4100weeks

The fastest way to achieve your goals? . . . Don't give a shit.

Sometimes our goals don't align with who we are, and we are so focused on achieving them that we don't see it. Studying who we really are, where we have already been, what we have already done and comparing that with our goals can be an eye opening experience. George Carlin did this, and it changed his career . . . 

Climb the Highest Peak in Every State.

Be the first on your block to climb the fifty tallest peaks in all fifty states.  Aw, come on, someone has to do it and you have 4100 weeks or more to get it done. You can start with the toughest challenge at Mount Mckinley aka Denali in Alaska with a 20,320 foot technical climb or you may want to consider a stroll up Driskell Mountain in Louisiana at 535 feet.  Aren't there basketball players that are taller than that and can you really call a 535 foot bump a mountain? 

Regardless of your choice it's a great way to see the USA and a rocking bucket list item that few have accomplished.  Got to www.state50.net to organize your road trip and then do your homework to hone your technical climbing skills because several of these peaks are not a cake walk like Ebright Azimuth in Delaware at 451 feet.  Send pictures and stories!

Half Marathon Popularity Trend

The half marathon has been widely reported as the fastest growing road race distance in the US.

In 2008 to 2009 registration for the distance grew from 900,000 runners to over 1.1 million runners - a whopping 24%!  Since 2000, US half-marathon finishers have jumped to over 1.1 million for a 131% increase.

Runners rank the half marathon as their favorite distance for the following reasons:

It's the next challenge or step-up after completion of a 5 or 10K. Runners who are intimidated by the marathon find the half to be a doable distance.  The half fills the void when marathoners decide that 26.2 miles is no longer for them. Runners use it to build fitness while training for a marathon and the chances for injury are fewer at the 13.1 mile distance.  The training time is much less, and many walkers complete the 1/2 marathon without running a step.

For an excellent 1/2 marathon training program go to www.halhigdon.com/halfmarathon

For a list of many of the half marathons go to www.halfmarathons.net

 

xtranormal?

Want to deliver a message via video with no equipment, limited technical skills and no fee?  Go to www.xtranormal.com .  This relatively new site allows you to type in script that is delivered by a variety of characters in a hilarious robotic voice.  You can use it to deliver an invitation, to communicate within your company or for training purposes.

This is a unique and creative delivery method that gets the attention of associates and friends and because of that improves retention.

All of the basic characters and settings are free, you pay a small charge for premium services and it's worth every penny.  The tutorial will make you functional in a hour.

You won't be disappointed.  Have fun!

Twenty Five things you must do before you become fertilizer?

 The intro usually reads something like this:

 25 Adventures you can complete for $200 or less?

17 Perfect Weekends? 

20 Vacations you must take?

15 Best Outdoor Towns (you must live in)?

45 Expeditions that will challenge your body and soul?

99 ways to build perfect abs (avoiding McDonalds not listed)

Are "Bucket Lists" Overrated? I don't know but they always inspire me to "shed my protective shell" and find new horizons. This really good link from Outside Magazine will give you 50 new ways to make the most of your 4100 weeks.  Remember to always consult your doctor if you are under age 79.5 and wear a helmet to avoid becoming premature fertilizer.

http://outsideonline.com/adventure/lifelist-index-sp.html

It happened 50 years ago . . .

“You’re not going to win every race. The question is, will you change your circumstances, change what you think, do what you must do to win the next race? The difference between victory and defeat is only a few seconds. And you have to ask yourself: How will I make up those seconds?”  -- Rafer Johnson.

I was born 8 months before Rafer Johnson won his gold medal in the decathlon at the 1960 summer Olympic Games held in Rome. Twelve years later I was mesmerized by the 1972 summer Olympics and fascinated by Olympic greats . . . Jim Thorpe, Jesse Owens, Bob Mathias, Al Oerter, Dan Gable and Rafer Johnson.

Fifty years ago when Rafer Johnson won his gold medal he was anointed the "worlds greatest athlete," but there is so much more to know about the man and the life he has led. If you have a few minutes take the time to read Joe Posnanski's fantastic, inspirational column on the Sports Illustrated website titled . . . Rafer Johnson and the Power of 10 . . . you will be glad you did.

For even more on Rafer Johnson, check out his autobiography, The Best That I Can Be.

Now, THIS is an ADVENTURE.....

260 miles in a canoe, day and night, only water can be provided by your support team, snakes, alligators, strainers, sweepers, sleep monsters and maybe a surly partner to make things interesting.

Start on the San Marcos river in Texas, merge into the Guadalupe, cross Alligator Lake and then paddle the bay for 10 mile to Seadrift Texas.  It's the Texas Water Safari, the first weekend in June each year.  Start practicing and preparing now to be ready for 2011.  It's a life changing experience.  I promise.

 
Here's the interesting story of a first-timer and her more experienced paddling partner. 

http://flyfishchick.com/2010/07/16/truth-in-advertising/

Winners finish in 35 hours - everyone must be complete in 100 hours.  Tell us how you do in 2011.

The Great Escape

Ann Vanderhoof and her husband, Steve Manley quit their jobs in Toronto in 1997 and sailed around the Caribbean for two years. In 2006 they decided to do it again and are still on their Caribbean adventure. They see a different side of the Caribbean than most vacationers, getting to know the people the pace and the food.

Check out the CNN article on their adventure Escaping it all to sail the Caribbean and read Ann's answers to some of CNN's questions . . .

• Is it as idyllic as it sounds?
• How do you make a living?
• What is your favorite island?

Vanderhoof's book The Spice Necklace: My Adventures in Caribbean Cooking, Eating, and Island Life is about their current adventure.

Around the World With Wayne Hodgins

Eight months ago I met Wayne Hodgins at a conference. I was fascinated by his story. Wayne started out as a public educator then moved into the corporate world and for 15 years was AutoDesk's "Learning Futurist." I knew of him from a past role I held with a great start-up company in Hawaii called Referentia. Wayne had also done some work with Referentia prior to my arrival. What fascinated me about Wayne's story was that he is currently in the midst of a fantastic adventure. Wayne and his trusty first mate Ruby the wonder dog are currently sailing Wayne's 55 foot sailboat Learnativity around the world. Just the two of them.

Wayne was kind enough to let me interview him in early June as he was in New Zealand preparing for the next leg of his journey. Since the interview he sailed for 11 days and yesterday safely arrived at the island of Niue. I will post segments of the interview over the next week or two and give updates on his location. You can also follow Wayne's adventure via his blog. The question I presented to Wayne for this part of the interview was . . . Wayne when I tell people about this adventure you are on, a common comment is "that's really amazing, I'd love to do that, but I have a job and bills to pay." Wayne, how did you get yourself in a position to be able to go on this adventure? Are you working?

Click to hear Wayne's interview - part 1

Wayne was in American Samoa when the tsunami hit last year. Here is his post on the event.

Where's Waldo??

When you think about the greatest personal trainers of our day the names of Jillian or Bob from "The Biggest Loser" may come to mind.  But when it comes to great mental trainers - one name stands alone in a crowded sea of people (literally).  That name of course is Waldo. 

Jillian and Bob help clients become more fit by having a plan of action and so does Waldo.  Waldo is a pretty strange looking character.  Red and white hat with matching shirt.  Is there any possible way that you would miss this character walking by us on the street?  But when he's thrown into a crowd he seems to disappear from view - at least to the untrained eye.

Here's Waldo's secret that he doesn't want you to know (for obvious financial reasons).  Don't look at the crowd.  Focus on red stripes.  Over time the other colors will fade and you will only see red.  With more practice you will only see red stripes and before you know it you will not be asking Where's Waldo.

Here's your simple mental challenge for the day: 

Part 1: Look for squares.  Everywhere you look you will see squares - ceiling tiles, computer keys, post it notes and more.  After a while you will be tired of seeing squares and will be ready for part two of the challenge. 

Part 2: Pick your favorite color and only see that color.  You will amaze yourself with the mental power you have over your focus.  Good luck and come back for your next challenge soon!