London Bound

A couple days ago Marco asked me if I was bummed that I wasn't participating or didn't participate in the Olympics. This was my answer: When I was 13 I like many kids wanted to go to the Olympics. When I was 17 it never dawned on me that I would ever go. London will be my 4th Olympics. London is also the first time when I've had the honor to work one on one with an athlete starting 18 months ago with the goal of August 7, 2012. This athlete, a few of my friends and I created the above shoe from an idea. There was no previous model only words and ideas shared between us. So no, son I'm not bummed, I'm lucky.

Follow me on Facebook, Twitter and Facebook/Zootsports. I'll keep it all updated on my view of London and the results of the athletes I've gotten to work with.

15 Minutes

The disaster we had in the garage recently caused us to go through some things. This newspaper cover photo appeared. My 15 minutes of fame.
The photographer was out taking pictures of the storm and then he sees me running. He couldn't understand why I was running. My response "Why Not"

It's my point all the time. Running is so easy. You can do it any time, anywhere and in any conditions. So Why Not Run?

Colombia

Going through security yesterday at the airport in Bogota I had a rather long conversation with the customs agent. His questions at the time seemed offensive to me but the more I think about it the more I love it. My passport is proudly stamped with my birth city Bogota, Colombia. There was a time as a young child that I carried a Colombian Passport. At the age of 18 I had a decision to make. I didn't mull it over too much and there was no ceremony but the decision I made was to remain a US Citizen. At 18 I could have chosen Colombia. The questions from the Customs Agent were just that:
Where is your Colombian Passport? Why don't you have one, you were born here so you must be Colombian. Why don't you speak Spanish. Although all of my answers were in Spanish clearly he knew I am limited. The point is he's proud of his country and proud of his language. He wanted to know why I would give that up? It was a fun conversation for sure. I'm proud to have been born in that city.

It's a Small World - On the bike tour we took around Bogota we met a young guy from Boston. We talked about running, running shoes and City Sports in Boston. Then we talked about the Small World. This guy lived outside of Peoria, IL. His dad worked for Caterpillar. He went to Southern Illinois University. 4 things in common with me (running, Peoria, Caterpillar, SIU) all at a random bicycle tour in Bogota, Colombia.

Finally the Pictures of the Family. Marco, Mary, Ana Maria and her boyfriend Ito. Family for life...

It's a good life......