On LIfe: Mark Eliason

Mark,

As far as dating prospects go, my ward sucks and my friends just aren't providing. What's the best way to approach a random girl and walk way with a date, not a slap in the face?

Getmeadate

Dear Getmeadate,

This is one of the greatest mysteries of the universe - time travel and Paris Hilton's fame are among its most intriguing rivals. One thing to consider is that you could expand your vision - try looking beyond your friends and your ward. What about your cousins? Wow, that sounds really bad. I mean, don't date your cousins, but do they have roommates? Or what about clubs on campus? What about your classes? There are many places to look.

I don't think you can put much stock in the 'random' approach. You can try it, but if you do, I think that

a 'devil-may-care' attitude will serve you best. There is no secret 'smooth formula' that will make someone fall at your feet. Don't worry too much about success and you might be pleasantly surprised. Bono says that if 'you hold onto something so tight, you've already lost it.' It's much easier to be natural and be yourself and maybe even be charming if you are at ease with the fact that maybe you might lose.

Dear Mark,

I recently ran a marathon and I am really interested in moving on to a triathlon. Have you ever done one?

I'm a runner, but as far as biking or swimming is concerned, I have zero experience. What kinds of steps should I take to prepare for one?

Triathlete-in-Training

Dear Triathlete-in-Training,

Triathlons are awesomely ambitious, so congratulations are certainly in order. The first thing I would do is find a race with enough time ahead of you (three months) for training. Trifind.com is a great source

for more info.

For me, it's always easier to be completely committed after I sign up. Set up a training schedule for yourself, taking one to two days off a week. Listen to your body to decide on rest periods, it's the best indicator. Since you have experience running, I would just run one day a week, but keep running a decent distance (this will depend on the size of triathlon you do). Biking is a pretty natural motion, so I would spend two days a week cycling. Training on a mountain bike is a good idea, because then when you switch over to a road bike it feels like you are flying. Swimming will be your main obstacle. Find someone who knows how to swim who can teach you and occasionally gauge your progress. Work every time on your kick and your pull isolated, and then some on endurance. Spend three days a week on this. The secret is not athletic prowess, but dedication and discipline. It's like old Ra's Al-Ghul says to Bruce Wayne - 'If you dedicate yourself to an ideal, you become more than just a man...you become legend.'