only 6 months away.

other races on the potential docket:

St. Patty's 10 miler in March
Cannon Falls Duathlon in May
Susan G. Komen in may (mothers day)
Maple Grove half marathon in May
Trinona...June 13th
Isle Days 5k (I'm coordinating this one not racing) July 10th
northwoods Triathlon August
Minneapolis Duathlon end of August
Branson Missouri Half Iron September
Duluth Trial Festival end of September
DONE!

So, we are ramping up for this coming season!

I'm really looking forward to starting training slowly, safely, and smartly.

I hope to see you all out there...

Happy training.

Bish.

New Year approaching...beware of over doing everything!

here it comes....ya can't stop it! new Year brings on new ideas, resolutions, and a fresh start. Yeah right, try telling that to your bank.

I've had the pleasure of 'downtime' since my trail running experience in September. A little biking here, a wee-bit of running there, and some core work to keep me from feeling completely guilty and slobbish! In that 'downtime' I have consumed adult type beverages, ate pretty much whatever I wanted (give or take and mostly taking) slept not nearly enough, yet still managed to talk a BIG gme for the upcoming racing season. So, on January 4th...the real fun begins! i wil not bat an eye at you Mr. Piece of pizza, there is no room in my bowl of oatmeal for you oh 3 scoops of ice cream...and alcohol (to be blunt) is no longer available to me in any form. gotta keep my edge somehow, this is where we will begin.

So bring on the New Year, please...i feel fat, tired, and out of shape!

To ring in the year we will be spending time with some family, staying out of the cold and eating at a fondue restaurant (5 more pounds taht I must work off..maybe even that evening...what) and having cocktails with friends. One last weekend of debauchery and fun with friends and family. BRING IT!

Hope you all have a safe and happy new year!

Bishop

Where did Christmas go?

Well, it was fun while it lasted and now on to the New Year.

Kids did very well this year, both in behavior and gifts...

yet, we made it a point to (honestly) point out that Christmas

is not ALL about the gift receiving, nor the giving! You get the point.

So, Christmas Eve with the Mitchel's, Rizzo's, Camerons and Benjamins...

Kids everywhere and fun had by all.

Christmas morning was last minute preperation for the kids to get home.

We had a "treasure hunt' for gifts based on answering questions derived

from the Christmas story in Luke 2. The kids were asked questions and when answered

properly (multiple choice or T and F) they would get a clue which led

them to the present. We had fun with that. The clues finally led to the BIG

gift for the year (home PC).

The day carried on then we headed to Ramsey to visit Dad and his wifes family.

It was pretty mellow and relaxing. Good stuff, just what we needed.

Christmas night we indulged in movies and treats and drifted away into dreamland.

Thanks Santa for sweet dreams...what?!





And on went the weekend...gift playing, gift card purchases and the like.

So here we are, nearing the New Year festivities. Bring on 2010, please.

I have a feeling its gonna be a good one!!!

Come back for some HI-Lites of the past year, NO lo-lites invited...hahaha.

Enjoy the holidays.

Bishop

**Pain is weakness leaving the body**

Saw this quote on a Triathlon forum! Gonna be a good reminder
come January 3rd (official training begins)...

Need to be held accountable by my peers and others to get ready for:

Half-Iron in 2010! Chisago Lakes? Branson Missouri? Square Lake?

Only time will tell...

Will keep you updated to new news, events, and races...along with training and
nutrition as it comes!

Happy and Merry Christmas!

Bish