Back in Action
It's been a while since my last update, but nevertheless, I'm back in the writing saddle. It's not that the past year has gone without incident, exciting events, glory, and newfound passions. Every new day brought an adventure, and it seems like such a crime to brushstroke it all in one highlight reel.
First, I'm happy to say that my involvement with out national BMX program was a true blessing, incredible opportunity, and paid huge dividends for the team in Beijing. Under the direction of USA Cycling's BMX Program Director, Mike King, the team won 3 of 6 medals. A huge congratulations to silver medalist Mike Day, and bronze medalists Donnie Robinson and Jill Kintner. This was the first Olympics for BMX and our US team went out and did some serious damage. I'm looking forward to continuing my involvement with the program in 2009.
One of my best friends, Performance Driven athlete, and moto-racing phenom, Phil "Hole Shot" Horwitz, turned it up a notch and finished 5th overall in the MRA GTU 600cc class! Absolutely un-f'n believable!
The 24 Hours of Moab was a real treat this year. I cruised out there with my little bro who got to experience his first camping trip. Crazy shit, I know, but he's a city slicker. Our 4-person team, the Plant Powered Pedalers, did pretty well considering this one dumb ass had his lights go out on him 1/2 way into lap 2 at 2 in the morning. Nice move... especially because this was the 2nd time it's happened this year. This cowboy needs to get extra batteries or he's being booted off the team. Mad props to Sharon and Lyn for picking up the slack. Huge props goes out to my brother from another mother, Davey the Dart Boy Burger, for riding some killer lap times and not impaling himself on the Moab slickrock. After a sketchy season of near-death mountain bike races, Davey cowboy'd up and had a super stellar race!
Congratulations goes out to friend, and another Performance Driven coached athlete, Alison Powers, for winning the US National Championships in the time trial, a team national pursuit title on the track, along with 2 other track podium finishes, and numerous other tour jerseys in Europe this season. I'll take very little credit for Ali's super horsepower and phenomenal season. She was already a super stud when I came to know her. Just a little guidance, a few suggestions here and there, and watch out! She's going to blow the doors off the 09 season.
Another great addition to the 08 calendar is my little bro moving out to Colorado Springs from big bad Texas. And yes, everything's bigger in Texas, including Josh. A newly graduated and BAR passed attorney, little bro wasted no time adapting to Colorado fitness standards. He dropped 40lbs, is running his ass off, and got himself a 2nd place in the 20's division at the Venetucci Farms 10k. He's run about 8-9 races this fall and just keeps getting stronger. All we gotta do is keep him away from the damn cookies!
Heidi Volpe, another Performance Driven animal, is just kicking ass and bringing down the house in the So Cal mountain bike scene. After winning her local series as an expert cross country racer, her and new duo partner have been riding strong in 12 and 24 hour local and national races. I'm expecting big things in 09.
And finally, the biggest change in 08 has been my dabbling in trail running. I'd originally planned on doing a mega-event, but a torn rotator cuff early in the year shit-the-bed on those plans. Consequently, I was content to do some shorter races and have been having a blast on the trails in and around Colorado Springs. A word to the wise, DON'T do a marathon on 3 days notice. Both little brother and I paid the price for that one. But not to worry, big overloads mean big compensation.
Back to the grind....