Phycho Psummer 50k

Curt Hassler (Mongo) runs his first trail race.

Chris Diehm, winner of his age group at Berryman, gets a taste of hot, hot weather and mud.

Diggin deep.

My start of my 2nd or 3rd lap. Still feeling good despite the heat.

Happiness.

This was one hot SOB.

I have seen people lose shoes in mud and I always wonder "how the hell does that happen? Why don't they tighten up their shoes?" On the first half of the first loop, I was that guy digging in the mud. One more experience to add to the list.

Free State 40 Mile

I told Tracey the night before "I think I could take fourth if I do well". I called after the finish to tell her "fourth place". Ended up I was fifth but first in my age group. Great day. Trails were in fantastic shape, well marked. The course was a little short but I certainly wasn't complaining.

Happiness

Matt started the marathon with a plan to take it slow and had one of his best finishes ever. Good lesson here.

Matt, Casey, Carlos, Uncle Bob and Angela

Chris Nicely put another into the books

Casey placed well again in the marathon

Carlos preparing for our Kilimanjaro summit next month!

Amy and Angela finish with smiles

They think of everything at this race, even free breast exams by the Race Director.

2010 Bike MS - Bittersweet

An older gentleman stood yelling at the end of a driveway "My nine year old Grandson has MS. Thank you for riding. My nine year old Grandson has MS. Thank you for riding. My nine year old......." I looked over at my brother Matt, our daughters pedaling away behind us. No more words necessary. To all the good people who participated - thank you and congratulations. For those who didn't, and are able, join us next year. It's more than a bike ride. It's life changing.

Team GENESYS thirty strong!

Our ubiquitous yellow jerseys


My Brother Matt and I sharing this experience with our daughters. 180 miles of sun, rain, laughter and hard work.

Early this season, Kaylan told me this would be her last year... at least for a while. I don't blame her. She is 15, dating, playing guitar, singing, ice skating and taking all advanced classes including two languages. I do understand, even though it hurts. I asked her to give it a shot and she did - three fold. The last three summers of training and touring have been a gift that money could never purchase. We are closer and she has a taste for the magic of endurance sport. What more can I ask? Now she is doing what all teenage daughters do - establishing a life of her own. My little girl is pulling away.

There is a little more to this story. After dropping the bomb on me, I learned that Carlos (her step grandfather and one of my dearest friends) was planning a summit of Mt. Kilimanjaro next June" I inocently asked Kaylan if she would like to join us. Always up for a challenge she agrees. I didn't explain then that there will be 16 weeks of trail hiking, running and conditioning together. We start in January. Tricked ya!

Last, thank you again to Ron Johnson. My personal bike mechanic and inspiration.

Grand Island Marathon 2010

August first, after flying to Milwaukee and driving to Munising Michigan in the Upper Peninsula, we boarded the ferry the morning of the race.

Mike Gase and I arrived at the starting line 20-minutes after the gun fired for the marathon. Angela, Kathy, David and Matt all opted for the early start so they had miles behind them by this point. Sunrise on the island.

Mike in the first miles.

The views were spectacular.

Most of the course was two track, fire roads. For this reason, I won't likely run this race again.

Two sections of the race were on the beach. Looks nice but not all that runable.

Again, the views made it a worthwhile race to do at least once.

Me, dragging into the finish at 4:12.

Mike Gase at the finish line.

Our group.

The next day - me, my son Miles and his cousin Caden rented kayaks and toured Pictured Rocks on Lake Superior. Really cool.





Good trip.

The boys Spring Triathlon

This is my current favorite photo. Me the spectator and my six year old son Ty the athlete. This is Ty's first triathlon.

Miles at the gun, starting his swim.

My son Miles and my brother Matt's son Caden. They started 10-seconds apart and this is them at the end of the swim. And no - neither had intentions of swimming, biking, running or finishing together. These are 11-year old, male, cousins - both at the top of their games in their respective sports. This was all about competition. Love it.

Their arms looked like rubber when they lifted out of the pool.

They stayed neck and neck through the bike.

Then came the run.

Meanwhile, Ty was all nerves and seriousness preparing for his event. Notice the aerodynamic swimming goggles.

Caden lost his breakfast in the first lap of the run and still went on to finish strong. That is when I was honestly and truly impressed with this young man. This is true grit and the making of greatness.

Miles had his share of pain too.

T-bone was an absolute stud.

Dimensions of pride at the finish line.

The bonds built of heat, sweat, pain, (vomit?) and tough competition are like no other. For life.

Life is good. Energy creates energy!

Ty time: 40:02. Place 19th of 38 8-year old boys. 100 yard swim, 3-mile bike, 1 mile run.

Miles time: 45:22. Place 12th of 32 boys 11 and 12 years old. 200 yard swim, 5-mile bike, 1.5 mile run.