Back from Romania. In one word: Perspective. Perspective on another culture. Perspective on life. This is my first experience abroad so those of you who have traveled already know some of this.
Thanksgiving was given an entirely different meaning than any of my previous references towards it after this trip. It changed a lot of lives including my own in the process.
This post will be radically different from most of my other posts on here based on what I just experienced for 7 days in Romania. I was there on a mission trip with my girlfriend's family and Starkey Hearing Foundation based in Eden Prairie, MN. If you haven't heard of them or of the Founder Bill Austin, I will do my best to describe what took place throughout the entire week.
The trip began with a 7.5 hour flight to Amsterdam on Saturday night Nov 17th. 2 hour layover. 2 more hours of flight time into Bucharest, Romania. Thank God for Z-Health! We were graciously greeted at the airport by Mihai (Romanian Starkey Rep) and Emi (Turkish Starkey rep) eagerly ready for the 'Americans.' TA was about 8:00am their time on Sunday.
We were greeted outside the airport by sleet and a wet cold that cuts through us. Made Minnesota weather look balmy! The drive from the airport to our hotel was interesting. At first, it looked somewhat the same as the U.S. Billboards, some stores like IKEA, and then it definitely was different. Traffic. insane. 99% of the cars are the size of Honda hybrids here and people drive so close to each other in traffic lanes that it's amazing at least 50% of the cars don't have side-swipes. Pedestrians. They just decide to walk across the street...and there is no 'pedestrian right-of-way'...the cars just honk! I can't tell you how many times I thought our bus driver was going to nail pedestrians...and he was 'courteous' compared to most of the other cars we saw. Drivers just honk when they want to get in and start moving over without looking hardly ever. This scenario in the U.S. would result in road rage beatdown approximately every 1000 feet ;) Definitely a different way of driving communication, yet universally understood in this country.
Traffic is also 'special' in another way: Round-a-bouts (RABs). RABs that go both directions and multiple lanes of traffic. For you Twin Cities' natives, picture Spaghetti Junction (I-94/I-35E/Hwy 52/Downtown St. Paul) having 2-3 lanes going each direction on EVERY ramp with no regard for stoplights. This just begins to explain the mess they have in Bucharest.
On to the mission...
Starkey Hearing Foundation
'So The World May Hear'
Day 1 Monday
We arrived at this huge gov't building later to find out that it is the currently the 2nd largest building in the world (next to our own Pentagon) called the Palace of the Parliament. This is where all gov't meetings are held for the Romanian people. Later we would come to the conclusion that this is a HUGE deal for us to be in this building utilizing one of the great halls for installing hearing aids and an even BIGGER deal for the kids and their teachers to enter this building at all ...think more dictatorship-type country even though Romania become a 'democracy' in 1989 after a major revolt. So this they are relatively young when it comes to rights and all of the political goings-on that comes with it.
We entered the Great Hall just after 9am to witness one of the most structured things surrounding kids that I had ever seen: 150+ of them sitting in chairs and you could hear a pin drop (short-term memory reminded they were borderline deaf and could not hear any pitches we can :) The Romania/Germany Starkey team also greeted us and were anxiously waiting to get started.
The Hansen family broke into 5 'teams' ...the rookies (I was included in the rookie category) were paired with their significant others to learn the ropes. Let the fun begin.
The first 4 or 5 that I personally got to work on was where the SIGNIFICANCE of this trip began to set in. Even though there was more than a language barrier (not only do I not speak Romanian, I have yet to learn sign language as well) but thank goodness for the Romanian interpreters. Yet a worldwide universal language was the default:
1 smiles
2 high-fives
3 thumbs-ups
4 hugs
5 and sometimes secret handshakes (some they would show me and some they would show me)
The first crew of kids ages ranged approx. 4-10. 99% of the kids could read lips very, very well which is a huge props to their teachers. 75% of them have never had hearing aids and have never heard any sound whatsoever. So to be the first person to witness a huge smile when they heard the first sound ever in their life cannot be described without witnessing it live. Incrible doesn't even begin to explain it. The facial expression and the excitement in their mannerisms was nothing like I have ever seen and definitely formed an impression in me of something that I doubt will be duplicated in my lifetime until another mission like this one. Most of them were very excited to receive something from 'the Americans' even if it was a piece of candy. We also handed out a medal on a lanyard that was the color of the Romanian flag to EVERY kid we saw. We were celebrities in their eyes in more than just 'Americans'.
After the first crew of about 100 we went to lunch as we were waiting for other schools to arrive. Then it happened. I walked in to the 'toaleta' where recently graduated deaf kids could now hear running water and automatic hand dryers for the first time in their lives. Something that we take for granted more than once a day for sure. What a sight to see the delight on their faces...high-fiving, thumbs up and smiling from ear to ear!
Day 1 Total kids fitted with hearing aids: 262
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Day 2 Tuesday
More of the same. This day was the first 'performance' we were given: their way of thanking us for what we were doing. Most of the these '5-10 minute thanking sessions' were traditional Romanian dance. Pretty cool to see 5-10 year old kids who formerly had to watch their teachers and go off vibration for steps finally be able to hear the music somewhat...they were not in sync :) because it was the first time they had actually heard the music!
Towards the end of the day we fitted some older adults in their 60s/70s/80s. Most of them have had hearing aids but cannot afford them. They were more than grateful.
Day 2 Total: 260
Today we finished early so we went on a walk around a 10 block radius of our hotel. We continued to be amazed by how poor the city was...run down row-houses (like Boston and New York) and were introduced to 'street dogs'...dog after dog after dog that were wild scavengers looking for food, filled with fleas. They told us that Bucharest has thousands of them due the lack of money of the people which does two things: no spaying or neutering and no family pets. This makes for one canine multiplying mess. Really sad that all of these dogs were skin and bones and mangy with no home. Just one more humbling experience to add to the trip and appreciating what we have in the U.S.
-------------
Day 3 Wednesday
Today was the first day that we had some extremely deaf kids who could not hear anything on the highest powered hearing aids that we had. This was frustrating for us, yet at the same time the kids were happy to receive their medal and candy as if it was no big deal for them.
Day 3 Total: 270
Leaving the Palace today was interesting. Apparently the President had a meeting some type of gov't meeting scheduled. So when we left the room where we had been all morning, we were greeted by men in uniform holding swords (their version of our marines). When we walked out the building there were about 30 Secret Service in full on SWAT type gear standing at the front of the building with a helicoptor parked in the lawn and about 10 black BMWs parked strategically around a couple of vans. The difference between their Secret Service and ours was drastic. Ours wear suits, ear pieces and conceal weapons under their coats. Theirs wear everything visibly to everyone...vests outside their clothes, guns strapped to their legs...everything was visible and much more powerful and intimidating. Not sure if this was the purpose or they just do it different. You knew they meant business and nothing was discreet. They would not allow us to stay in our van to watch him leave which we would have had front row seats all to ourselves watching him right out the front doors.
-------------
Day 4 Thursday...the final day
Today was the most frustrating day of all...Jordan and I had 14 kids who we had to turn away because they could not hear any sound whatsoever on the highest hearing aid available. This was hard and I really felt for them as they wanted to hear so badly yet it wasn't going to happen.
Day 4 Total: 270
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Overall, this was the most humbling experience of my life. I would do it again in a heart beat and look forward to a similar trip next year.
Final thought: The Romanians we befriended as translators had some interesting comments on Americans: "You all look so 'fit' (the Hansen family)." They thought this was very out of place based on what they see on TV...severely overweight and obese people. Sad that is the perception of Americans to foreigners, yet exactly why I do what I do.
Now that you've read this far...my blog will be back on track with regular scheduled rants!
20071104
And the greatest band of ALL TIME
Led Zeppelin. They put it together for a long, long time. Now they are doing a concert in London this month and I know they will hit a reunion tour up. These guys will still go down as the band that changed EVERYTHING in Rock n Roll. Here are 4 of their top 10 songs.
Zep: Black Dog
Zep: Over the Hills and Far Away
Zep: Kashmir
Zep: Misty Mountain Hop
Zep: Black Dog
Zep: Over the Hills and Far Away
Zep: Kashmir
Zep: Misty Mountain Hop
Appreciation for mastery
As I continue my education in fitness/strength & conditioning/personal training, etc... I have found new insight through other people's mastery of other careers/subjects and also a new-found appreciation for those at the top of their games in their respective fields. Music...a tie that binds many of us together and permeates many many aspects of our lives. I am a music afficianado and in my younger days spent A LOT of time behind a drumset playing anything and everything I could get my hands on and also jammin' with buddies in my basement pretending to be in front of 1000sThat being said I went to the AIC/VR concert about a month ago here in St. Paul. Here are a couple of clips...AIC reunited with new lead vocals and VR has put the former GNR/STP crew on the musical map. Both of these bands put on an amazing show and sounded fantastic live. Enjoy!
Velvet Revolver: Sucker Train Blues
Velvet Revolver: Vasoline (Covering STP and one of the greatest songs ever!)
Velvet Revolver: Mr. Brownstone (Covering GNR ...the energy was freakin' amazing for this one.)
Alice in Chains: Rooster
Velvet Revolver: Sucker Train Blues
Velvet Revolver: Vasoline (Covering STP and one of the greatest songs ever!)
Velvet Revolver: Mr. Brownstone (Covering GNR ...the energy was freakin' amazing for this one.)
Alice in Chains: Rooster
20071028
Transitions and Integration
This post has multiple meanings...
Kinetic Edge just was relocated upstairs to a much larger space after only 8 months. I now have room for all of my 'toys.' Thanks to all of you who beared with me during this transition phase...I have been a little spacey lately to say the least with all of the build out and decisions that have had to be made. This has caused me to be on 'blog hiatus' for about a month. I'm back.
Let's explore transitions, integration and coordination on a deeper level from a movement perspective.
Most of the time we (scholars, schooling, teachers in general) tend to focus on the distal ends of skill development. We are are a society of wanting 'finished projects' and we want them:
1 our way
2 now
3 in perfect finished form
My own training recently has started to focus on the all of the in-between micro-movements. There are 1000s /1,000,000s of micro-movements within one main movement. I'll use the squat as an example for all of this.
Squatting is a multi-joint movement ...most of us focus on ankle / knee / hip some on low back as the 4 'main' joints. Let us not forget ALL of the small joints within the foot which are just as critical as the main 3 (ankle/knee/hip). Now in Z training there is isolated joint mobility for each one of these joints where it is singled out. After we can separate each joint movement without tension and have a clean movement pattern, we can then integrate a 2nd joint. This can continue until you've integrated a 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. joint into the movement. Then comes the re-coordination of all of the integrated 'parts.' I am finding this more and more extremely important in producing cleaner movement patterns and also increasing PRs, decreasing soreness (although at first, you will be pleasantly surprised at a new found level of tissue soreness), etc when exploring individual movements in depth.
Now take the squat and the multiple joints and perform individual Z drills at different levels of the squat. For example going into a 1/4 squat (or 5/16 squat or whatever level you want, because EVERY level matters) and perform a Ball of Foot Circle or a Closed Chain Knee Circle or a Ball of Foot Outside Toe Pull. Make sense? If not, seek a Z Level II trainer (minimum) to find out more because the videos won't do this justice.
Contact me for more info at brad@keperformance.com
P.S. I will be more diligent about updating my blog and putting out some stellar information!
Kinetic Edge just was relocated upstairs to a much larger space after only 8 months. I now have room for all of my 'toys.' Thanks to all of you who beared with me during this transition phase...I have been a little spacey lately to say the least with all of the build out and decisions that have had to be made. This has caused me to be on 'blog hiatus' for about a month. I'm back.
Let's explore transitions, integration and coordination on a deeper level from a movement perspective.
Most of the time we (scholars, schooling, teachers in general) tend to focus on the distal ends of skill development. We are are a society of wanting 'finished projects' and we want them:
1 our way
2 now
3 in perfect finished form
My own training recently has started to focus on the all of the in-between micro-movements. There are 1000s /1,000,000s of micro-movements within one main movement. I'll use the squat as an example for all of this.
Squatting is a multi-joint movement ...most of us focus on ankle / knee / hip some on low back as the 4 'main' joints. Let us not forget ALL of the small joints within the foot which are just as critical as the main 3 (ankle/knee/hip). Now in Z training there is isolated joint mobility for each one of these joints where it is singled out. After we can separate each joint movement without tension and have a clean movement pattern, we can then integrate a 2nd joint. This can continue until you've integrated a 3rd, 4th, 5th, etc. joint into the movement. Then comes the re-coordination of all of the integrated 'parts.' I am finding this more and more extremely important in producing cleaner movement patterns and also increasing PRs, decreasing soreness (although at first, you will be pleasantly surprised at a new found level of tissue soreness), etc when exploring individual movements in depth.
Now take the squat and the multiple joints and perform individual Z drills at different levels of the squat. For example going into a 1/4 squat (or 5/16 squat or whatever level you want, because EVERY level matters) and perform a Ball of Foot Circle or a Closed Chain Knee Circle or a Ball of Foot Outside Toe Pull. Make sense? If not, seek a Z Level II trainer (minimum) to find out more because the videos won't do this justice.
Contact me for more info at brad@keperformance.com
P.S. I will be more diligent about updating my blog and putting out some stellar information!
20070924
Mind Warp...Dallas style
I invested 2 1/2 days this past weekend to borrow some neurology from my good friend Frankie Faires in Dallas, TX. If you are screwed up physically, emotionally, and/or mentally (fF especially likes mental patients)...all of these result in movement deficiencies, compensations and different imbalances. Do yourself a favor and get a movement session with Frankie. He is a wizard when it comes to application of movement.
Z is movement. Movement encompasses Z ...and much, much more. I learned so many subtle factors to improve my own movement patterns along with specifics for my clients. One of the most profound daily activity (that I caught myself doing today out of habit) is eating...not eating as you are thinking...eating moving my mouth to my fork (anterior head carriage and thoracic flexion)...instead of my fork to my mouth. Sitting at the computer--same thing. Re-learning to walk, take the stairs, how I stand (posture) when watching clients--all things that are ingrained habits that I do 6 days per week. That might sound corny. However, that is what I spend most of my time doing so it is now unconcious to me. Therefore, I must bring it back to concious mind and improve movement sets within those activities...and that will yield MAJOR changes in my neurology with translation to athletic activities.
Friday
Muscle testing. I was not comfortable with this before. It works. For everything. Supplements, food, people I hang around, movement patterns (weight training, martial arts, mobility drills), everything. This is a component of everything.
Then on to cranial/soft tissue work. I have a crooked jaw to the right that has gotten much more in line with a lot of mobility drills. However, my cervical movements need some TLC in very subtle forms to make it even better. Better yet is focusing on creating equal facial expressions on both sides of my face. Easier said than done with sensory motor amnesia. Space was held around my left cheek for a very short period of time and combine that with eye rotations up and to the right in small circles (lack of access to creative construct not being able to move eyes up and to the right) that sent me into a major headache. I don't get headaches...probably have had two in my life. This put me down for the next 2.5 hours in a nap. Woke and felt a lot better...much 'cleaner' movement. There is much more than moving joints. The eyes / face / cranium / hands / feet have WAY more information feedback and hidden keys to many of mine and other peoples' movement lapses.
Friday was much more mental (literally and figuratively) than I thought, yet it paved the way for major insight into my CNS for the rest of the weekend.
Saturday was physical. We started out working on my Left leg Pistols. I have problems sitting in the bottom on my L leg. This is a structural immobility in feet, ankles, and knees. I can do them with weight as a counter balance, but I am basically forcing myself into the whole vs. letting my joints be OK with that position. More wholes in my movement practice that I can perfect. Then we explored some movement combinations with rotation. Very cool. Things I have been doing but I can make them better based on the timing of the step / rotate / and execution of the lift. Rotational movements affect the fascia in numerous ways...that are needed greatly from all the years of single plane movements. We also discussed weighted mobility drills... through the use of dumbbells, clubbells, ankle weights and weighted vest. Many new 'fun' ways to implement novelty in my own training. This led into a topic on novelty. Something new. I get bored easily now. If I (we) get curious about something, that is our neurology telling us to explore it. Things are moving faster today more than ever, and I do tend to have attention problems but this weekend made me much more aware of doing new things or using the 'same but different' approach.
Combatives...training from the flinch (yes I said flinch) because that is when EVERYTHING starts...the spinal reflex. We cannot train this out of us and we shouldn't after what I saw this weekend. Very cool immediate application of skills. Hand and eye led instead of foot lead like most MA schools teach. "Sooner is faster" to quote Dr. Cobb and hand/eye led movements are sooner and therefore faster. This is the most profound factor to date in terms of survival and my short combatives experience.
Speed...Level 3 drills and application of pegboard properly. This was also a huge wake up and another reason I will start using mirrors (yes I will breakdown and have a mirror or two in my new space). Gotta have 'em for instant feedback and movement correction. I didn't realize how much I was missing out on.
Saturday night was UFC 76 and some decent fights. We weren't just watching fights...we were watching movement. If you want to see some messed up movement patterns, watch fighters.
Here are some things I picked up watching the fights...
Thiago Tavares Vs. Tyson Griffin
Awesome grappling match and truly fun to watch a fight rolls like this. Both guys were tremendous at their games.
Mauricio Rua Vs. Forrest Griffin
Rua was being hailed as one of the best in the world at 205. He forgot to show up Saturday night. Watching their movement patterns, I leaned towards Rua. More fluid, loose. Forrest, not so much. Way too much accessory movement, a lot of wasted energy on bad habits. Forrest did win with bjj...this time and unlikely.
Chuck Liddell Vs. Keith Jardine
Chuck looked much better entering the ring this time than he did with Rampage. Jardine looks like a train wreck walking around, yet one!?! Chuck's leg must look like ground beef with A1 on it after all those leg kicks. Still both of them are inefficient.
Overall, after 2 full days of movement with Frankie, it was fun to watch some well-known fighters' movement patterns and pick apart how much potential each of them really do have if they are put in the right hands.
Sunday was review of some key concepts that I won't go into here. Way more information that I learned that I will continue to post as I extrapolate.
Z is movement. Movement encompasses Z ...and much, much more. I learned so many subtle factors to improve my own movement patterns along with specifics for my clients. One of the most profound daily activity (that I caught myself doing today out of habit) is eating...not eating as you are thinking...eating moving my mouth to my fork (anterior head carriage and thoracic flexion)...instead of my fork to my mouth. Sitting at the computer--same thing. Re-learning to walk, take the stairs, how I stand (posture) when watching clients--all things that are ingrained habits that I do 6 days per week. That might sound corny. However, that is what I spend most of my time doing so it is now unconcious to me. Therefore, I must bring it back to concious mind and improve movement sets within those activities...and that will yield MAJOR changes in my neurology with translation to athletic activities.
Friday
Muscle testing. I was not comfortable with this before. It works. For everything. Supplements, food, people I hang around, movement patterns (weight training, martial arts, mobility drills), everything. This is a component of everything.
Then on to cranial/soft tissue work. I have a crooked jaw to the right that has gotten much more in line with a lot of mobility drills. However, my cervical movements need some TLC in very subtle forms to make it even better. Better yet is focusing on creating equal facial expressions on both sides of my face. Easier said than done with sensory motor amnesia. Space was held around my left cheek for a very short period of time and combine that with eye rotations up and to the right in small circles (lack of access to creative construct not being able to move eyes up and to the right) that sent me into a major headache. I don't get headaches...probably have had two in my life. This put me down for the next 2.5 hours in a nap. Woke and felt a lot better...much 'cleaner' movement. There is much more than moving joints. The eyes / face / cranium / hands / feet have WAY more information feedback and hidden keys to many of mine and other peoples' movement lapses.
Friday was much more mental (literally and figuratively) than I thought, yet it paved the way for major insight into my CNS for the rest of the weekend.
Saturday was physical. We started out working on my Left leg Pistols. I have problems sitting in the bottom on my L leg. This is a structural immobility in feet, ankles, and knees. I can do them with weight as a counter balance, but I am basically forcing myself into the whole vs. letting my joints be OK with that position. More wholes in my movement practice that I can perfect. Then we explored some movement combinations with rotation. Very cool. Things I have been doing but I can make them better based on the timing of the step / rotate / and execution of the lift. Rotational movements affect the fascia in numerous ways...that are needed greatly from all the years of single plane movements. We also discussed weighted mobility drills... through the use of dumbbells, clubbells, ankle weights and weighted vest. Many new 'fun' ways to implement novelty in my own training. This led into a topic on novelty. Something new. I get bored easily now. If I (we) get curious about something, that is our neurology telling us to explore it. Things are moving faster today more than ever, and I do tend to have attention problems but this weekend made me much more aware of doing new things or using the 'same but different' approach.
Combatives...training from the flinch (yes I said flinch) because that is when EVERYTHING starts...the spinal reflex. We cannot train this out of us and we shouldn't after what I saw this weekend. Very cool immediate application of skills. Hand and eye led instead of foot lead like most MA schools teach. "Sooner is faster" to quote Dr. Cobb and hand/eye led movements are sooner and therefore faster. This is the most profound factor to date in terms of survival and my short combatives experience.
Speed...Level 3 drills and application of pegboard properly. This was also a huge wake up and another reason I will start using mirrors (yes I will breakdown and have a mirror or two in my new space). Gotta have 'em for instant feedback and movement correction. I didn't realize how much I was missing out on.
Saturday night was UFC 76 and some decent fights. We weren't just watching fights...we were watching movement. If you want to see some messed up movement patterns, watch fighters.
Here are some things I picked up watching the fights...
Thiago Tavares Vs. Tyson Griffin
Awesome grappling match and truly fun to watch a fight rolls like this. Both guys were tremendous at their games.
Mauricio Rua Vs. Forrest Griffin
Rua was being hailed as one of the best in the world at 205. He forgot to show up Saturday night. Watching their movement patterns, I leaned towards Rua. More fluid, loose. Forrest, not so much. Way too much accessory movement, a lot of wasted energy on bad habits. Forrest did win with bjj...this time and unlikely.
Chuck Liddell Vs. Keith Jardine
Chuck looked much better entering the ring this time than he did with Rampage. Jardine looks like a train wreck walking around, yet one!?! Chuck's leg must look like ground beef with A1 on it after all those leg kicks. Still both of them are inefficient.
Overall, after 2 full days of movement with Frankie, it was fun to watch some well-known fighters' movement patterns and pick apart how much potential each of them really do have if they are put in the right hands.
Sunday was review of some key concepts that I won't go into here. Way more information that I learned that I will continue to post as I extrapolate.
20070914
5.7 just a number?
On a scale of 1-10 5.7 is just over average. no.
5.7 mph. not quite.
5.7+ is the route that humbled my bag o' bones on a climbing wall today.
5.13+ is the highest in the gym.
The difference between the two? Kindergarten vs. a pro athlete. Climbing is going to be fun. I have been curious about it for a few years now and look forward to discovering new found strength and character in something so organic. Vertical Endeavors is a kick ass indoor climbing facility that boasts 18,000 sq ft of climbing wall and is one of the 3 largest indoor facilities in the USA. This is one of my new found homes and will deter me from being lazy watching TV.
Probably the greatest asset for me is that this is something that will challenge me beyond the physical and force me to map new problem solving capabilities in my brain due to different routes. I am looking forward to this new venture with a little-kid excitement approach.
Welcome to a whole new brand of beatdown! :)
5.7 mph. not quite.
5.7+ is the route that humbled my bag o' bones on a climbing wall today.
5.13+ is the highest in the gym.
The difference between the two? Kindergarten vs. a pro athlete. Climbing is going to be fun. I have been curious about it for a few years now and look forward to discovering new found strength and character in something so organic. Vertical Endeavors is a kick ass indoor climbing facility that boasts 18,000 sq ft of climbing wall and is one of the 3 largest indoor facilities in the USA. This is one of my new found homes and will deter me from being lazy watching TV.
Probably the greatest asset for me is that this is something that will challenge me beyond the physical and force me to map new problem solving capabilities in my brain due to different routes. I am looking forward to this new venture with a little-kid excitement approach.
Welcome to a whole new brand of beatdown! :)
20070911
5 Wheels and change...
More TSC thoughts after the fact...and other ramblings.
Pictoral Review of Saturday's TSC thanks to Derrick Torgerson (DDT).
5 wheels. That's what the iron heads call 495lbs.
This event revived my juices to revisit the DL often.
Next Goal is 515 then 545. 6 wheels in reach with some serious training. Meet on November 10th locally that I will work towards the next 7 weeks here.
Competition is a fantastic thing and I have missed it for over 8 years. It allows me to beat previous bests and check my mental state going against others even though I am really competing with myself. Looking forward to the next one in April 08.
**Thanks to one of my faithful class students Derrick Torgerson for this killer pictoral video of all the action!!
Pictoral Review of Saturday's TSC thanks to Derrick Torgerson (DDT).
5 wheels. That's what the iron heads call 495lbs.
This event revived my juices to revisit the DL often.
Next Goal is 515 then 545. 6 wheels in reach with some serious training. Meet on November 10th locally that I will work towards the next 7 weeks here.
Competition is a fantastic thing and I have missed it for over 8 years. It allows me to beat previous bests and check my mental state going against others even though I am really competing with myself. Looking forward to the next one in April 08.
**Thanks to one of my faithful class students Derrick Torgerson for this killer pictoral video of all the action!!
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