PPPaddle

(Bransen Reynolds, Ashkan Motamedei, Chase Reynolds, Hayden Reynolds, Steve Osterberg)

“A little less talk and a lot more action” is a line from a well known country song. Translated, paraphrased and thematically altered to produce a healthier lifestyle I’ve been trying to live by the axiom, “Eat less, Move more”. With this in mind I began thinking about the glory of doing all six stages of the Pole Peddle Paddle race in Bend, Oregon. About a mile into the five mile run that makes up one of six legs of the PPP I began to realize just how limiting it is to train in the ultra flat Central Valley where an overpass doubles as a hill for those who are trying to train. Suddenly surviving the five mile uphill both ways run was monumental.


None the less, through perseverance we conquer. By conquer I mean we finish that which we started.

Chase, my oldest of four boys, along with a two friends managed to place second in their age group, for which they were duly rewarded with custom coffee mugs. The coffee mugs were taken with them to every restaurant they visited, to which they were greeted with shouts of “Good job DUDES!!!” A just reward for skiing, biking, running, and paddling their lungs out.

Now I turn my attention to Eppies Great Race, a no swim triathlon, where in lieu of swimming you get to paddle six miles.

Thanks for humoring me while I brag a little and try to keep the pressure on myself.

Eighteen Till I Die

Bryan Adams wrote a song entitled “Eighteen Till I Die" in which he says, “Someday I’m going to be 18 going on 55” Well I just experienced 18 going on 48. That’s a thirty year gap between fantasy and reality, between wishful thinking and delusional. Now days when I look in the mirror, I see someone strongly resembling my Dad.

Still there are those of us that WILL NOT surrender.

So what are my options? I figure I could have a mid life crises, but I haven’t seen that work out too great for most men. The hair plugs look painful and ridiculous. The Corvette costs too much. The gold medallion around the neck went out of style. And the Bimbo? Nah, that’s not for me.

So I’ve settled on some serious self improvement and goal setting instead. Something I probably should have done a long time ago. I’ve shed a few pounds. I’m eating better (Which translates into less). And I’ve set a few goals. (Feel free to cheer me on or set and share your own goals and I’ll cheer for you)

Here they are…

May 8th – Rina’s Run a local 10K in Ripon

May 15th – My annual go at the Pole Peddle Paddle in Bend OR. I do the paddling.

July 19 – Eppies Great Race, a no swim triathlon. (10k + 12 miles + 6 Miles in the Kayak)

Late July – The boys and I are working on a plan to Kayak from our house in Ripon to Jack London Square in Oakland, probably a three day trip. (Thank you Cheri for the new kayak)

So to celebrate my birthday I went for a long run, kayaked with the boys, played golf twice, went to the movies, and indulged in some pretty good pizza from Pizza Plus not to mention a quick stop over at the Canal Street Grill with a friend.

So I’m on my way to an action packed spring and summer.

Like Brian Adams says, “It’s not how you look, it’s how you feel inside… it sure feels good to be alive”. What are you going to do to BE ALIVE?