Yes I did it : cycled 112 kms (69 miles) yesterday and did not get off my bike a single time on any of those steep heights around Brussels. "De Gordel" it is called, a greatly organised Flemish annual event, and has been for 32 years, unfortunately for the last time. And unfortunately francophone extremists, again, threw nails on the roads and many people had flat tires. I was lucky and my two friends Paul and Jos too : we arrived when the nails had just been cleaned up and the police were... Read full post

I ran my first (and so far only) marathon just over a year ago at the age of 51.  I am proud of not only finishing and raising money for charity, but achieving the respectable time of 3:54.  I "beat" four hours.
Last week, Paul Ryan on a talk show radio show said that, in his first (and only) marathon about twenty years ago, that he "beat" three hours, running a "2:50 somehting" when he was in his twenties.  This is an impressive time for anyone.
It turns out it wasn't true.... Read full post

Done! Last long training weekend before Challenge Henley-on-Thames (full Ironman distance) in 2 weeks - 16 Sep 2012.Yesterday evening: 25.2K/15.7 miles run. Exactly 2 hours.Today: bike from Langley to Henley-on-Thames, then 1 loop of the bike course (which is 3 loops in total), and bike back home. 148K/92K. 875m/2,870 feet of climbing.On paper it looks like a fast course, but it's really not... Long gradual ascents, poor and slow road surface on many stretches. It will probably be windy too.... Read full post

I am sooooo sad that our tennis player Kim Clijsters lost from the 18-year old Laura Robson, a girl I had never even heard of, even though Kim had won the US Open three times before. Her whole family was in New York : her sister Elke, writing for a Flemish newspaper, since she is married to Jelle Van Damme, a Belgian footballer, their father was Lei Clijsters, also a footballer. Kim's hubby is an American athlete Brian Lynch, former professional basketball player. Did you see their daughter... Read full post

Just saw this post in facebook and went to the source: Sister Madonna Buder, Oldest Woman to Finish an Ironman.  82-years-old... My, my...  
Sister Madonna Buder, Oldest Woman to Finish an Ironman
 
She does it again! How special and inspiring it was in Penticton for the 30th and final Ironman Canada race to have a new world record set by the one and only Sister Madonna Buder aka the "Iron Nun". A great inspiration to those young and old...
At the 2012 Ironman Canada... Read full post

After following the discussions between the NHL and the Players Association, I believe the core issue is an owners issue. They want revenue sharing but they want it to come from the players only. The owners also continue to sign players to contracts over 5 years long while at the same time stating that they want a limited of 5 years on player contracts. Seems like the owners want to protect themselves against themselves.

I was reflecting back on the London Olympics this past weekend and recalled one of the most amazing aspects - that I personlly experienced when I attended the Beijing and Vancouver Games - is being a member of the so-called 'Olympic Family'.  I'm not speaking about the T3 car service that you may have heard about, which enables you to go the queue of Official Cars, climb in and have the driver whisk you through special traffic-free lanes to the next sport venue on your list of events you... Read full post

Was showing off my new Evolution Running & Triathlon tri gear today! 181.5K (113 miles) and 1,615 meters (5,300 feet) of climbing. "Spring Onion" sportive course + out and back. Quite windy. 6.16 hours; felt like headwind all day although that's probably not possible given it's a looped course... Guess I am still a bit tired after Norseman and Challenge Copenhagen. Very hungry now, and all I've got in the kitchen is porridge oats, 2 apples and High5 Protein Recovery! I sure am happy I don't... Read full post

The perennial "cry baby" Gary Kasparov was given a fitting reply by Anand. Kasparov has been sniping at Anand ever since Anand has become the world chess champion five times. The article below from Times of India describes Anand's forceful reply.
NEW DELHI: In a rare display of irritation, Viswanathan Anand, who has just won his fifth world title, hit out at chess great Gary Kasparov and other critics for suggesting that he lacked motivation.
"I think that this is the first time I have played... Read full post

The following email came from our Dojo Daisempai, Howard Turoff:
This email is to formally announce that heretofore Nidans Djordje Djokovic and Daniel Montenegro shall be referred to in class as Sempai Djokovic and Sempai Montenegro.  This is in recognition of their outstanding service and loyalty to Koguma Dojo, and in appreciation of all the assistance they have provided to both Sensei Anderson and myself over the years, and especially the past year.  
 
Congratulations to... Read full post