3 days!

3 days of training teachers can wear on a guy! Today was the last day of some great training. Our school district is shifting to a standard based system. The short story is having kids rake over their learning. Nothing new in my class but some new ways for kids to take control of their future. really fun teaching and showing others but it wore me out. tomorrow I want to ride outside and write a 5 page paper for my masters class. I have big plans and not a lot of time to get it done. We will see. I think Ghandi said something lie "we all have the same amount of time in a day, it just depends on how each of us use it."

Some light reading on Sat. morn.

Healthy again

It was a crazy week. I had student conferences Wed. - Fri. Ava was sick with the flu Tuesday- Sat. Will became sick with the flu on Friday night and threw up all day Sat. I came down with something Friday night and it held on through the weekend. On top of all this I had to race Sat. to hold a top position in the overall.
I went to the race Sat. morn not feeling anywhere near 100 percent. I found out it was a double points race, so that meant I had to race. I tried to stay away from everyone and didn't warm up. I rode the course, which I liked. I knew that it wasn't going to be pretty! I kept telling myself that it was only 45 minutes.
The whistle blew and we started the first lap was to my liking. I sat 4th all the way around. When lap two hit the top 3 guys took off. I just pedaled and they rode away. As I pedaled, a few more guys pedaled past. I rode with them without much effort. I felt good with five laps to go and gave a little bit more up the hill. After 10 seconds of that my body temp. spiked and I sat down and let everyone ride away. I ended up last place, but it worked out. I finished 2nd overall. I got some good swag, I got my money back for sure! I was a little out of it when I was getting my stuff. I was suppose to get a jersey or a jacket from pearlizumi but I didn't. No worries, I don't think I need it.
The season looks like it might be all done. I am busy with work this weekend and then my parents are in town the next. I am planning to race the state championships but time will tell. I think it is time to get the Mt. bike back together. and maybe hit the local trails.

Veterans Day FACTS

My first boat
My second boat
Those were some good times!.....And some bad.

Veterans Day originated as “Armistice Day” on Nov. 11, 1918. Its purpose: to commemorate the end of World War I. First proclaimed by Congress in 1926 and each year thereafter, Armistice Day became “Veterans Day” in 1954 as a result of legislation signed by President Dwight D. Eisenhower. The name was changed to honor all who served the nation in wars or conflicts. Veterans Day has been observed annually on this date since 1978, except for a brief period when it was celebrated on the fourth Monday of October.

24.9 million The number of military veterans in the United States.(From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005.)

1.7 millionThe number of veterans who are women. (From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005.)

9.7 million The number of veterans who are age 65 or over. (From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005.)

2.4 millionThe number of black veterans. Additionally, 1.1 million veterans are Hispanic; 272,000 are Asian; 159,000 are American Indian or Alaska native; and 30,000 are native Hawaiian and other Pacific islander. (The numbers for blacks, Asians, American Indians and Alaska natives and native Hawaiians and other Pacific islanders cover only those reporting a single race.)

8.2 millionNumber of Vietnam-era veterans. Vietnam veterans account for more than 3-in-10 veterans, the largest share of any period of service. The next largest share of wartime veterans, 4.4 million or nearly 2-in-10, served during World War II. (From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005.)

16% Percentage of Persian Gulf War veterans who are women. In contrast, women account for 5 percent of World War II vets, 3 percent of Vietnam vets and 2 percent of Korean War vets. (From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005.)381,000Number of veterans who served during both the Vietnam era and the Desert Storm era (August 1990 or later).

In addition, 429,000 veterans served during both the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict.
143,000 served during three periods: World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam conflict.
498,000 served in World War II and the Korean War.

6Number of states with 1 million or more veterans. These states are California (2.3 million), Florida (1.8 million), Texas (1.7 million), New York (1.2 million), Pennsylvania (1.2 million) and Ohio (1.1 million). (From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005.)
$20.8 billion Aggregate amount of money received annually by the 2.5 million veterans receiving compensation for service-connected disabilities. (From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005.)

$56.9 billionTotal amount of federal government spending for veterans benefits programs in fiscal year 2003. (From the upcoming Statistical Abstract of the United States: 2004-2005.)

The Medal Of Honor
Among those remembered at Veterans Day ceremonies, will be the select few who have received the nation's highest military decoration the Medal of Honor. One woman is on that list Mary Walker, cited for heroism in the Civil War by Generals William T. Sherman and George Thomas. As the first woman surgeon in the U.S. Army, she was often exposed to great danger operating, as battles raged. Walker not only tended Union troops but crossed lines to help wounded Confederates as well and, at one point, was captured and made a prisoner of war. Today in the U.S., nearly one-third of the 825,000 active medical doctors are women.

STRESS!

Lots goin on the last few weeks. Here are a few pics of the Boulder cup and the kids. Ava is walking and Will contemplating.

Raced today. Started out hard in the 1/4 sprint to the single track. I Led the first lap and then sat up in the head wind and rode wheels. A couple of guys tried to ride away but cracked. We rode around the 3.5 mile course in a small group of 2-4. We would attack but nobody could really get away because of the 3's would get in the way. I had a little mishap with two to go and it cost me some time. Dave put the hammer down and rode away. He as riding really strong. I finished fifth. I was fifteen seconds off the leader, we were all super close.

I ran a 42x16 (first time), I didn't feel that I could get the RPM's up were I wanted them. It was a really fun race, but dusty. I'm still coughing! I am not racing tomorrow, just to much to do. Next weekend is the last Boulder series race. It should be fun, it's always a hard course. I know all the heavies will be there. Only a few more cross races left this year. I think that I may be reaching burn out but I'm ignoring it!