And the adventure continues...

Wow, it's been a long time. I think that's probably an understatement, given that my last post was in June of 2009.

Ah well, I won't let that bit slow me down.

The adventure certainly has continued, and continues each day.

And the training has started again. Without a goal race, I am wafting in the wind a little bit, but I am working out the details of that.

For those of you who have not been following along, there has been quite a bit of back and forth with me over the last two years. For me, it felt like things were stuck... and for all intents and purposes they were.

I was stuck.

The good news (or the news, if you will) is that I am no longer stuck.

Last year on my pilgrimage, I got clear... really clear, on what it was that I wanted... then I put the manifestation wheels into motion, and it seems that all pistons are firing now.

The intentions that I put out there are all in serious motion, the last bit is to start moving again... I would say competing, but I only really want to compete with me... so if competing describes what I am doing, then so be it :)

This is a short note... mainly to say that I am back on, and that I am moving forward again... for any of those that were watching ;)

Hugs all... and stand by for more. Soon. Very soon.

Clinton

And so it starts....

It is 1:11 AM on Monday morning, and I am putting the final touches on my preparation to leave on the next step of my journey.

I think that this is the pilgrimage that I aimed to start a little over two years ago. My friend Jason and I sat in a hot tub in Kananaskis, staring out at the mountains. I don't remember all of what was discussed, but we discussed the journey that I am about to embark on in rough terms.

That day has come.

I have filled my two bags with books that I will read, learn and grow from each day over the next 49 days... it was a challenge to fit everything that I wanted into my two bags, but I am happy to report that it is done!!

The clothing and technology represent the smallest of the lot, and the material to be absorbed represents the majority. This will be interesting.

I will be checking in three days a week to fill any of you who are interested in... on my learnings and experience as I progress through this adventure.

Before I sign off for this, my first post, I would like to thank everyone who helped make this journey possible. THANK YOU my friends... your efforts have not gone unnoticed, if even unmentioned. I love you all!!

Hugs everyone, and good night... I will continue on with my preparations, as I am almost finished!

First ride of the year...

I finally got off my arse and onto my bike, because I really did NOT feel like sitting on a trainer this year. It was harder than it should have been, but I haven't lost it all... if the weather keeps up, I will be back in business inside of four weeks.

And for the sake of saying so (because I know someone will ask) if the weather changes, I will sit on the trainer.

After all... there are only 97 days left until Blackfoot. Right Todd??

:))

It was good to great - I rushed back a bit because some of my bits (especially my toes and fingers) were getting uncomfortably cold, but I will dress better next time :))

Ok, back tomorrow.

Over and out my crazy friends.

Just go and do it for godssakes!

"What we think or what we know or what we believe is, in the end, of little consequence. The only consequence is what we do." John Ruskin

So, it seems that when Nike is saying "Just Do It" they are bang on.

Don't think about it, don't talk about it, don't even wonder about it, just frigging get out and do it.

Today was a good day, felt on track, and am on track. Got my brief workout in this morning, part of basecamp training... getting ready for the real deal, which is coming, just don't want to subject my body to too much shock too early on... though I did eat 18 egg whites today, which might have been a shock... but it's hard to say.

I like shocking my body a bit ;)

Hope you are all out there and awesome... yes, that's right :))

Over and out!

145 days and counting...

Well. Today was the first day of 90 days of life transformation.

How does that feel? Hmmm... seems yesterday I needed to do some binging and some purging, got that through with, so today I felt like a well used heel. Well, I can only imagine what a well used heel looks like... but I felt worse than a worn boot.

Yeah.

Good start.

Anyways, kept it real today, and I feel good going to bed, but was far too sore to consider running today. My first 5KM barefoot run was a bit rough on my calves, but it's no biggie. They will feel much better tomorrow. I am very confident in this. Nearly 100% confident.

Tomorrow will be better.

Much better.

Hasta luego....

147 Days to go...

The countdown is on, 147 days to Blackfoot, 10km in the bank... doesn't sound exciting, but it's a start. The goal is to work daily mileage up, gradually... to the point that I can do 100 miles in a week... or more.

So there we have it.

On to Sunday :)

Had I not been subject to darkness, I could not have seen the light.

I found that quote up on adbusters today, and I thought it awesome.

How true is that.

In hearing some people reflecting on 2008 and putting out hope or despair for 2009, I couldn't help but think - "what is good and what is bad really?"

Everything is relative - without having experienced something better, then there's nothing worse that whatever the best has been.

Hmmm... got me to thinking anyways. Those seemingly "dark moments" in our past have given us a reference point for the "beset times of our lives" so we have to be thankful for both - because it can sometimes be hard to be grateful for what we've got if we haven't a clue what the least that we could have looks like (so to speak).

So if you disagree, and really dislike the "dark moments" then perhaps it's a time to reflect on life and find whatever you have got, and really be grateful for what you have, because without even experiencing the worst, you know it's out there (just read the news :)

Got that - instead of fearing the worst, be grateful for what you've got, which may not be the best, but it's pretty darned good compared to the worst :))

Ok, down from my box :))

I'm in Canmore (well, just outside of Canmore really) and it's cold. Really cold. I didn't pack for the weather, and as such, wasn't able to make it outdoors for a run yesterday... so I am holding out until I get home, where it's even colder, to run on my treadmill. I plan to head home around noon today :))

The good news is, it is a bright and sunshiney day :))

I hope everyone is off to a fantastic start in 2009 - keep me posted on life!!

Over and out.

4.45 down 155.55 to go...

To some it might seem formidable, but it really shouldn't be. In the first 30 days, it's my goal to roll through only 100 miles, or 160 kilometers.

Once that's done the number will double.

So, I started my run at about 11:58 and wrapped it up at about 25 minutes past 12... once again, I ran into the new year, and it felt "good" - not nearly enough running lately, so it was harder than it should have been, and the dry air on the lungs is always great... but it's a start, and I'm only one hour into the new year.

Yeeha!

Ok, so I this blog reads like a who's who of where the heck is Matt... but I assure you, I am back on here, and daily. Even if it's just to fill you in on my 5km run of the day. I promise it will get more exciting - it's gotta get more exciting, because I have a lot planned.

Oh yeah, Blackfoot is in 149 days and counting. My watch is here to remind me.

50 miles in 149 days... no problemo.

Ok, enough for that for now... much more to follow. January 31 is a big day, mark it on your calendar and call me to find out what, if anything, happened on that day :)

Finally, before I forget, HAPPY NEW YEAR to everyone, even if I didn't get a chance to talk to you in 2008 - thanks for being a part of my life. I am grateful for everyone's contribution in 2008, you all helped me to get me where I am, and I am eternally grateful.

THANKS A MILLION - and here's to the best year yet, 2009!!

Peace out my friends!

FTS vs DNF

Wow, it's been since July... and almost every post in the last year makes mention of how I have failed to post for a period of time. This changes today. Time to post :)

This year I posted a record number of FTS's - it's a bit embarrassing to admit, but an FTS is a Fail To Show. If I count the number of races that I signed up for and failed to attend, that was a new record. If I count all the things in life that I committed to and failed to appear at, I may have not only set a personal record, but a regional record.

If it sounds like I am being hard on myself, you are probably right. It's about time to be hard on me. And it is time to change the behavior.

So... per the title, FTS vs DNF - it goes like this. If you start a race and don't finish, that's a DNF. That can be very uncomfortable for most of us. Failing to finish something that we start is very bothersome.

FTS - I have coined this phrase, or at least I am taking credit today for the acronym. We have all failed to show for something or another... and I think it bothers all of us, very probably MORE than failing to finish.

This isn't about excuses folks, because excuses are never a reason for failure. Excuses are useless.

So I won't bother with excuses, reasons or justifications - real or not.

I haven't been showing up. Not for races. Not for life.

Today I am showing up. And I remain accountable to me.

I hope everyone out there in my world is having an awesome day. Mine is awesome, so I will leave you with my thought for today.

If you think that world peace and universal love are not possible, it's high time to start thinking outside the box.

Over and out my crazy friends. I need to get a run in, before I forget what running is :))

Hugs.

The Big Deal About Water

Water is the source of life on this planet. Without water, we would not exist. It is in every living cell and organism. We cannot function without water... in fact, the human body is 75% water (optimally).

So why, then, do so many of us find it difficult to believe that we need to be drinking enough water each and every day?

Now, with that said, our drinking water is also not necessarily perfect – did you know that the US Environmental Protection Agency has identified over 700 pollutants that regularly appear in drinking water (both from municipal water sources in additiona to water taken from wells or springs). The scary part is this – the EPA only monitors a select few organic and inorganic chemicals that could potentially be in your water!!

Where shoud I get my water?
There are a number of ways to get clean water, but your best bet is a good quality filtration system. If you choose to filter only the water that you drink, you should be sure to store your water in a ceramic or glass container to avoid contamination (as you have all likely heard, plastic is not the ideal way to store your water). Consider getting a filter for your shower as well – because bathing in the stuff is much the same as drinking it (your skin is your largest organ).

How much water should I drink?
Often people rely on the 8-10 rule, which is 8-10 glasses (8oz each) but folks that are drinking this much water are probably shooting a bit low. A good formula to use is this – take your current body weight in pounds and divide that number in half. Drink that much water in ounces in a day (32 ounces equals one litre). For example – if you weigh 160lbs, you should be drinking 80 ounces of water a day, or around 2.5 litres per day. Of course, if you exercise frequently or spend a lot of time in the heat be sure to up this number accordingly.

What about milk, juice, pop and coffee?
While made up of water, these things are not quite the same – we were designed to drink water, nothing else. Pop is full of sugar, and diet pop is full of nasty chemicals... none of which you need. Fruit juice is highly processed fruit and is also surprisingly full of sugar. You are much better off eating the fruit than trying to get your nutritents from the juice. Milk – well, it’s a long story, but suffice it to say – humans are the only animals on the earth that drink breast milk past the point of weaning – never mind drinking the milk of ANOTHER ANIMAL.

You will notice that a great many people are sensitive to dairy, and this is not by chance – we were never meant to consume the stuff!! I know that the marketing has told you something entirely different, but you can do the math if you think about it. Dairy is not good – and I will address this further in another article. As for coffee – I don’t like to be the bearer of bad news, but the caffeine isn’t that great for us (it is an addictive drug, after all) and is best avoided. It is worth noting that the effects of caffeine do not end at stimulation – it is also a diuretic, which does not help with our “hydration problem”. If you are a big coffee drinker, try to reduce your consumption – you will feel a lot better in the end.

Summary
Water equals life and subsequently health on this planet, so drink your share of clean pure water. If you can, invest in a high quality water filter – and skip the bottled water - it isn’t good for the environment and isn’t that great for you (most of it is just filtered tap water, and it’s been sitting in a plastic bottle for far too long).

Beauty

All the beauty in the world exists within you. You will only come to see it when you come to know you, and the only way to do that is to move within you, and to wake up from the sleep that you are what this world has made you.

What does this mean to you?

Have you found the beauty? All the beauty in the world?

Share it with the rest of the reading world...

Hit comment below.

c

Time for some gratitude....

That last post didn't have enough gratitude, but that's ok... because there is always the next installment. So here it is folks... my gratitude... umm... prayer/poem/run on sentence

To all of you
Far and wide
I am grateful to you
Yes you
And even you

You have taught me something
That I needed to learn
And if I didn't learn today
You will remind me again tomorrow
In your special way

And for that
I am grateful
Eternally grateful
Thank you

You were there when I rose
And there when I fell
You didn't judge
Even if it didn't look it
You supported me

I am grateful
For all that you give
For all that you take
For all that you are
For all that you aren't

You mean everything to me
And for that
I am thankful
Grateful
You
Yes you

Life is an adventure...

I have been accused of being too whimsical on my blog, despite my real lack of anything remotely like a post for a while :))

teehee

Life is like a... well.. it's like an adventure. Each day is new, every moment has the potential for challenge and change. Challenge. I like that word.

(perhaps too much)

This weekend was about challenge I think. New classes starting, everything is busy... phones, emails and the rest of it... but there was more challenge to be had than your average weekend.

Meh, I guess that's part of the adventure.

It sometimes feels like this is all a test, and that there's a right choice and a wrong choice, and if you mess it up... you will end up where you don't want to be.

I suppose it's a bit like that.

Anyways, I digress.

This weekend the challenges included a long bike ride. I rode out to Bragg Creek and back, with the help of Allyson. Her back was all messed up, so she was my "support crew" - mostly that meant that she was responsible for ensuring that my arse got outta bed on Saturday morning, onto the bike, and to Bragg Creek. Without her, I wouldn't have made it... onto the bike :)

Surprisingly the ride out and back was simple. It wasn't really painful at all... not even my butt, which has not been on a bike for too long... which surprised me. Either way, it seems that I still have a significant base in the tank, which I dig.

Supremely.

I was pushing out around 34 km/h out and back on average... though my speedometer was working only when it felt like it, seemed to be the case.

The way back seemed a lot shorter :))

You ever have one of those days?

I had someone, who shall remain nameless, that I placed a great deal of trust in... more than anyone to date really... and she burned me. Hard. Harder than I have been burned before. And I got notice just before I started the ride back.

So, one might say that anger fueled that ride back. Seemed like it took about ten minutes to get from Bragg Creek back to home... all the while I had an audio CD rambling on in my ear about something. I don't know that I really heard a word of it... though I did hear the first part on the way out, and it was making a lot of sense to me... I couldn't quite wrap my head round what he was saying on the way back.

Ah well.

The ride was solid, that was what was really important about the day. Not the rest of the garbage that went on this weekend.

Too much garbage.

Garbage truck won't show up until Thursday.

Dammit!

Peace out my crazy friends... I love you all. Well, almost all of you ;)

teehee

me

100 miles an hour

With my hair on fire.

Yes, that's how it has been. Most days I don't know what day it is... so I made the executive decision to change my watch so that it displays the day of the week instead of the month (I could care less what month it is, but I do care what day of the week it is, as this dictates when I have to be where).

So there we have it.

It is Sunday now, and in two minutes it will be Monday.

And the work isn't remotely finished.

With Brooke and Jenn's help, I have turned my house into a home in about a month. I'm still not done though, and the CCRA will be sending out the search party soon if I don't get my poop together.

Bah, taxes.

:))

Tonight I talked to a buddy who is going through the life change windmill. He is positive. Life is headed in the right direction.

Always is.

I know it :))

Awesome.

So... I figured it was time to stop in and update my blog, as I have been more than delinquent with keeping my peeps up to speed on life in general.

I have decided that 2008 will be about things Ultra.

Forget about normal, this is the year to get hardcore. I have signed up for two 24 hour events this fall, and for now I will keep the balance of the details under my hat... maybe to see who is still reading.

Who is out there??

:))

Now, registering was the easy part... getting my ass out the door to get this done... well, that will be easy too. Soon.

Very soon.

Ok, enough of that... I have one million things to do, and it is Monday already!!

Hugs and love to all my friends out there, wherever you may be.

Hope life is awesome!!

Wheeeeeeeee....

Where to begin?

How about this?

Thank you everyone... I couldn't have done it without you!

It has been one year ago since my humble beginnings at Prince's Island Park in Calgary, and I am happy to say that Survivor Bootcamp has become a resounding success.

A success beyond my wildest dreams at that point in time.

My vision is coming to fruition and I could not be more happy or more grateful.

Thank you to all, far and wide, for bringing me to where I am today!!!

April 30, at the windmill, it started.

Awesome.

Crazy awesome!!

:))

Hugs all... miss you!!

me

Start your engines!

Well, yesterday saw the start of a new session with roughly 100 new clients starting, it was a busy day to say the least.

Almost all moved into the new digs, but still cannot find anything but the bathroom, the bedroom and my computer ;)

Maybe next week.

Trade show in Calgary this weekend, bound to be fun :))

(ok, not so much :)

Training this morning included a whopping 1km swim with paddles. 20 minutes. Tomorrow 2km. Thursday 3km. Friday back to 4km. The arms were not the biggest fan of this idea, but whatever. Suck it up princess ;))

Back at home right now, running back in at 10.

Nap time.

:))

16.5km on board for run today, let's get it done.

How's my peeps in virualand?

hugs all.

over/out

Clinton

The time is now...

I have had to sit and think about things for a bit, but I think I have the plan for the season down... and I think that I have a plan... that I should share with the masses.

(welcome masses)

:))

I only have two official races planned for the year, and the rest is going to be made up as I go, but I have made a decision to do an ultra this year... not sure which one, but I will keep you posted.

I think that the Death Race is calling my name, as much as I hate to admit it... but it is doable, as I have time to get my lazy winter arse ready to do this thing.

Ah yes... I agreed to teach an intermediate-advanced running course starting April 5th at a downtown club. I am really keen to get that started - once a week, but will be providing everyone a training plan going forward... really want to get the people running, and running fast :)

Awesome.

What else?

Business is going gangbusters, and everything is coming together perfectly... I am very excited about the upcoming season, as we are going to have a lot of fun this summer!

A LOT!!

Woohoo... folks, the party is very nearly started :)

Yes.

Let's get on with training.

...

I will see about an update tomorrow with the plan!!

over/out

hugs all

me

Letting go of it all...

Life is funny.

Have I said that before?

Yeah, I think that I really have :))

The lesson of the year is about letting go. Attachment to all things holds us back. Detachment allows us to move forward.

Like really.

It's not complicated - it's like trying to drive around in your car with your emergency brake on. You will move forward, but not likely very quickly, and not without smoke ;)

I have confirmed that life is just like that.

You take that brake off, and you move forward. It is inevitable... it is beautiful.

Life is awesome... some days it's hard to get out of bed in the morning, but that doesn't mean I am not enjoying myself, it just means that sleep is optional right now ;)

teehee

So... where are you at my friends?

There's a few of you out there that have put miles on in the way of progress in the last two years, but I haven't heard from you. I trust that all is well... but feel free to tell me how it's going.

I love hearing from you, even if you don't hear from me... know that :)

Things are progressing rapidly, business is set to more than triple this year, and I know it will... just putting all the people and the pieces into place to ensure our success in the coming years. It's looking awesome, and I am stoked.

I am moving in a few weeks... as much as I despise moving, I am going to have an abundance of help, and it's time to lose the attachment to some of the material things that I have grown attached to in my life, along with the slightly less material things ;)

Woohoo!!

I think that a celebration is in order - soon I think.

Ok folks... hold me to that.

:)

Stand by for more... it's coming!!

AWESOME!!

:)

¿San Jose?

Well... I find myself in San Jose, met up with Alli and Dexter in Cañas yesterday to see a housing project in progress... pretty nice stuff, well constructed and yet affordable. Sweet.

Dexter was awesome in driving us all over the countryside, and we ended back up in San Jose, nothing spectacular to report here, and we probably should have headed North from Cañas to be sure.

So today, I think it will be our mission to head from San Jose to near Liberia, or right back into Liberia. Time will tell... we do not have a schedule yet.

Last night we stayed in the lap of luxury - a bed and breakfast for $70, which actually included breakfast and HOT water. Well, warm water... but it was the closest thing to hot that I have experienced (minus the sun) since I arrived last Monday. Hot shower was awesome!

Not a lot to report, but thought I would post a quickie anyways...

Hope all is well, if even cold, back home. I will be ¨back in it¨ within about 48 hours.

Umm... yeah, looking forward to that.

See you all soon!

Hola de Montezuma!

En caso de que las playas estén calientes, las mujeres hermosas, y la cerveza está fría. Lección uno para hoy: llevar dinero en efectivo para Montezuma!

Ok... just to expand on the above - lesson one for today... bring CASH to Montezuma!! There is no bank here, no bank machine, and no way to access money. A good portion of today was spent driving around in a pseudo-taxi from town to town, through the bush it would seem. Anyways... suffice it to say, bring cash to Montezuma (I am certain it says that in the guide book, but seeing as I don't have one... I wouldn't know ;)

teehee

So... I didn't spend a day in the sun and I was burned... and I have been burned in more than one way now (for instance, the $40 cab ride to get cash today was a pretty good burn ;) Sonofa.

Ok... enough about burning.

Montezuma is beautiful, relatively quiet, and I believe it to be pretty safe... everything seems to be pretty relaxed here. Relaxed is what I dig :)

Awesome.

I hope that this message finds you all well and warm back home... it is frigging hot here!

(ok, enough taunting I suppose)

Hope everyone is well, check back for another dispatch soon!!

Hugs...

Clinton