Noel – Page 11 – Disney Employee Engagement Speaker

2009 World Championships

Lane 8 at 2009 World Championships in Lahti, Finland.

That’s “Jack”, my son’s Teddy Bear. He has three exactly alike. He got them as gifts years ago. The collar is actually inscribed “Jack”.

Our son was born in August 2000. My Dad, Jack Noel, passed on, April 2001.

My Father, and our son, never met. We were two months away from our trip to Pennsylvania when the phone call came, “They’re giving your dad three days”.

So, “Jack” the bear, has traveled extensively. He’s the one with two torn ears. The other “Jacks” are in near perfect condition. Our son was gracious enough to let the “tug-o-war with our yellow Lab” Jack travel.

Find a million ways, gimmicks, tricks – whatever it takes – to stay motivated. Jack is simply one of them.

World’s Fastest Human?

Anyone catch the Visa Championship Series – Reebok Grand Prix Track Meet yesterday on NBC?

Tyson Gay demolished the 200 meter field that included Wallace Spearman and Jeremy Wariner.

I mean, he totally destroyed the field.

In doing so, he clocked a PR 19.58, becoming the third fastest man to run 200 meters, behind only the 200 former world record holder Michael Johnson, and the 100 & 200 current world record holder Usain Bolt.

Can’t wait to see the 2009 Track & Field season heat up.

I also can’t wait to go for an easy 5-miler this morning, so I better get going. Carpe diem, jeff noel 🙂

In Memory of Pre

Steve Prefontaine

Everyone who knew of him called him, Pre.

Jan. 25, 1951 – May 30, 1974

If there ever was an American runner who had courage, guts and vision, Steve Prefontaine would have to be at the top of the list.

Click here – Pre You Tube videos – and take your pick.

One of my all-time favorite movies, in any genre, is Without Limits– the Steve Prefontaine story.

He was a front-runner. meaning, he went out front, grabbed the lead and held onto it until the finish line.

His coach, Bill Bowerman, at the University of Oregon, tried to get him to hold back and draft off other runners. Hold back so he could run his last mile faster than his first mile – and probably his overall time would be faster.

Pre, basically, would have none of it.

(Click here – Pre’s attitude – to play the movie trailer)

The only way he knew how to run was flat out, all the way.

Even if he lost, he would always know that he left nothing on the track.

His greatest race was the 5,000 at the 1972 Munich Olympics. He finished fourth.

But it was still his greatest race.

If I have to explain it to you, then you probably won’t understand. But that’s OK. There’s a ton I still don’t understand.

I do understand one thing though, if your goals aren’t impossible, you’re not reaching high enough. You can quote me on that one.

Carpe diem and leave nothing on the track. jeff noel 🙂