Long Paddle

Today I started and completed one of my I Ho Chuan goals.  It was to Paddle board from the North end of Lac Ste Anne to the South end.  When I started the wind was up heavily and I was not sure I should head out but I had a back up plan if the waves got to high.   I started out paddling west in order to get to the most nothern point on the lake, it was about 300 metres from where I put in. 

Let me tell you that was the toughest 300 hundred metres i have ever paddled, straight into the wind and very little progress.  I thought this is going to be a long long day.  Once I reached the northern most point I turned south with the wing not quite behind me but with favorable conditions. 

The paddle started to become pleasurable and very zen like.  I was  surfing down waves that were anywhere between a foot and two feet high, but alot of fun.  I only saw three boats on the lake all day so it was like the lake belonged to me and this goal became my own.

When I got to the south end of the lake and got out of the water my legs were a burning but I felt such a sense of accomplishment.  I have owned a paddle board for two summers now and the longest paddle I had ever done was approx 3 km on a calm lake. 

I will definitely look for more challenges on the paddle board but will wait a few days for my muscles to get back to normal.

End of August

As the end of August approaches I see myself looking forward to what fall and winter will bring.

I am looking for a more structured days and to be able to focus more on my training.  I found that everything was great and going well right up to the end of July then with family commitments and other work commitments my training was cut in about half.  I am back on track now and do hope that thing get more consistnt again like the first 6 months of I Ho Chuan.

Golf and consistency

Well I did something I have not done in a long time.  I went golfing.  I used to play the game a lot when I was in university as I worked at a golf course in the summer.  I was sometimes able to get in 36 holes in a day.  Because I was able to play so much I was able to get my game down to a 15 handicap.

Now  I don't golf much at all except at night in the back yard shooting balls out in to my field at my ranch. I was golfing with family and friend for my brothers stag party and I was golfing with my two boys.  My older boy was hitting a few good shots but was inconsistent.  He hit a great tee shot of about 280 yards and he said to me "I wish I could be that consistent all the time".  I told him he could but with golf and most things in life you have to practice.  I told him if you really like the game and want to improve you need to be doing it consistently and on a regular basis.  That is the key to see improvement in any sport or in anything that you want to accomplish in life.

Just like in Kung Fu, consistency.


 Mr Sand

What we have accomplished

I had a chance to talk with one of my best friends yesterday.  We don't get to talk that often due to his work schedule which takes him all around the world. 

We talked about our families and how things were going.  It put into perspective that I really need to focus on the people close to me.  He was having some issues with his older son who is about a year younger than my older son.  The good news is the issues they were having were able to be worked out so he now has a better relationship with his son. 

I told him about the I ho Chuan team that I am part of and what we are trying to accomplish.  Having been on the Horse team for over 6 months I think I am taking for granted what an incredible challenge we took on.  As I was describing to him what the requirements are he was dumbfounded.  He couldn't believe that anyone would take on such a challenge.   He wished me luck on getting to my goals and was amazed at what I accomplished to this point.  It made me realize that we are doing something extra ordinary with the horse team.

Work

This was a frustrating week for me at work. More problems than I can count.  I found myself reverting to my old patterns of behaviour. I was lashing out at people.  What I did find is I quickly recognized this behaviour and took time to centre myself.

No matter what happens in the day how good or bad it is my decision how I react.  I am the only person that can determine if it is a good day or bad day.




Mr Sand

Just a thought

No real reason for this but I do find this saying interesting.