Merry Christmas!

Hard to believe it is already Christmas Eve today... 2009 has been an amazing year and filled with all the adventure, friends and family that a boy could ever ask for... I am one lucky boy and I got everything I wanted and more for Christmas already!

The last few weeks have slowed down enough at work for me to get caught up on some "to do lists" that have been long overdue (like 6 months of expense reports!). Having family close is something I appreciate more and more as I get older and I have been stoked to see my newest nephew on just about a daily basis...He is 8 months old and getting sumo big already!

I have also been able to keep up with my 30 runs in 30 days and just logged #13 today. I am totally stoked that I jumped into this! I will have a post outlining some of the details but the learning that I am getting from doing the consistency, going easy and backing it up every day extends far beyond the running durability I set out to gain from it. Totally stoked about it!! It is getting easier and I am almost at my half way point where the rules I made for myself will change a bit. Looking forward to it!


Swimming - loving my time in the pool! Frequency for swimming is SO important and seeing Monique progress and keep me honest is pretty motivating. Next week I have off of work and I am planning a little "swim camp" in the middle of my run game. More junk miles in the middle of winter ;-)

the luge flagpole overlooking orange county

Riding. Yes, that has been fun too! Night rides are just warming up and it is the perfect way to roll in the end of a day. Starting to hit "the luge" with Jason now that he got a mountain bike...and a 29er at that. Just logged some miles with the Walsh Wizard yesterday on his way to 10,000 miles for the year and it was pretty inspirational. Not the miles but to see James doing it the right way. A smart, patient athlete who does his own research and has the discipline to follow it. 2010 is going to be sick training with him, Sean, Ryan, Luke, TeamSole and the rest of the crew. All fast and cool dudes and chicks who are doing it right! Stoked!

Christmas is the time of giving so in all of your shopping and holiday giving dont forget to receive..sounds simple but it takes a lot to truly accept a gift from someone. Not something I always talk about but something I strongly believe in. Christmas is not about the marketing or shopping but about THE gift. Its free and lasts forever. "But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life.." Titus 3:4-7 Extends far beyond Christmas or time on the trail. Truth in love.

The end of the year has us up in Big Bear to bring in 2010 and it looks to be a year of going long and new challenges for Monique and I inside and outside of training and racing. As always we are teamed up and excited for the challenge and hope we will see you out there. Be safe and Merry Christmas!