June18 update

Hi Everyone,

I still have jetlag. And my cold! It is dragging out.

It was Chrissys Moms Birthday today. We went for dinner and dressed Makaiya and Taya in the Kimonos I bought them from UNIGLO in Japan.

Makaiya and I did so fun jumping exercise today!

Bye for now.

Doug

June 14 Update

Hi Everyone,

Want to show you a chin up bar I made for home work outs. I like working out at home cause it is more convenient than going to the gym. I do not have enough time between work and family time. I hope you can all see different ways to improve your strength for the upcoming season. Set a new bar of exercise for yourselves.

Bye for now.

Doug

June 13 Update

Hi Everyone,

I have made it safely back to Canada.

Great to see all of you that came to the ICI fair, and at other functions in Japan! Wish I could have played golf with you guys on the Sunday. I did have my responibilties at the ICI Fair though.

I have a very bad cold now. I caught it in Japan. At least a can speak now. I am going to take a few days off though.

Good luck with your summer training!

More Soon!

Doug

June 2 Update

Hello Every0ne,

It has been such a busy few weeks. My work and life in Canada has been very hectic. I did managae to make it to my flight to Japan. Hee Hee!

So yes, I am in Japan again and went to a ski goods fair at Desente, close to Mejiro eki. It was interesting. I was great to see those of you that came.

I am staying close to Megero eki and have a great running route already. there is a very beautiful park close by with trails running throughout it. Also lots of kids play grounds. I was up a 5:30 am this morning. Jet lag! So I went for my daily run. There were lots of others in the park that early. Mostly elderly people. Some looked in very good shape! One of the things I love about ski racing is the way it helps me to push myself to stay in strong physical condition. Of course I have learned from experience we all perform better and have a less chance of injury if we are in good shape and are flexible. But, the problem! Once I entered my adult life I suddenly had more responsiblilities. Time at work, family, and so on. One thing I have struggled with is balance. Arranging my time to fit activitys that are important to my sanity! I must admit in the past I did not organize my time in a way that I had balance in my life.

Everyday I feel it vital to "sharpen my personal saw". Physically, through excercise, nutrition , and rest.

Mentally, through reading ,writing ,challenging ,and taking time to think.

Socially and emotionally, through making "deposits in peoples emotional bank account" Meaning Being Kind, keep promises, be loyal, apologize and have clear expections. To be a giver!

And Spriitually, Through reading or thinking about things that motivate us and spend some time in Nature.

It all sounds good but the challenge for me is to slot that time in my day. I have been pretty good latley. And to tell you the truth I feel great! It is not easy though. Life habits are hard to change.

I just wanted to share my challenge with all of you. More soon !

Doug

May 16 Update

Good morning,

Just a quick note. It is so, so , so hot here in Kelowna! Yesterday it was 35 degrees C! Summer is here already. Shitusdo is very dry so the heat is barable,

More later.

Doug

May 11 Update

Hi Everyone,

Today before my work day I took a truck load of garbage to the Kelowna city dump. In the truck I had a old chair of my moms, a broken plastic table and so on. Enought o fill the back of my work truck. The total cost was $6! Unbelievable huh? I have heard Japans disposal cost is much more.

More soon.

Doug

May 10 Update

Happy Birthday Tajanna!!!!

It was Tigi's b-day yesterday! We had family and some of Tajanna's friends ovr for an amazing dinner Chrissy prepared! Mussels, Greek salad, Maui ribs, chicken screwers, lemon potatoes, pita bread, 3 birthday cakes. There were 20 people here so thats why we had so many cakes!

It has been very sunny here in Kelowna. In the mountains it has snowed recently though.

I have been busy working and doing spring cleaning around our house. Very busy! Even on Weekends. Not much time for play. I have played a little bit of golf. Shot a 84. PLayed 9 holes a few times with my dad at his club on Sunday evenings. That is always fun. Great to do something with my dad.

Makaiya has a cold now. Runny nose , and coughing

Chrissy is doing well.

I will be coming to Japan again in the beginning of June for the Goldwin, and ICI Fair. See you soon!

Bye for now.

Doug

May 10 Update

Happy Birthday Tajanna!!!!

It was Tigi's b-day yesterday! We had family and some of Tajanna's friends ovr for an amazing dinner Chrissy prepared! Mussels, Greek salad, Maui ribs, chicken screwers, lemon potatoes, pita bread, 3 birthday cakes. There were 20 people here so thats why we had so many cakes!

It has been very sunny here in Kelowna. In the mountains it has snowed recently though.

I have been busy working and doing spring cleaning around our house. Very busy! Even on Weekends. Not much time for play. I have played a little bit of golf. Shot a 84. PLayed 9 holes a few times with my dad at his club on Sunday evenings. That is always fun. Great to do something with my dad.

Makaiya has a cold now. Runny nose , and coughing

Chrissy is doing well.

I will be coming to Japan again in the beginning of June for the Goldwin, and ICI Fair. See you soon!

Bye for now.

Doug

May 2 Update

Hello,

Today I finished a kitchen I have been working on. I think it looks good. I like the island in it!

Makaiya and Taya had a soccer practise today they did great. They go every Tuesday and Thursday.

I had a short but very good work out. I skiped for 15 minutes. During that time I did 4 sets of pull ups to failure, and 3 sets of different types of situps. I feel like a lead wieght right now though.

I hope you like the pictures!

Doug

April 28 Update

Good Morning,

Ok, The past few mornings I have not gone for my run!! I have been going after work though. I personally like mixing up my routine. Also want to do some cycling as well as running. If any of you have bad knees or ankles cycling is the way to go. At least 40 minutes per ride. When you do your first rides it is a good idea to stay on flat terrain and "spin". Gear your bike to an easy gear and "spin". Higher repetitions! For the first 2 wekes or so. Build your endurance.

Still doing situps everyday. Just over 100 per day. I do not take any breaks for that amount.

Makaiya has started soccer. On Tuesdays and Thursdays. Ballet on Monday.

Tajanna is inanother play at school. She has one of the main roles. She has bee putting alot of her freee time into that. She has also told me she wants to come with me to Japan in the future. After she graduates from High school. She loves Japan! She once told me if she could be a different race for a day she would want to be " Japanese"!

Chrissy is Good! She has been exercising quite a bit and lost 20 pounds over the winter! I am very proud of her! Also watching what she is eating. She has helped me out installing kitchens the past few days. That was fun! She was very helpfull. Today she is preparing for a garage sale we are doing on Saturday. My Mom , brothers family and mine are doing it. What you do at a garage sale is put all the things you do not want any more. Usually in your driveway in front of your garage. People drive around on the weekend searching through many garage sales looking for bargins. Many times the things that are put out should be just thrown in the garbage. But sometimes there are good things. I will let you know how it goes.

Hope you have a good day.

Doug

April 25 update

Hello Everyone,

I am back installing kitchens . It is so busy in Kelowna now. Many homes and new condos are being built. I have many companys asking me to install for them. I am helping my father inlaw now though. He has 3 kitchens waiting for me.

Last week Chrissy and I went for a run along a beautifull creek. It is called Mission creek. Anyway, we drove our car to the location and went for our run. When we got back someone threw a big rock through our back passenger side window. They searched through the car and stole Chrissy's purse, that she hid under the seat. Needless to say Chrissy was very upset. we had to pay $300 to fix the window. The next day Chrissy did have someone call in saying they found her purse. All of her I.D. was in it so she was lucky in the that respect. The lesson for us is to never leave any valuables in the car.

Time to go. Must instal those kitchens!

Doug

April 19 update

Hi everyone,

It was a hot day here in Kelowna 19 degres C!

Since I have been back in Kelowna I have been running before work in the morning around 40 minutes with stretching after. My pace when I run is so I am able to talk if I have too. Chrissy is also running with me. I run faster than her but often run back to her from certain mark points along the run. I want to be stronger for next season. You guys are getting too fast and may catch me soon!!! Well, and the season is long and I do not have many days off so the stronger I am the better. My focus now is to strengthen my lung capacity and heart. Longer runs and bike rides! I am also doing at least 100 situps of different types every day. Must Have a strong stomach and back for phase 3 of the turn.

I love ski racing for how it helps motivate me to be healthy! Mentally , physicaly, spititually , Lots of challenge and friends! Lets push to challenge ourselves I all areas! 30 to 40 minutes per day can make a huge difference!

You can all do it! Good luck.

Bye for now.

Doug

April 17 update

Hi again,

Just a little diagram to show you the need to prepare in as many areas as possible! I like how it shows the need to keep all gears well maintained for the best overal performance!!

Bye for now !

Doug

April 17 update

Hi everyone,

I made it to Sun Peaks today. I did ski on the slope the Austrian team trains on . It had a varity of slopes and angles. Very good for variation training. I was told the hill usually opens around the 16th of November so it maybe a new great location for our early season training. One slope that they have snow making on was long with flat to medium terrian. Great for what we need! I am very excited about the possibility of skiing there this upcoming Fall. I just have to find suitable accomidations for us. There is also a flight that goes from Vancouver to Kamloops. It is around a 45 minute drive from Kamloops to the ski hill. I will give you more information once I fet more details. Enjoy the pictures! Again the ski Hill name is Sun Peaks. The owner is from Japan. Nippon Cable.

Bye for now.

Doug

More pictures

April 16 Update

Hello everyone,

Happy Easter! I had a few days up at Big White. My home ski hill! We had winter like conditions. New snow and cold temperatures. Great way to finish the season! It was great to ski with Makaiya and Chrissy! As well as with the rest ofmy family!

Yes, we celerbrated Easter at Big White. Easter is the day that Christ came back to earth. Or came back from death. In Canada we also have easter sunday the day the easter rabbit comes and hides chocolate and candy for all of the childeren. Hope you enjoy the pictures. I also made a slide tunnel for the kids to play in. It took some work but was fun for the kids.

I hoope the weather is good so I can go to Sun Peaks tomorrow.

Bye for now!

Doug

April 12 Update

Hello!!

Here is some exciting news I am not sure if all of you are aware of. Before I left for Canada I did a radio shbow on a local FM station in Tokyo. FM 72.9 mhz. A very successfull man Named Kouno San asked me to speak with him. It was for 1 hour and was a grat way to Promote , Accel Ski, Hotel Zonntaggu, Sugadaira, Team Rush, And Seikei University. It was a great experience. Taka Kurosaki Translated for me. Thanks for helping!

Actually a big thank you to all of you that help Accel!!! By helping set courses, side sslipping courses, carrying gates, wrenches, drills bags and so on! All things that I notice and appreciate from those of you that put in suchb an effort to work as a team!! Thanks again!

Bye for now!

Doug

April 11 Update

Hi Everyone,

Day 2 in Kelowna and already getting ready for my next work. Had a busy day getting things prepared.

I am going to Sun Peaks tomorrow to see how the ski hill, runs are layed out. It is around 2.5 hours from Kelowna. It maybe the next place we try for the Fall camps. Hope we can have better training and have a better chance to prepare for the next season. It would be great to watch the Austrians train . The Austrian National ski will be there before the World Cup races in North America. I will let you kow how it goes tomorrow.

Check the pictures out and see if you reckonize where it is taken.

Bye for now!

Doug

April 10 Update

Hello Everyone,

I have made it back to Kelowna safely. Chrissy picked me up from Vancouver airport. Just Chrissy, the Kids stayed in Kelowna or up at my home ski hill. Chrissy and I had a weekend in Vancouver just the 2 of us.

I am in Kelowna now. I am so happy to see my girls!!! I have a little time off before I start my cabinetry installs. I will prepare this week. Prepare my tools and do many other things that have been neglected.

I do plan to do a little skiing before the upcoming weekend. My whole family planning to come up to the ski hill to stay at my moms place. I think 16 of us or so.

I feel we all had a great year in many different areas. Great job you guys! Great results from races, improvements in training, basic skill, skiing more aggressive line, race preparation and so on.

I know we can all do more to improve in many areas though and in my next blog I will show you some different ones.

Bye for now!

All the Best

Doug

Feb,20 update

Hi Everyone,

So far the season has gone by so fast! It has been very busy here at Sugadaira. I am very happy about that cause I get to see you all so often!

I feel the biggest change this year has been in how we are skiing our line! Many of you have had big break throughs in that area. Of course our technique is also vital to ski such a line. Which brings me to the next point. It is great to see some of you taking time to do free skiing to work on basic areas. I wish more of you would take time to do that for yourselves. Doing a varity of different skiing would help your overall performance. Powder skiing , bump skiing jumping. Please be carefull though if it is a first time trying any of these. Doing the varity of skiing will help you adapt when you have to during training or in a race.

I hope to see you soon!

Best Regards

Doug