The Holidays are HERE!!!!

A mighty lean if I ever saw one!

It's that time of year again! Christmas is only 6 days away, everyone is probably already full to the brim from holiday parties, and there are still a few left on the schedule. I've already had a bunch of Christmas dinners and parties with various family members, friends, and coworkers, but I'm most looking forward to the Christmas eve dinner and Christmas dinner, as they will be sure to deliver that last loading of holiday treats! We've also FINALLY gotten our tree up AND decorated (it's pretty tough to get the whole family together to decorate when every one operates on a different schedule.) All I know is that we bought a 9 foot tree, but after a few glasses of mulled wine, some frustration with and awkwardly grown tree, and getting that frustration out via our sawsall electric saw, we now have a 6 foot tree. But at least it doesn't look like the leaning tower of Pisa.

Creating mulled wine. DELISH!

That being said, we're ready for the big man to make is appearance on the day, and it will be a relief. Being a busy procrastinator, I've not quite finished my Christmas shopping, so the mad rush is on to get it all done. Sometimes it seems like the whole city waited until now as well, total chaos in any mall I visit. There should be some kind of Mall Race, complete with tightly wound shoppers as obstacles, and a prize for the person who can navigate through the mall and collect a list of gifts the fastest! Not sure what kind of prize it would be, but perhaps some kind of online shopping gift card. It'll make you push hard so you don't have to do it again!

Team Ossenbrink Christmas Pub Night

Recently, Super-Coach Bjoern Ossenbrink and I were chatting about the races that I'll be competing in for 2012, a VERY exciting talk to say the least. Not everything is finalized yet, but geez am I EXCITED about the races that we have lined up so far, and even more excited by the prospect of a few races we haven't decided on yet. We'll be figuring it out soon, but suffice to say, 2012 is going to be a BIG year on the race scene. After some time off after the Miami 70.3, the build has officially begun for 2012, and it's time to get serious again. I'm feeling mentally refreshed, and after a few too many holiday parties, and a LOT of time lifting weights in the gym, there's a few pounds that need to be shed before the racing eventually begins again (the first fun of the year is slated for the Steveston Ice Breaker 8k road race on January 29th, in Richmond, BC.)

I hope everyone is out and enjoying the holidays and festivities lately, as well as taking some time to relax and kick back with family and friends. Merry Christmas to everyone who celebrates, and have a happy New Years!!! Be safe out there, enjoy some turkey and a slice of pie for me.

The shrinking Christmas tree

Nathan