Reading Rainbow

Dear Readers,

As I have recently finished up school, I am grateful that many of my friends and peers have congratulated me, and they all ask me one or two questions. 1. Are you looking for a new job ? (answer- no) 2. What are you going to do with all the time you have now?  that one is a bit tougher...

First, I want to try to become a strong/fast mountain biker (again ?), and to begin to race well. Based on last weekend's fiasco, that's going to be an on going project...

Next, I want to read. Over the past two years I haven't read anything that wasn't really tied to my program. Along the way, I collected a number of books I want to read, but hadn't had the time to dig in... The past few weeks have I have been at it pretty good. So here's what I have been reading:

I read Sheridan's first book a Fighter's Heart, and I thought it was generally very well done. It was a natural for me to follow up with his second. I'm not an MMA fan, but a HUGE wrestling fan, both books focused on great wrestlers. The first few chapters of this book focused on Gable and then an ultra marathon runner. Needless to say I was hooked. Most interesting to me was Chess prodigy turned Martian Arts National Champ- Josh Waitzken, you know the kid from finding Bobby Fischer. I was blown away by his thoughts on learning, and perseverance. Like Sheridan's first book, it started strong and got weaker. Still a worthy while read.

A lot of hype about this book. I was pretty excited to read it. Jumped in and it didn't grab me. I read about 100 pages, and frankly it still didn't grab me. Looking at my shelf of books I have been collecting for 2 years and wanting to read, I put this down. Not sure I'll pick it up again. A bit of a disappointment for me.

I loved this book. I had a hard time putting it down. The Epic build up to, and battle in the 1989 Ironman was awesome. The book is so well crafted, the story told perfectly. After reading the book I found myself looking for more info on both Dave Scott and Mark Allen. Generally not a huge fan of or hooked in by triathlon stuff, but this was one I couldn't put down. The diversity of styles and approaches was amazing from these two. I found myself reading about Dave Scott and automatically thinking about my favorite local tri guy. Dude's are cut from the same cloth . This book was outstanding, an incredibly well crafted story. I was sad when I was finished, I wanted more. 

My current read, Pro Cycling on $10 a day. You know as a master's cyclist, we all know that guy who started racing a little late, has some natural talent, and does really well in age group, and category races. You know that guy who believes that he really could have been a pro. I am not that guy. Reading this book even further illustrated that fact to me. Another excellent read, I love Gaimon's candor, and how each story has a blog post feel, and a very conversational tone. I have been casually a fan of Phil's for a while, and reading his story I'm quickly becoming a bigger fan. I like his perspective on racing, and frankly the longer view he appears to lay out. Such a great read... I'm about halfway through this one and really enjoying it. My favorite part thus far was when he called Danielson CVV, when he knew it was Danielson.  Always thought Danielson was a prick. It's bad when from a fans standpoint the guy seems like a prick. Armstrong seemed like sunshine and rainbows and he was the world champ of pricks, I can't imagine how unbearable Danielson must be. But I digress, very fun read and has been very enjoyable...

Well reader, thanks for indulging me in my recent reading....

thanks for reading

respect
fm