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10.

September 30, 2010 in Da Fam., Da wife., Found FUN with 5 Comments

10 years ago I married my love, Stacey Renee.
The day was gorgeous – 70′s and sunny. We took over Logan Square and made it our own, using homes and St. John Berchmans to facilitate our nuptials. Hundreds gathered from around the country to celebrate our union, and we partied on the Near North Side well into the night.

10 years ago we started a journey.
On that day the world became our oyster. We had no idea where we we heading – there was no Texas in our plans, and the idea of twins wasn’t even a possibility. We built a foundation of friendship between us, and opened that to others.

10 years is a long time.
Feels like an eternity… (isn’t that the joke?) To be honest, 10 years have flown by. It seems like that wonderful Fall day was just a couple of years ago. That’s part of what makes 10 years so special.

10 years is a start.
Every day brings us back to day one, to a place where we created a life together. Every day brings us back to our wedding song, Teach Me About Love, because we can never stop learning about each other.

Stacey, I love you. Thank you for 10 great years.

For the love of Cyclocross

September 9, 2010 in Austin, Texas, CX with 9 Comments

This past year has been great for me, physically. I participated in CrossFit for six months, which I credit for lost inches, found definition and the disappearance of 22 lbs of fat. I play ice hockey a couple times a week and have consistently finished in the top ten to twenty in scoring (and penalty minutes, too, much to my chagrin).

But they’re not bike racing, and certainly not racing at a level that I would like to be at. So I’ve made a shift in anticipation of the fall ‘Cross season in Texas.

Lone Star Cyclocross from Matt Haughey on Vimeo.

From now through the end of the year I will no longer head to CrossFit and I will play hockey just once a week, on a set day, so I can more accurately plan training rides and progression with my coach. I’ve hired David Wenger of Durata Training, my first one-on-one coach ever.

So far the training has been great. I’m reading my wattage on a Quarq Cinqo tied to a Garmin 705.

It’s all exciting to me – the electronics. For years I’ve been proud to be the guy with zero electronics to monitor progression. A real velo Luddite. (Yes, I lead an interactive dept for a living, don’t judge.)

Now I’m in it for results.

I often tweet my training results and routes, so be sure to follow me there to keep up. Coach is starting to intensify my training and I noticed something that said 375 watts for 15 seconds, then down to 185 watts for 15 seconds, and back up again. Man, that’s gonna be tough. But ‘cross is fierce, balls-to-the-wall, pain cave racing.

Here’s my schedule for the year:
Oct 16- Austin – season opener at Belterra
Oct 17- Austin – season opener w/Texas Custom Bicycle Show
Oct 23 Houston GCCA
Oct 24 Houston Woodlands CX
Oct 30 New Braunfels- WurstFest
Nov 6 Webberville p/b Violet Crown
Nov 7 Austin p/b Holland Racing
Nov 13 San Antonio p/b Bicycle Heaven
Nov 14 San Antonio
Nov 20 Ft Worth p/b Broken Films
Nov 21 Ft Worth p/b Think Cash
Dec 5 Chicago Cross Cup State Championships
Dec 12 Austin p/b Brain and Spine
Dec 18 Dallas – State Championship (Skills Based)
Dec 19 Dallas – State Championship (Age Based)

You might have noticed that Chicago date. Still in the works, but close to complete and puts a big smile on my face just thinking about getting back to the series I started.

Eye of the tiger, people. Let’s race!

McAllum Prom 2024

April 23, 2009 in Da Fam., Family and friends, Patrick with 9 Comments

If we stick around the Crestview neighborhood the twins will likely go to McAllum. It’s a pretty cool high school (as those places go) and even has the city’s only Fine Arts program, so Katie and PJ won’t have to travel if that curriculum suits their fancy.

But we will – next month we’re headed for Chicago-South Bend-Galena… it’s like déjà vu all over again. My cousin Tom is marrying his love, Lauren, and the kids and I are standing up. Patrick is going to be a ring bearer with his sister.

Yesterday we got fitted and PJ now owns his first tux. Apparently it’s the same price either way, so we bought and he was measured. When I was putting him into his monkey suit, Sara Smile by Hall and Oats was playing. He sat down in the dressing room, looked up me and smiled. I started to imagine him outside the school dance relaxing with friends as the teen sect was finally coming around to 80′s rock for the third time.

We finished his dress up and walked out to get measured when he saw himself in the mirror. At first glance he instantly let out a deep giggle and stared. I think he liked what he saw – he sure is handsome all dressed to the nines.

I’ll always remember our first dad and son trip to the men’s store. I like to think he had a pretty good time, too.

O’Bama is our distant relative from the way back.

February 3, 2009 in Found FUN, White Sox Baseball with 4 Comments

I told Corky that his email was too good to be true. I mean, not only is on our newest President a South Sider, but he’s also a SOX fan and a BEARS fan.

But Irish, too?

I had to investigate, and it turns out it’s true. And that’s the cat’s pajamas, daddio. Just like this song made by the Corrigan Brothers:

Barack makes mention in the video about stopping over for a pint. Hopefully he won’t end up at the Museum of Irish Roots (ala Family Guy).

But if history repeats, and we can hold onto the belief that if one Irish family did great things for a country that was ripped apart, maybe a president who’s part Irish can do the same. At least I can hope.

Please give $13.10 to World Bicycle Relief

December 17, 2008 in Friends, Important dates, Social media with 1 Comment

In the past my friends and family have been so generous. You’ve supported my LAF rides and others, but today I’ve got a new cause. World Bicycle Relief is my favorite charity and one of our best clients. We’re supporting their current campaign so they can start anew.

Here’s how you can help:
1. Go here and donate $13.10. Why the goofy amount? You may have read that I’m running a half marathon (13.1k). You’re sponsoring my run for a buck per kilometer, and I’ll think about you when I’m ready to hurl on mile 12.

2. Tell your friends. Seriously, you can join the WBR Facebook Cause, put it on your blog or even Tweet about it. The more people that know, they better.

Thanks for considering the pledge.

On a side note – it’s freaking cold up here in Chicago. We’ve got a big pitch with the Chicago Architecture Foundation when the WBR campaign launches, and we hold great hope for both groups.

Much love – JD

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