A Stark Family Christmas

Cirque Du Soleil - Mystere

I had the opportunity to see a Cirque Du Soleil show this week while in Vegas for work. The show was incredible...so beautiful at some points that I found myself fighting back tears. Photography was strictly forbidden from this show, however, I had to take one picture of the most amazing thing I saw all night...no, its not one of the acrobats...its my friend Steve sound asleep during the show with his mouth open...in the front row, mind you. It was all just too much for him to take in.

On the Road

The Plan...2 Weeks

Mon, Jan 28th OFF Vegas

Tues, Jan 29th Run 60 Min (Hills/Trails), Strength Training Vegas

Wed, Jan 30th Swim 3100, Bike 60 Min Vegas

Thurs, Jan 31st Bike 90 Min, Run 60 Min Phoenix

Friday, Feb 1 Swim 2500, Strength Training Santa Fe

Sat, Feb 2 Run 11 Miles Santa Fe

Sun, Feb 3 Bike 80 Miles Santa Fe

Mon, Feb 4 Day Off Denver

Tues, Feb 5 Run 40, Strength Training Denver

Wed, Feb 6 Swim 3100, Bike 60 min Phoenix

Thurs, Feb 7 Bike 90 min, Run 60 Min Phoenix

Fri, Feb 8 Swim 2500, Strength Training Phoenix

Sat, Feb 9 Run 13 Miles Phoenix

Sun, Feb 10 Bike 90 miles, Run 20 Mins Phoenix


Current Playlist:

Gladiator Sountrack

This Too Shall Pass

Hello, my friend. Its good to see you. Something has changed, however, something is different. You look the same, but I hardly recognize you. Theres a darkness behind your smilean emptiness behind your eyes. Who took that from youwhat has happened? It really hasnt been that long since I last saw you, has it?
I used to watch you. I used to admire your joy. It was obvious that you had something inside of you that transcended all understanding. Look at you now why the chip on your shoulder? Who did this to youwhat has happened?
Youre doing pretty well I hear, by some mens standards anyway. I hear shes gone, thoughits probably for the bestbut you know shell be back.I always knew this would happen. I should have told youshould have warned you.
I remember when you walked with your head held high. You were proud of yourself, and rightly so. You had a smile that was contagious. Im sorry, my friend, but its gone. I see you. I see whats happening.
Ill let you have your solitudeIll leave you alone. Perhaps youre not ready for my intrusion. Do you have anyone to talk to? What do you have to say for yourself? You must know that your independence and hiding will only resurrect the pain. Will you continue to numb yourself to reality by this behavior of avoidance?
Its hard to see you this way. I feel like I should cover my eyes. No, I feel like I should turn my head. No, I feel like I should leave. Its doubtful I will sleep tonight, knowing what I know now. I want to help you, but youve got to let me in. Stop feeling sorry for yourselfno one else does.
Im afraid Im not much help to you. Im going to leave nowbut you know where to find me. Know that I would love to see you there.Know, my friend, that you will be okay, and know that these things too shall pass.

Swimming Lessons

I've never had any formal swim training. On Tuesday I met Cheryl at the pool for my first session. She took video of my stroke. The following videos show a pre and post look at my swim. I'm embarrased to say I've got a lot more work to do that I realized. We were joking about how we have this vision in our head of how we look when we swim, and we look a lot cooler in our head than in real life ...to actually see it is a little disturbing.

In this first video you will see several blatant problems with my stroke.

1. I have an extreme cross over...meaning that my arms cross the midline of my body. We all know that the shortest way to get from A to B is a straight line....well I am making an S shape which is making me extrememly inefficient. My hands should be hitting the water at 10 and 2....reather than 1 and 11 on the opposite sides. Being left handed, you will see that my right arm is much weaker giving even more of a crossover.

2. My legs/kick sucks. Look how far apart my legs are. This creates an enormous drag and eliminates almost all power from my kick. I had no idea that I swim with my legs apart.



In this second video I am making an effort to straighten out my stroke and keep my legs together. As you will see, I've still got a lot of work to do.



Hopefully, with a little work, I will soon be posting a follow-up video where I look like a guy who actually knows how to swim.

bs.

Rock and Roll Arizona 1/2 Marathon

Swim, Bike, Run, Work, Sleep, Repeat

As Ironman grows near, swimming, biking, and running will be a significant portion of my life. And this would lead any reasonable person to ask..."Why?" I get this question a lot. It's very expensive, it takes all my time, and it hurts like hell. Why in the world do I want to spend my time like this? And I've never had a good answer to this question until this week.....its about clarity.
For this brief period of time, I can escape the bullshit in my life, and really think through who and what is most important to me. Everything that is on my mind....work, home, friendships, relationships, money, family...it all becomes clear. I've cried during workouts, I've laughed out loud, and come to some serious decisions and conclusions about who I am during these times.
Somewhere on XM radio not too long ago I was listening to an interview with John Mayer. I've never been a big fan of his, however, what he was saying really resonated with me. He was talking about how music is his therapy..how when he straps on his guitar..he can work through the shit in his life. All his emotions come out, and for that period of time he can escape, and life becomes a little more clear. And while it is a gift he is given, it is also the way he knows how to process his world. Some Sing, Some Dance, Some Work, Some relax...its just the escape mechanism we need to process this world. What's yours?

Coming up next....Rock and Roll 1/2 Marathon 1/13/08

The Casa Grande Century

Rather than bore you with all the details of a day on a bike, I'll break it down by the highlights:
8:30am Meet coach and team at starting line in South Chandler. Ride Begins.

Mile 2
Feeling strong. Glad to be here. Intimidated by the 98 miles ahead. Thankful its not raining.

Mile 10
Begin slight climb around Northern perimeter of San Tan mountains. Riding in pace line...getting a strong draft...23-24mph pace

Mile 18
Light Rain...no problem

Mile 25
First Aid Station...eat granola bar...cup of gatorade...handful of M&Ms...2 pretzels

Mile 35
Heavy Rain...still holding pace line and great pace...feeling kinda hardcore

Mile 37
Flat tire...lost the groups...Coach stops with me...total downpour...change tire in 8 min 47sec in a muddy ditch...see mud on hands below



Mile 45
Raining so hard that we miss our turn and go off course. Cleats are so muddy that we can't clip in

Mile 50
Thinking about all of the other things I would like to be doing right now...rethinking this Ironman idea...seriously

Mile 55
Still Raining...Another Flat..takes 3 CO2 cartridges to fix the flat due to the valve being filled with mud. Wanting to quit, but can't b/c I'm in the middle of the desert.

Miles 55-70
Completely miserable...riding on a back soft tire due to the CO2 issues...rain stops

Mile 70
BBQ Lunch...heaters, coffee, cake, and a tire pump. I enjoyed all of these things. I reconnected with the Team at this point.

Mile 75
Feeling refuled and charged...legs are still strong...wanting to get the hell off of my bike...hammering hard to get it done.

Mile 90
Quads and Calves begin to seize...taking salt tablets..it works

Mile 95
Thinking about a hot shower and a massage

Mile 100
Hugs and High Fives with everyone at the finish line.

99 Days to Ironman

I was talking to a friend this morning and he asked me what I am doing this weekend. I quickly replied "Nothing". However, I remembered that I am doing my first Century ride (100 miles) with my coach on Sunday...so, I guess that's "something". I've never ridden more than 76 miles, so this could be a challenge. We'll be starting in Chandler and making a big southward loop down through Casa Grande....should be a good one...I'll tell ya about it.
Training overall has been going okay, just okay. I don't know, I just really haven't dedicated myself to it. The other night I was scheduled for a 12 mile run. It was 9pm, getting cold outside, and I had a lot on my mind. I wanted so badly to blow off this workout, but somehow found the energy to get my butt out of my chair and out the door. Something happened when I got out the door...maybe it was the power of Kelley Clarkson rockin in my ears..kidding...kinda...not really, but I felt instantly charged and managed to knock out 8.5 miles before my toes went numb.
My swim is okay...most of my workouts are supposed to be around 2200 meters, broken up into sets. In my last two sessions I managed to knock out a 750, and 1000 last night...I got bored and unmotivated, and ended up getting in the hot tub and sat there with a woman who was so enormous that I felt the water rise around me when she got in.

Current Playlist:

Dance Floor Anthem_Good Charlotte
Stupid Boy_Keith Urban
Little of Your Time_Maroon 5
Everloving_Moby
Sugar, We're Going Down Swinging_Fall Out Boy
Shambala_Three Dog Night
Shiver_Coldplay
Gold Digger_Kanye West
Stay_Dave Matthews Band
Drop it Like Its Hot_Snoop Dogg
Yellow_Coldplay
Keep your Hands to Yourself_The Georgia Satellites
The District Sleeps Alone Tonight_The Postal Service
Once In a Lifetime_Keith Urban
Stronger_Kanye West

5 Years

I spent a lot of time in my car today. The radio sucked and my CD collection is tired. As I was driving I realized that yesterday was my 5 year anniversary of living in Arizona. I entertained myself thinking about how I got to where I am in life today. The good, the bad, the embarrassing, the regrets. At some points I was laughing out loud, there was some cringing, and I even brought myself to tears. I was thinking about life changing decisions I have made through the years, and as recent as yesterday. It was interesting to think about significant points and decisions in my life that put me where I am right now. Where would I be if I turned left instead of right..took the blue pill instead of the red?

One day last January I was at work, sitting at my desk and my friend Jeff popped up on Google Talk...the following conversation ensued:



3:43 PM Jeffrey: Hey Man, I got a quote for you:

“Until one is committed, there is hesitancy, the chance to draw back, always ineffectiveness. Concerning all acts of initiative and creation, there is one elementary truth the ignorance of which kills countless ideas and splendid plans: that the moment one definitely commits oneself, then providence moves too. All sorts of things occur to help one that would never otherwise have occurred. A whole stream of events issues from the decision, raising in one's favor all manner of unforeseen incidents, meetings and material assistance which no man could have dreamed would have come his way. Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it. Begin it now.” – Goethe

for considering steps toward your new biz

3:46 PM me: wow, did someone tell you I am close to quitting

3:47 PM Jeffrey: yeah, Mandy

Me: man, that's really cool. I am going to print that out. I am very very close
had a great meeting today with my business partner

Jeffrey: You're thinkin about putting in your notice?

that's good

3:48 PM what's next?

me: yeah, ...possibly Monday

working on Marketing materials...brochure and sales presentation

3:49 PM Jeffrey: I could help you out with graphic design if you want

me: I would love for you to take a look at our logo

Jeffrey: I'll just track my hours, and you could pay me if the business is successful

3:50 PM me: ok, that would be cool

Jeffrey: of course, I bill at $10K an hour, totally worth it though

me: thats easy, I would have paid 15K
easy

Jeffrey: dang!

3:51 PM me: I gotta run..let's talk soon

Jeffrey: alright, ttyl

me: gotta get to the mailbox before 4

ttyl...thanks for the quote...I've been needing that kind of encouragement this week

Jeffrey: yeah, np

I printed out that quote, taped it to my computer, read it everyday, and, resigned from that miserable job a week later. That instant message conversation changed the course of my life. There is power and magic in boldness, in risks. I was hesitant to fully commit to what I wanted...and it was killing me. Since then, I was recruited for a great job, met some wonderful people, and took more risks that I never would have had the opportunity to take.