Wednesday, December 31, 2008

I've Been Sick . . .

The past couple of days, so I've been kind of mia lately.  The good news is that I am feeling better already.

I wanted to say Happy New Year to everyone, and I hope that for most 2009 is better than 2008.  For myself, I've thought long and hard, and other than being engaged and hopefully getting married, I don't think that I can possibly beat 2008!  For me, 2008 was great! ;)
Right off the bat, the bike thing has already fallen through!  but as always, it hopefully happened for a reason.  Last year I set a goal of a new bike, so I've saved up since last year and no matter what, I'll end up with a new bike to meet and accomplish another one of my goals!
for 2009, I will not be making any New Years Resolution, but I again will be setting "goals."

Saturday, December 27, 2008

The Long Run

Thursday, December 25, 2008

Merry Christmas to All!

Here is an update of what I have been doing since I've been home.
First, I Rode My Bike, with some crazy strangers that I randomly met on the road!
ruff riders.jpg
This is how we ride in South Texas  "Rough Ryderz!"  (notice Ed with the one hand)
3 pack.jpg
The next day, I Rode My Bike with my brother in law.
mark.jpg
We stopped halfway through our ride to refuel
refuel.jpg
The day after that, I Rode My Bike
I did most of my riding with Eddie, he's been helping critique my new bike!
madone47_whiteblack
We got a good little ride in on Christmas Day!
Dirk.jpg
For the next couple of days I will hopefully be riding more miles, but I am still stretching my legs right now trying to get readjusted to cycling again!

Sunday, December 21, 2008

Saturday, December 20, 2008

I Freaked Out ...

Yesterday I woke up in Atlanta, GA.  This is nothing new, but this morning I woke up in Edinburg, TX.  Since we went to the show last night, we could say that I was up at 2am TX time and went to bed at one.  I like to leave the curtains open , so that I can be waken up by the natural sun light.  Well this morning, I woke up in my own bed, staring into my own backyard!  What a strange feeling!

Thursday, December 18, 2008

Home-

I've booked my flight out of Atlanta, and should be in by the afternoon, just in time for cirque du soleil! 
I know that I am cutting it short!  But I am leaving a day early and it was my last day of work for the rest of the year!  I have a lot of cycling planned especially since my knee is still bumbed and probably shouldn't have run the Las Vegas Marathon!  hmm, never mind!  I don't regret that at all!  See You Guys Soon!

Monday, December 15, 2008

Check Out the New Links!

There have been a few changes with my blogger links on the side bar, first I have added a few people that I've been following through RSS Feed, but never found the time to add "officially"
First I'll start with

Justin Farmer
- A great contribution to "The Valley" cycling/racing, hes' hooked up with Clif Bars and Crocs! Check out the link to see his new jersey design for 09'

3 Sport Cat
- Aw, an oldie but a goodie, Kathleen is a runner, gone cyclists, gone swimmer, gone Triathlete. I also have been following her new blog through RSS Feed. She loves to bake SnickerDoodles while enjoying endurance sports!

Tinker Juarez
- If you don't know who Tinker Juarez is, then you are probably lost and came to this blog on accident. For Piojo and I, he's been a cycling legend. I've been fortunate enough to meet him in Las Vegas and hook him up with some product! Check out his blog to see his recent bad crash!

And as much as I HATE to leave a blog posting on a bad note! I've removed Nick Martin! I used to be a fan, after all, I did design his blog banner and he hooked me up with some of his personal items such as duffel bags, stickers, and even a race number (mud and all) but his blog has lacked any type of attention since he got married about a year ago, and it seems pointless to leave it in the links!

Sunday, December 14, 2008

Saturday, December 13, 2008

Bike Hero!

If you have ever played Rock Band, or any games of that nature, and if you love bikes in general, then this is the video for you !


Embedded Video

Tuesday, December 09, 2008

Go Elf YoursELF!

Send your own ElfYourself eCards

Monday, December 08, 2008

Las Vegas Marathon 2008 Recap!

So another year completed with the Crocs Marathon Tour.
This is always the hardest part for me because living a life on the road and living that life with other people on the road is what creates true quality friends.  I have had to say good bye for the last time to some unbelievable people.  The likely hood that I will run into them again in the future is slim to none, but this is how things work.  I am just fortunate that I have had an amazing last two years and experienced, seen, done, touched, and smelled so many beautiful things that this world has to offer.

I know that I promised photos from Europe, but this weekend, and unplanned as usual, I ended up running my 7th Half Marathon YTD.

I don't know if I'll continue running or if I am looking forward to "maybe" being able to focus on the bike again or both.  I don't know what next year has to offer me, and I feel like it would be impossible to top this year!  But I sure will have fun trying to do it!

Here are the photos from the Las Vegas Marathon Weekend-

Vegas
lets just say that the Penny Slots are VERY addicting! :)
Amanda Rock and Roll
The King!
SexyPhone
Beer, Cops, Elvis, Vegas
cops beer elvis vegas
Becca Rock
Just Married
Apparently there was a run through wedding , which ONLY makes sense in Las Vegas!

Thursday, November 27, 2008

A Couple of More Days

Just a couple of more days until I hit some dry land. We dock this cruise ship in Manhattan, NYC.
From there I will probably go to Chicago for a couple of days, head out to Texas, or just go to Vegas early. I have not made up my mind yet. It's been one HUGE adventure!

Saturday, November 22, 2008

Across the Atlantic

For those of you that know me well, know that I am always and forever checking things off "The List."
Right now I am ending my tour of Europe and crossing the Atlantic Ocean that will take around six days to do. We will finish the excursion in NYC.
I will try my hardest to check in and out, but paying 100 bucks for 250 minutes is a pretty penny!
What can you ask for when you are stuck on a cruise ship and "they" are the only source of internet access, since WiFi is not "readily" available!
So expect a ton of pictures from
Barcelona, Spain
Pisa, Italy
Rome, Italy
Corsica, France
and
Magala, Spain!

Saturday, November 15, 2008

Agbar Tower, Barcelona

A unique feature of the building is its nocturnal illumination. It has 4,500 LED luminous devices that allow generation of luminous images in the facade. In addition, it has temperature sensors in the outside of the tower that regulate the opening and closing of the glass blinds of the facade of the building, reducing the consumption of energy for air conditioning.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

All Over the Place

I have pretty much been all over the United States. It's hard for me to imagine that only a couple of years ago that I would have been to the places that I have been, and seen the things that I have seen. I am only adding to this even more by "hopefully" catching a flight to Barcelona! I fly standby, so everyone please cross your fingers for me!

P.S. I just renewed my FlickR account, so expect pictures when I get back!!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

Not Mine...

I know it's been awhile since I have updated, but I have not had MY laptop lately since I am having trouble with my internet card.
I also left it at home since I will be going over seas for a couple of weeks! In a few days I am off to Barcelona and Rome!

I have to admit, for me personally, using the Internet Browser "Flock" makes blogging, photo uploading, and community webpages a lot easier to use!

I guess I never realized how accustomed I had become to using, until I didn't have it anymore.

Also check out Ed's blog for some updates, and congrats to Justin Farmer for a fourth place finish this Sunday and bringing home some cash !
"We going Sizzler!!"

Thursday, November 06, 2008

Crocs - Soles United

As always I try to stay away from work when blogging, but I think this time it's ok.
Please watch these videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tNUcJTAG-Vg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5u7w_M1iib0

I am on my way out to Little Rock, AR tomorrow. I will probably leave my house around four in the morning leaving my bike once again :(
On Monday I am off to Chicago.

Wednesday, November 05, 2008

I Rode My Bike...

Wow, a couple of years ago I would never imagine making that a title for a post. The last couple of years have been pretty rough on my relationship with my bike though. I went for a night ride with Ed and the weather was great and riding with a group was even nicer.
My relationship in that department will hopefully change soon since I am looking at moving to the Greater Chicago area. IF I find a job that doesn't require as much traveling as I do now, then I will have an opportunity to ride my bike more often. As much as I run, I just don't have the passion and the same feeling that I get while I am cruising along on my bicycle. As I do not mind running, and I truly intend on continuing to do so, at least for "off season" training and convience, I am looking forward to hopefully riding my bike a lot more and attempting to rekindle that relationship!

Sunday, November 02, 2008

NYC Marathon

Lets say at this event I got to exercise the spanish that I do know, and at least the thank you and good byes in German and French ,that I learned when I was over there for two weeks.  This event was completely saturated by the euros.
I was told the event was 33 percent euros, 33 percent New Yorkers, and 33 percent were Americans from the rest of the States, but after this weekend I don't know how accurate that statement was.
Here are some pics from the NYC Halloween parade!
nyc.jpg
New York City 023.jpg
New York City 024.jpg
It's hard to see the two hot chicks in front of him! ;)
New York City 027.jpg
New York City 030.jpg
New York City 031.jpg
And last, the BEST Oompa LoOmpa costume!
l_4de028739c5243e3982049f557e9cfaf.jpg
Photo borrowed from Adams blog :)
I am leaving New York to see if I can get home and do some laundry.  I am actually "off" until Thursday.  This is a rare but needed rest, afterwards I am off to Little Rock, AR for a soccer tournament that we sponsor.
I should have more NYC pics later!

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Maid in America...

ready maid by mappamundi.

My life on the road is coming to an end sooner than later.
It's been two years that I have been living place to place and out of a suit case.
I have to admit though that it has been one hell of a journey!

I was going to start a Travel Tips with random number postings, but since my travels will begin to slow I probably shouldn't do it now.
I am not saying that I will NOT travel, I just will not be traveling for work anymore, or maybe I will? I have not decided yet, and am still confused on my next chapter. Just how the seasons have obviously changed, it's that time for me also.

Anyway, I have wondered off from what i was originally going to post.
It's a WHY DO MAIDS/housekeepers:


ALWAYS COME IN YOUR ROOM when you are naked?

TIRED AS HELL!

After you yell for them to come back later?

Sometimes not even knock!

and when they do knock, it sounds like
they are POUNDING THE DOOR IN!

I've had maids come in and do their thing
and not say a word to me, while I am in my
bed on my laptop probably half naked...

Others pretend to be scared even after
I have screamed my lungs out that I am STILL here!

and my biggest pet peeve!

Come in before it's check out time!?
WTF!?

I paid until 12! Give me that peace!!!

Monday, October 27, 2008

My Beloved Marine Corps Marathon

First, Congrats to Nate for running the Full Marathon.
I know that I just started running the past 11 months, and never thought that I would want to run another FULL marathon since I ran Honolulu and San Diego.  There hasn't been a full marathon that has given me the itch or urge to participate in, but after this weekend I think maybe next year (maybe with training this time) that I might consider running the Marine Corps Marathon.

Embedded Video

For the majority of my child hood I grew up living the life of a military brat.  I basically spent 17 years involuntarily.  I know that my parents, my brother and sister have no regrets and that living that life style made us grow together without choice.  I think that if I did run this marathon, I would run it for my father and my family and not for myself, since I have already had that accomplishment.

I am here now in Baltimore, MD going to NYC on Wednesday for one of the most attractive international races in the world.

NOTE!:

Watch the video at a HUGE HUGE DISCRETION!!!!!  There is EXTREMELY FOUL LANGUAGE  NOT suitable for some and not suitable for work!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Pictures of Taking Pictures


Adam who's link is hosted on the right side of my blog took this picture while I was capturing another picture.  I thought it came out pretty cool and pretty decent quality considering that his camera is an iPhone.
photo(5).jpg by you.
This was the photo that I was taking.
harlond block.jpg
While taking pictures at night DO NOT use the flash, this is like the number one no no that I see a lot of people doing!
The flash is for when it is basically pitch black and you are peaking over a wall of a very famous memorial.
arlington.jpg
You can read some of the tombstones.
dc stairs.jpg  adam stairs.jpg
Above Flash and no Flash, I was in the darker area so it was needed, Adam had enough light to let it filter the phone and still come out nice.  I personally prefer the effects of the second photo with no photoshopping.
This last photo does have photoshop plus some photography involved.
technodc.jpg
I recommend clicking this picture and enlarging it to see it in better quality!

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

Worker Queen Bee

While sitting at the airport in Detroit, I couldn't help to over hear a gentlemen speaking VERY loudly.  I wasn't the only one at the airport who's attention he grabbed.  As we all know airports are very loud.
Well, it was also easy to notice that the girl was doing all of the work, and the guy was just pacing around back and forth not accomplishing anything while having a personal conversation.
So I tried my hardest to get a picture without them noticing!
worker bee.jpg by you.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

WOL




I find myself while I am typing this ;) that I actually "Wink Out Loud" weird huh?

Wink on Flickr - Photo Sharing!



Anyway, we are done with the Detroit Freepress Marathon. The weather was pretty good overall and really really cold on race day. I like this event for the only reason that you get to run through two countries in one day. I think last year I felt that it was only the full marathoners, but it's not. The half marathons get to enjoy this marathon niche also!
Next stop Washington D.C. for the Marine Corps Marathon!

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Put Your Hands Up!

For Detroit:

It's a song "techno" google it if you want :)

Anyway, I left Chicago on Tuesday and got into Texas.  I was there for one day to pick up winter gear.  It's probably been two months since I was home and needed to switch out my one suit case that I have been living out of!

Anyway, last year I remember Detroit being preeetty cold!  D.C. and NYC were not that forgiving either.  I probably will not be home again for another 2 months, it's not like that I was really "home" but I did show face, so I guess that counts ?  Piojo will probably say no since we didn't get a chance to hang out!

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Sunday, October 12, 2008

LETS FINISH!


What We STARTED.

Chicago Marathon.jpg

This was a saying and a phrase that I saw a lot of on (custom) t-shirts around town the last couple of days.

I am in Chicago for one of the greatest races that I have ever been able to participate and or be part of in the last two years.

One of the reasons that it is so great, is that my girlfriend probably loves the city of Chicago more than she loves me, and then last year the race was cancelled midway through due to health issues.

Marathons are not easy, they are meant to be hard, I forget that for some reason, and every time I step on the course I am easily reminded.  There are health risks and death can happen as we saw last year.  It is a test of endurance, pride, and physical strength.  Some will finish strong, others will meet goals, and yes, there are those that will not finish the event.  If it was easy, then everyone would be doing it, and the challenge would lose its magnetism.

My girlfriend, My Fiancé, did not relinquish, and finished her first marathon today in the city that she loves the most!

I have to admit, it is not hard to love this town.  As I am not completely excited about the winters, the people, atmosphere, and all of the ambiance does draw you in.  I have been to a lot of places, and Chicago is on my top five hands down.

This year as I ran around the course on the famous CTA, I did notice some differences that were added this year to prevent some of last year’s fatalities.  First the fire hydrants were open in the streets; second the water stations were full from the top to bottom!  Although some of the banana stations were low or at zero, water is the most important element while doing a test of endurance.

The support from sponsors and the city were easy to find and played roles that were very important to the race.

McDonalds, had people with lap tops all over the city to help you track your racer down real time.  They also provided maps and suggestions on the fastest way of arriving to the runner’s next location.  The maps were provided by the Bank of America, and I found this tool to be very useful for me!  The map was also done really well and was made easy for anyone that was not familiar with the City of Chicago.

The CTA also paid for anyone that raced the race!  I was really proud of Chicago for that one!

I have always had this saying stuck in my head:
 

“If you want to win something, run a 100m,  If you want to experience something, run a marathon…”


Wednesday, October 08, 2008

Are You Down?

With Chi Town?
I am in Chicago again, I flew in the next day right after San Jose.  The weather has been a little cooler here, but it should be perfect for the Chicago Marathon this weekend.
This also will be the last time this year that I will be in Chicago, well, at least for work.  I usually come here on my time off to hang out with my g.f. when possible.
Don't forget that it's Breast Cancer Awareness Month!
I also got my pics from the San Jose Rock & Roll Marathon this weekend.
San Jose.jpg
San Jose1.jpg
That's me sporting my BondiBand (Cycling is DOPE!)

Plus the last photo of my iPod, it was stolen in San Jose after my run.
First Adams shoes were stolen in Philadelphia, which is almost expected, and now my iPod.  I am not upset over the iPod, as I am more upset that I lost the miles for the Nike+ Challenge.

Sunday, October 05, 2008

I Know the Way, to San Jose...

san jose.jpg
So I have had my last Distance Race for the Year.  This is the list for the past 10 months.
I count Honolulu , since it was only on December 8  !  :)

  • Honolulu
  • Phoenix
  • Atlanta
  • Nashville
  • San Diego
  • Virginia Beach
  • Philadelphia
  • San Jose

I have also completed every single Rock & Roll event for the year, minus their NEW San Antonio Rock & Roll.  I will not be able to attend, since I will be over seas at the time.

I am glad to look back and have gone from zero running to all of those events!  I have done others such as 15k, 10ks, 8k,s and 5ks.  But to me the one's above have been my biggest accomplishments!  This was a personal goal that I had set for myself at the beginning of the year, but I have to admit that Nate really pushed me and helped me reach those goals.  He is truly a large part of my success while living our lives on the road.

It is also probably a good thing that I am done, since my knee started to hurt me after the Philly half marathon,  and now it DEFINITELY hurts me!!

Maybe when I am in Rome, or Barcelona I'll run 13.1 miles just for good measure, while the San Antonio Rock & Roll is going on!

Thursday, October 02, 2008

Another Book.

After finishing several excellent reads, I felt adventurous and purchased books without recommendations.
Richard Preston

As I personally hate to leave a negative review, I felt that this book was just not for me. I love stories about passion and seeing life in a different perception, but this book was more full of facts than stories. This is not a bad thing, but it was just not my cup of tea.

I am in the process of reading a new book, and the first three chapters have grabbed my attention. This purchase also was a random and adventurous buy, and hopefully I will discover what I was looking for!
Although "The Wild Trees" was not for me. I did finish it from beginning to end and completed what I started.

Wednesday, October 01, 2008

Top That?

I look back at this year and I am in complete shock at the things that I have done/accomplished and the people that I have met.
I am not just talking about the "famous" people, I am talking about all of the great people that I have met throughout my travels.
I wonder to myself how could I possibly come close to topping any of this next year???
I also felt like that after my last post, how could my NEXT post top that post!?
The Tour De France was pretty good, and somehow, at least I personally feel like I was able to come close to it with Canada and Interbike Las Vegas.
In about a month I will be taking off to Spain, Italy, and France for a two week cruise that finishes in New York City. Afterwards I fly back to Vegas for the Las Vegas marathon. Las Vegas Marathon is my last event for the year. It is also up in the air if I am going to Kona, Hawaii after Vegas or not.

Here are some pics from the Vegas Crit.
Vegas Sunset.jpg
Vegas Crit 2.jpg
Vegas Crit blur
Vegas Crit
The last pic is completely NON photoshopped! I promise! :)

Sunday, September 28, 2008

Here It Is.

This is the post that everyone has been patiently waiting for!
As most of you all know, I was in Vegas for the famous show (Interbike)
To be very unusual, I did not take a lot of photos!!!  BUT
The one's that I did counted!
Here they are... and in no particular order!
Team Chipotle Slipstream.jpg
Above: Team Chipotle Slipsteam
Below: Shonny Vanlandingham
Shonny Vegas.jpg
Best known for the movie "Off Road to Athens."  The photographer had a very unsteady hand obviously! So below are some better pics to recognize her by.
460057901_3914256226.jpg
shonny.jpg
Below:  Who can leave out (Fast) Freddy Rodriguez from Rock Racing!
Freddy Rodriguez
Below:  Tinker Juarez 24 hour guru!
Tinker Juarez Vegas
Below:  Mr. George Hincapie!  He can be my wingman anyday ;)
Hincapie
Below:  The very very lovely Liz Hatch, she loves the sport of cycling, and understands that she can be a women at the same time.
Liz Hatch
And... hm, am I leaving someone out????

I guess you NEVER know who's going to show up to Interbike these days!
Lance Armstrong.jpg