I'm playing in a golf tournament this week with my friend Clint from Austin. Counting the practice round it will be 4 days of golf, along with lots of day and evening dinners and parties. I was asked "When's the last time you hung out for 4 straight days?" Answer: Never?
You'd have to go a long way back, which we do. But throwing out the growing up years, we've been on vacations, in our weddings, at each other's houses. We shouldn't have any troubles as we're both a couple of straight shooters if I do say so myself.
When I was in Houston, my friend Robert met my friend John and said of John "How are you so much different that Greg?" I think my McAllen friends will like Clint in that same way.
Should be fun. We'll see if anyone bets on us (really!) in the Calcutta auction for the various teams.
Tuesday, April 29, 2014
Monday, April 14, 2014
Congrats Bubba
Bubba Watson did what Masters winners do on Sunday - play better down the stretch than anyone else, and make the shots under pressure. Congrats to him as not only a 2x champ, but also "the fastest to get to win #2", 6 tries, just like... Arnold Palmer.
Fitting that this long hitting, crowd pleaser, country boy would share that with The King. Phil Mickelson has also been compared to Arnold Palmer so now we've got 2 different Masters champs to choose from.
But will either Phil or Bubba have a drink named after them? Only time will tell.
Fitting that this long hitting, crowd pleaser, country boy would share that with The King. Phil Mickelson has also been compared to Arnold Palmer so now we've got 2 different Masters champs to choose from.
But will either Phil or Bubba have a drink named after them? Only time will tell.
Thursday, April 10, 2014
Masters Week
In honor of the Masters week, I thought of this story from my friend Watt who I used to play golf with when he lived in McAllen. Watt was a fun guy and a decent golfer. He used to live in the DFW area and when he was there, he attended the same church as Byron Nelson in a little town of Roanoke, Texas.
At that time Nelson was a pretty old man, perhaps around 70. People knew his history but perhaps that was a previous career. One day Watt said, "I'm going to the golf range today, would you like to join me?" And Nelson said "Yes that would be nice".
So Watt hit the range with one of the greats, a 2 time Masters Champion, winner of 11 straight tournaments, namesake of the Nelson Bridge on #12 at Augusta National, namesake of the HP Byron Nelson Classic, tutor to all time great Tom Watson, winner of 5 majors and so forth.
Watt said that he received a few tips that day:
When Nelson wanted to hit a fade, he pictured hitting the right side of the ball at 5 o'clock, and a draw the left side at 7 o'clock, a high ball the bottom of the ball below the equator
He also talked about the importance of staying calm.
It's not everyday you get such wisdom. Goes to show that there's a lot of knowledge out there, just for the asking.
At that time Nelson was a pretty old man, perhaps around 70. People knew his history but perhaps that was a previous career. One day Watt said, "I'm going to the golf range today, would you like to join me?" And Nelson said "Yes that would be nice".
So Watt hit the range with one of the greats, a 2 time Masters Champion, winner of 11 straight tournaments, namesake of the Nelson Bridge on #12 at Augusta National, namesake of the HP Byron Nelson Classic, tutor to all time great Tom Watson, winner of 5 majors and so forth.
Watt said that he received a few tips that day:
When Nelson wanted to hit a fade, he pictured hitting the right side of the ball at 5 o'clock, and a draw the left side at 7 o'clock, a high ball the bottom of the ball below the equator
He also talked about the importance of staying calm.
It's not everyday you get such wisdom. Goes to show that there's a lot of knowledge out there, just for the asking.
Tuesday, April 8, 2014
Ironman 70.3 Galveston Race Report
Number 1 on the Life List is done. I completed the Half Ironman, or Ironman 70.3 in Galveston on Sunday, April 6. In a better than expected time of 7:16. My results are HERE.
Best of all, I had a good time doing it. Training started on November 17, 2013 and so that was 20 weeks of training. As a result, I felt prepared during all three legs. Putting it all together was tough as being out for over 7 hours is something you are not likely used to.
Weather turned out to be nearly ideal. Cloudy with some wind but not excessive made for a welcome break from the hot sun that was expected. The wind made for difficult chop on the water which some found tough. I was otherwise inspired and had my best swim time of 48 minues. On the way out the waves were hitting hard, but once we turned, it was like being in a current. Swim distance was 1.2 miles.
On the bike course, the road was very smooth and the winds made for a smooth pedal. It was out past San Luis Pass and then turned around. Fortunately, the wind was not in our face either way. There was rain which made for slippery handlebars. I kept a good grip on so as not to slip off. There were portajohns along the way which made for good rest stops. Some people could ride without stopping but that was not part of my plan. At rest stop number 4 when I was lagging from lack of food, they brought me everything I needed. That was a highlight. Even a cookie - I had been good.
After that I was good to go and finished the ride going through the old airfield, by the Lone Star Flight Museum, a charity of my dad's. That was a good feeling and to be able to ride on the old runway was pretty neat. The ride was 56 miles.
Then the run started. I knew that I just should settle in. On the run course, once we got started, I was not sure I was going the right way. But we settled in. At some point, I felt like I should be running faster and was thinking that I wanted to get it finished.
But then I thought "This will be over before you know it, you'll run the pace you can, and you need to enjoy every bit of this, because tomorrow you'll be ordinary again". On this day, running, I felt extraordinary!
That really helped, as I settled in to the 13.1 miles. My back was getting sore so when I walked a minute at a time, it helped and I got back running again. I had to keep fueling up again because my energy would lag and then bounce back. There were plenty of aid stations so it was a challenge to know when to stop and when to run by.
At mile 11, I realized I needed to fuel up and walk once last bit and then, the run was up the bridge, by the dock, down the waterside, around the corner, and left veer across the finish line. I finished running strong and felt great.
I still had to hold on the rail as they took my chip. After seeing John and Sam come in, and an emotional photo, I had to get something to eat and drink. I enjoyed seeing my friend Lori thereafter. She's doing the full 140.6 Ironman in May.
1.2 mile run + 56 mile bike + 13.1 run = 70.3 miles.
I am an Ironman!
Best of all, I had a good time doing it. Training started on November 17, 2013 and so that was 20 weeks of training. As a result, I felt prepared during all three legs. Putting it all together was tough as being out for over 7 hours is something you are not likely used to.
Weather turned out to be nearly ideal. Cloudy with some wind but not excessive made for a welcome break from the hot sun that was expected. The wind made for difficult chop on the water which some found tough. I was otherwise inspired and had my best swim time of 48 minues. On the way out the waves were hitting hard, but once we turned, it was like being in a current. Swim distance was 1.2 miles.
On the bike course, the road was very smooth and the winds made for a smooth pedal. It was out past San Luis Pass and then turned around. Fortunately, the wind was not in our face either way. There was rain which made for slippery handlebars. I kept a good grip on so as not to slip off. There were portajohns along the way which made for good rest stops. Some people could ride without stopping but that was not part of my plan. At rest stop number 4 when I was lagging from lack of food, they brought me everything I needed. That was a highlight. Even a cookie - I had been good.
After that I was good to go and finished the ride going through the old airfield, by the Lone Star Flight Museum, a charity of my dad's. That was a good feeling and to be able to ride on the old runway was pretty neat. The ride was 56 miles.
Then the run started. I knew that I just should settle in. On the run course, once we got started, I was not sure I was going the right way. But we settled in. At some point, I felt like I should be running faster and was thinking that I wanted to get it finished.
But then I thought "This will be over before you know it, you'll run the pace you can, and you need to enjoy every bit of this, because tomorrow you'll be ordinary again". On this day, running, I felt extraordinary!
That really helped, as I settled in to the 13.1 miles. My back was getting sore so when I walked a minute at a time, it helped and I got back running again. I had to keep fueling up again because my energy would lag and then bounce back. There were plenty of aid stations so it was a challenge to know when to stop and when to run by.
At mile 11, I realized I needed to fuel up and walk once last bit and then, the run was up the bridge, by the dock, down the waterside, around the corner, and left veer across the finish line. I finished running strong and felt great.
I still had to hold on the rail as they took my chip. After seeing John and Sam come in, and an emotional photo, I had to get something to eat and drink. I enjoyed seeing my friend Lori thereafter. She's doing the full 140.6 Ironman in May.
1.2 mile run + 56 mile bike + 13.1 run = 70.3 miles.
I am an Ironman!
Friday, April 4, 2014
Friday before the Big Day
It's Friday and on Sunday, I will be doing the Galveston 70.3 Half Ironman, which I've been training for the past 5 months. My mentor Glenn said to carb up and hydrate and stop all training, which should be easy.
Tomorrow we've got a long drive and then a busy afternoon checking in and getting ready. I'm glad I've done all the other marathons and triathlons so I think I'm pretty well ready for what comes ahead.
But you never know what will happen until you line up that morning. It should be an adventure!
Tomorrow we've got a long drive and then a busy afternoon checking in and getting ready. I'm glad I've done all the other marathons and triathlons so I think I'm pretty well ready for what comes ahead.
But you never know what will happen until you line up that morning. It should be an adventure!
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