It's 4:30am on a Sunday

Today I had every reason not to get up and ride my bike.

1. 4:30 is just to early to get up on a Sunday.
2. When that alarm went off it was real easy to roll over and contemplate.
3. I woke up to a note about my friend Larry who has Cancer. It wasn't a happy note. It got me thinking about life and being a father.
4. Email after email about brand colors. I've said it before if you really knew how much people debated color in the product you buy you would be shocked. By far the little brand I work for is way too stuck in color but that's what greeted me this morning.
5. It's San Diego in July. The streets were wet and the clouds were dark.

What did I do. Jumped on my bike for 3 hours. It spitted rain most of the way and there was one point where it wasn't rain hitting me but the largest swarm of gnats ever. But with No Compromise I got it done.

It's a good life...
Dave

No Compromise

I've been thinking a great deal about simplification. My life is crazy busy as most are and I simply need to simplify where I can. I've spent a great deal of time with athletes over my lifetime. I've developed a work philosophy and I've got other parts of my life that need constant attention. That's where No Compromise comes in. There is no compromise for the best athletes in the world. There is no compromise when working on a product you are trying to bring to market. There is no compromise in my goal to be a great Dad. There is no compromise in trying to be a great husband. So there is no compromise when I get up a 4:30am on a Sunday to get my ride in.

So back to simplification. I've been writing in this blog for 3 years now. I've started another one about shoes. I've started and stopped another. So in simplification this is where I will write. I will write on the following topics:

1. Fatherhood
2. Brand Marketing
3. Running Shoes
4. Running, Biking and Swimming
5. Inspiration

It's a good life....
Dave

A Pro Speaks about Being A Pro

Brilliant writing from Chuckie V.

http://chuckiev.blogspot.com/2011/07/happiness-ambition-and-pursuit.html


It's a good life...
Dave

July Reset

Last weekend I went to Hamburg, Germany to witness the Dextro Energy World Championship Series race. Most importantly I went there to meet with Javier Gomez the current ITU World Champion.
I started to get a little down on the whole thing. So far this year, I've flown 100,000 miles and slept in a hotel bed for 2 months. So instead of staying down I decided to re-commit to this life.

1. I commit everything to Mary and Marco first.
2. I choose to do this work.
3. I will work with no compromise.
4. I will work out with no compromise.
5. I will Sleep well.
6. I will have fun.

It's a good life...
Dave

Xi'an Day #3 - And then off to Beijing

 Taking a break. 

 Mary and her friend Mao. You will see many pictures of Mary and Mao. For some reason she has a historical thing for Communist Dictators. I think if you ranked them it would be 1. Fidel 2. Mao and 3. Joseph. She has been to the home of Fidel and seen Mao so I'm confident there is a trip to Moscow in my future. 

He got this from his mother. If ever there is an opportunity. There is a book to read. 

Xi'an is the first place I've ever been denied by a cab driver. More than once we were told, no, I won't go there. Well we didn't feel like waiting and this guy was cheap. It was a total blast for Marco too. 

It's a good life...

Dave

Xi'an Day #2 - Terracotta Soldiers

Day #2 in Xi'an was simply amazing. If you ever go to China, you have to go see the Terracotta Soldiers. The story goes Emperor Qin wanted to be buried with his soldiers. So he had them made. Every single one of the 3000 soldier army is unique. The detail work on each one is unbelievable when you take into consideration what was done as art after his time. The amazing thing is he didn't want the enemy or future emperors to find his army so once it was constructed they essentially buried it. Then they kept no records of it ever being built. 

 The day started with flag shopping. The guy in the picture on the bike is selling soup. That can on the back is full of Soup and he rides through the streets yelling out to all around that he has soup for sale. Based on the size of the can it's a healthy business. 

 Isn't he adorable?

 Tough to see but Mary is in the store negotiating her price on the flag. 

 Welcome to Terracotta!

 The Army

 More Army

 An officer

 A Warrior.

 The happy family.

 Perfect alignment!

 A few of the individuals.

The Calvary too!

It's a good life...

Dave

China - Xi'an Day #1

Xi'an China south west of Beijing is central to the History of China. The biggest landmarks in the city are the Wall that surrounds it, and the Drum and Bell Towers. These towers were used for communication inside the wall.

The Drum Tower

 The Bell Tower

 The Bell Tower

 The Big Goose Pagoda - Buddhist Temple

 Even though it was raining we had a great time. What a beautiful place.

It's a good life...
Dave

China Week #1 - Guangzhou

I've said many times. I love China. I hate getting there and coming back. Taking Mary and Marco fully confirmed why China is so good. If you get a chance visit this wonderful place. The people, the food, the smells it's all worth it. In the next few days or weeks I'll be posting photos and videos of our recent time in China. Starting with Guangzhou the capital city of the province that produces more running shoes than any other area of the world. 

It's kind of heavy. 

 My dream job. All over China there are bike repair stands. This one is mobile and was in a key spot for all the bike commuters. 

 As you can see, he was busy that evening with many customers. 

 I'll post many photo's of the morning culture. It's a culture of tradition and Tai Chi is the #1 morning tradition. Moving the body to keep it healthy. This workout facility and track are just outside the hotel. 

 I just liked the billboard. 

 View from the hotel window. 

 Tiger Claws. No, we didn't buy. 

I call this the air conditioned road. At this time of year it is hot in China. This road surrounded by concrete is blazing hot. The retail stores have air conditioners blasting out cold air from their open doors. As you walk down the middle of the street you feel the cool air. It's kind of freaky. 

It's a good life....

Dave