Don’t you just love it when a plan comes together?

I’ve been working on something for the last month or so and 2 days ago it finally happened.

The travel business that I own is kind of like a franchise model and we have 10 of these offices covering the city. We all work very well together for the “good of the brand” which is awesome and it’s also great to have the opportunity to see the other owners on a regular basis.

Anyway:

The local Triathlon Club is having a “Festival of Triathlon” race day comprising a number of different races from absolute beginners through to an elite race (and everything in between) – they have been looking for a naming sponsor and we are it.

This is awesome and will be a win-win for us all I’m sure. I’ll put a link to the website when it’s all up and running in a few weeks so you can see what it’s all about but in the interim, here’s a couple of pictures of where the event will be held.


Enjoy

That's me in the middle (with the swim cap in my hand)

Friend

A number of weeks ago I was given news that someone I know has been diagnosed with very aggressive breast cancer and one of her breasts had to be removed as it has gotten into the lymph nodes.

This is not good. She has been told that she does not have much time left. She is 38 years old, married with 3 kids under 5.


This was told to me by a mutual friend who knew that I used to work with this woman a number of years ago – we started working in travel at the same time, in the same office. We went our own way after a number of years and I worked for her when I returned to New Zealand after getting married in Canada. We worked together again for about a year and then I moved on to manage my own travel office ( for the same company ) and we went to a number of managers conferences together . After another 2 years I left that company to start my own travel business and as the industry is a small one, we’ve crossed paths over the last 6 years ( she also lives very close and does her shopping in the same shopping centre where my office is now )

Anyway – she has just popped into the office to see me and say hi – she truly looked sad and not the same person that I once knew. We chit chatted about stuff and I could see that she was hurting. I told her that if she needed anything that I was here for her. We hugged, she cried, I nearly did as well.
She wants me to book her final family holiday.

I was very humbled and you cannot imagine how difficult it is to write this.

Sometimes things happen and we don’t understand why, sometimes it doesn’t pay to wonder why either.

Reflection

Last week I read a post on a blog I follow – her name is Jill and she is a tri-athlete starting out in her triathlon endeavours ( very similar to me ) and I enjoy reading her posts.


She has just had her 29th birthday and she really, really loves to celebrate her birthdays and this got me thinking.

I have a birthday coming up very soon and don’t like celebrating my birthdays.

It’s got nothing to do with age and I have no problem with waking up next Sunday and being 44 years old – I am comfortable with this but every year, around this time I’m always thinking the same thing.

People always ask – what do you want for your birthday and I always answer, “nothing” – truth be known, there is only one thing that I want and unfortunately there is no chance that it will never happen.
This will be the 10th birthday without my dad and the 4th without my mum.

10 years ago, in February 1999 I lost my dad and every year, I struggle with this.

One thing he taught me was always live your life to the full and if you want to do something then just go out and do it – the only thing that will stop you is you.

9 years ago, I met the person that, as soon as I met her, I knew I would be spending the rest of my life with. Next year we will celebrate 10 years married. The only downside is that she never got the opportunity to meet him and him to meet her.

I have so many great memories, this is what keeps me going in tough times and come the 24th of July – I’ll just take a moment to myself and have a quiet word with him.

Winners

I was gutted when I got injured in the first game of the soccer season and it has been bloody difficult to go down and just watch the guys play week in and week out.

BUT

They say the beer tastes better when you win, and today we won the league. YAY go the boys!!!!!

2 photos - the first is the winning goal (see the ball in the back of the net) and the second pic is of the team - looking pretty happy and enjoying the beer.

 

Standing L-R, Sterlo, Jimmy, Pricy, Aaron, Gordy, Scott, Grant, Carl, Me, Webby, Mick and AB
Sitting L-R, Digger, Chris, Geno and Phil.

Winners: 2010 - Masters Division 4, Mainland Football League

Random Post

I think I have an obsession with Oakley sunglasses – here is my collection (there are probably another 4 or 5 pairs that over the years sadly, never made the photo and are in bits)

Do I have a problem???

Rehab

Acupuncture

I have to admit that my initial thoughts were of scepticism and that has to be from my first appointment about a week after my surgery. My knee was still very swollen at that stage and I think that the discomfort I was feeling, was a result of the stress of the operation and the longhaul flights I was due to depart on a few days later.

BUT I have to say that I’m feeling a bit better about this form of treatment. I had another session earlier this week (my 4th one) and I feel a difference – didn’t think that I’d hear myself say that when my wife originally suggested it to me.
She hardly ever reads this blog so I think I’m safe putting this in writing – she was right and I was wrong about acupuncture.

Pretty quiet week this week, just concentrating on work and keeping the bike riding to the weekends – we are in the middle of winter right now so it’s dark when I go to work and it’s dark when I get home. Had plans to get back in the pool this week but 2 staff out of the office put pay to that idea. Being the boss is great, I can come and go as I please, but I also have to make sure that the office is well staffed before I go off and do my own thing. The pressures of it!!!!!

Still waiting on the dates to be released for the Contact Tri Series here in New Zealand – this is a series of races over the summer around the country but this week I have entered the first 3 races of the summer AND I have also booked our accommodation for another race in January.

I think I need to get a wall planner for home (I have a list of events I’m planning to enter on my work computer) to keep track of these. I’m also planning on speaking to a couple of coaches to see if this is what I need. I know I’m just starting out but there are a few long term goals that I am thinking about and I guess the best thing to do is seek some advice and see if I am being realistic or not.

One thing I learned long ago – if in doubt about anything, seek advice from those that know.

Have a great weekend and be safe out there!!

Weekend

Had a great Sunday – the puppies got us up early but today, this was a good thing as I had taped the Argentina vs Germany game and wanted to watch it early so we could go out and get our “stuff done”
I planned on a bike ride for the afternoon as the weather forecast was for an awesome winters day, blue sky, sunshine and a high of 12 degrees – nice!!!!

Check out the pic – this was taken about 6.30am, I left a tee shirt on the line and it’s frozen, not Nth America cold but cold enough!!!

Anyway – watched the game and have to say that Germany made the Argies look like a second rate team – with a performance like that, it’s hard to see any other team hold the trophy aloft. They’ll be dancing in the streets in Berlin come the 15th of July.

We then headed out to do our normal Sunday morning thing – check out a few shops, do the food shopping and stopped by a garden centre to find a small tree for a vacant spot – we’ve been looking at this spot for about 4 months now and finally decided to do something about it!!

Stopped off for a chicken kebab for lunch – mmm, bloody beautiful and home by about 12.30.

Got my kit on and went out for a ride – it felt really good, did about 14km and managed to hold a good pace throughout so was very pleased – the old legs felt a bit like jelly after that but it’s just a start.

Another picture – me in my kit (sponsored by my work, nice)




Made lamb shanks in the crock-pot for dinner – another beautiful meal put together by the wife – she really spoils me (have I mentioned that before?) and pretty much spent the rest of the evening catching up on some recorded TV. I jumped on the work laptop and did a little bit of work but just to save me an hour or so on Monday so I could sneak away to the pool for a midday swim BUT 2 staff out today ill so no swim for me today – bugger.