As the winter season begins in Germany, the advent season is also upon us. This time of year is marked by four Sundays leading up to Christmas Eve, and it’s a time for quiet reflection and preparation for the holiday season. On each of the four Sundays yet another candle is being lit on the […]
Every year, the Sacramento International Marathon draws runners from all over the world to participate in the 26.2 mile race. It is always a great opportunity to give back to the running community by volunteering as one of the water stations along the course. This year, Erik, Charly, Phoenix, Tavin, and I woke up bright […]
Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks and coming together with loved ones, and one of the most popular traditions is the “Run to Feed the Hungry” event in Sacramento, California. Held on the day of Thanksgiving, this 10k run and 5k walk attracts thousands of participants every year and raises money for the Sacramento […]
As the autumn weather starts to set in, I’ve been trying to make the most of the last few sunny days by getting my miles in to meet my 1,000 mile goal. But as with any adventure, there have been a few bumps along the way. As I crashed my bike a few months ago, […]
As the 2022 Soccer World Cup approaches, fans around the globe are eagerly anticipating the chance to see their favorite teams battle it out for the top spot. But as a fan of the German national team, the outlook isn’t looking quite as rosy as we might have hoped. According to recent reports, the German […]
As the summer season comes to a close, Germans across the country celebrate with a special festival known as Ernte Dank Fest. This annual event, which takes place in the fall, is a time for people to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest season and to slow down and enjoy the simple pleasures […]
Sushi: A Delicious Way to Recharge After a Karate Tournament After a long karate tournament, there’s nothing quite like a good meal to help you recharge and feel good both physically and mentally. And for me, there’s nothing that hits the spot quite like a delicious plate of sushi. Not only is sushi a tasty […]
No pain, no gain? The past year I have had more pain and injuries than I can remember since my accident many years ago. I am eager to get past this and transition into a different phase of training and more balance for my not-getting-any-younger body. As I type, I have a black and blue […]
If you’re a fan of martial arts, you won’t want to miss the Dixon Ryukyukan Karate and Kobudo tournament. This annual event brings together practitioners of all ages and skill levels to compete in karate, kobudo (Okinawan weapons), and sparring matches. I had the opportunity to participate in the tournament this year on November 5th […]
Empathy Training (Black belt requirement) – Some reflections The past week I have been going back through my personal training journal whereas I have kept tabs on my progress against my black belt requirements, jotted down some of my thoughts and observations, and kept notes of my various injuries I’ve had to work through over […]

