A question of IQ.

Ok I know this is coming from the guy with the Dora hat on...Yesterday began as any normal day. Get up, get ready, slam some food in my face and get to work. All the news stories I was monitoring were still relatively the same as I had left them the night before. Climate change conference in Copenhagen is still spinning its political wheels and will continue to remain in neutral. The biggest factor that keeps climate change policies ineffective is simply that large rich nations, who do the most polluting, don’t want to lose any economic footholds so they create inadequate policies and procedures that appear to be doing at least something but in reality accomplish nothing.

Financial markets on the rise but not in a manner that should really seem exciting or promising. Our Canadian dollar is continuously getting stronger but as my big boss (Carney) states; Canadians need to be smart about their debt in case interest rates go up and Canadian financial institutions need to be cautious on not only lending to “high risk” households but to all households. The tricky part is the idea that strong domestic spending will assist our economy to stay strong against U.S. demand.

Then I checked into the “periphery” stories, Ottawa’s light rail, O’Brian is attempting to thwart a strike with a lockout, 70 car pileup, Tiger is still a douche and so on. While I was reading the mornings articles I happened to hear that KISS and Rush were both passed up to be inducted to the Rock and Roll Hall of fame. Who made it in, in their stead you might ask? A POP BAND, wait scratch that, A DISCO POP BAND....ABBA. Ok fine that didn’t really make sense to me but whatever I kept reading my articles and went on with my day.

Then it was about 8:06 AM when I realized that there was truly no rock god any more. I have a feeling that he/she has taken so many bad blows with all the embarrassing acts and lack of talent they call the music industry today, he/she hung themselves with a guitar string. Or possibly went to a place where they don’t listen to music, like Utah or the Deep South. This was further realized when I looked back on the past decade of music after reading this article and it was obvious that it has been a pathetic decade. If you are unaware of what I am referring to it is the fact that Nickleback was named the top band of the decade by billboard. How is this possible? They are terrible, lack originality and their lead singer sounds like a retarded hillbilly who acts tough but is a whinny little bitch.

Musically they have a combined IQ of 66.7 in real life -well let’s face it who cares about their lives- and this IQ on the IQ chart is what I figured it was when I looked at it 55 - 70 Mild Mental Disabilty, and that is there combined IQ. Their lead singer is an embarrassment to the rock world in so many ways. For example when he was hit with a bottle on stage at a metal concert (because metal fans want metal music, not pop rock, or whatever it is they play) in Europe, he merely asked the crowd something to the effect of “do you want to hear rock or not” when he got hit the second time - which was awesome I might add - they walked off stage.

Now what do real rock stars do when this happens? Let’s look at another musician -sorry- a real musician, Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age. The guy is performing and is reportedly sick from a cold or flu and some dolt in the crowd throws something at him. Fine. Homme not only curses this moron out but calls him out. Once his barrage is completed he returns to his music and continues performing. This was merely the first example that came to mind of a proper response when hit on stage...

Rolling Stone Magazine said they lacked originality and that if you were looking for something original ask for a full refund and not a nickleback...they also went on to saying that listening to their songs makes you almost happy that Kurt Cobain is not around to hear it. Blender tore them apart as do many music authors working for record labels or various magazines all basically stating...well they just suck.

Why if so many people hate them do they get this nomination? It is rather simple and you don’t have to have an IQ higher than 80 to figure it out. The majority of their popularity comes from the radio and those younger generations who listen to the music as a means of entertainment or to pass the time. Fine I have no qualms with that. But what this does is promote what is mainstream music and what is “hot” on the top 40. Thus these boneheads (NB) get more air time than other more extremely talented and musically endowed bands.

Now there is a reason that I did not run out and start randomly punching teenage girls in the face for promoting this garbage. It lies in the simple fact that those who enjoy music would never promote this band through ticket sales or CD’s alike. Billboard wants to make $$$ so does Nickleback. You take one of the top producing bands (in this past decade it is not hard to be that band) and you promote them to the top. Funny thing, magazines in the UK have nominated NB as the worst band of all time.

So I take solace in the idea that although these guys are getting way much more attention and money then they deserve, I know that I can put my iPod on and play my music in which those morons are not in the same...hell there is nothing I can say there...they just don’t belong in music.

I promise this...if I see the band on the street I will be sure to run up to them and ask for an autograph. As he starts putting pen to paper I will state: “Wow, I now have the autograph of the worst musician (I use that loosely) of all time.” When he looks up and attempts to come up with some form of retort and his pathetic brain is reeling in fear for not having any logic or thought process, I will kick him as hard as I can in the groin to ensure that there will not be any offspring possible from that brainless greasy douche!

New Entry

In case you are wondering....I actually wrote something. It was something that was on my mind and I thought it was a good way to bridge into the new blog. It pulls a little of both blogs together. There are many coming up that will be a little different and I hope interesting.

http://uber-fit.blogspot.com/

Enjoy.

Want to get FIT?

Don’t have time for one blog? Why not start 2? So among other things I have been working on a second blog with my partner in many crimes. The blog itself is designed to relate the activities we endure as well as all the elements that come with our daily lives i.e. diet, training, trip reports and so on.

The main focus is to provide others with some possible help in the aforementioned areas; be it someone who is looking for a trip report on a hike in the Adirondacks, to wanting to know what good food options are available to get you through a normal day, race or epic hike. The main focus is to share our gained knowledge, to hopefully educate as well as inspire those to get out there and explore or to merely live a healthier life...

So hope you will come and check it out.

http://uber-fit.blogspot.com/

At the Finish

A couple pictures from the finish

Always Improving.

Highlights; a new record time for a male amputee in the 10K, 38 minutes amazing. All the athletes that participated was phenomenal the biggest year to date. The top runners are always impressive slightly over 2 hours for a marathon and roughly 1:10 for a first place half is amazing. Parker told me that during the wheelchair marathon a female (I think) participant raced to the finish and once she was a few feet away she laboured her way out of her chair and walked across the finish line. That is the definition of inspiration, dedication and determination.

For me Sunday went really well including my time for my first half marathon 1:46:56. I was shooting for 1:45 to 1:50, so I am happy with the outcome and have a time to think about for next year. The atmosphere and race itself is so addicting.

Thinking of 2010 there are things that I have learnt in this year’s attempt that I will apply to my training and race next year. They are the little things that we learn to better us next time...

First major lesson; although I said no some events during my training there were a couple nights that I should have been in bed a little earlier. Although I made sure I had a rest day after those nights, my recovery the week after was hindered. Stricter next year.

Second; overall diet was good but realized that with while burning thousands of calories I sometimes over ate, and some choices were not 100% ideal. Another change for next year.

Third; I weigh 182lbs and am 5’8" not a long distance runner’s build. During training I dropped leg weights other then for injury prevention but maintained heavy and exhausting upper body training. This caused me to be over tired at times plus I was still carrying a decent amount of weight up top. Next year instead of dropping the weight and frequency of upper body training two weeks prior to the race, I will do it at the beginning of the 16 week program. This will result in slimming down by maintaining a crossfit style training for stamina and strength.

Finally; check your time. I started two pace times ahead of mine at the 1:35 pace bunny so when I saw my pace bunny next to me at the 18K I thought all was good and although I sprinted past him I came in at 1:46:56 and he at 146:10. This was a mistake I made as when I crossed the start line I was ahead of my pace bunny. If I had checked my time at the 18km I would have noticed that I was a little over 1:30 by a minute or two and should have started picking it up a little quicker then I did, that is if I would have the energy to.

Overall a great weekend and a lot of fun. I am addicted to the half marathon distance and learnt a great deal as I have stated and will attempt for an even faster time next year. Only 361 days to go!

RACE DAY!

6:10AM: wake up and shower.

6:45AM: Breakfast; Sesame bagel peanut butter, honey and banana. One cup of coffee and 10oz of water.

7:00AM: Stretch, pack, listen to music and go through mental prep until;

8:30: Depart for start line.

This is what my morning has looked like (it is now 7:15) and how it will continue from here on out. It has been a long 16 week training program with injuries (one of which flared up last Tuesday rendering me out of commission for the last week of training...lovely), illness early in the training and all the other aches and pains that come from the fun training. But overall it has felt great and I believe that I am ready.

It is my first attempt at the half marathon and it should be an interesting experience to say the least. I have a time but as usual it is something that I cannot say out loud for fear of a jinx (this is the only thing I seem to be superstitious of). I will say that anything above 1H 50Min, I won’t be entirely happy.

Well back to stretching and prep, so good luck to all those running today the weather looks perfect cool but sunny, and those in the marathon that started about 20 minutes ago, I hope it is going well.

Be Strong

Just last Saturday I was feeling sorry for myself for not getting off the couch. I spent most of my day watching two movies back to back and then a hockey game later that night, followed by another movie. This was of course due to a relatively late night the night before. It was also my rest day but even on rest days I do something i.e. work around the house, walks, light hike...

But after I thought of that I was reminded of all those times that I may have made excuses to not do something physical or challenging (be it mental, emotional or physical) and I am not proud of those moments. Luckily I don’t make excuses often as I get a great deal of enjoyment from pushing myself to do better, to succeed, to overcome... It is the reason we complete school. Compete for a career or position. Take care of our kids. Train for health. It is why most of us continuously push ourselves to meet all the little and big goals in all realms of life.

But there is a flipside to this, isn’t there? I have talked about it again and again; excuses. The other day when I sat on my couch, and did absolutely nothing, I was thinking of these excuses we create for ourselves and end up believing them, they become a part of our life.

Perfect example I asked a friend if she thought she was addicted to smoking or if she chooses to smoke. She was the first person ever to give me the intelligent and realistic answer without having succumbed to denial: "I suppose everyone who smokes is (addicted), including myself. I know it is gross and terrible for my health, but I make no attempt to quit.

Most people I ask that question usually state: I chose to smoke because I like it. No you chose to smoke because you are addicted to it and the addiction tells you, you like it.

So the point is that when I thought of this in great detail I decided to think of how I inspire myself to stay healthy and active and often it comes from within, or those around me or sometimes I seek the inspirational lives of others. I decided to search for others who have overcome far greater challenges and see what they have accomplished

Thanks to Crossfit CDA I came across the post, aptly titled, No Excuses. It begins with

"I’m tired. I’m getting over a cold. I’m too old. I’m too fat. Working out makes me sweat. It’s too cold. It’s too hot. I’m sore. I don’t have enough time. I have 2 kids. My job is too stressful. The gym is hard.

The blog showcases athlete and author of; No Excuses: The True Story of a Congenital Amputee Who Became a Champion in Wrestling and in Life, Kyle Maynard. Born with congenital amputation of the forearms and lower legs. Kyle has accomplished a great deal and as his autobiography states; "he excels: as a champion athlete, inspirational speaker, college student (who can use a cell phone, type fifty words a minute, and maintain an A average), and male model.

So the next time you start reminding yourself of those excuses take some inspiration from this man;