Catching up and clearing up

This past few weeks has been about catching up on all the things I have put off since who knows when. There are those time and temperature sensitive items that have to be done at this time of the year, there are things that I simply chose to put off when I had the time, house repairs, vehicle/motorcycle maintenance, Doctor, professional appointments; but if I dig deep enough, most of it comes down to one of my character defects of "procrastination". When I set a small something aside that needed to be done right now, "it", after a time starts to weigh on my mind and take away my focus. For some people, I guess they can have a "to do" list and they get things done on a regular basis, but for me it clouds my thoughts and sets a spiral of misguided thoughts and gets me into an agitated state that make the undone chores seem like mountains vs. what they really are, "just things that need to be done".  So this past while I've had to have those conscious conversations with myself, keeping on top of my head saying "I'll get to it later", to "get this done now, you have the time, because really, you don't have the time"! So in-between training, planning the elimination of my outstanding responsibilities, my list is getting smaller and smaller, the tension is starting to dissipate, as for me, "time management" is hard work, but I really like the feeling of getting caught up and being somewhat more relaxed and functioning smoothly.

wow, Wow and WOW!

It's been a week of observation that raises the bar on a lot of things. The first "wow" was being a part of the World Triathlon Finals Motorcycle support crew and not really realizing the magnitude of what the event stood for and what I had become involved in. Being on the actual racetrack, marshalling the judges, keeping the track safe and supervised was a larger event that I had expected, but having such a hands on first time learning experience as this, all I could say was, "wow"! Continuing on with the Triathlon; doing the pre ride with the "Para" athletes, people who have lost the use of certain functions of their lower limbs and bodies. Seeing people propel themselves competitively in specialized wheelchairs, paracycles, hand cycles, visually impaired tandem cyclists was inspiring beyond words. As we passed through traffic inspecting the course, people observing those who had overcome unimaginable obstacles were welling up with tears, looking into their vehicles, I could see they were saying "Wow" as well! The third WOW came unexpectedly on a simple hiking trail......We were walking along doing the tourist thing and an older couple was taking pictures of each other at a popular viewpoint, we asked if they wanted a couple picture taken and they were ok with it. But what rattled me or should I say made me take a look at my "man card" was when we took the picture, he looked at his wife, not the camera, it was the most purely romantic, honest look I have ever seen from one person to another, WOW! All things combined, these three things made me look at doing the best I can with something new, looking at what and where my inspiration is as I overcome obstacles and will I become as great as some of the men that are put in my path? It's been a good week.

Just coming up blank right now.......

I'm looking for something inspiring to blog about, but I'm coming up blank for the day and have been for the week. I'm getting all my work related jobs finished before Tuesday and my boss is trying to cram in everything he can, as if I'm "employee of the month" and have no other plans, but come Tuesday, I'm gone! I'm taking my ten weeks of holidays. I'm gone, I'm taking the time, I'm jumping on the bike, taking in a 4 day motorcycle travellers meeting in Nakusp B.C.; I've signed up for volunteer positions while I'm there, because there's something about giving back that inspires me; then once I'm back I'm volunteering by marshalling dignitaries on my motorcycle in a triathlon, then it'll be nothing but eat and train. This might not seem like a lot of excitement for having this amount of time off, but this is for me. I already see myself in the mountains doing my forms, requirements, studying my curriculum.  I have the pedal bike ready for when I'm back, to go from home, to the kwoon and the gym and nothing else. I think I'm going to enjoy this. Robert.

I DID IT!!!

I DID IT!!!
It seemed like a good idea at the time: one of my I ho Chuan goals was to run in the "Canadian Death Race". 
The 2nd of August came before I knew it as with all that is seemingly on my plate I found very little time to train.
I ran 2 km. in May, then,
I ran 2 km around the Kwoon in June, then,
I ran 2 km last weekend at our Kung Fu "Boot Camp", then,
I did 38 km the Saturday night up and over Mt. Hamel in "The Hamel Assault".
As of Sunday and Monday there wasn't a muscle, tendon, joint or connecting part in my legs (and attachments) that isn't hurting, swollen, rubbed raw, bruised in some way, but I did it. I did it for all the people who believed in me, I did it for my team mates, I did it for our team Captain who's dreams to cross the finish line were larger than mine, somehow I did it; my goal was to finish, not to beat any record time or place; I ran forwards, when it hurt to much to do that, I ran backwards, sideways, power walked, did the "Fox Trot" (made famous by Terry Fox), but I did not stop or give up! The mountain was nothing, the real obstacle was in my head, telling me I couldn't do it. I'll be back. Words can't describe what an incredible group of people I spent the weekend with. I have to wonder though, running 6 km over three months and hurting the way I do, I'm hoping I didn't over train.

Now for something a little different

I struggle with reading, I have little trouble with the comprehension of what I've just read but, I can read something, follow along with great interest, understanding and anticipation of what's next, then if there's any interruption or distraction, I have to start all over again as I can't refocus sometimes on where the heck I was. It's sometimes funny, tragic, frustrating, but at the same time, reading the same book a year later saves me a lot of money in the long run. Part of my I Ho Chuan goals is to volunteer at the Remand Centre; it does have its interesting moments and guests, but I'm there to lend a hand, carry my experiences, past and present and not try to pass judgement as that's not part of my journey. I found myself in the volunteer section one night and during visitation I was asked to read from a collectively agreed upon book and to read a few chapters from it. Well, off we went, me reading, them listening, and in the end it was a success; reading to a group of incarcerated men, some who can't read at all, me, self conscious about my nemesis and after the night went way beyond our allotted time, there was this moment somewhere along the drive home, the most calming and grateful, "whew", I've felt in a long while. Robert

Last weeks blog that never made it through

I had a severe case of the "fu** it's" this last little while and was wondering what it is all for, does anyone but us care, does anyone really notice, who are we really trying to impress with all these push ups and sit ups and on and on. When you're in that mindset there's not a lot of positive thoughts or actions that can come out of it and when you're in it sometimes it's hard to see the negativity you're feeding off of. Then, having that perfect moment and that perfect opening in your brain, I'm not sure of all the details (and my ego would take off with it if I did know, which for me wouldn't be good) it was mentioned that there was a someone that has been watching the push ups and the sit ups we do in class and it has inspired that person to get into their own fitness regimen as a result of  what they have seen in us. It was the jolt that I needed to get out of myself, to get refocused and practice what I have preached many times, "that this isn't for us, it's for someone who is attracted to what we do and wants to take part in the journey". It made sense, got me back on track and I didn't get into any trouble that I had to make amends for during this time of being lost (behind enemy lines) in my own mind. Robert.

Crunching time

This past two weeks has been cramming for everything; from a busy work schedule, trying as well to get in all my classes, yard work( tis the season), outstanding errands, vehicle repairs, reviewingmy curriculum, emergency call outs,    .......it seems when you get some control on one or complete a chore another one is staring you in the face. The past couple of weeks though it seems as if I'm flailing, trying to get an upper hand on at least one thing before I'm overwhelmed with the next. I guess it comes down to getting done what I can, when I can. There has been some great things that have happened this past while as well, but I'm off to class for the moment.