Hi everyone,

I know it’s been awhile but the good news is we’re back and we’re getting ready to rock n’ roll once again!

Perhaps it was the speeding ticket I got today at the most inconvenient time? Or maybe it was the nagging injury that has disrupted my running since last summer? Or perhaps the frustration over finding a full time teaching job? No, probably the fear of being on the verge of 30 years old and not having anything to prove? No, could it be those pesky student loans? Maybe all of these? Maybe none of these? Whatever it is, the more I think about it, the more these issues get put into perspective.

A conversation over champagne on New Years Eve with best friends about life being too short; the birth of a family member and friend’s new child; being inspired by the courage and strength a family member and close friend has displayed in kicking cancer’s ass recently. Yes, these are things that are important to me, these are those priorities in life. These are the things that have got me really thinking.

Every year for as long as I can remember, I made a New Year’s resolutions, except for this year. I’m not sure why I didn’t. However, I decided today, I’m making a pledge. Call it late, call it cliche, call it different, call it whatever you want, but I’m making a pledge! I’m calling this pledge the Forever Young Pledge: Priorities. I am going to keep in mind the priorities and issues that really matter to me and focus on them: family, friends, enjoying life, and helping those in need. Whenever I get pulled over on the way to coaching again (hopefully that won’t really happen) or have an interesting day subbing, my new mantra is going to be “Priorities.” When I can start doing those long runs again and my mind starts to wonder or I question why I am wasting a perfectly good Sunday morning for a painful run, “Priorities” Family, friends, enjoying life, and helping those in need. Those are the big four for me now.

With that being said, for those who may be still reading my long- winded blogs, I have a challenge for you. I challenge you to figure out your own priorities. Shed those small things which may be nagging you in life and focus instead on the big picture, the good things in life!

There is more to come about some things the Forever Young Project is planning on doing and the direction we are moving towards. Stay tuned, in a few weeks, look for those details. In the mean time, find those priorities and keep on rocking and rolling.

Rock n’ Roll,
Justin and the FYP

It’s been a long hiatus, but we are finally back. Today, I’m racing for a great friend and family member to raise awareness and funds about men’s cancers and men’s health. Check out these sites to learn more about what you can do: http://mobro.co/JYoung18 http://www.livestrong.org/

More to come soon.

Hello friends and family,

I hope all is well. I just learned of three opportunities where you can help local youth in need and it’s very simple. Please let me know if you have any questions.

1. Extremely close friends of mine, the Giakos family, are in need. George Giakos, was was born with stage 4 brain cancer, Glioblastoma Multiforme, an extremely rare cancer in infants. Doctors gave the Giakos’s little hope for survival longer then two years for George. After countless surgeries, chemotherapy, and meds, George has defied science! He has been tumor free for three years now! The Giakos family though desperately needs a mode of transportation that will support their growing family and accommodate their son George, who has special needs and out of necessity and safety is bound to a wheelchair. Removing George and lifting him up to his child car seat is very tough. George’s wheelchair leaves no other room in the vehicle except for the Giakos children.
Recently the family started looking into vans, but unfortunately all of the vans in their price range are not large enough to meet their needs. The ideal vehicle is a GMC Conversion van, but it is too expensive. Ellen is giving away a car to someone in need of one. The family is asking you to go to this link and submit an entry. If you know George you can write a comment on why you think the family is deserving of a new van. If you don’t know George you can learn more about him and his journey at www.caringbridge/visit/georgegiakos.

2. Bryce Vaysberg, an energetic, fun-loving 13 year old boy who loves skateboarding, playing the drums, baseball and snowboarding has been diagnosed with Aplastic Anemia, a rare bone marrow disease and he needs a bone marrow transplant to treat his Aplastic Anemia. Get tested to determine whether you would be a bone marrow match for Bryce. Anyone between the ages of 18 and 60 can get tested and be part of the bone marrow registry. It’s a totally simple & non invasive test — just a cotton swab to the mouth and that’s it. All you need to do is go to the website below and the kit will be shipped to you. Please help us find a match, you could save a life!! http://www.bethematchfoundation.org/goto/4bryce Or if you’re in the Bay Area you can go to a Bone Marrow Drive where you can get tested. The information for the drive, Sundary March 20th, is below.
The drive will be at :
Peninsula Temple Sholom, in the parking lot
1655 Sebastian Drive
Burlingame, CA 94010
Sunday March 20th
8 am to 5 pm

3. Check out the Maddie James Foundation. It is a truly moving story I just learned about from my friend Kirsten and the family needs your help to ensure that Maddy lives on in memory forever. Just click on this link

Thank you all for checking this out and helping out!

Rock n’ Roll,
Forever Young Project

Hola everyone! We have some very exciting news to be released in the next couple weeks so stay tuned. In the meantime, if you know of any organization that helps those who have been affected by the economic downturn, please us know. It’s for the next Forever Young Project initiative! There’s a little clue at the top!

Today we celebrate the accomplishments and contributions of Dr. King. Here is an amazing quote that we at the Forever Young Project love to live by: “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is, ‘What are you doing for others?’” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. A very happy Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day today, may it be meaningful and enjoyable to you however you choose to celebrate it.

This Sunday, October 10 I am competing in the Orange County Triathlon. I will be racing in loving memory of Vanessa Prentice and for an organization that was very close to her heart, Best Friends Animal Society. If you are interested in learning more about Best Friends and/or donating you can visit the website at: http://www.bestfriends.org/

The race starts and ends at Lake Mission Viejo. Hope to see you at the race. All are welcome.

Many of you know my strong dislike for coffee and caffeine in general. Well, I have good news for you caffeineheads…I’m addicted to Gu! Some of you are probably wondering, what the heck is Gu! Basically it’s a pack of gel loaded with carbohydrates and caffeine that gives you instant energy for endurance training. It’s pretty amazing. Good friend and former cross country teammate, Matt Cipolla, works at a running store and was able to get me a great deal on the Gu to help feed my addiction.

So I guess I’ve joined the caffeine club finally thanks to my triathlon training. More updates to come next week, only 5 weeks until the first triathlon!

Help me raise funds for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society for the triathlon at: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ocie/malibutr10/jyoungohtm

I thought swimming was going to be my biggest challenge for the triathlon! Whoops! I was quite wrong. As a member of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society’s Team In Training I am raising $3200 for this triathlon!

So I have decide to do the $5 Challenge I am asking each of you to donate just $5 to reach and surpass my goal of raising $3200 for the triathlon I am competing in with Team in Training. It’s really easy to donate, just go to: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ocie/malibutr10/jyoungohtm

Each person who donates will be entered into a raffle to win a $30 gift certificate to Trader Joe’s. If you don’t have $5, I challenge you to pass this along to 5 of your friends/family/co-workers to give the $5! It’s as simple as that. You can donate at: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ocie/malibutr10/jyoungohtm

Special shoutout to Mentor Laura for coming up with this idea, thanks for your support and great ideas, Laura!!

GO TEAM!
Justin

http://pages.teamintraining.org/ocie/malibutr10/jyoungohtm

“Oh, caught in a bad romance, Oh, caught in a bad romance.” Nope I’m not referring to any past girlfriends, I’m talking about my pump- up songs for triathlon training. Yes, that’s right everyone, Lady Gaga is at the top of my iPod PumpUp playlist that I listen to before each of my triathlon training sessions.

Male friends of mine (who will remain anonymous) have listened to artists such as Mandy Moore, Jessica Simpson, Brittney Spears, and Mariah Carey to get pumped up for soccer games in the past so give me a break if you’re judging right now!

It really takes some serious time to find the right song(s) that gets your adrenaline pumping for a 2000 meter swim or a 90 minute bike ride followed by a 45 minute run. I guess Lady Gaga just does it for me right now.

I knew I had chosen the right pump up song when I was stopped at a red light during a hill workout and a car pulled up to me blasting Lady Gaga’s “Bad Romance.” I’ve never biked up a hill that fast before.

Thank you Lady Gaga!

Tune in next week for more reflections on my triathlon training.

You can donate to the cause at my fundraising page at: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ocie/malibutr10/jyoungohtm
Any contribution makes a huge difference! Thanks for your support.

I am now in my 6th week of training for the triathlon with Team in Training for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. It’s been awesome so far. However, before starting to train, my cycling experience was extremely limited. Here’s what I have learned along with a few boo boos on my knees:

1. Road bikes certainly do not brake anything like the beach cruiser I use to ride around sunny Isla Vista

2. You should unclip your shoes when using clipless pedals before stopping at a light

3. Definitely close the lever on the wheel before you start biking

4. There’s a difference between Shrader and Presta valves, especially when you’re trying to blow air into the bike tire

5. The hand signals cyclists use are for a reason, and not because they’re waving and happy to see you

I have learned a lot about cycling in the few weeks I’ve been training and am excited to update you next week on my adventures.

You can donate to the cause at my fundraising page at: http://pages.teamintraining.org/ocie/malibutr10/jyoungohtm
Any contribution makes a huge difference! Thanks for your support.