foundation

Jimi Hendrix said in an interview once that overdoing it sometimes in a song-repetition-especially live, over, and over, and over, eventually sucks the listener in. Not because it's necessarily an amazing symphony, you just get "drawn in" and begin to wonder what happens next. I grew up listening to Hendrix-Loud. I was thinking about this over the course of the last few big training weeks. They have been big, and have kept me very busy. In part due to the length between blog posts (sorry), and ton's of other stuff going on...repetition has "drawn" me in. Actually...it has sucked me in and splattered me back out

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Meeting at RYU HQ's Makes me smile..

Training and preparation has been spot on.  I'm happy with my progress and  still have a way to go, I realize the only way to Ultraman is through Ultraman. Which equates to repetition.

Along with my schedule of big hours, I have had AMAZING things going on that I am so excited about.  I had mentioned a fundraiser in my last post that is still in the works. The details are  being worked on and as soon as I am able-I will share.  It's really, really cool.

My next TV appearance is happening on June 21st. AM Northwest has been kind enough to offer me a chance to come and speak about a few things. Ultraman Canada, my amazing sponsors, and the growing Taxi Initiative will all be discussed. I'll keep you posted.

Speaking of sponsors...putting in a few more enjoyable sessions on my new Ordu has been a thrill.

It is an amazing machine and I am so unbelievably happy to be on team Orbea. I've never been more comfortable on a bike.

I've been fortunate enough to have a few meetings with RYU here at the Respect Your Universe Headquarters in Portland....don't even know where to begin. The kindness and interest they have expressed in my athletics and Taxi Initiative makes me feel like I'm family. Yes-as an athlete affiliated with RYU my desire to perform well is strong. I want to reflect what they believe in sport as an ambassador of a warrior, but understand this....RYU is interested in the process, desire and drive of the individual. Those who struggle hard through endless sacrifice to get to the line. Triumphs for RYU are those that push through, break thryu. How many athletes have wanted this??  Partnering with people who are not as interested in a 'podium finish' as much as 'passionate fire'.-right?

  

Not "Just do it".... "Just be it".

Things are moving at RYU and I'm just so excited and grateful to be a small part. Not to mention how incredible the gear is, and how incredible the new line that's being worked on is. Awesome. 

Thanks RYU for preparing me for battle day in, day out. Training, resting, recovering. 

The Taxi Initiative is growing. I'm encouraged to see the donations coming in to help get a medical team to Haiti this fall. Through my crowdrise page and partnering with More Than Sport I'm still focusing on reaching my goal.

On a similar note I have had many opportunities over the past few weeks to meet and dream about where I can be used and how to continue to help. The idea of establishing the Taxi Initiative as an actual Organization/Foundation is being looked into. This could be a good thing. Being able to team up with different missions, organizations, and charities to help give them a lift would be such a blessing. I've always hoped I could be in a position to help the people who are making a real difference. It's a passion I have to use sport as a way to really...Really, make change happen.

This is RYU's hope also and big news concerning them helping me in Haiti soon.

So, with potential changes moving forward, a new website is in the works, some new photos coming and a few training videos getting released in the future-I am busy. Excited about this and stoked to share with you all a few days during a big training week in video form. Should be fun. I'm also excited to be speaking this Sunday to the Sonrise Youth group about my passions and desire to serve God.

Rhonda and I are working on our future nutrition classes we will be hosting at Farmington Gardens in the fall-details when final dates set.

In opening I mentioned a reference to repetition. I've learned to appreciate this word more every day.  I've also come to understand depending on attitudes and positioning, 'what' you repeat, is just as, if not more important as the repeating itself. Training is repetition. Results are a product from correct right repetition. In the past at times, I've repeated the wrong thing so much I actually believed I was right. Not good.

My encouragement to you is that in training, ensure you are repeating the right steps, actions, pace, nutrition, whatever, so solid base is established-therefore making it easier to build upon. I know how fundamental and obvious  this is-uh, right? From business to family... My children feel me love them over and over and over and over. I do. I kiss my wife more now than ever. This repetition actually makes my son always ask me "Man Dad...why do you always want to make out with Mom? Answer-because it's foundation. Repetition is foundation. Plus she is the most beautiful thing on the planet.

Talking to a newer Triathlete this past week I suggested he start to build patterns and repeat proper form in the water.  "Practice it til it get's old..like...super old. Like-- I am sick and tired of this I don't want to do another one Old" It's tough at first...but Like Jimi said, you see whats next.  Usually it's progress, then product, followed by a solid base. Structure that is sound and strong. 

Doing the correct thing is harder than the easy thing. Swim. Bike. Run. repeat. Repetition. Over and over and over. Because ...if not, your foundation sucks. It's not built on sturdy ground, it's not even built out of sturdy materials.

It's a sand castle.

And it falls into the sea...eventually.

I had an experience happen this past week--you know who you are and what you did. It was an act of kindness and encouragement that was an answered prayer. Thank you from every part of my soul.  I mean it....it's that kind of action that get's me through uncomfortable moments in training.  I won't let you down.

Information about upcoming fundraiser, TV appearance, the Taxi Initiative, New Website, and Ultraman..next blog...

Thanks for reading.

repeat.