So, after the 24 Hour Brigade Samsonite’s focus shifted to the Sandhurst competition. It’s an international military skills medley that has taken place at WP since 1967 (so close to ‘69…). This year was the largest competition to date. Each of the 32 cadet companies has a team. Then there’s Navy and Air Force… Texas A&M… Several ROTC programs, including the University of Hawaii. And then the international teams - England, Canada, Chile, and Afghanistan.

The competition was about an 8 mile movement, but with lots of skills sites in the middle. Medical, weapons (US and foreign), Zodiac boats, 1-rope bridge…

The competition was 2 days, actually. Friday was marksmanship and Saturday was the course. Samsonite’s team - F2 - won the marksmanship competition. They started Friday in 1st place - the team to beat. It was quite an euphoric feeling.

They were rockin’ all the obstacles and sites, making all sorts of great time. Land nav - there were mandatory points that you had to get or be DQed and there were optional points that you could get for a time bonus. And here’s where the story gets painful: they missed a mandatory point. It could be said that there were a lot of reasons, but it basically comes down to Samsonite’s roommate thinking that Point O was optional and not mandatory, so they didn’t take the 3 minute jaunt off course to go get it. Well…one map check too late the squad leader and pace man realize that they had missed a mandatory point. This was at the bottom of Bull Hill - the highest physical point on West Point proper. Yeah. So, no pissing and moaning, they turned around to go get the point. It took 26 minutes back up and 18 minutes back down to get to where they were when they realized the screw up. 44 minutes.

And this is where Samsonite begins to slowly die: they lost to the first place team - Canadians - by 39 minutes.

They would have won…the whole competition…by 5 minutes. A West Point team hasn’t won the competition in recent memory. It would have been… Well, there are a lot of “would have beens…”

Samsonite has run through the gauntlet of emotions, and this is what he rests upon: Sometimes you miss a land nav point… It doesn’t mean that you weren’t the best team in the competition. There will always be Point O’s in life. No matter how many minutes they take away from the goal, you’ve just gotta turn around - no pissing or moaning - and go back up Bull Hill to get it.

It was a great weekend, great competition, great experience nonetheless. It is Samsonite’s opinion that Sandhurst is the greatest developmental experience that West Point has to offer - and the tragedy is that it’s not even mandatory curriculum. Only about 300 cadets experience Sandhurst every year. The rest of ‘em aren’t tough enough.

The above pics make sense in light of the competition and all, the next one does not. Care to elaborate Samsonite?

In other news, next weekend Samsonite is running 50 miles in the DC/VA area with one of his best good friends. (http://www.theskylinechallenge.com/) He’s not out for blood on this one, just going to pace his buddy on towards the finish line of his first 50 miler. It’s not all about our PRs or race stories. Sometimes it’s all about getting our best friends to the finish line, too.

If you call Samsonite’s cell phone (we won’t post it here on the internet, again, out of deference to his privacy) he most likely won’t answer. He is usually too active (notice we didn’t say busy, there is a difference) to notice the phone. So, you will get his voice mail and get to hear his message which tells you he is out “living the dream”.

What would you do if you knew you could not fail? What will it take to achieve your dreams?

This morning at a local church the pastor did a great job of summarizing what stands in the way of most people fulfilling their dreams, or life’s calling, or whatever you want to name it. He painted it in religious terms (of course) and it is very true in that sense. But it is also true in many other ways too.

We only steal the good stuff, so here is the outline (with the scripture verses from the sermon for those so inclined):

1. Living the Dream requires FAITH.

We can’t always see the complete path from start to finish. We can’t always know all the possible outcomes or issues or whatever. Sometimes, achieving your dreams means stepping out in faith and just doing the next thing. (Hebrews 11:8)

2. Living the Dream requires FACING YOUR FEARS.

There is a good chance you will be misunderstood, criticized, and ridiculed. You may have to go somewhere you do not know how to get to, you may have to do something you have never done, and you may have to change and get out of your comfort zone. (Mark 5:36)

3. Living the Dream requires STRENGTH BEYOND YOURSELF.

The greatest accomplishments in life are never lone ventures. We all receive countless amounts of help and support from those around us. Sometimes the difference between success and failure is simply acknowledging that you need someone else’s help, and accepting it. Can you say “brotherhood”? (2 Corinthians 12:9)

4. Living the Dream requires A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE.

If you have hit a wall, look for a door. If you can’t figure out why no one is following you, try serving people instead of pushing them around. Often, dreams and their ultimate realization include a completely different viewpoint than we normally have. Learn to look at the world around you from a new vantage point as often as you can. (Mark 9:35)

5. Living the Dream requires A CHANGE OF FOCUS.

If you are swimming in circles, you need to practice sighting. Achieving anything worthwhile in life means getting that object in sight and not taking your eyes off it. You have to be focused to get the most our of life. That doesn’t mean you have to be obsessive about everything, but you do need to keep your dreams and goals clearly in mind and sight at all times. As BFG says, “Dog who chases two hares catches none.” (Hebrews 12:2)

Hopefully you too can tell people, “I’m out living the dream!”

Piranas like popcorn.

Not only does popcorn taste good, it is good for you, but you have to be careful. Movie popcorn is loaded with fat and salt. So what is a healthy boy (or girl) to do? Make sure you select low fat microwave popcorns at the store, sneak your own into the movies, and if you want to save a lot of money…make your own:

Pirana Popper

1/4 cup good quality popcorn
2 teaspoons olive oil
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt or popcorn salt
your favorite seasoning mix
Paper lunch bag

Toss the popcorn with the olive oil, salt, and seasoning mix in the paper bag. Fold the top of the bag over to close. Place the bag in the microwave and microwave on high for 2 minutes to 3 minutes, or until there are about 5 seconds between pops.

(NOTE: Popcorn salt is a super-fine salt that is designed especially for sticking to food such as popcorn. It has the taste of regular table salt, but its granules are much finer.

Well, Team Pirana finished the Brew to Brew (or the Punisher Bunny as they now lovingly call it)

Of course, Mav (solo run for he whole 43) did his customary run across the finish line half naked, while BFG completed the relay team run (of course 3 Piranas ran 65 miles total).

Then it was off to the meal for the boys where they ate their fill of gumbo, fruit and bread. Once their appetites were taken care of, they got into the car and headed south (a very stinky and messy car we might add.)

All’s well that ends well, and this trip ended well. The boys wish to thank their lovely and understanding wives for letting them be gone all weekend, the race director and his crew for a great race, all the other runners who talked to us and got us through the miles, and you for your support and attention.

The last relay exchange point and aid station is at a railroad crossing. While T3 and Sweet Tee waited for BFG and Mav they saw at least 3 trains. Each time the runners and crew vehicles had to wait. Fun.

BFG and Mav came through, got what they needed and headed out onto the levy for the final leg.

T3 and Sweet Tee are at the finish waiting for them:

Two legs left to go. Sweet Tee is finished with his 20+ and came in running fast and strong.

The aid station is at a really cool little farm. If the weather were nice it would be great to hang around watching the runners come and go. As it is, it is too cold and windy to care.

Mav and BFG came through. Mav is determined to finish. BFG is being a great friend and running with him instead of killing him. And ever they chase the bunny:

Mav drank some HEED and took an 800 and BFG ate several of everything they offered him and off they went.

More pics from the battle front.

Not a pretty picture, but we love him anyway.

T3 navigating, crewing, and whatever.

This an accurate representation of Mav’s attitude.

Captain watching over Mav.

The infamous boat crossing. Liferaft crossing that is.

Captain Morgan says, “bunnies don’t like boats.”

The weather gets better (read worse) every minute. At least now the precip is solid so everyone is a little less wet. Sweet Tee is about to finsh his 20 and then Mav and BFG will kill this thing and it will be Gumbo for everyone!

The trio of Mav, BFG and Sweet Tee are heading across Small River and then into Linwood. The bridge is out, so there is a boat to carry the runners over the river while the crew vehicles have to drive the long way around. The rain has turned to sleet and slush and the temperature keeps falling. The good news though is that it is still windy!

This race may be the biggest thing to happen in Linwood all year. The aid station is at the Firehouse and the bar across the street is open!

The boys have the Pirana cam with them, so when they reach Linwood pics of the boat trip will be posted…

Here are some pics with not much explanation. Just trying to give you some idea what the boys are up too.

The boys at the Boulevard Brewery before the start (mav is in the bathroom)

The start. It is dark.  The race started under a bridge. Enough said.

Still dark. On the levy. And yes, they DID drive a Chevy (t3’s suburban) to the levy and and levy WAS dry.

Less dark. The course followed the levy and kept going up and down stairs and rock inclines to get under or over various roads. Not so easy to follow in the dark…

Fueling up. The aid stations are fine. Not stocked for an ultra attempt, but great for the short leg distances.

Mav coming out of the little runners room. He has been in these more than once already.

Sweet Tee joins in. Mav is grumpy, T3 is dancing. My aren’t they a happy lot!

T3, Mav and Sweet Tee running down the LONG BORING road. This section of the course follows a highway through a valley. Long stretches of nothing punctuated by short sections of even less.

They say a picture is worth a thousand words….

Sweet Tee hoists the bunny aloft. Captain Morgan has been the best sport of the team so far. He has been on the road the whole time and hasn’t complained even once (in spite of some of the odd places he has been put).

More to come….

T3 is finished and Mav is still moving forward. Sweet Tee joined in on leg 4 and will continue until the end of leg 9. BFG is starting now at leg 6 and will run to the end. The start was cool with a light wind, but the weather has gone steadily down hill. Currently it is light rain, falling temps and increasing wind (in the face no less).

The boy have been taking pics and will be posting some over the next couple of hours.