February 2010 | Leif Baradoy

New goodies: Sole’s Sports Flips!

25-02-2010

I just got these Sole Men’s Flips as part of a box of awesome goodies (much needed socks, as well as apparel and footbeds) from Sole. I’ve worn Sole’s sandals since last summer and I’ve been very happy with them. In fact, I used to hate thong-style sandals (flip flops) and I swore that I’d never wear them. Sole’s Sport’s Flips changed my mind. They rock.

First off, they come my size (men’s 13), which is uncommon. Next, they actually grip and hold my foot (they aren’t sloppy), so they are comfortable to walk in. I often wear them when recovering after runs. Plus, they look good. If you’re looking for a quality pair of sandals, be sure to try on a pair of Sole’s.

I could go on, but suffice it to say that Sole makes great products and they are an awesome sponsor. I am fortunate to have their support (pun intended).

These same sandals were reviewed by The New York Times last year (link here) and deemed “the most supportive sandal in the test.”

Oh yeah . . . Here’s a little random joy for you. I just started listening to of Montreal again. Why did I ever stop? If you can ever catch them live, do so. They are a wild bunch and they put on a great show.

Also, here’s a video from Sled Island 2008, where I saw José González. I remember the utter magic of experiencing this song mere feet from stage. I was beside one of my best friends and felt so lifted. Even this video recalls those emotions. Enjoy.

Mexico, School, Skateboarding South America

23-02-2010

Just a quick update. I’m back in Canada after spending a week in Puerto Vallarta celebrating my grandfather’s upcoming 90th birthday! I had a pretty laid back week relaxing on the beach in Mexico, but I still managed to get some training in (mostly treadmill runs and ocean swims). One of the highlights of the trip was swimming out into the ocean solo, which is admittedly dangerous. Still, I found those swims energized me and gave me a sense of joy and appreciation for life.

School is picking up (thesis proposal, end of terms papers, presentations, etc.), so I have to focus these next couple months to make sure that I stay on top of things. I’m excited about where my life is at, but the time in Mexico made me very aware of just how busy I keep.

I want to highlight this video by Paul Kent—a professional longboarder—who I know through my brother Ross (also a longboarder). Paul recently skated across Peru and Bolivia and this video captures some of the wildness of his trip. He’s about to skate across Morocco as part of Long Treks on Skate Decks. Longboarding is a developing sport that I am a big supporter of. Paul is a serious endurance athlete who will challenge the way you think about longboarding. Enjoy the video and check out his site.

Support Your Supporters

07-02-2010

Leif Baradoy and Laura Weston Baradoy Only on the surface does triathlon appear to be an individual sport. Meeting one’s full potential does not happen in a social, emotional, or financial vacuum. Investigate your favourite athlete who competes in an individual sport and you are likely to find that person training with a coach and a group. Moreover, you will discover that the athlete is empowered to perform at a high level because of a support network made up of family, friends, and sponsors. Individual sport is a misnomer.

Suffice it to say that Laura is my biggest supporter. I do what I can to keep it that way.

I spent some of today watching the Superbowl with Nick, Kamal, Tyler, and Jairus. As we spoke about ways to continue developing as athletes, the topic of relationships came up. I heard a few horror stories of athletes whose partners pressured them to diminish their training or quit sport altogether. Ouch! Nevertheless, I wonder if athletes create problems for themselves when they become monomaniacal about their time and training.

Conflicts between my partnership to Laura and succeeding at the sport I love occur very infrequently, but when they inevitably do, I am faced with an opportunity to choose the person that I want to be. There are times when being in a relationship means that I choose to put training second.

Skipping training can make me feel guilty and grumpy, and I don’t like that. However, when I let my selfishness go and put my relationship first, it is always the better choice. I keep my priorities straight so that Laura knows she isn’t competing for my time and attention against a mistress named Triathlon.

By making sure I support my biggest supporter, there is a huge payoff: I’m free to train a ridiculous amount of hours each week with wholehearted support from my spouse. Give up an hour every once-and-awhile to have full support throughout the year. (Of course, relationships aren’t about equations, but if they were, this is a good one.)

To close, I wonder how many athletes think that success means sacrificing everything for sport, including relationships? I mean, the Olympics are coming up next week and part of the view popular view of these athletes (who represent nation-states) includes notions of the complete dedication of the athlete to pursue success at almost any cost (except cheating).

This idea of the single-mindedness of the athlete runs up against another odd assumption we have of Olympians, namely, that they are moral figures who embody their nations values. I mean, to a large degree, people think of Olympic athletes as not just physically superior but also morally advanced. Something about the Olympics conjures up ideas of super-humans, like Hercules or the Nephilim.

Thoughts?

Leif Baradoy and Laura Weston Baradoy