To Miss Boston

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all persons. Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even to the dull and the ignorant, they too have their story. Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself. Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs, for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals, and everywhere life is full of heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection. Neither be cynical about love, for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is perennial as the grass.

Take kindly to the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not distress yourself with imaginings. Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace in your soul.

With all its sham, drudgery and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann c.1920

Lance Armstrong

Its is indeed a sad day in the sport of cycling. Lance Armstrong has been stripped. I found this article on the Bicycling SA web page. So many questions will follow? For now I am still in awe of this final news.LIVESTRONG

- By AFP



The US anti-doping agency USADA have officially stripped Lance Armstrong of his record seven Tour de France titles and slapped him with a lifetime ban from competition.

USADA said Armstrong’s decision not to pursue arbitration in an effort to clear himself of doping charges leveled in June triggered the action.

“USADA announced today that Lance Armstrong has chosen not to move forward with the independent arbitration process and as a result has received a lifetime period of ineligibility and disqualification of all competitive results from August 1, 1998 through the present,” USADA said in a statement.

A cancer survivor revered by millions for his efforts in raising cancer awareness and supporting those stricken by the disease, won cycling’s most prestigious race from 1999-2005.

He has long denied doping accusations but said Thursday night that he wouldn’t pursue an arbitration process he believes is “unfair”.

“Finished with this nonsense,” Armstrong said.

“As is every athlete’s right, if Armstrong would have contested the USADA charges, all of the evidence would have been presented in an open legal proceeding for him to challenge,” USADA chief executive Travis Tygart said in a statement. “He chose not to do this knowing these sanctions would immediately be put into place.”

USADA cited “aggravating circumstances” under the World Anti-Doping Code in the issue of a lifetime ban.

Such circumstances include involvement in multiple anti-doping rule violations and participation in a sophisticated doping scheme and conspiracy as well as trafficking, administration and/or attempted administration of a prohibited substance or method.

USADA laid out five anti-doping rule violations for which Armstrong is being sanctioned:

(1) Use and/or attempted use of prohibited substances and/or methods including EPO, blood transfusions, testosterone, corticosteroids and masking agents.

(2) Possession of prohibited substances and/or methods including EPO, blood transfusions and related equipment (such as needles, blood bags, storage containers and other transfusion equipment and blood parameters measuring devices), testosterone, corticosteroids and masking agents.

(3) Trafficking of EPO, testosterone, and corticosteroids.

(4) Administration and/or attempted administration to others of EPO, testosterone, and cortisone.

(5) Assisting, encouraging, aiding, abetting, covering up and other complicity involving one or more anti-doping rule violations and/or attempted anti-doping rule violations.

Armstrong had attempted to block USADA’s proceedings against him with a lawsuit, but it was dismissed on Monday. That gave him until Thursday to respond to USADA’s charges.

“However, when given the opportunity to challenge the evidence against him, and with full knowledge of the consequences, Mr. Armstrong chose not to contest the fact that he engaged in doping violations from at least August 1, 1998 and participated in a conspiracy to cover up his actions,” Tygart said. “As a result of Mr. Armstrong’s decision, USADA is required under the applicable rules, including the World Anti-Doping Code under which he is accountable, to disqualify his competitive results and suspend him from all future competition.”

In battling doping accusations Armstrong has always pointed to the fact that he has never failed a doping test.

Tygart said USADA built its case against him from disclosures from “more than a dozen” witnesses who had first-hand experience of a doping conspiracy on the part of Armstrong’s US Postal Service teams.

“As part of the investigation Armstrong was invited to meet with USADA and be truthful about his time on the USPS team but he refused,” Tygart said.

USADA said witnesses provided evidence based on their direct observation of doping by Armstrong, or through Armstrong’s admissions to them that he used an array of performance-enhancing drugs including the blood booster EPO, blood transfusions, testosterone and human growth hormone at various times during his career.

USAT Nationals Championships Olympic Triathlon

Burlington, VT
USAT Nationals Championships Olympic Triathlon

Ive had much to digest since competing at USAT Nationals in Burlington, VT.  I had a flawless race from start to finish. Really nothing to use as an excuse for coming in 56th place, I just need to get stronger! It has been a tremendous learning curve this year. Ive overcome many obstacles, enjoyed smelling the roses and will continue to pursue the dream. My plan going into this race was to find some good form, evade fatigue and show up on the line feeling fresh. I did just that. Race day tactics were simple, conserve some during the swim as I knew I would be catching back markers from the previous wave of swimmers and navigating through them would sap energy. I stayed with the bulk of my race finding some feet to draft for the majority of the swim. My transition was clean and fast. In and out in a minute and some seconds. There were over 2500 bikes so not exactly your standard size transition area. I spent 30 seconds just running to the mount line while dodging traffic coming from all angles.

 

With the decision to participate in this event within the last 45 days until race day I had spent little time in a TT position so I opted for a road setup with deep section wheels and a Time Trial helmet . Personally I felt it was too close to start changing bike setups and engaging other muscles groups. The bike course was undulating with some climbing in the early 8miles. I felt good but for once I actually held back slightly (maybe too much) for the run. I wanted to leave it all on the course during the run. However still not having much in the way of speed training under my belt I felt like a diesel engine. I timed my effort well however I believe its time to start ramping up the speed work, with Xterra National Champs around the corner. This is what I have set my sights on from the beginning of the season. Im throwing everything in for this event because I would like to race at Xterra World Champs to put the cherry on top of a solid year. 

 

On a sad note I was gutted to hear a man past away during the event by what I believe was a Self Induced Heart Attack. Its a sad loss to the triathlon community and the sport I have grown to love more so to his family and friends. 

Aside from the race I had time to relax and reflect in the company of my best friend. Played that ever so difficult game called golf. I think  I shot a 50+ on 9 holes. It was still great fun. Spent time touring the city, meeting great folk and enjoying a change of scenery. Burlington is a beautiful town buzzing with unique culture. 

A big thank you to my support Cadence Cyclery of Mckinney , Elite Performance Chiropractors, Orange Seal Cycling and everyone else who wished me well on this adventure through Twitter  and the other social media platforms.

The culture of Burlington is fantastic, its a great holiday destination in both Summer and Winter. The need to support local businesses is surely blooming, from local corner coffee shops such as Muddy Waters, to the local Community Supported Agriculture - CSA. Its a thriving college town and population comes and goes like the seasons. 

P.S. everyone can relax now, I found the magic school bus.

And ChittyChitty BangBang drove by