Gainesville Cycling Festival

Well this weekend was an amazing endurance weekend for me. Last weekend I rode 125 miles to train for this weekend to ride back to back Century's(100 miles). After looking at the weather on Saturday and hearing how tough the ride was on Sunday, I decided to do the 56 mile course on Saturday and ride the full 100 miles on Sunday.

On Saturday I finished in 2:40 hr/min. and finished 2nd. On Sunday it was a whole different story with a very hilly course and a 20 mph

head wind. Needless to say I finished in 5:40 hr/min. It was a lot of fun and work at the same time.

NOMINATING COMMITTEE DAY

The big day has arrived! In less than two hours, I will be interviewing for the 2009 Secretary position. Last night I had dinner with several of the candidate's and talked about 2009. Hope all goes well.

DAYTONA 500 EXPERIENCE WITH TOM FEENEY

What a night we had last night at Daytona. I attended the Tom Feeney Fundraiser on NAR/FAR's behalf. We started out at the Daytona 500 Experience with driving the simulation car and then went to the 500 Club for cocktails and food. As an avid NASCAR fan, it was great to relax where the big wigs make their home. After something to eat we headed out on the track for "Hot Laps". I mean 140 mph - see the video. Altogether it was a great experience and Congressman Feeney just had a big victory the night before in the primary.

MOSS PARK TRIATHLON 8/23/2008

For a week we were soaked with Tropical Storm Fay. I had signed up for my second triathlon and hoped that it would be a go. I went out to the walk-through on Friday in the rain. I wondered if this would actually happen. When I went to check in the girl said,'"You're going to get wet tomorrow." I was thinking, how can it rain for the 4th day in a row. She then said, "You're going swimming, aren't you."



The whole family loaded up and we left the house at 5:30am. This was the first time that everyone has gone, so I needed to perform. My previous best time was 1 hour 47 minutes and 14 seconds, which isn't bad for the first one. I had been training pretty hard for this triathlon and knew that I could cut some time off the previous one.



As the sun came up across the lake, I knew it was going to be a stellar day. The announcement came, 10 minutes to race time. Of course if you have ever done one of these, it's pretty nerve racking. The gun went off and all 200+ people jumped into the water. It was chilly from the four days of rain. When I turned the last buoy I knew that I had some improvement. The transition area was about 300 yards long, which is a long way when you have been swimming for 16 minutes. As I mounted the bike, I knew that the course was laid out prefect for me, and it showed with a time of 12.5 miles in 36 minutes. I had a great transition from the run to the bike and my body was responding very well. So I knew the next 2.7 miles was going to be good. The run was wet but fast.



My new personal best time was 1 hour 23 minutes and 54 seconds, almost a 24-minute improvement. I knew that I worked hard to trim time off over the past couple of months but never expected the time to be that good.



We were leaving to go to the beach and I had told Wendy when the race is done let's get out of there. One small problem, I told Wendy, we can't leave. I won third place and would receive a plaque at the awards presentation. WHAT A DAY!



With hard work and determination you can do anything. Check out the video. See you soon.

DISTRICT 2,10 & 12 "MEET THE CANDIDATES"

The event started out with a wonderful venue at the top of Orlando. We also had Districts 2 and 10. Our President-elect Cynthia Shelton was in attendance. She was gracious enough to host a question and answer program. After all the candidates spoke, we adjourned to have dinner 16 stories above Orlando. A special thanks to Sandra Miller, District 2 DVP, Matt Ruthven, District 10 DVP, and District 12's DVP Randy Martin.

DISTRICT 7 "MEET THE CANDIDATES"

This event was hosted at the brand new Hernando County Association offices. It started out with a fabulous catered lunch followed by comments from the candidates. During the Q&A session, we took lots of questions on the impacts Amendment 5 will have on the cities and towns within the District. We ended the afternoon with a tour of the new facilities. Thanks to Harry Willett, District 7 DVP, for his hospitality.

DISTRICT 9 "MEET THE CANDIDATES"

In one of the most beautiful parts of our State, we met in Pensacola and took a tour of the beaches before going to the Pensacola Association luncheon. They had over 100 people in attendance. After lunch we went to the Pensacola Association building for a tour. Thanks to Charles Michaels for a great event.

We then headed east to the Emerald Coast Association. Before the event began, Bob Hudgens gave me a personal tour of his hometown, Ft. Walton Beach, and then we drove to Destin. The District 9 gathering was very well attended and a great event despite the fact that I was the only one that was in a suit. Thanks to Teresa Dyer, District 9 DVP.

BALDWIN PARK TRIATHLON

In between "Meet the Candidates" I thought I would enter into a new hobby(swim,bike,run) Wearing the Big E's number 3, it was a lot of fun and now the bug has caught on.

SUNSET IN THE KEYS

Before we go to dinner, we make one more stop at "Lorelei". This is the location where Wendy and I got engaged 9 1/2 years ago. So the group makes me do it again. What a night!

DISTRICT 4 "MEET THE CANDIDATES"

We all meet again at the Key Largo Grande Resort and Beach Club for our interviews at 4pm. Everything went great. How can it not in the Keys. I would like to thank Renate Smith, District 4 DVP, for a great job with putting this event together.

All the candidates decided to go out together to dinner. Driving south on US 1, I couldn't pass up the World Famous Tiki Bar. So here we are before dinner.

DISTRICT 3 & 11 "MEET THE CANDIDATES"

As we traveled the state north, we stopped by Ft. Lauderdale in the morning for interviews and proceeded to meet back in Jupiter with a very strong showing in District 3. The interviews were a great success and I personally want to thank Dorine Longhini, District 11 DVP, and Maria Wells, District 3 DVP, for all their time and efforts.

BOATING IN FT. LAUDERDALE

After the Everglades we headed straight to Ft. Lauderdale. On our day off you can see how the 2008 FAR Secretary and Treasurer still find time to relax.

Summer took us out on a wonderful slow ride down the intercoastal waterway. Thanks to Summer for a wonderful day and dinner at her condo in downtown Ft. Lauderdale on the 22nd floor of the River House.

THE NEW PET

To all Gator fans: The 4 foot Gator has been caught!

District 5 and District 13

Bob Hudgens and I decided to ride together, since both of us were in Orlando at a meeting for FAR. We started the day headed to Venice for the District 13 luncheon. The night before District 13 DVP Tom Sponaugle emails us new directions to avoid the burned out bridge south of Tampa. After 1 1/2 hours into the drive, we received a call from Tom to let us know that The Plantation Golf & County Club had no power. We ended up at the Venice Yacht Club. Hats off to Marlene and Tom for getting everything switched over in 2 hours!

After leaving District 13, we headed to Naples for the District 5 Dinner. It was at the Quail West Country Club. The District 5 DVP, Spencer Haynes, did an outstanding job and what a venue!

We spent the night in Naples and Headed to Wootens Air Boat tour. See the picture above to see real team work.

2008 NAR MID-YEAR MEETINGS

May 13-17 was NAR Mid Year Meetings in Washington DC. It was well attended by Realtors from around the country. We were able to get a lot of business done. Look at Rep. Keller, he has lost 93 lbs.

2008 Tour de Cure

The first day started out in Jacksonville at Bolles High School at 7:30 am. The ride ended up being about 67 miles to St. Augustine. We had a fierce south wind in our face all morning. My goal was to finish in 3-3:30 hours. Wendy was at the finish line and I finished in 3:15 with one stop, although it was not a race, I rode as hard as I could and finished in 9th or 10th place, averaging 21.5 miles per hour. I was the first one to finish from our team in Orlando. The rest of the day was spent by the pool.

Getting up the second day knowing that you had to ride another 60 miles is music to the ears. This ride was much more scenic leaving St. Augustine and going back to Jacksonville. We went up A1A all the way to Ponte Vedra Beach and cut over the intercoastal bridge and head down long stretches of roads towards Jacksonville. I had hoped this morning would provide that same south wind we had the day before. Not exactly, a stronger north wind, once again in our face. My goal this day was to finish with the team that I left the day before 2 hours behind. My team mates were very generous to allow my to sail off and be competitive. One of our team mates was a type 1 diabetic, so they rode with her for a while. I spent 30 minutes with her on Sunday learning about Diabetes and how she lives her life.

It was a great time and experience to ride with some many other great riders around the state.

Central Florida Fair

Having grown up in the Central Florida area, I always looked forward to that time of year when the fair rolled into town. I couldn't wait to take a spin on one of many thrill rides, feast on the cotton candy, or test my skill at the carnival games.

As president of this year's fair (the 96th!), I still can't wait to brave the thrill rides or win a prize at the ring toss, but now I get to share it all with my two amazing kids. I've also learned firsthand just how much hard work and dedication from volunteers and staff it takes to coordinate such an event. I am grateful for having had the opportunity to contribute to the fair's long-standing tradition of success.

Yes, it's true that Orlando has theme parks and entertainment year-round, but the fair is unique. It's a nostalgic trip down memory lane. It's an opportunity to build community. And it's a chance to have some fun!

National Training Center

Excited by my progress to date, the time had come to take my commitment to fitness to a new level. A visit to the Human Performance Lab at the National Training Center was in order. Here, I would undergo the same testing as Olympic athletes to determine how to train more efficiently and prevent overtraining issues.

The first test, Maximal Oxygen Uptake Analysis (VO2max), determines the amount of oxygen the body uses while at work. The next test, called the Lactate Threshold Analysis (LT), measures the body’s ability to buffer or “clear” lactic acid while you are exercising. More efficient training programs can be developed based on the results. Finally, Body Gem / Resting Metabolic Rate Analysis (RMR) helped me to scientifically determine the number of calories that I should be ingesting to achieve my goals.

Armed with the results of these tests, I can now adjust my food and exercise plan to ensure the desired outcome of a healthier, fitter me. Stay tuned for details of my progress!

Great American Realtor Days

Along with over 1,000 fellow Realtor members, I made the annual trip to Tallahassee for FAR's "Great American Realtor Days." By meeting with their state senators and representatives, Realtors strongly advocated for FAR's four major initiatives for 2008: property tax relief, property insurance, affordable housing and health insurance.

To kick off the two-day event, Governor Charlie Crist and U.S. Senator Mel Martinez addressed the group.Govenor Crist also thanked Realtors for their support of Amendment 1.

With a united voice that speaks to the needs of the industry, we can accomplish our goals in the legislative arena. Our efforts helped to get Amendment 1 passed. But that was just the beginning. The coming year is promising, and we must continue the fight.

Through continually communicating with our legislative members, we can ensure that our voice is heard.

FAR Legislative Leadership Trip

After the FPC Conference, John S, John F, Chuck B, Cynithia S, Bill F, and myself stayed for an extra day. Since today is Super Tuesday all of our appointments on the Hill were cancelled. Instead John S. was able to put together some very nice appointments dealing with issues in Florida. We started out at the Small Business Administration. This was an enlightened discussion on how it operates and works with small business. Next we were off to the Governor's office. Yes, I said Governor of Florida. Although he was with McCain, we went to his office and meet with staff. Not a lot of us know that the Governors of each state have an office in Washington.

The next day began at the NAR building, which I was just at 4 days ago. We had two meetings in the morning, the first with Fannie-Mae and the second with a Natural Distaster coalition. Both meetings went hand in hand, discussing the issues that are so near and dear to our members.

Although these meetings were much different than we are acustom to doing at this time, we made some major advances in getting help for our members. That is what our call to duty is for FAR. Now off to Orlando for some much needed rest and catch up at the office.

NAR FPC Meetings

Well, I'm back in Washingtion D.C. for the second time in a week. Sunday kicked off with a meeting of the Realtor Political Involvement Committee(RPIC) which myself and Jean Rubin from Melbourne are the representives from Florida. One of our duties is to provide support for the Federal Political Coordinators(FPC) for Florida. NAR has spent millions of dollars on the grassroots movement of Realtors. Over the two days we heard many great speakers, to mention some: Mark Shields, Robert Novak, and Bill Press. The program was closed by two distinquished speakers, the Honorable Benjamin Carden(D-MD) U.S. Senate and P.J. O'Rourke.

Dean, thanks for doing such a great job at the Strategic Planning Meeting. I will look forward to seeing Monday at the Federal Political Coordinators meeting. All the Best, Dick Gaylord

NAR Strategic Planning Committee

I have been in Washington, D.C. since Monday with the NAR Strategic Planning Committee. The weather was very mild for Washington, D.C. this time of year.

At the meeting we worked for two days on the 2008 Strategic Plan for 2008 and beyond. The meeting was well attended by visionaries from all over the country. Any ideas that members of FAR might have that affect issues in our state, I would be glad to bring those forth to the committee in June.

One of the highlights of the trip was to spend time with our elected officers of NAR and 2008 President Dick Gaylord. Pictured above is Dick Gaylord and myself on the 12th floor the NAR building. I will be returning to Washington on Sunday to attend the RPIC and FPC meetings. I will keep you posted on any political outcome that could affect the great State of Florida and FAR.