Two Week Countdown

Here we are, just two weeks out from race day. With the loss of Steve, it's taken awhile to get my mind back into training. The memorial service put on by his family and friends was very nice. It was a great tribute to Steve. Personally it helped to provide some much needed closure. It has allowed me to adjust my frame of mind into making every day count. Steve was lucky to have such a loving family and close network of friends.

As for the Dirty Half, I think it's going to be a fast year. Mike Condon continues to show his fitness, most recently winning the Duel in the Desert duathlon, road bike division and also placing high in the PPP with an awesome 1:51:31. Mike Olsen is also breaking out of his winter hibernation and cranking out some fast TPG workouts and showing his multisport skills, winning the Duel's mt bike division over the weekend. Vegas might have underestimated Olsen's fitness level. He might be someone to bet on, if we were really betting.

This AM I had the opportunity to run with Damon Kluck and he seems to be in great form. He and I cruised to an easy 1:23 training run on the Dirty Half course, dropping Andy Martin by 2 min. Let it be known that Andy hurt his foot last weekend, forcing him to take several days off. He blames me for his foot injury, but really I had nothing to do with it. Anyway, he has tried to make up the missed miles the past two days posting back to back 18 mile days. He was nonetheless a bit fatigued today and couldn't kick the last 2 miles with Damon and I. Regardless, I'm sure Kluck had some fun dropping him, I know I did. You just don't get that type of opportunity very often.

So, let the taper begin. Just some fine tuning over the next two weeks. I'm looking forward to the race and seeing what kind of times these guys are going to run.

Remembrance of a Fallen Competitor

As we are all trying to process the tragic news of Steve Larsen, I just want to pay my respect to Steve and his family. Steve was the ultimate competitor, an extremely gifted athlete with the heart of a champion. Steve always seemed to be amazingly fit despite his busy schedule as husband, father of five young children and business owner. I always wondered how he did it. To me, it displayed his commitment to excellence and discipline. Unfortunately I didn't know Steve on a more personal level aside from the pre and post race interactions, where he was always humble and cordial. I just assumed over time I would get to know Steve better, perhaps even train with him. Steve was the cream of the crop. His early passing is equally confusing as it is sad. I hope somewhere along the line his family can find peace. I can't even begin to imagine their pain. Please join my family in praying for Steve and his family.