Fun times on the misery sticks

Sorry folks - it's been a LONG while ! Been too busy and well you know............

Anyways - here's an example of what I've been up to lately !

http://vimeo.com/17461216

ENJOY !

B

It's been a while.....

train, eat, sleep, train, WORK, eat, train, sleep......Heh Heh Love it.

Apologies folks - it's been a while. Good thing is -my vids are now in HD. This is Tuesday Night's TT - the dreaded Knox Mtn Hill Climb.

http://vimeo.com/14239756

10 days till Ironman Canada.......yours truly is Bib # 160. Is a 3-digit bib a warning sign for the officials ?
I shouldn't have gotten into that transition area fight last year :D ( you know I am KIDDING here )

Enjoy
B

Ironman Road Route May 23rd

Call it a scouting report - albeit a condensed version. Our mate Eric had never done anything over 100 kms - Jaegan & I made the experience as good as possible. Heads up on what to expect - nutrition - stops when he needed it. He LOVED it ! Cannot wait for Round 2 ( that's a good sign ).

http://vimeo.com/12009023

Weather was sketchy - it just monsooned thru Summerland on the drive down ( it was quiet in the van ). All good - we only got sprinkled on a few times - and only a few sections of road were wet.

Enjoy

Salty Dog 6hr Enduro

Salmon Arm, BC. Sunday May 16th. Over 400 riders - 174 two-person teams, lots of solo riders. An 11 km route of climbing and sweet singletrack. Recipe for addiction - YES I'm riding this next year.

The video is compilation of the entire race - from pre-race to start to actual on the course riding courtesy of my GoPro helmet camera.

http://vimeo.com/11839550

Enjoy !!

Brent

TT May 11-2010

http://vimeo.com/11684480

So - my very first TT ~! Went very well - the competition was solid - and everybody was super chilled and relaxed at the start. I think I've found my niche.......

Did not get passed - and I passed at least 4 riders. There's one more I recall ( I think ) - but couldn't find it on video thumbnails - will look again. Finished with 23.29 minutes - whereas one of the Total Restoration team riders cracked off a sub 20 minute mark !!

Awesome night all. THX again to ChainLine Cycle and COBRA for hosting.

Cheers ( and enjoy ).

Kelowna Sunday Road Ride 4-25-10

You see a lot of me out front - and a LOT of me gettin' shelled out the back. Makes for a good movie !

http://vimeo.com/11270798

Enjoy ! - I sure did...

B

Paris-Roubaix 2010 - Cancellara attacks

Ski2Sea 2010

So....first off - apology. I signed up for two separate cycling challenges for April - hence my riding has been everyday - full on. As per the Twitter #30daysof biking -> We ride our bikes every friggin' day. Love it. As per Mike N's dailymile 4th Month Fool's 500 - I am currently at 622 kms - not counting running or tonight's ride. All is good. I bike, bike, run, bike, bike, poop, sleep and eat. LOVE IT. This is base baby.

So - my blogs have been a tad sparse. Add me as a friend on FB, or dailymile. More action on a daily basis. Brent Prokop.

So - April 11, 2010 was the Ski2Sea. Our group - Snow White and the Seven Dwarves - put on a great outing. Here's the video to help you understand the logistic nightmare that is S2S. Every year - teams go from Big White alpine to the drink in Okanagan Lake. AWESOME kudos to the race organizers and all of the volunteers !!

http://vimeo.com/10955582

Enjoy - and yes I'll try to pick up the slack......

Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope

Today marks the 30th Anniversary of Terry Fox's Marathon of Hope!
Terry started his run in St. John’s, Newfoundland on April 12, 1980. 

http://www.terryfox.org/

As I've stated in other social medium posts - Terry Fox - hero defined.

not as diligent as BP....

So - we were in Australia from March 5th - 20th - YES we loved it. Didn't take any means to communicate ( no computer or phone - I kinda planned it that way - make it a real holiday ) - really a small problem. It was hard to get computer access ( I wasn't looking too hard ) - hence my lack of posts and FB & Twitter absence. Blogger was even worse. I was the polarity of Mr. Payne's near twice daily postings ( BTW his blog post is awesome stuff !! Don't stop Bryan ).

This is my sister's deck pool in Trinity Beach - Cairns - Queensland looking out at the Coral Sea. The cyclone Uliu was ~ 1200 kms offshore - making for more than average winds and churned surf. It landed south of Cairns about 3 days after we left. Queensland - LOVED it. Too humid - killer jellyfish and crocs prevent swimming at the beaches - but it is paradise in the Tropics. Running was a bitch with the humidity and heat.

This is Longreach Bay on Rottenest Island off Perth Western Australia. My brother lives there with his wife and daughter. YES - my sibs couldn't live any farther apart ! A five hour direct flight thank you.
WA is gorgeous - and yes you can swim in the surf.  Did LOTS of running along the West Coast Highway. The driver's are so disrepectful to cyclists ( even worse to pedestrians ) - that the roadies also use the paved path on the WCH. I didn't get to ride a bike - probably a good thing. While I did drive cars on the wrong side during the stay - I felt that riding a bike with the locals would have been a shitty endeavour. Couldn't believe how many Giant bikes there were - at least 3/4's of all bikes I saw were Giants....

So - one of my highlights was a little reconaisance in Busselton. Why ? Oh this little get together every December called IMWA. My goal is to participate in 2011. Scouting report ? Everybody I've spoken with about this race LOVES it. I can see why - a near perfect 1.84 km long jetty makes the swim a follow of it's periphery. Flat course - lots of international participants. Mind you - December in WA is gonna be stinky hot - so get ready for a 38 - 40 degree Celcius day.

Near Busso is Margaret River. Home to at least 60 wineries and a real playground for the Perthites for weekends - holidays - whenever. Again paradise. This does make for costly accommodation - so be prepared that anywhere near Busso - Dunsborough - Yallingup - is gonna be pricey for the stay. But well worth it !!

If I had the cake - I would live 2 months of the year in Yallingup. A gorgeous little villa on the slope of the Cape Naturaliste point - overlooking the Indian Ocean. Mind you - I would miss the mountains and snow and dark hours run & bike training.

Thanks again to our extended families on both Coasts of Australia - the hospitality you extended our way was incredible !!

So - gotta cut short on this post - will write more in the next couple of days.

Cheers

Brent

p=mv

So - last post before heading to BOTH sides of the continent we call Australia. Perth, WA and Cairns, Queensland. Will try to post and post whilst going walkabout.

Sunday. Participated in my first ever Sunday Road Ride. Some very talented big engines in this town - reasons are too many why I've never rode in it before. Average an 80 km loop all over East Kelowna, Belgo, McKenzie Bench and Airport areas of Kelowna.

http://vimeo.com/9828166

So here it is for you to watch. The ride ? AWESOME. I really enjoyed getting spanked by the tandem boys. I tried like a bastard to keep up with them - couldn't do it. Then I remembered........

              p=mv                           Momentum = mass x velocity

In high school - this was a lost in the crowd equation - too simple. This video blasts the reality of this little equation through your brain like a shock wave. The chap Frank on the rear deserves a round of kudos. Getting off the couch brigrade - wants to drop a shitload of weight. He's out there - he's starting.

Too many of the boys cut out early to watch the men's olympic hockey final game. Poofs.
I'm more excited about our Cross Country ski results.

Men's 2 man relay 4th !!!!!!
50 km race - 5th ( off the Gold by 1.6 seconds !!!!!!!!! )

Watching NHLers is not something I'm gonna blow a ride off for. I like hockey - but I LOVE riding my bikes !!

The Total Restoration Cycling team did the Round the Lake ride - so some of the big engines were not in this ride. All said and done - a robust 110km ride for me - definitely a harder pace than I planned - but was expecting. 1/2 barf pace if you will. The sprints and sporting climbs left the downhill recoveries too short..........

Enjoy the video. Best of luck to all participants in Ironman China - coming up fast. Fellow blogger Bryan THE PAYNE TRAIN is trying to qualify for Kona. I've been enjoying his posts - his journey has been long and hard - let's hope his destination is as planned......

Power to the pedal

Brent

How can you NOT be happy ?

Family Fun Day for the Big White Racers Saturday Feb 20th. Kids vs parents on a large Slalom but not quite GS course. Timers, Start Ref, Finish Ref, Chief of Course ( a VERY cranky one too ! ). It was all official.

http://vimeo.com/9613318

So - I knew Ilana was going to kick my arse. Did I know this bad ? NOPE. Was I happy ? OF COURSE.
I cannot believe the skill development she's evolving here - it's spectacular. For Ilana - this was 4 years in the making. I was always busy working - never available to race her.

Boy did she make up for the years past.

Yes I realize this is every parent's hope - the kids have fun, learn, and develop many skills with their choices. Sports, music, video mediums....the life skills, friendships, etc they build in these electives is priceless.

So here is a happy music video to look at on a rainy day. Enjoy - try not to laugh too much at my getting whooped. It was fun

Cheers,

Brent

Mike's new trail " UP "

Been slamming busy folks. The two school assemblies were incredible. Been running lots in the am. As far as the biking - well - no slack is the catch-phrase.

Rode last night at Rose Valley with 5 hearty mates. Ken dropped off early w battery issues - and my video camera was not running for the time I wanted it to.

See for yourself...

http://vimeo.com/9525130

Cheers & Enjoy,

Brent

Olympic Opening Day

My Torch & I have been busy bees in the last couple of days. Yesterday was us and 3 other Torchies at Lakeshore Place Retirement Residence for their Olympic Breakfast. Very humbling very cool. The senoirs loved it - and appreciated us bringing the Torches in to show.

January 25th ~ 11:00 am at Casorso Elementary. Lucky kids - the Olympic Flame wasn't even in Kelowna yet !!!

Today is kahuna day - for everybody. For me - Rose Valley Elementary School this am - room to room presentation - gym assembly - run around field. Plus two business stops - again in full regalia with Torch.
Then this afternoon is Raymer Elementary - same spiel - room to room - gym assembly.

Before today's date - I estimate that our Torch has been held by ~ 1200 people. Pictures ? At least 5,000.
The morning of my Torch Relay - Pierre-Luc reminded us that we were SELECTED on the merits of our application. He told us it will change our life - and challenged us to do something with it.

This sharing of the hardware has been so fulfilling - it is beyond words. The kids are so pumped to hold and grab the Torch. The questions are endless - and most creative.

I want to thank Jody Nelson - teacher at Casorso Elementary for asking me in late December if I could bring the Torch to the school assembly. It sparked me to share this special gift with as many people as possible.

I hope that many other Torchies are doing same.

Here's to a very successful Opening Day for the Olympics - here's to a spectacular day for everybody !!

Enjoy your day !! Pics to follow.

Cheers

Brent

Weasel House BWR Flag

As one of my last duties as a member of the Big White Racer Executive - here's the finished product. BC Alpine shipped us this flag - I had to organize and den-mother peoples and little racers to sign the flag - but not fill in the Maple Leaf. Thanks to Gerry Whittaker ( volunteering with Tom Fydell, and Chris Jaegli ) here's the finished product hanging in Weasel House at Whistler. Each registered Ski Club in BC had the opportunity - great idea. Weasel House is a R&R gathering place - Gerry writes that this is where all the volunteers go to drink !!
If that's the case - then the Maple Leaf will be filled up in no time.......LOL
Thanks to Kathy Stahr of BC Alpine. Thanks to the Big White Racer kids for writing their messages of luck and " bring out a can o' whoop-ass ".

GO CANADA !!

Thursday @ 7:30am - myself and 3 other Torchbearers ( with our flash outfits ) will be at Lakeshore Place Retirement Residence for their Breakfast Olympics. This is going to be special - as it sounds like there are going to be plenty of families with their residence members.
Friday AM - Rose Valley Elementary Olympic Assembly - room to room presentation of the Torch & I ( in the flash outfit ) plus a run around the field.
Friday PM - Raymer Elementary Olympic Assembly - sounds like same thing....in the flash outfit.

Have definitely lost count - but Dad & I have had more than 1000 people hold and take picture with our Torch. I trust that other Torchbearers can do same....

Cheers,

Brent

the official Torchbearer photo...

Not too many words needed here. Thanks again to the entire Torch logistics team, and especially to the RCMP security runners. Hard to believe it was 2 weeks ago today.

Cheers

Revelstoke K1 Race Jan 30th & 31st

I'm a tad late with this blog - the video took some time - but I did have it on FB and Twitland sooner. This photo is of our little ripper having fun.....Props and beer to Keith Nelson for lying on the snow for this shot !!

Ilana racing K1 Zone race at Revelstoke Mtn Resort

So here is the video to make sense of the madness. I'm really trying to expand my hack nature with new programs - but iMovie is the shit. Too many of my friends are saying my movies are too long - too fecking bad.

http://vimeo.com/9223457

By the way - VIMEO rocks. I cannot fathom why YouTub is still around. Vimeo is free - and allows you to upload ANY size video file - HD too. The video is taken with my GoPro HD Hero helmet camera. This little puppy is waterproof - bombproof - jiggleproof. ENJOY.

One last photo to whet the appetite. This is another shot from Keith Nelson with the kids doing course inspection. I love the staged nature of the shot - the " in the moment " raw nature of it.

Anybody that has raced will appreciate this - it's when " you better listen HARD " to Coach plotting your lines, position, where to look next....

Off for a ripper mountain bike and - gulp - yes some work tomorrow. Will keep you posted on upcoming video shoots ( too many planned in my head right now ).

CHEERS

oooops - forgot to post Climb Sturg III

Climbing Sturg III on Vimeo! viewer discretion advised - song lyrics and Jager references a plenty. Good ride w the dudes.




http://vimeo.com/8941367


Cheers,


Brent

Clyde's Secret Glades - Revelstoke Mtn Resort

http://vimeo.com/9148366

Still working on the video of the kids skiing. Here's a little downtime for yours truly. Trying to keep up to Jeff was impossible ! This guys ROCKS the boards.

Cannot write much - going for early morning run.......

Cheers,

Brent

2010 Olympic Torch Relay

So - for a few of my 5 followers - this is old news. For the others - here goes. Yours truly was selected to be an Olympic Torchbearer. My magical day was one week ago today. 7:23 am on January 25th at Osoyoos BC. I was runner No. 10 out of 206 for that day.

WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW WOW

http://vimeo.com/9012504
The video says more than I can possibly write. A few things of note.

YES I was nervous - I only told our daughter - what 4 times ? - to pick me up at the Cultural Centre.

Pierre-Luc our handler reminded us that we were SELECTED by the merits of our application. It was not a random draw. He challenged us to do something with this. I am.

Since that day - I have been to two ( 2 ) Elementary School assemblies - with two more planned. At least 800 people have grabbed hold of our Torch. The more - the better.

What this life-changing experience has done is shown me that each and every one of us can make a difference in other people's lives. To see the school kids go crazy is priceless.

ENJOY - I DID

Cheers,

Brent

just in case you were wondering....

No offense - I know it's mandatory and my 2010 dance card could be affected - but - I HATE the trainer. So - the outdoor stuff has been the standard. Yes - I'm not cracking off 5 hr trainer rides like Payne-Train Bryan - so call me a poof. I'm hoping all of my other activities will compensate.

So - instead of rambling like a fool - here's what this blog is about. Next mtn bike ride. This Sunday in the am. How far ? Most likely a 2 hr stint then a kahuna skate ski.

The bike ride I'm REALLY looking forward to is the Climb Sturgeon III. Friday January 22nd. It celebrates my and 2 others birthdays. We climb Knox in the dark - and fall into Sturgeon Hall. Shitty - we have to drink beer afterwards.

So - YES I'll be wearing helmet cam. YES we are going to equal last year's total of at least 5 hearty riders. YES we're gonna drink some Warsteiner. MAYBE I'll ride my bike INTO Sturgeon. Would make a great video shoot eh ???

This morning's run was sticky baby poo mud on the runners. That was a good 40 minutes of the 2 hr run in the muck.....Joy. Oh and it was raining non-stop too. Character building I'm told.

Saw this video today on vimeo. Levi cruising on the TT in his Mellow Johnny gear in Sonoma. Shit I could watch this video all day......

Levi cruising on the TT machina in Sonoma

you think you've got cardio ?? think again !

Have purchased a pair of XC skate skis - aptly called MISERY STICKS. Why ? Well as my title eludes - one can never ever never assume the task is complete. Compound this exponentially when dealing with your fitness.
Strive higher - stronger - faster. Better yet for us mere mortals - associate with lung demons no matter your sport. If you can befriend or have friends that are that much better than you at the game - train as much as they'll allow you. Remember karma can be a real bitch - so extend the courtesy when you're approached by an entry level friend.

Telemark Night skiing January 5th - a rest stop at a junction

I've known for 20 years that XC skiing was the key tyo better cycling - did I do it ? No. Shitballs. But - so as to not go throught life feeling sorry for myself - I've finally done it. WOW. This sport is incredible. I cannot begin to describe the soreness in my arms and lungs after 5 solid sessions on the sticks. I plan to skate ski 2hrs this coming Thursday night and 4 hrs on Sunday. I'm going to enter a 30km Loppet on January 24th. I wont finish last - but it'll be damn close.

This video is from Sunday January 3rd. Sovereign Lake Nordic Centre. Enjoy.

http://vimeo.com/8545741

Cheers,

Brent