Kearns and Success
My buddy Brad Kearns, the former pro triathlete, has a new book out about the Lance Armstrong Success Formula or something like Four Steps to Fulfillment the Lance Way. Check it out here.
I joke, but I know the book is going to be good. Lance (undeniably) has a formula for success and Brad brings an unique perspective to the subject, thanks to his years of racing professionally. While I realize that Lance is the hook, and the reason the average shopper would stop and pick up the book on those front tables at Border's, I'm actually a lot more interested in Brad's words of wisdom.
A few reasons: First, he's carved out a fine entrepreneurial niche for himself since leaving triathlon. To do that, a guy has to be bold. Consider: A few years back, Kearns was in one of the luxury boxes at a San Jose Sharks game. The box owner, a silicon valley millionaire type, bet him that he couldn't sneak down to the front row, right up next to the glass. Kearns not only managed to bluff his way down to the front row, he walked out onto the ice during a break between periods and helped the maintenance crews repair one of the nets. Then he walked out through the visiting team's dressing room, where the equipment guy gave him a used NHL hockey stick as thanks for his efforts. That's bold.
It's also trespassing, but that's OK. It's still a cool story. Anyway, the other reason I like Brad's success stuff is that a few years ago I was under the pile about my training. There didn't seem to be enough time in the day to train, work, decompress, and be totally coherent in the presence of my family. I said as much to Brad in an email. His response was a lengthy diatribe about stress and training, and basically a reality check. Brad's message was to listen to the body. If it's tired, take a day off. If it feels good, then go with that emotion. No sense getting all worked up about missing a workout. It's just not worth it.
A simple message, but sometimes it needs to be said. Pushing limits sometimes means having the courage to rest. Have you ever noticed that resting (which, physiologically speaking, is when an athlete's body gets stronger) is seen as a sign of weakness? That's a tough stigma to overcome.
Anyway, check out Brad's book. I'm intrigued to see whether or not there's a market for Lance books anymore. I kind of thought CHASING LANCE hit the tail end of the cycle, but Brad's book could mark the bridge between the cycling-oriented Lance market and the business/lifestyle-Lance crowd. We'll see.
Onward. I've become hooked on this Doonesbury site which allows soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan to post their comments from the front. The media has all but ceased reporting from the frontline positions, so what you'll read in the Sandbox is a rather bracing first-person perspective. Well worth the right-click.
Alright. Heading over the hill to see my buddy Floyd this morning. Great things in the works. Talk to you later.
Keep pushing... always.
Hey Marty, been doing some work on the site,huh? Looks good, and I'll bet you'll sell a few more books!
I hope you tell Floyd we all said "Hi". I see he's making an appearance in Madison,WI this friday. Shucks, I'm going to Kansas City...family....but maybe I could keep driving north! It really looks like a good time! Wisconsin is trying to make the state more 'bike-friendly', a very good issue for all the states!
Posted by: Theresa | October 17, 2006 at 11:31 AM
Lance 2:28
Marty 2:49
Posted by: Stephanie | October 17, 2006 at 12:00 PM
ok, Lance 2:28
Posted by: Dave | October 17, 2006 at 01:44 PM
whoops! ok, Lance 2:25
Posted by: Dave | October 17, 2006 at 01:45 PM
Lance 2:27
Marty 2:45
Posted by: McLean | October 17, 2006 at 02:13 PM
Is it still considered trespassing if a security guard opens the door for you to set foot on the ice?
Posted by: Brad Kearns | October 17, 2006 at 02:44 PM
Speaking of trespassing, as I write I'm waiting for a flight from Boston to Halifax. I got confused at the gate entrance and somehow was allowed to get on my plane without ever showing my boarding pass. The flight attendant hadn't even turned on the cabin lights and he even let us sit down. It took security a few minutes (we stepped off before they came to the plane) to figure out what happened. So yeah, Brad, in my opinion, that can't be trespassing if they open the door for you!
Posted by: Yvette | October 17, 2006 at 04:56 PM
Dude,
You've got an add for HGH in your google ads section. Isn't that a bit ironic?????
Posted by: tom b | October 17, 2006 at 10:03 PM