So the Griffociraptor turns 39 today. Known the cat for sometime now. We met back in college on the rowing team. After a while, it became clear that we both liked to suffer and as a result, like to push each other to get better. One year we found ourselves mired on the JV. We both accurately concluded that the only way out of that circus was to work harder than anyone else on the team. Before practice, we would race each other for 20 minutes on the rowing machine. We'd say we'd go 3/4's but five minutes into the piece, we'd be more interested in out rowing each other. By the time we'd go out and meet the rest of the team for practice, we'd be pretty knackered. After practice we'd stay late and do pull-ups until our arms would come out of our sockets. We'd go home, collapse in front of the TV and ultimately crash. The next day we'd do it all over again. This was the foundation for what has turned out to be a great friendship for me. As you know, we still share similar interests in pursuing excellence be it on the bike or in life. Griff still pushes me. I think Elton said it best when he said, "this song is my gift, and this song's for you." Or something. Anyway Griff, this blogs for you. Happy birthday.

Johnny GoFast