What to do with My Life

It's been awhile since I have mused/posted on the subject of career/life direction and I haven't much personally to go into depth with here but wanted to post a story that was on NPR this morning that I really latched onto. Link: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=896041 The following is what resonated most with me...

Bronson: Most attempt to answer it with one eye open, one eye closed. We let our fears govern our decisions; rather than challenging the validity of those fears, we accept the boundaries set by those fears, and end up confining our search to a narrow range of possibilities, like the guy looking for his car keys under the streetlight because he’s afraid of the dark. Some broad examples: we confine ourselves to a range that is acceptable to our parents or our spouse; we confine ourselves to places inhabited only by people "like us," meaning of our class and education level; we place too much emphasis on being respected by an imaginary audience; we shy away from avocations that take a long time to mature and pay off.

I was inspired by people who had overcome these fears to look beyond the obvious choices. It wasn’t easy for them, but in a way that hard journey made the result even sweeter. It wasn’t just a matter of finding the right puzzle piece to match their skills; they had to grow as a person first...

Recently I have found myself doing just that. Two and a half years ago I thought I was bucking the trend but over the subsequent years have found myself back to being stuck and constrained by those same fears (societal expectations/norms) that were blocking my mind/movements earlier. With the realization of this I am taking another step away from those "needs". It's part of my effort to be the best athlete that I can be but also part of the larger life picture. One in which sport is only the first stepping stone for many things to come afterwards. However I feel that the key to the dominos falling the way I'd like them to is to excel and reach the pinacle of sport. So for now (and another 10 years) the physical toil for the top of the podium will continue. And I will enjoy every step of the way and continue to whittle away at those fears that I feel continue to try and reign me in.

I got it, I got it....

Lots of balls up in the air right now (on various fronts as well) and waiting for them to start dropping so that I can lock down what I'll be doing in the very near future. Can't really make a move just yet or state what I'm up to (cause frankly i don't know), but stay tuned in to find out. Really hoping that in a week's time I'll be rolling in the direction that I'd like to!

Just hanging out now trying to get underneath 'em! I'm ready with my mit!

Life would really suck if it was placid and boring....

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, champagne in one hand - strawberries in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming WOOOOHOOOO!!!! - What a ride!!!

-Mavis Leyrer

Quote for the near term road ahead.

"I knew exactly where I wanted to go. In order to be the best player in the world, tennis has to be your life. It’s a sacrifice, and something I was willing to do.... consistently I was willing to sacrifice more than many. You can’t have it both ways. I did it my way, and I have no regrets when I look back on my career that sacrifice was just a big focus for me.”

-Pete Sampras

(thanks SQW)

MVA Racing Kits

I have 2 Men's Medium Kits remaining and 1 Men's small kit.

$145 plus ship for the kit.

Design can be seen here.

http://trimarkyv.blogspot.com/2009/01/mva-racing-jerseys-final-cut.html

Two more items! :)

Shimano Tri Shoes TR-02

http://forum

.slowtwitch.com/gforum.cgi?post=2656961;sb=post_latest_reply;so=ASC;forum_view=forum_view_collapsed;;page=unread#unread

Bicycle Colorado "Share The Road Jersey"

It's just a HAIR too small for me (brand is primal) I'm super bummed as I bet the 'L' is way too big. It fits right but my torso is just too long.

$65

Selling stuff....have a look!

TYR Tracer Tri Top "M" Black

TYR Tracer Tri Short "s" 1-Royal and 1-navy

TYR Splice "L" Top Wht/Red

Re: 2008 Zipp 808 Clinchers (w/extras) [MarkyV]

Re: FS: SRM D/A Wireless w/PCVI controller [MarkyV]

Ritchey Torquey

SRAM Rival 11-28

DS Trainer sz13

Selle Italia Cervelo OEM Saddle (SLR T1)

65 Powergels!!!!

Fizik Arione Tri II

AVI-Lite II sz13 brand new, stil in box

Shimano TR-51 Silver/Blue Tri Shoes

Really Good Gluten Free Oatmeal Chocolate Chip Walnut Cookies

...and the battle is on. You know who you are. ;-)

I have high standards for the cookies I make. The bar has been set MOM and her Almost-Good-For-You-Banana-Oatmeal-Chocolate-Chip-Raisin-Walnut Cookies (of which these are an alteration of).

So therefore if I'm going to go out on a limb and go so far as to make the title of this read "Really Good" then I'm not bluffing. I'm not a fan of GF breads that make cardboard look appealing. Neither am I fond of GF cookies that rival such taste. With these the kicker is the super ripe bananas. They lend a load of moisture to the cookie. Also, in my attempt to eliminate flours/grains from my diet, you'll notice the almond meal/flour utilized as the primary body/binder of the cookie (well, that and the oatmeal). It's mostly fat and worked very well. The buckwheat is added for a little bit of a flavor kick (adds a nice nutty flavor) as well as being a finely ground flour helps in the cookie holding together. Just like my Mom's cookies these are fabulous right out of the freezer or even left to warm up a bit for a few minutes to return to a nice chewy texture. Being cold the dark chocolate explodes in your mouth with each bite.

ENJOY!

1c butter
1/2 c sugar + a bunch of splenda packets
-mix

Add in....

2 eggs
3 super over ripe bananas
-mix

In separate bowl combine...
1c almond meal
1c almond flour
1/2 c buckwheat flour
3c oatmeal
1T cinnamon
1/2 t nutmeg
1t ginger
1/2 t cloves
1 t salt
1 t baking soda
1 t baking powder

-add this all to the butter mixture once that is combined with eggs/bananas

Lastly, beat these in with the flour mixture...
3c dark chocolate chips
3c chopped walnuts

My oven is finicky and I live at 5400 feet so adjust this accordingly.

Bake at 375-390 for 8-12 minutes depending upon size of cookie and preference for degree of done-ness.

I used a stand mixer (yes, I admit it, I have a kitchen aid, and despite my current selling off of my possessions... that is one item that will be staying with me!) for this as the extra wattage (and who doesn't love extra wattage) comes in handy as the batter can be quite thick.

When i baked them (and i like to under bake everything) I had to let them cool for a bit on the cookie sheet (yes, I own these as well) then stuck them in the freezer (whilst still on sheet) so to keep them in a single piece as they were a bit brittle (even while underbaked) right out of the oven. After chilling in the freezer and subsequent storage there they loose the brittleness and retain a well bonded form.

Boulder Running Company

Starting to release some confirmations of new and renewed sponsorships for the year ahead. Hope to announce some more in the coming days/weeks.

For the third year "running" ;-) I will be running, training and racing in footwear from Boulder Running Company. I was presented with an opportunity to go with a single shoe sponsor but really enjoy running for a local team and one where I can choose from a large variety of shoes. If one particular brand doesn't fit I simply slide over to another option. And you really can't beat getting the chance to represent Boulder nationally!!!

Dura Ace SRM Wireless with PCVI Controller

2009 SRM Dura Ace Wireless system.
175mm crank arms
54x39 DA chainrings,
Suunto ANT Skewer speed sensor as well as Suunto Pod Speed Sensor, spoke magnet
PC VI black
26.0 PC handlebar clamp
USB download/recharging cable, USB wall mount 110v power adapter (and all international adapters as well)
SRM software disk and manuals.

Just back from CO Springs and has new battery and full check up, slope and new screen on PCVI.

About 7 months of riding on it.

Can post pics upon request. All in original packaging and boxes. Very well maintained (duh...look who's posting this :)
Asking $3300 shipped.

OBO

2008 Zipp 808 Clincher Set

Very lightly used (i borrowed more than i used these) 808 clincher set hand built by Rich Sawiris at Wheelbuilder.com

Includes ceramics in the front and rear hubs.
3 low Crr tires
2-3 latex tubes
Wheelbuilder.com Disc cover for making them even faster!

I'll likely throw some other stuff in as well.

Pics upon request

Asking 1750 shipped.

Quote

I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and to see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not when I had come to die, to discover that I had not lived

-Henry David Thoreau