This is what I see as I look into the crystal ball…

A looooong time ago…before I became a passionate tri-geek, I was a passionate football (soccer) player.  Not surprisingly, I closely follow the World Cup.  Here are my arm-chair predictions:

Paraguay and Spain will win today’s matches.  This afternoon’s match is worthy of a final…if Portugal topples Spain…then they are worthy of going the distance.  But Spain’s depth is too good for Portugal on this day.

Quarters:

Uruguay over Ghana (sorry Africa…say it ain’t so…I am rooting along with you even though I refuse to blow into a vuvuzela)

Brazil over Netherlands in a must-see match.  Two very good teams!  Netherlands has always been my favourite team…and this one could go either way.  Whoever wins this match will make it (but lose) in the final.

Germany over Argentina in a thriller (The Germans upset and get the job done…and Maradona explodes)

Spain steamrolls over Paraguay (with a dazzling display of midfielding prowess)

Semis:

Brazil trumps Uruguay…the Cinderella story comes to an end :(

Spain over Germany…unless it enters a shoot-out..in which case Germany prevails.  But my crystal ball says it won’t go into OT…the Spaniards have too much firepower.

Final:

Brazil versus Spain: The Might Spaniards become the 2010 World Cup Champions!

Chances are extremely high that I am way off…but it will be fun to see how this unfolds…

Huge News for Windsor hot off the press:

http://www.citywindsor.ca/000810.asp?id=4799

ICG Committee announced that in a unanimous decision Windsor Essex has been awarded the 2013 Summer Games.

Allied Force vs C3 battle for triathlon supremacy

A friendly war will take place over the battlefields of Guelph Lake Conservation Area this Sunday. Grand Poo-Bah Barrie Shepley has challenged Team Allied Force to a friendly competition at the Guelph Olympic Triathlon. After much negotiation, the criteria has been set:

Each team can name up to 7 athletes.
First 4 athletes on each team count for scoring.
Lowest cumulative time of scoring athletes wins.

Both teams have a few athletes not racing on Sunday…so both teams will not be firing on all cylinders. Barrie and I will be the crazy coaches on the sidelines blowing our vuvuzelas (of which we don’t have) and cheering everyone on. Me racing was contingent on Barrie racing…so I won’t be racing. Barrie things I am a huge wuss for not racing…and he is probably right. But it will be tons of fun watching!

Team Allied Force (coaches Mike Hay and James Loaring):
Mike Hay
Mark Linseman
Tyler Lord
Jonathon McMillan
Ryan Power
Melissa French
Jeff Medd

Team C3 (coach Barrie Shepley):
Sean Bechtel
David Sharratt
Andrew Woegerer
Gary Hutchinson
Hans Porten
Claudia Johnson
Andrew Yorke

I think it will be a very close contest….and might come down to seconds between both teams after a cumulative time of over 8 hours.

The losing team will have to wear the other team’s uniform and pay homage during a team photo.

Both teams are encouraged to donate and help support two great causes:

On August 10th Miguel Vadillo (malva) will make an attempt to cross Lake Ontario.This swim will help organizations to raise money to help children to learn how to swim in organized programs and to provide young people with positive life changing experiences

The Loaring Triathlon takes place on July 17th, where all proceeds go towards the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund for Breast Cancer Research.

T-Minus One Month

Only one month to go before the July 17th Loaring Triathlon :)

Write Your Future

Tri For A Cure

Download and print the 2010 Loaring Triathlon Registration and Pledge Form

Pledge Incentive Levels:
$150 = Free entry
$350 = Free entry + 1hr massage at Loaring Physiotherapy
$750 = Free entry + 1hr massage + New Balance running shoes
$1500 = Free entry + 1hr massage + Full head to toe New Balance apparel/shoes from The Running Factory

All donations received will be doubled by the Provincial Government. Tax receipts will be mailed for pledges over $20.

Thank-you for your support in helping raise funds for the Elena Loaring Memorial Fund

All Systems Go for July 17th, 2010

Once again the Loaring Triathlon will have all proceeds go towards breast cancer research.  The Provincial Government will match dollar for dollar all monies raised.

Online registration has begun.  Have a look at the updated website for all info.  There are a few changes from the last event, including a new run course, and new sprint distance format. 

Thank-you for your help in supporting our cause, and for spreading the word of this wonderful event.

2010 ATHENA video

The Windsor Star and Media Street Productions visited Loaring Physio a couple of weeks ago, and then put together this short video that was shown (right before Charlotte accepted her award) at the 2010 Windsor-Essex Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.

smile…life is good :-)

Margaret with Sister Madonna Buder after yesterday’s Ironman 70.3 New Orleans awards ceremony.  Both won their respective age-categories.  They are both Champions not merely because of their new shiny gold medals, but largely because they possess a Gold Medal attitude and smile with everything they set their minds to.  They both embody the Olympic motto: "The most important thing in the Olympic Games is not to win but to take part, just as the most important thing in life is not the triumph but the struggle. The essential thing is not to have conquered but to have fought well." And they both have a heck of a lot of fun throughout the entire process of accomplishing this primary objective.
Margaret has drawn much inspiration from Sister Madonna as she progressed from her first triathlon, to first Oly tri, to first 70.3, to first Ironman and marathon.  Margaret is likely too humble to be fully aware of the fact--that many of us continue to draw inspiration from her. 

Onwards Along the Catwalk

Busy times…which is an ok excuse for the lack of blog posts that contain any meaningful content.  And the busyness will continue—which means less blogging, and more random tweets on twitter, and more occasional updates on the LPC Facebook page.

A few pics from a couple of big events this past weekend:

 

Kyle Gregoire and Sheri Darlison modelled the LPC clothing line at Athletica Fashionista.  All had a blast at this inaugural event, which will surely be an annual bash.  The event took place at the Ciociaro Club…in the exact same room that Bre and I had our wedding reception! 

Charlotte and Pete were the MC’s and did a fantastic job with all of the pre-planning for what was an amazing evening.  Just about every cyclist and triathlete in Essex County was in attendance.

Tom and I were having a serious talk about Spartan helmets, and Skeletor had to be told to stay put as he really wanted to go for a ride along the catwalk.

 
From one event to another: here is Char shortly after receiving the  ATHENA award at the 2010 Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce Business Excellence Awards.  The ground floor room at 1 Riverside Drive was packed (a sold-out event of 700 strong) and Char had many of her closest friends and family in attendance to share this special evening.


Annika can’t wait to start swim lessons tomorrow at Victor Davis Pool.  Good times to be had…..onwards and upwards we go………