Charity book-signing

The Ironstruck charity book-signing resulted in $500 being donated to Samaritan's Purse, so thank you to all of you who purchased one of my books and at the same time donated your money to the Haiti Relief effort and the people of Haiti.

Better still, all donations are being matched by the Federal Government, so this will become a $1000 donation, so thanks again.

CHARITY IRONSTRUCK SIGNING

Sometimes you just have to do something. What has happened in Haiti is almost incomprehensible. Basically, an entire nation has been totally destroyed. There are very few buildings even standing and there simply is "no" infrastructure left. No food, no water, no schools, no hospitals, no homes, and in many, many cases no mom or dad, no brother or sister, or maybe no family at all.

So many of us in the past, including myself, are quick to reason that there is little that we as individuals can do to help with a disaster of this magnitude. Sure, Canada and many of it's people pitch in to help right away. However, it seems like it's always the same people. There are many of us who do not know what to do or who to trust with our cash donation. Will it get to the desperate people we are seeing on the T.V. and in the newspaper?

I believe there are several fine charitable organizations that have their heart in the right place and are almost always the first at ground zero when disaster strikes. I believe Samaritan's Purse is one of those organizations.

If you happen to live in Calgary, come by Market Mall Coles bookstore on Saturday January 23rd between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. and buy one of my triathlon books for yourself or someone you know. They retail at $21.95. For every single book sold I will donate the full value $22 to Samaritan's Purse. So if I can sell 20 books, I will donate $440. If I sell 50 books I will donate $1100.

Every single person who buys a book will be part of this effort.

The Calgary chapter of Samaritan's Purse will be filling thousands of bags with hygiene products for the people of Haiti. Soap, shampoo, shaving supplies, and toothpaste are just a some of the over one dozen products that will be in each bag. They are meant for families and will have a wide range of products.

Anyone who buys one of my books will be supporting this project and the people you are seeing on T.V. are the same people that will be receiving this package from Samaritan's Purse as fast as they can be packaged and shipped.

Samaritan's Purse has been in Haiti since day one. They have a barge full of tons and tons of heavy equipment and temporary shelters in the Gulf making it's way to Haiti. They are also putting water purification systems in place. Samaritan's Purse is in Haiti for the long term, as re-construction of Haiti will be a mammoth undertaking.

Come out and buy a book or if you live in a distant city do whatever you can to help the people of Haiti any way you can.

Do it in a big way, or do it in a small way, but just do something because ultimately, we all belong to the family of man and should help each other in the hour of need.

Another Tri Season

As the holiday season is over you can almost feel the on-rush of adrenaline in Calgary as the start of another tri racing season is in sight. Sure there have been races going on in other parts of the world with warmer climates, but the bikes have been parked and the wetsuits have been hanging in the closets in most of Canada for the past several months.

There are some burning questions about the coming year that I can't seem to get off my mind.

--Will Craig Alexander show up in Calgary in August and be part of Ironman Calgary 70.3. It seems that it's the least he can do for not showing up for the 2009 version.

--How big will the Ironman Canada field be this year and where will it all stop? I believe there were around 2600 starters in 2009.

--Will I ever be able to get through chapter one of book five?

--Will Ironstruck...The Ironman Triathlon Journey ever reach best seller status?


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IRONMAN CALGARY 70.3---TIME TO ENTER

Another year is upon us and it's around this time that many triathletes start looking seriously toward the upcoming triathlon season. One thing I learned over the years is just how fast the eight months between New Year's and Ironman Canada can "FLY" by.

The entries to Iroman Calgary have been open for some time and this could well become a world "destination" race and will most likely be a race that will sell out every year. The fact that race organizers did such a great job in the inaugural event make this all the more likely. Even today I still run into people during book signings who say how much they enjoyed the spectacular point to point bike course.

It might be a good idea to think about signing up in the near future so you don't get left out.

Best of luck in all your upcoming training and racing in the New Year.