grand

He said the grand finale would be one to remember, blow your mind, never the same again. And . . . it was, it did, and shall be.

The path unfolds as we live each day, breathing in the morning sun and out the midnight moon.

What an absolutely awesome day it was today, perfect in every way.

I woke to something new which felt almost forgotten yet somewhat familiar. I lived something new, which was most definitely familiar and certainly of ancient verse.

It was and is that which draws from inward and outward, but with limitless boundaries, a place where in between is only an idea from a close yet far, a place other than down, which is only be seen from up, a place where there is only around here and possibly now.

Sometimes things seem to make a little bit more sense, and tonight is one of those times.

Far too much for the blogspot.com world, so I'm heading upstairs to the Journal.

Rest well.

The Robot

1st we dance the Robot,

then down to business.Thanks to Shishir for sharing with us the secrets of the Universe tonight.

Rest well.

Moondance

Well, It's a marvelous day; it's a marvelous night. A day and night to walk through the doors of perception.

It's looking 2/3 full tonight and totally bright.

A while ago I was given a great piece of advice regarding some knee issues. The conversation went a little something like this: "My knee has been soar for a little while." "Well, you had better deal with that."

Awesome. Deal with that. Figure it out. Exactly what I needed to hear. It's a matter of actively dealing with it.

The body is great at dealing with things, maintaining homeostasis, keeping things steady and on the level. There's a certain amount of energy within the body which is delegated accordingly.

There are however, infinite sources of energy within the Universe which can be used by the body. We can choose to connect and direct. This goes for both the energy within and the energy without.

Choose to direct, and deal with that. It's an active allowing action.

We have had some outstanding training over the past few days. Our coaches have done an phenomenal job this year preparing us. We are fit, we are fast, we are healthy, we are happy and we are ready to race.

Friday was one of the best days ever. Sweet swim in the morning, of the drafting variety. I had fun toying with the inner swimmer, teasing and coaxing him/her out for a play.

Frequency run with the A-Russ. Perfect planning for the final track workout. Let's make the alpha motor neurons fired up and ready to go.

The track workout was sweet. As it was our last one of the year, it finished shirtless and sockless in the flats. AP as usual, the king of perfect pacing. Wicked awesomeness.

Next was some nice ice in Cadboro Bay, keeping eyes peeled for the Cadborosaurus of course; followed by an extended ice, which was very nice.

Thanks for a great day.

Saturday was our final T1 swim practice in Durrance. I am definitely looking forward to swimming there when the pools close. My taper began a little early, with a shout out to Steve Keeler. Thanks for the sewing lesson.

On Saturday night, the Jazz man and I reinvented the Olympics in a totally crazy, totally cool way. Just about every sport has a twist. Laughing is great.

The taper continued on Sunday and recovery really started to happen around 11:30am.

Today we were back in the pool and I'm just about off for class #3.

Salsa a Chili con Crosso Bikeo

Rest well.

1/2 a Pie

Is in the sky.

The word awesomeness pops up every now and then. Think for a minute what absolute awesomeness actually is. Wow. Awesomeness.

This evening's awesomeness was on and above the beach of peace, eventually to be surrounded by the mist of peace. What holds together the peace is the real Absolute Awesomeness.

Good swim and a great exploring ride. Andrew and I made our way out to the 100 Acre Wood in search of that secret road off Caleb Pike. I know it's out there. Bound and determined, this Fall we will cross ride each and every driveway to find the infamous Caleb Pike - Thetis Lake connector trail.

Rest well.

Thanks

It's only been 3 weeks, and I've completely forgotten what I wrote. Now, it's sealed and vaulted, so I will wait until next year.

A few big days of training and I'm feeling awesome. Definitely enjoying the new diet and exercise routine.

Tuesday morning swim was in between regen and effort. I think I may have found where the inner swimming genius lives. I was looking low, and it's definitely high. Due to the shyness factor it may take some work to start conversation rolling, but things look promising for the future.

Mid-day visit to the observatory for some climbing time, and an afternoon run at the Lakes. Sweet run Andrew. That's perfect Kelowna heat prep. Great chat with Cpt. Sco Dags. Thanks dude man.

Many thanks to ShiShiri from the Centre. Really positive evening.

Morning and a lake swim. It was great to see the group again. Thanks to Thetis Lake for being a perfect paradise. Thanks to PK for a good post run chat.

Evening ride of the Wallace West Saanich Loop. Scotty, Andrew, AP, that was some solid riding. If you care about the numbers, well there's even more reason to be happy.

Many thanks to Elizabeth for our final Hatha session of the season. You have taught us all valuable lessons over the past few months.

I think dinner's just about ready.
Cross is coming,

Rest well.

Sweet day eh?

The hands carry memories of a today's play.

Rock climbing hands might feel blistered and used, the awesome end of rock climbing used feeling. They're dry from chalk, and dirty from the wall, perhaps worn from belaying. When you bend your fingers, you can feel each and every crease and fold. Great feeling.

Working with sheep on the farm also leaves distinctive hand memories. The feeling of lanolin on the skin is like no other. Waterproof to the extreme, a little waxy, surly used, and ready for recovery. Almost bomb proof feeling.

Dingy sailing hands. Kind of crackly from the salt, and abrased from the sheets. They're awoken from the sun, and have a similar to rock climbing feel when you bend your fingers. It's great to feel this feeling tonight.

Today was a sweet day both in and on the water. Start the day in Thetis for a perimeter loop. Every few weeks I hop in on these extended low end swim sets. Thanks for the swim this morning.

Next stop is on the water, Laser style. After a few hours on the water I found myself flying about 500m off 10mile point. Wow, I am cruising right now. Wait . . . I have been cruising in the same spot for about 10 minutes. Current.

Sometimes the only logical choice is to sail up the current.

Today, in order to find clean water and make it home, that was the way. Ok, now I know I'm sailing into the current, and to make headway, something must change.

Well, what are my sources of power and resistance? That big white thing above the water is power, and that little white thing below the surface is resistance.

Allow the big white thing to catch as much wind energy as possible. Catch all the wind you can, and turn it into power.

Now, the little white thing. I'm reaching down wind right now. Do I really need the little white thing? Pull it up so we're no longer catching a resisting current.

Success. Sailing up the current, with little extra effort required. Sometimes all it takes is first an awareness of your source of power and resistance, then setting your sails and foils accordingly.

Ride the wind. Ride the waves.

All those returning from PEI tomorrow, have a safe and smooth flight back.

Rest well.

Fun in the Sun

Today my bro, yes the G-man, the G-money-honey, the G-tar himself and I went down to Caddy bay for some sailing, courtesy of Patrick and his two Lasers! Awesome sailing adventure. Thanks for the key. It's always an adventure.

Ok, how do we rig these things again? Wow, it's been a while. Still, it comes back quickly. Out the bay, through Banes channel to Chatham Island, round the Chain of Islands, and play with the seals. Race to the red light house, back to the Chain and drum a beat on the hull. Synchronize with the gulls. Cruise back in for dinner. The inner kite is happy. Top it off with BC Day Fireworks from the porch. Awesomeness.

Great day Graeme! Thanks for watching Self Transcendence race this morning too.

Great work this morning by the Sri Chinmoy Marathon team putting together another outstanding event. I was talking with another athlete after the race and we both decided there is something special about this race. It's definitely the most relaxed atmosphere of any race we could think of. At the same time it's safe, well organized, and fun! The Sri Chinmoy Spirit of Self Transcendence definitely carries through the event.

Thanks once again to Elk Lake, the Saanich Peninsula, and the trails for being there today. I always appreciate spending time with you.

Mix Master Mike, I'm looking forward to the day we can race the real deal. Until then, this or perhaps a 70.3 will suit. Scotty, it looks to me like you are coming into good form for Kelowna. 2 weeks to go, let's make it a great set!

Sounds like it was an eventful day out in Summerside PEI too. Great racing all around! I'm looking forward to hearing racing and weekend stories upon your westerly return.

I just remembered something I thought of a few years ago. I need to go write this down.

Thanks for Sunday. See you Monday.

Rest well.