Anniversity Weekend

This weekend the bride and I went to Williamsburg, VA for our wedding anniversary. This is the second year in a row that we have gone to Williamsburg for our anniversary. We try to get out and visit some of the historic areas near our area. I highly recommend that everyone get out and visit the historic areas in your local areas. It is very enlightening for yourself and especially for your children. History has been giving a bad rap and so many people see history as boring. Just remember, if you do not know and understand history you are bound to repeat it.

We departed the DC area about noon and headed south about noon on Friday. We stopped at Bass Pro Shop just north of Richmond. If you have never been to a Bass Pro Shop it is, a man’s playground. Everything from rods and reels, to boats, to out door clothing, and camping equipment. We wandered around the store. The bride was fixated on the little pink four-wheeler. It is amazing how woman flock to things that are pink.

We checked in to the hotel, rested and then headed over to a great restaurant, which we eat at every time we are in the area. Food for Thought has very good food at a reasonable price. I recommend the Steak Salad. Friday night was rainy and dreary, so we just headed back to the hotel to watch some TV and turn in.

Saturday morning we had our free breakfast (you have to love all the perks you get with travel) and then we headed off the Yorktown Battlefield. The drive down the Colonial Parkway was absolutely breath taking. The trees were changing colors and just an incredible orange and yellows. I will not rehash the battle, but the Park Ranger that led the discussion of the battle was absolutely incredible. Just by his words and actions, he made the battle come alive. If you make it to Yorktown ask for Ranger Mac. He was incredible.

Saturday night we saw the new Bond movie. If you have seen Casino Royale, then you can follow the movie and it is pretty good. However, the movie does not stand-alone. The rest of the weekend was great and we headed back home to prepare for this week. I hope everyone else had as a good as weekend as I did.

Veterans Day

I would like to take this opportunity to the members of my two teams during one year in Afghanistan and then another year in Iraq. These guys are my heroes and it was my honor to lead these guys during some tough times.

MAJ Fireman
SSG Manwhore
SSG Super Dave
SSG Erik
SGT Radar
SGT Lurch
SPC Flashbang

There are others, but guys made my life easier and were all calm, cool, and collected when the chips were down.

THANK YOU

Aquaman Hits the Pool

450 am came very early this morning. However, after my poor performance in the pool this past weekend (hence the Aquaman moniker), I am forcing my ass to the pool and out the door to run even when it is cold out.

Today should have been an easy workout, but it smoked me. I am glad I started back on a easy day. It took me over 50 minutes (would you believe I forgot my stopwatch) to do 2000 yards.
The workout looked something like:

200 easy kick
150 pull
100 Breast
500 Free
5x50 Sprint
200 easy kick
100 breast
400 free
100 easy kick

Tomorrow morning will be cold and I am sure my lingering cold will not be happy with the frigid air, but exercise is needed. I am so much more energized this morning.

Tomorrow will also be my 3 year anniversary. I have to run in the morning to make room for dinner at Ruth Chris.

Weekend Update--How I become Aquaman

This weekend was my monthly "Army Weekend". Since I have become the commander of the company there is no truth to the one weekend a month, two weeks a year. Its more like one weekend a month and 2 hours a day. There is just a lot to get done which takes a lot of extra time. This weekend was busy and it was a productive weekend all the way around.

Saturday we took the company to the Fort Meade Pool for "drown proofing" or basic water survival. This includes swimming 50 meters with all of your uniform equipment on (boots get heavy); jumping into the water with your rifle, ammo vest and helmet, and then getting them off so you can more easily get to safety; swimming 25 meters while keeping your rifle out of the water; learning how to make floation devices out of your pants; and finally I included getting out of the 45 lbs of body armor that we wear. We only took volunteers for the final challenge since not everyone is a strong swimmer.

I am not the strongest swimmer when it comes to triathlons. I can maybe average a 30-32 min 1500 swim during a race However, this weekend I was out swimming everyone. I did the events and acted as a safety swimming all over the pool. I doubt I did more than 1000 meters for the entire 90 minutes we were in the water. It is nice to have the compliments that I looked like Aquaman in the pool. What a change of perspective makes.

The rest of the weekend was a bunch of administrative chores and classes the Army requires for all of us to be "trained". However, my Dawgs did squeek by over Kentucky and the LSU/Alabama was a nail biter. All in all it was a great weekend and btw I think fall has offically made it to the DC area.

Why Customer Service Isn't or How many different ways can you say Dumb-Ass

I have really come to detest stupid people. I am not exactly the most laid back guy, but I do try to under that the world does not revolve around me. However, a few things that happened this week concerning Verizon and Comcast have just made my blood boil and my cold heart even colder. Customer Service does not exist and the people who work for these organizations in the Mid-Atlantic Area are both stupid and rude. I can deal with stupid, but it costs nothing to be polite. However, rudeness today appears to be a way of showing how “cool you are”.

As I stated in an earlier post I have finally come into the 21st Century with an HDTV. After dealing with people on the phone that did not talk English well enough for my public school educated mind to understand, I went to the local Comcast Office and dealt with a friendly lady who set me with an appoint for Tuesday to have the new cable boxes installed. The appointment was scheduled between 6-9pm so that someone would be at home. The gentleman showed up about 9:05 pm to install the HD/DVR box and the digital box for the other TV. Guess what? The HD/DVR was broke. He was very apologetic about the situation and even left me his cell phone number in case I needed some assistance when I went to re-install the box the next day.

I awoke on Wednesday and took the wife to the airport and headed over to Comcast to the new box. I explained to the moronic individual behind the counter my issue and I was not going to pay for the installation charges. She appeared to be very confused as to why I wanted a credit—the man had shown up. She did not have the brain cells necessary to understand that I was installing the box because it the original did not work. I finally received a $20 credit for my troubles.

I arrived back at the homestead, hooked up the box and the damn remote did not work. I tried the one from upstairs and it did work. So I called Comcast to report the in-op equipment and the idiotic woman who took my call said they could bring me another on Sunday. WTF? Another trip to the Comcast store for a new remote the system is working. Could customer service by an more crappy? Yes—Hold on for more.

The wife and I noticed that our house phone was not working on Sunday night. I called Verizon to set up an appoint and the next available was Thursday from 8 am to 6 pm. Again, WTF? Since I have been suffering from a bad cold I opted to work from home yesterday and await the repair guy incase the problem was actually in the house and not outside. Around 2:30 yesterday afternoon I received a robo-call informing me that the repair guy would not make it and I would need to reschedule. So I called to find out the story and raise a little hell. I initially informed the dimwitted human that this was intolerable and what I needed to do to have Verizon credit me for my lost time at work. She told me she could issue me a $20 credit and so politely informed this slack-jawed scum sucker that I bill at 7 times that an hour. To make a long story short, I was on the phone for over 90 minutes and never talked with a supervisor or anyone who could assist me in my efforts to make up my lost wages. Finally at 7:25 last night someone knocked on my neighbors door and it was the Verizon repair man. His work order had the wrong addressed listed. If I had not been in the kitchen and unsure whose door had been knocked on he would have looked at my neighbors phone line and seen nothing wrong. Finally close to 9pm he had the problem repaired and my phone was working again.

If any of my readers work for either Comcast or Verizon and can provide me contact information someone in a leadership position in the Virginia area I would greatly appreciate it.

Living Life

I have now come into the 21st century. The bride and I finally bought the 40 inch HDTV we had been looking at. Actually the hang up the last 6 months had been trying to locate a corner TV stand that we could agree on. My only requirement was that we actually see it and not just order it off line. Right now we have very limited HDTV but Tuesday we get all the boxes installed and get our 90 plus HD channels.

However, that's not the point of this post. One of my favorite movies is Second Hand Lions I highly recommend this movie. I will not go into all the details of the movie, but there is a line at the end of the movie that actually makes me tear up. After the two crazy uncles have died trying to fly their biplane through the barn, one of the characters says, "So...they lived." and the nephew that they old guys raised waits a minute and then says "Yes, They lived."

I think those two short lines get to me because so many people today don't live. People live in a video game, parents say it is too dangerous for kids to get out and play, and our coworkers (and sometimes family) think we are crazy for doing the things we do. I know I have been accused of being crazy from learning to fly to doing triathlons, to scuba diving. I just don't understand living a life of boring repetition.

I recommend that everyone get this movie (put it on ur Netflix list) and watch it with your kids. It is a wonderful family movie. If you don't have kids, so what. Still get it and watch it. We were all put on this earth to do something. Get out and there live. And to you parents, let your kids live too. As my neighbor said when a someone in the neighborhood fell and the mothers freaked out, "Don't worry about it, kids bounce."

This is an inspiring movie. You will enjoy it. I promise.

Doctors and Placebos

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/23/health/23placebo.html

The above article discusses a recent survey that says that over half of American doctors prescribe placebos to their patients. These placebos vary from headache medicine to vitamin pills to antibiotics and sedatives. I am not sure I would call a sedative or an antibiotic a placebo. However, the point is they are giving their patient something.

The article goes on to, in my opinion, castigate the doctors. I see it differently. We should know our bodies, but we are a "microwave nation", always wanting the quick fix. I have absolutely no issue with a doctor giving a person a vitamin in order to help them help themselve. I am more disgusted that the individual thinks they need a pill to get well.

So what are your opinions? Is the doctor at fault for giving them something or is the patient at fault for wanting a pill to get better.

Weekend update

The only problem with beautiful fall weekends is that it means winter is coming. This weekend was one of those beautiful fall weekends that just make me happy. I started off the weekend by making my chili. The first cool Saturday of the fall I make my chili and watch college football. I was a total bum yesterday, but it felt good and the chili was delicious. Oh, and my Dawgs beat Vandy too.

Today was much more productive. I started the day off with a nice 5.5 mile run with my running buddy. It was still pretty cool and the wind was blowing about 15 mph out of the north, but it was crisp and the hills and miles passed quickly. When I got home the bride was laying on the couch with a funny look on her face. It turned out she had started the selfing cleaning function on the stove and a fire had developed in the oven. I had just missed the firemen. :) I had never really given it much thought, but the reason that an oven door locks during the self cleaning function is that if a fire develops then it starve it's self of oxygen. Good to know.

We then went to Pentagon City to update our cell phones. We saw a sale on glasses and we each got new glasses. I typically just my glasses at night after I take my contacts out. I haven't seen this good through glasses in years. The rest of the day was taken up with cleaning the house, grocery shopping and finally catching up on email. I am ready for bed.

Friday Funny--Udderly Funny

This is funny AND true.

WATERBURY, VT. — Mooove over, Holsteins. PETA wants world-famous Ben & Jerry's Homemade Ice Cream to tap nursing moms, rather than cows, for the milk used in its ice cream.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is asking the ice cream maker to begin using breast milk in its products instead of cow's milk, saying it would reduce the suffering of cows and calves and give ice cream lovers a healthier product.

The idea got a cool reception Thursday from Ben & Jerry's officials, the company's customers and even La Leche League International, the world's oldest breast-feeding support organization, which promotes the practice — for babies, anyway.

PETA wrote a letter to company founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield on Tuesday, telling them cow's milk is hazardous and that milking them is cruel.
"If Ben and Jerry's replaced the cow's milk in its ice cream with breast milk, your customers — and cows — would reap the benefits," wrote Tracy Reiman, executive vice president of the animal rights advocacy group.

She said dairy products have been linked to juvenile diabetes, allergies and obesity.
Ashley Byrne, a campaign coordinator for PETA, acknowledged the implausibility of substituting breast milk for cow's milk, but said it's no stranger than humans consuming the milk of another species.

"We're aware this idea is somewhat absurd, and that putting it into practice is a stretch. At the time same, it's pretty absurd for us to be drinking the milk of cows," she said.
It takes about 12 pounds — or 1 1/2 gallons of milk — to make a gallon of ice cream.
Ben & Jerry's, which gets its milk exclusively from Vermont cows, won't say how much milk it uses or how much ice cream it sells.

As a standardized product under federal regulations, ice cream must be made with milk from healthy cows. Ice cream made from goat's milk, for example, would have to be labeled as such.
Presumably, so would mother's milk ice cream.

To Ben & Jerry's, the idea is udderly ridiculous.
"We applaud PETA's novel approach to bringing attention to an issue, but we believe a mother's milk is best used for her child," spokesman Sean Greenwood said in an e-mail. He didn't respond to requests for an interview.

Leon Berthiaume, general manager of the St. Albans Cooperative Creamery, which provides milk products to Ben & Jerry's, called the dairy products "among the safest in the world."
Cow's milk and mother's milk aren't interchangeable, according to La Leche spokeswoman Jane Crouse, who says breast milk is a dynamic substance that's different with each woman and each child and might have difficulty being processed into ice cream.

Then there's the question of who would provide the milk, and whether they'd be paid.

Motivation

What motivates someone? Is it fame, fear, family, money, challenge? Something else?

I was reading some posts earlier today, Ironmakeover, and one of her posts was concerning motivation prior to and during a race. I have a different type of motivation that interests me. What causes us to do triathlons, or jump from airplanes, or rock climb, etc. So here is my story.

First of all if you can't tell I am a male. Young males tend to do things that border on dangerous, but we considerate that to be fun (for you moms and dads under 40ish--let your kids get hurt. They will learn important lessons about pushing the limit--not to mention first aid). The freedom to roam and explore as a kid is probably what motivated me to push myself--that and I was scared. I don't like to be scared. When something scares me I tend to gravitate toward it. Once you learn about it, it is not as scary.

I was never a big kid but I was the first one to be able to jump my bike over whatever objects we could find. I tried to make a parachute out of a sheet and jump off the storage building. I used a hollow aluminum tube and a piece of rope to make a "slide for life" off my parents balcony (that did not work too well, the stake pulled out of the ground and went crashing 15 feet to the stone patio).

As I got older, I did other crazy stuff. I joined the army, jumped out of planes, climbed mountains--life was a big rush. Then it ended. I came back from living live on the edge and settled into a more 9-5 routine. I got BORED and FAT. So I decided to take up triathlons.

I did my first triathlon at age 17 or so when I was lifeguard, but I don't really count that one. I did not do another one until age 35. So to sum up my motivation for triathlons--boredom and body fat!!! Seriously, the drive to stay fit and live a healthy lifestyle is very important. The excitement of the unknown in each race fuels that need for adreline.

So what is your story!!!

Odds and Ends

Am I the only one who feels better when I get in a good workout prior to heading off to work? JB and I did about 5.5 miles this morning. It was a hot and sticky morning today not at all like the prelude to fall we have been experiencing. The only problem with fall is that it means winter is right around the corner. Give me hot weather any day of the week.

I started a new project at work. I am back at an organization that I left about a year ago. This project is in a totally different capacity with a different client. So far it the work is interesting, the client is reasonable, and I don't have to pay for parking. The down side is that I am currently using an aircard to connect to the net. It is SLOW and I keep losing my VPN connection to my company's network.

The wife is making lemon chicken for dinner this evening. This is one of my favorite dinners. Luckily, we started a bottle of wine last night and we need to use it up tonight. :)

I really wondered how people with somewhat of an education and over 22 years of age could have messed up with their mortages. I figured they were just looking for a excuse, so as not to blame themselves for the mess they made. I was sitting at my desk this morning when a I overhead a conversation by two women. One was explaining the benefits of an adjustable rate mortage, but at the same time complaining about how much her payments where now. I really had to control myself and not laugh out loud at her stupidity. That would be like me complaining about how hot the bath water is, but all I have flowing into the tub is hot water--DUH!! Here's your sign.

I just three lemon creme sandwich cookies. Make that four.

Learning New Things

This past week I was at Fort McCoy, Wisconsin for the Army's Pre Command Course (even though I took command in June). I was not exactly looking forward to a week of death by powerpoint, but the change of scenery and getting out of the office for a week was nice.

The class overall was very professionally run and with the exception of a couple of blocks of instruction it turned out to be an informative week. I was not able to get in the work outs that I had wanted to due to the length of the class day and/or the rainy weather. After you have been in the military for a few years, you typically learn more from your classmates than you do from the course of instruction. This week was no exception.

The Saturday prior to departure, I took the Army Physical Fitness Test and I was rather disappointed in my run. I did 70 pushups and 70 situps (I could have done more, but I wanted to save something for the run and I was WAY over the minimun). My two mile run was 15:18 which worked out to be a 7:39 mile. I was really hoping to run the two miles in about 14 minutes. However, that did not work out.

This past weekend I was able to get in two different runs. My running partner and I did about 4.5 miles both yesterday morning and again today. Tomorrow it is back in the pool and then Wednesday we are shooting for the hill work out. I am glad to be back and getting my ass back in gear. I will try to catch up with my reading and comments through out the week.

Off to the Mid West

I am off tomorrow morning for La Crosse, WI. I have a week long commanders' course at beautiful Fort McCoy. I hope to get in some runs and I will keep you posted.

Memory

The last two mornings as I was working out I had all these great thoughts as to what my post would be. However, I can't remember a damn one of them. I have come to the conclusion that good ideas while working out are a lot like good ideas you have in your dreams. They are brilliant, amazing, world changing ideas that never see the light of day. WTF!!!

So my charge to my loyal readers is simple:
1. Does this ever happen to you.
2. Other than carry a note pad with you or next to the bed what do you do to remember.
3 If you have ever remember any of your brilliant, amazing, world changing ideas what were they?

Feeling better

I was back in the pool for only the second time in about six weeks. I did swim last Tueday, but I laid my bike down in some gravel on last Wednesday and had some serious road rash on my right shin. My pool is big on not having open wounds seeping while you are actually in the water. I can't figure that out.

Today we started off with a 300 warm up and then went straight into a 1650 yd main set. This main set was broken down into 11 laps, 10 laps, 9, 8, 7, etc. Between each set of laps, we had 10 seconds rest. I completed the 1650 in 33:38 and minus the 1:40 of breaks I came in at 31:58, which is not nearly as bad as I thought it would be. I finished off with a 100 cool down, then 200 of hard kicking, and another 100 cool down. Finishing 2350 yds in about 54 minutes lifted my spirits. I just need to get my endurance back and then focus on form.

I know I always feel so much better when I get up in the morning and work out. Time management can be a problem for me when I am feeling overwhelmed. My charge to myself is to keep this up. I go to bed earlier, sleep better, and feel more motivated all day. But damn, that bed feels good this time year. :)

My Summer in 1000 words or so

Not that my dear readers really care what I have been up too, but I will tell you anyway. As I stated in my last blog post that I have not been working out much and I was humbled in a race today.

I took command of an army reserve unit in June and I have been on a very painful project at work. The work was interesting but it was not managed in the best way possible by client and it took a lot of long hours. Between my job and my respsonsibilities with the Army, I have been working 12-14 hours a day. Something had to give and it was my training. I kept thinking that my base could carry me through. However, it did not. I did the New Jersey State Triathlon in late July and that was my last race.

In August the bride and I headed down island for a week in the Cayman Islands. It was a great vacation where I did diving. If you head down to the Cayman's I highly recommend Divers Down. They run a great operation that has reasonable prices and no more than 8 divers per boat.

A couple of weeks ago we went White Water Rafting in Western Maryland. The night prior we camped at Rocky Gap State Park. It was a great night for camping, about 50 degrees. We got up, had a great breakfast, watched a little of a Mountain Bike Race and then headed off to the rafting site. This particular run was suppose to be Class II to III+. It was fun but I was disappointed in the rapids on the North Branch of Potomac.

So now I am back and if anyone is still reading this, please keep me honest.

Humiliation

This blog use to keep me honest. This blog use to motivate me to get off my ass and work out. Well, I stopped blogging and I have not been working out much. Or is it that I stopped working out much and therefore I stopped blogging? Interesting question don't you think?

This morning I did a small local 10K called the Dash for Dad and I was absolutely humiliated. I have been doing some 4-5 mile runs once a week or so, but nothing you could call serious training. I have ridden my bike twice since the New Jeresy State Triathlon and I even backed out of the Nation's Triathlon due work and lack of training.

When you run alone or even with a buddy and you are slow, you can blame it on chatting while you run or you don't want to leave the person because you are typically faster than they are. You can always find an excuse. However, in a race it is just you against the clock. Today the clock won!!! I did a flat 10K in 1:00:57. I am never really fast at the 10K distance, but I am a typical 50 minute guy. Today just flat out sucked. Today is the day I start training again. I can't lie to myself any more. The clock will not let me. I will beat the clock again.

The New Jersey State Triathlon Race Report

I finally believe in having a strong base of fitness. I know that I have not in very good shape for the New Jersey State Triathlon on Sunday. But what the hell, I can suffer through most any thing. Plus this was the race chosen for the DC Triathlon Clubs New Triathlete Program (NTP) and it was the USAT Mid Atlantic Club Championship Race. That’s a lot of stuff all rolled up into a weekend.

The bride and I left home around 9:30 on Saturday and picked up a friend who was riding to the race with us. We had a very uneventful ride to Mercer County Park in Princeton, and isn’t that the best kind of trip prior to a race? Packet pick-up went quickly as we listened to the Mandatory Prerace speech. After the race director said his piece the head USAT official started to speak. I have to say that her attitude turn a lot of people off. I realize that rules need to be reiterated and followed but there is no reason to come across as a bitch.

After we checked in at the hotel it was time to hit the Pasta Fest that the club put on. It was truly amazing to see over 200 DC Tri Club Members with all getting ready for a race. A large percentage of them were doing their first race. The energy was truly amazing. Plus the food wasn’t bad either.

We all got the race location about 0615 and I easily got set up. My wave did not go off until 8:24, but we had to be out of transition by 0715. The Head USAT official saw a guy on my rack warming up on his trainer and I thought she was going to have heart attack because he did not have his helmet on. I understand the importance of following rules, but I would not have thought to put my helmet on either. There was no need to be an ass about it. However, she seemed to get off on her status of Head Bitch.

I love swimming in warmer water. It is always much easier on my body. It took me about 250 meters to find some open water, but after that the swim was very peaceful for the most part. There was one guy, who kept was all over the place. He would bump into me and I would go to adjust and he would move the same direction I was. He just seemed to be a “messy swimmer”. I got out of the water in 33:31 which is a pretty normal time for me. However, I felt really good on the run into T1.

T1 was painless. I was in and out in 3:11 and out on the bike. I haven’t ridden much in the past month, so I was hoping to be able to average over 17 mph. The bike was a nice flat course with one big loop and two smaller loops through a college campus. Since I love the flat courses, I enjoyed this ride. I came back into the park and looked at my time, 1:18:27, for an aveage of 17.7 mph. I was pretty happy with that. Then it was into T2. My time in transition was 2:30.

Now the fun began. I started the run and felt like ass. I ducked into the first porta-john I found. I did a #1 thinking I would feel better, but alas that did not happen. I ran to the first aid station and then started walking. I was trying to burp or puke, but nothing would happen. About mile 1 my running partner joined me and she pushed me a long to about mile 2. After mile 2 I found a real bathroom and ducked in there for about five minutes of bliss. I felt so much better. I was gaining time from mile 2.5 to about mile 4.5 and then the pain came back. I walked with another member of the board for about a .25 of a mile and at mile 5 we picked it up and were able to finish strong.

I highly recommend the NJ State Triathlon. It is in a lovely setting and well run. Now just to get faster prior to the Nation’s Triathlon in September.

Availability of Time

Wow!!! Where has the last month gone. I wonder if I have any loyal readers any more? In the past month things have been going 100 mph, I wish I could average a 1/5th of that on bike.
After the Philly triathlon I started doing some more serious training and was hoping to drop 7-10lbs before the NJ State Triathlon. I joined the a gym at work and started working out. Then things got very busy with most of my life.

The project I am on at work is demanding with a fairly tight schedule and we have been short people due to vacations, marriages, new kids, etc. We have an evaluation going up the first of August which is a big deal and we have been working to ensure that everything is ready for that.
My second job as company commander takes up another 15-20 hours a week. I do find this job very rewarding and I am glad I did it. However, there is always something that needs to be done.

With everything thing going on, something had to take a back seat and it was my tri training and blogging. I have not been able to get in my second ride a week like I had planned, nor as much gym time during lunch. I made a promise to myself that I would try not to cut into time with the bride, so there went the rides in the evening. So trying to be a good employee, husband, and commander is making a bad blogger. LOL.

I did the NJ State Triathlon on Sunday and I hope to get a race report out in the next day or two. I look forward to catching up with everyone.

Philly Race Report

What a great weekend to be out doing something you enjoy. The bride and I drove up to Philly on Saturday afternoon. I-95 was actually pleasant without much traffic. The only traffic issue we had was at the Harbor Tunnel in Baltimore. However, that did not add much time to the trip. We arrived at our friend’s (The Organizer and her boyfriend the Drug Pusher) house a little after 3.

We all went to packet pickup, which was very well organized. The Organizer saw some of her friends and they chatted for while. The Drug Pusher took us on a trip around the racecourse for about an hour. It is always good to do a recon of the course. However, most of the west side of the course was not assessable by car.

After the abbreviated recon, it was back to the Casa while the girls and the Pusher had some drinks. I organized my stuff and finally had a beer. The Organizer made a great pasta meal and I finally turned in about 9pm.

I was up at 0430 on race day. The Pusher was nice enough to drive me to the race site, even though it was less than two miles away. Setting up transition was easy—plenty of room for the bike and my gear. I hopped on a bus about 0545 for the trip to St. Joe’s Boat House. After arrival, I did a few minutes of warm up swimming in the river and then it was back on land to wait. The announced water temperature was 75 degree, but I opted swim with a wetsuit.
My wave went off at 0725. The first 250-300 meters were fairly physical, but nothing out of the ordinary. The swim was point to point from St Joe’s Boathouse to a small beach at the transition area. After finding open water, I settled into a nice rhythm and was very comfortable. After I swam under the bridge, I started looking for the swim exit. I could see the balloon arch off to my right and what I thought was the final buoy. I started swimming at an angle to hit the buoy and make a hard right to the exit. Guess what—it wasn’t the last buoy. I started hearing some yelling and slapping, so I looked up. A kind volunteer was telling me that I was going the wrong way. I swam back out and finally made the turn at the correct buoy. I exited the water, looked at my watch and saw 31:09. Damn!!! I would have broken 30 minutes if I had stayed on course.

I took my time in T1 to get my HR down. Then I was out on the bike. The first mile or so was nice and flat. I looked down and realized I was doing around 19.5mph. Heart rate was good and I did not feel like I was pushing to hard. It was up a ramp on the road, up a small hill, down a small hill and then started up a longer harder hill. I have done harder hills and longer hills but this hill sucked. Must have something to do with having ridden only about 100miles in the last month. I think I average about 3.5 mph going up the hill. Then back on flat ground, around an old mansion, which looked like it is now a hostel. Then came the fun part, a nice fast down hill. Zooooooooooom!!! I am smoking now. Back on flat ground and I am averaging around 20 mph. Feeling good, not breathing hard, and enjoying the overcast morning. Across a bridge and through a construction site on the road, up a longer hill, but it did not hurt me as much as the previous hill. Again the down hill was a lot of fun. I had been dreading Lemon Hill, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as I had been anticipating. Another down hill and around the Museum of Art where I waved at the bride. The second lap was very similar to the first, with the exception of throwing my chain on the big hill. I put the chain back on and then just walked my bike to the top. There was no way, that I was going to start peddling again on that hill.

I came off the bike, into transition, and was off again on the run. I don’t remember much about the first 4 miles of the run. I cramped a couple of times, but around mile 4 I just ran out of juice. I do remember the Drug Pusher running out on the course and asking me if I needed anything. I thought he was a volunteer and started to ask myself if I really looked that bad. Another mile and I was across the finish line.

The coup de grace was going to Pats for a cheesesteak following the race—Provolone, Whiz, Wit. If you have to ask, then you don’t know. LOL

Photo Courtesy of DC Rainmaker

Philly Prep

The last couple of weeks I have been preparing for my race in Philly. I have been focusing more on my swimming. The new swim coach has been worked wonders with the group of swimmers we have. Yesterday was my last hard workout and he had me swim time trials:
400 -- 7:10
400 -- 7:25
200 -- 3:41
200 -- 3:45
100-- 1:50
100 -- 1:51
100 -- 1:50
100 -- 1:43

I know for you speed demons out there that is not fast at all, but I am damn happy with times.

Finding time to run has not been a problem either. I have been averaging about 20 miles a week over three run days. My problem has been biking. I have been averaging one bike ride a week and it has typically been for 2 hours or less. I know that my biking will not be that good this weekend. The good news is that the course is more of less flat with some small hills.

We will be departing Saturday morning and staying with a friend of the Bride who lives near the race site. She has been planning a big a weekend for her and the Bride. After the race, the only thing I am really looking forward to is going to eat at Pat's.

...and here I am

This past couple of weeks have been non-stop action. The first week in June I was doing my change of command inventories and getting ready for my new Army job. Even as a "weekend" warrior, this job is full time. However, before the ceremony, I had a wedding to attend in Reading, PA. It was a very nice wedding and the reception was even better. The food was actually good. I even discovered a new drink--Malibu rum and pineapple juice. It is great for those hot days.

Sunday we were up early and heading back to College Park, MD for the ceremony. We arrived a couple of hours early, introduced the bride and her parents to some of my new soldiers and conducted a rehearsal of the ceremony. To make it official here is my "command" photo:

Last week it was back to work and back to steady workouts. I was able to swim about 5000 yards, run 12 miles, and actually got in a 25 mile bike ride before I left for another wedding on Saturday. Friday was an interesting day. I had to go to the DC jail to deal with one of my soldiers. Lets just say that is a very interesting place.

One of the Bride's cousin was getting married near Princeton, NJ. This wedding was nice, but the food wasn't as good as the week before. Plus it rained like hell and the roof at the reception location leaked. Then we had breakfast with some family members and headed back to the homestead.

Today was back at work, but we had all sorts of connectivity issues. Then to top everything off, we had a short, but strong storm that knocked the power out for about 6 hours. But it is back on, so I can sleep coolly in air conditioned bliss.

This weekend it is off to Philly for the Philly Tri. More on that later.

The Joys of Command

This morning I was back in the pool for the first time in almost three weeks. We have a new swim coach who has a very different approach to coaching that the our previous one. I think it will be a very good change. We did a bunch of breast and back today. I don't really care for either stroke (read-I am not that good at them) but the breast stroke does work other muscle groups. Even with my slow ass breast and back stroke thrown in there I managed 2400 yards in about 51 minutes. I was pretty happy.

The bigger news is that I have been conducting change of command inventories for my new adventure in the Army. I was chosen last month to be the Headquarters and Headquarters Company (HHC) Commander for the 354th Civil Affairs Brigade. For those of you that don't know much about the Army, all the equipment has to be accounted for and signed by the new commander. The missing stuff has to be found or the old commander may end up paying for it. So this week I have been counting all sorts of things. Weapons, sleeping bags, Hummers, computers, you name it and I probably counted it.

I am very excited about this opportunity for the simple fact that I have a lot of respect for the the commander. He is definitely one of the good ones. On Sunday, we are having the official ceremony where the guidon is passed from the outgoing commander to the incoming commander (me). I have a number of friends and some family coming to ceremony. My wife and her mother really know nothing about the military. So it will be an eye opening experience, especially for my wife. LOL.

Here is a video I found of the unit the last time they were deployed.

Man Bra???

I was heading home on the Mount Vernon Trail today when I say what I thought was a rather unattractive woman running toward me. This individual's hair was cut like a man would cut it and had a rather masculine build. However, this individual was wearing what appeared to be a woman's running top. It looked something like this

As I passed the individual I realized it was a man with rather large man boobs, hence the need for a the top. However, he was out exercising and I do applaud that. The choice of running attaire was just rather strange.

I saw a doctor last week and there was no real damage to my knee. I merely had bruised the the side of it, but nothing was torn or seriously injuried. I took last week. However, Wednesday I was back out running. I ran Wednesday and Friday. Today I got in about 22 miles on the bike. I keep it easy just work myself back into it. I have not biked in over 3 weeks, so I did not want to over do it. This is what I look like after a bug splattered ride

I am on another new project at work. Due to additional funding issues, I have had to move to another project. This one is not as exciting to me as the previous couple. However, it is very high profile and rather interesting. Some of my loyal readers have wondered what I actually look like in work clothes. Here is a picture of me dressed for work as I was talking to my team.

Ouch that Hurts

Wow!!!! Where has the time gone? These last three weeks have just been crazy. Time has been a precious commodity. At work, I was finally getting in the groove on my new project….and here came the rain. First, we had something like 8 inches of rain in 36 hours, which caused me to stay up all night stemming the tide in the basement. Actually, it was a good challenge and I must say that I did one hell of job keeping the water confined to a very small area. No major damage was done other than I ruined a couple of towels.

On Thursday of last week, I receive a call from one of the Partners. The new project I am on is having funding issues. This is nothing new as this is the same client I have been supporting for the last 6 months and I am well aware of the half-assed way they go about funding their projects. However, there is a very high profile project that I am needed or wanted on. It is always nice to be wanted, but I liked it where I was. LOL So I close up shop at one office and start to move my stuff to my new location. As I was walking down the stairs with a box—boom I feel and my knee is a little sore. Damn, Columbia is Sunday and I think I bruised my knee.
In addition to all the changes at work, I am taking command of a Civil Affair Company in two weeks. I haven’t started the hard work yet, but laying the ground work. You would be surprised on much trouble it can be just sending out invitations.

On Saturday, my knee was feeling better, so I did packet pickup and bike turn in. We also went to Wine in the Woods. You know how wife’s love dates. Especially when they do not consider a triathlon a date.

I arrived at the park and set up my transition area. I puttered around and talked with some friends and then I went over to the Club Tent and Bus’s for a while. I watched the pros go off at 6:45 and then I got on my wetsuit. I was in the water about 10 minutes prior to start and it was effing cold. I swam around to warm up and chatted with some of the other swimmers.
At 7:15, the horn sounded and true combat swimming was on. Men 35-39 was the biggest wave of the race and it was pretty violent. I was actually having fun working around people and trying to get way. It was a little game that took my mind off the cold. Then all of a sudden I took a foot right in my sore knee. I tried to swim a little further and then I just swam for shallow water and removed myself from the race.

Having torn a rotator cuff and banged up my knee in the past, I don’t play with either shoulders or knees. I would rather be safe than sorry. Triathlon is not my living, nor do I have to participate to keep myself alive. I told the marshal I was out of the race and then I turned in my chip. I limped back to the tent and then back into transition to get some dry clothes.

When given lemons—make lemonade. I took out my camera and I was able to get some good pictures of the triathletes near the bike-in and bike-out areas. I have a couple of really good photos of Chris McCormack finishing the bike, however I can't get them to upload. I will post those later.

Battle of the Boulevard 10K

This morning was the Battle of the Boulevard 10K sponsored by my favorite running store, Pacers. The race was in the Clarenton section of Arlington County in VA. The race starts at on the high ground and you run down Wilson Blvd, to highway 110, by Arlington Cemetary and the turn around is near the Pentagon. It is a very challenging and fun course. This was my last hard run prior to Columbia, next weekend.

We have been having lots of rain here in the DC area. Thursday night and Friday we had over 4 inches and this morning it was still drizzling. I got up around 7 (the race did not start until 9, how nice is that), ate some cereal and dreaded running the rain. I got to the start about 830, hooked up with my running partner Janelle and we both received our chips.

A little after 9 the gun went off and it was down the hill. I stayed with her for a about the first half mile and then we were seperated. Since it was cool and rainy it took me a while to get settled and warmed up. The first mile was 7:54.

The second mile is down a half mile hill which is rather step. I cruised down that hill, maintaining a decent pace, but I did not want to run too fast and wear myself out. There were a fair amount of spectators out in the rain they were very vocal and brought some good energy. I did see one lady arguing with the cops who would not let her turn where she wanted to due to the race. Its not like there were not plenty of signs posted warming people of the race. I reached the second mile in 7:44.

The third and fourth miles were all on route 110 near Arlington Cemetary, with the turn around near the entrace to North Parking at the Pentagon. The only thing worth noting during this part of the course was I was about about mile 2.5 and here come the leaders. They passed me at about the 18 minute mark. Time for miles 3 and 4: 8:29 and 9:01.

From mile four to mile five it was back up the big ass hill. I just tried to plod along. Near the top of the hill, I decided to walk for 30 seconds in order to rest my legs so that I could pick up the pace on the flat ground. Hell, I knew i wasn't running much faster than I could walk anyway. Mile 5 was by far my slowest mile at at 9:58.

The final hill is between mile 5 and mile 6. This is not a long hill but rather short and step. I actually cruised up it easier than I thought I would after listening to others bitch about it. I know I was slowing down, but I was on pace to run about 54 min 10K. Mile 6: 9:10. I did the final .2 (or as my Garmin told me .3) in 1:48.

All in all I was very happy with the results. My last 5 miler back in Dec I ran over 9 min miles on a pretty easy course. Today based on Garmin results I ran 6.3 miles in 54:08 or a 8:36 ppm average.

To give you an idea of the course here is my elevation read out.

A quick update

Where have the last couple of weeks gone? Things on the world of the Lazy Triathlete have been nuts. After the wet n wild weekend of the Lake Anna Sprint, I was able to get in some decent runs and swims. However, the bike riding has been lacking.

I have been working to get a billable project at work. All of April, I was doing some training, proposals, and misc crap around the office. It was all the things that make a business work, but don’t make any money. So I was working my butt off doing all those fun things.

Then there I had attack of the ALLERGIES II. This time was not sniffling and sneezing and blowing my nose, it was serious pressure on the right side of my head. I took it easy for a couple of days trying to allow the body to heal itself. The body is an amazing organism. Give it the right rest and nutrients and you will get better.

As I stated my workouts have not been that numerous. In the past 2.5 weeks, I have only swam 8700 yards, biked 23 miles and run 27.5. Can we say that Columbia is going to suck next weekend?

On the positive front—I don’t have to go to UT for work. I am a great project now, which utilizes my experience in the Army, my work with my company, and the rest of my charm and good looks. I was also selected to command a company this past weekend. The new Commander of the 354th Civil Affairs BDE is a great guy and he asked me to be his HHC Commander. I am pumped up the opportunity.

Let me get back to work, but I felt I needed to conduct some kind of update.

Kinetic Sprint

I found on Tuesday evening that I won a lottery entry for the Kinetic Sprint at Lake Anna, VA on Sunday April 20th. Since I waiting too long to sign up the race was already full, so the lottery slot was great news. I wanted a decent sprint to see where I was in regard to my fitness (slow and fat) and to have a good training day. Plus Lake Anna is a beautiful area.

Yesterday (Saturday) was a beautiful day for the Half that was part of the Kinetic Race Weekend, but today was dreary. I was up at 0545 to get some coffee and cereal in my system before John and Mira arrived to pick me up. I looked out the window and it was effing pouring down rain. AHHHHHHHHHH. I got on line to look at the weather and guess what? More rain out of the south ALL day. Oh well, it effects everyone the same way.

John and Mira arrive a little early, we get my bike loaded, coffee them up, and hit the road--in the rain. The trip was uneventful as it was wet. We arrive, parked in the mud, and slugged over to the packet pick-up. John and Mira were wearing trashbag ponchos, but I just decided to get wet. It was about 60 degrees and the rain was still falling. I saw no reason to try and stay dry. After packet pick up, I got my transition bag and bike and hiked through the rain to set up my spot.

I got on my wetsuit and headed down to the swim start to warm up. The water temp and the air temp were very similar, so there was no real shock getting in the water. I swam around for 10 minutes or so and then went tooking for friends. Then guess what happened? It stopped raining. WOW!!!! Its not raining and I am getting ready to swim.

My wave went off at 10:12. I make pretty good time to the first turn buoy and I got tied up with the wave in front of me. Or more specifically the stragglers who where holding on to the buoy for dear life. The rest of the swim was pretty uneventful, except for the second turn buoy, where more people were hanging on for dear life. It was not a bad swim, there were just a lot of newbies swimming and cold water does cause people to panic at times. Swim time for the 750 meters was about 17:20, about two minutes slower than I had hoped for.

I ran into T1 got changed and slogged through the mud with my bike to the mount point and guess what? It started to rain again. It rained the entire BIKE ride. The only time it did not rain was when I was swimming. Who says God does not have a sense of humor? It took me a while to get my HR down on the bike, but then that is not unusual for me. It was a nice rolling course which made it interesting, but not impossibly hard. I think I average about 17 mph for the 18 mile course. I came in a little over an hour.

Muddy run through T2, kept on my wet socks and was soon on the run course. I was feeling really good on the run for the first 200 meters then I had to run up a short steep hill. I got myself back under control and continued to a nice steady run through the rain. During the rain, it just poured. It was nice loop course along park roads, through the camp ground, and then a nice 1/4 mile down hill to the finish. I think my run time was about 27 minutes for the 5K run.

This is not an attractive picture, but if gives you an idea of how wet and miserable this race was.

After a little post race chow, it was back in the car for the trip back home. John and Mira stay over where the spousal unit prepared a great feast at the house. I am really stuffed and about ready to go to bed.

Wet Again

It was good to get back in the pool after a week off. Today's work out was a lot of speed of work. The main set was 10 x 50 with 15 second rest, followed by 2 x 100 of active recovery, and finished off with 8 x 25 sprint with 20 second rest. It was hard to get the body moving this morning, but once we hit the main set, I was feeling pretty good. I was happy to be doing 45-50 second 50s (with out flip turns). Another 5 weeks until Columbia.

Tonight is the Tri Club Monthly Board meeting. These are typically entertaining with lots of strong personalities.

Spring is slowly arriving

Sunday morning dawned bright and cool, but still with a hint of spring in the air. My thermometer said 48 degrees, but with no wind and the bright blue sky it felt great. My running buddy and I met up at the normal spot and her first comment was, "This place looks different with all these people here." My response was, "Yeah, and the sun is up too." We typically start our weekday runs at 0530 and are finished by 0630.

I was hoping to push out to 8 miles on Sunday just to see how the body would deal with it. However, Runner J felt like 5 miles would be more than enough for her. So we compromised on 5 (see how flexible I am) and I would do another mile to and from my house equally out to 6 miles. That actually was a lot smarter since I haven't done over 5 miles in a while and how shitty I felt last week.

It was a gorgeous run down by National Airport, along the Potomac, and back into toward the local coffee shop.


View Larger Map

Then later in the day it turned cold and rainy. At least today was very spring like. Spring is ON the way!!

Slow Going

Wow!! I did not realize how hard my hay fever had really hit me. I was able to get in 4.25 mile run on Friday morning. It was about 15 seconds per mile slower than normal and it HURT. However, I did feel much better the rest of the day.

I got out on the bike this morning. I did an what I thought was an easy 20 miles this morning. Based on my time it should have been real easy-- 1:17:22. However, my HR was up over 160. Damn thats not good.

Tomorrow me and my running buddy are going to do an hour or so running. Isn't it sad, when your long run is only an hour? Lets see how I feel tomorrow. Hopefully, everything will start to come back.

Ray was that you I passed at the airport? If it wasn't you have a twin.

Ramblings

This has been a really crappy week overall. I have been suffering from a either a spring cold or some type of allergy. I am betting on an allergy sense I get the same type symptoms every year about this time. Runny nose, sore throat, head that weighs 80lbs and a very blurry view of the world are some of the symptoms. Illness and a slow period of at work right now are not a good combination for me. Why can’t slow periods at work coincide with good health and good weather? Because of this I have not been able to work off my frustration at some of the things going on in the world. So here are some of my random thoughts and ramblings:

The Olympic Torch:
Don’t you find it rather ironic that the people most opposed to the brutality of the Chinese in Tibet are using violence to stop the torch? Did the world just realize that China has been using violence in this region for years? How stupid are these people? Let the Games go on and let these great athletes compete in the smog choked country of China. Then these athletes will go back to their own countries and will be able to tell about their own country how dirty of a place China is. Allowing the Games to go on will make a bigger joke out of China, in the long run, than using violence to snuff out the torch. Dennis Miller had the best idea I have heard. During the opening ceremony all the athletes come out in those Tibetan Monk Robes. Now that would be a sight to see.

Christian Bashers:
Lately, I have been hearing more and more bashing of Christians. (Full disclosure—I consider myself a Christian and at the same time I have issues with organized religion) This morning on my way to work I was listening to an interview about a show airing this weekend called Bible Boot Camp. Apparently, there is a camp in Florida that spends two weeks in the summer preparing teenagers and young adults to serve as missionaries overseas by using boot camp techniques and teaches them how to conduct public works in the developing countries they will soon visit. WOW!!! I see nothing really wrong with this premise. We are pretty soft as a country anyway and these young people are going to do something that’s important to them and help others. The movie maker appeared to be rather shocked that these kids would “suffer” through these two hard weeks to get themselves in shape and better prepare them for their journey. I guess this bothers me because people act the same way about my serving in the military and pushing myself in triathlons. I think we would be better off if people were more selfless and stopped caring about whether Brittnay is wearing panties or not.

The Atlanta Braves:
Can’t they win some games?

50 Items of Wisdom

These 50 things are not exactly just about me. Some are about me and others are bits of wisdom I have learned on the years.

51. I love the state of Texas. Especially the hill country.
52. Austin is one of the greatest party cities around.
53. I was disappointed the first time I saw the Alamo
54. Girls should be kissed
55. and often
56. There is are few things cooler than shooting artillery canons
57. Beer should be dark and cold
58. When single, don’t date a woman who likes married men
59. Trust your buddies when it comes to the people you date
60. Keep your house clean
61. Make your bed
62. Learn to cook
63. Chicks dig it
64. After they wonder if you are gay
65. We all have a vice or two—enjoy them
66. Don’t over indulge in anything
67. Well that’s not always true
68. I love Hemingway—Read the classics after you grow up.
69. Learn about the authors you enjoy
70. Find a creative hobby
71. I have jumped from airplanes
72. Piloted boats
73. Scuba dove
74. Taken up photography
75. Done Triathlons
76. War is not pretty
77. Losing is even worse
78. Some things are worth dying for
79. Some things are not
80. Stand for what you believe
81. Facts are more important than emotions
82. Facts are not personal
83. Emotions are personal
84. Emotions cause you do stupid things and cloud your judgment
85. Differing opinions are valid when the facts are agreed upon
86. Visit as many states as you can
87. Why do Yankees move to the south and then complain its not like the north?
88. Washington DC is NOT the south
89. Tea should be sweet and cold
90. Treat everyone with respect and fairness until they prove they don’t deserve it
91. Every female is a lady and every male is gentleman, until proven otherwise
92. Ladies—ma’am is a sign of respect. Get over your insecurities
93. High School is over. You are not the same person you were then.
94. Most of us are better
95. Some still relive our “glory years”
96. Shoot me if high school is the best years of my life
97. Hug your spouse
98. and your kids
99. and your parents
100. You don’t know how long you will have them

The First 50 things about me

In honor of my 100th Post I thought I would do 100 things about me. I am not sure I will make it 100, but what the hell.

1. I grew up in a small town in Georgia near Athens
2. I am HUGE University of Georgia Football Fan
3. I haven’t been in Sanford Stadium in 10 years
4. I use to think I was Evil Knievel
5. I even had a red, white and blue bike
6. I broke my arm at age 6 when I fell on my ass
7. I learned first aid to stay out of trouble when I did something I wasn’t suppose to do
8. I once got a spanking for pulling up all the onions in my parent’s garden
9. I thought Bigfoot lived in the woods behind me
10. I watched the local police blow up a beaver dam in the cruise by my house and thought it was the coolest thing
11. My friend Scott and I use to make dams in the ditch near our house, then we moved on to the creek behind his house
12. I use to slide down the slippery rock behind my friend Brian’s house and get all kinds of slime in the cuts.
13. I use to think a 5:45 mile was slow
14. I never won the spelling bee in my elementary school. My brother did.
15. I did a citizen ship essay contest
16. I bought a Minolta 35mm camera with the proceeds
17. I had a 10:30 curfew when I was 15
18. I had a 11:00 curfew when I was 16
19. I kissed my first girl at 15
20. My neighbor and I would sneak out of the house the summer we were 16 to visit our girlfriends
21. I worked in a lumber yard that summer
22. I made it work every morning by 730
23. I almost got fired from that job for working too hard and making the boss look bad
24. I was a lifeguard for three years
25. I worked in a drug store
26. I had crush on a girl that broke my heart over and over
27. She now has 2 kids by two different men, been married 4 times, weighs 300 lbs, and lives in a trailer
28. I was on the varsity baseball team all four years of high school
29. I was one of the leading hitters in the state my junior year
30. I was drafted in 20, 348th round
31. I never played baseball after high school
32. I started out as a quarterback and ended up a receiver
33. Our team did not pass much
34. So I blocked a lot
35. I was an honor graduate of my high school
36. I was accepted to West Point
37. I had an ROTC scholarship
38. I decided to go to a “real” school
39. I was rejected admission by Georgetown for “not meeting their high academic standards” even though Patrick Ewing could not write his name
40. I really enjoyed college—I mean I “enjoyed” it
41. I did not lose my scholarship
42. I was a field artillery officer
43. I spent a year in Korea
44. I have walked the DMZ
45. I dated a DoD school teacher while I was in Korea
46. She had a clown tattoo
47. She had a house on “Hooker Hill” in the Itaewon area of Seoul
48. She was not a “hooker”
49. Soujou will make you black out
50. I think all Americans need to live over seas in a developing country at some time in their life. It makes you appreciate what we have.

Now to make you wait on the next 50!!!!

Good Workout Day and Bad Television

Today is a dreary rainy day here in the Nation's Capital, but that did not stop me from getting in a good morning of working out. I was at the pool at 0530 this morning for my adult league swim. We started off with some kicking drills and then went into a long boring workout. I needed the long, but not the boring. We did one set of the following:
50, 100, 150, 200, 250, 200, 250, 200, 150, 100, 50. That was followed by some more light kicking to cool down.

When I got home I opted to get in a 30 ride on the trainer. I was able to do 8 miles in those 30 minutes and watch half an episode of Miami Vice. Then it was off to work.

The episode of my Miami Vice is not the bad TV I am refering too the title. It is a really bad show on TLC called Jon and Kate plus 8. My wife for some reason is a BIG fan of reality TV. It actually makes my stomach crawl. The only two that I give the time of day are American Idol and Dancing with the Stars. However, I would never watch those on my own.

Last night she was watching Jon and Kate and the wife (Kate) was bitching at her husband about the way he was trying to put pinecones in a box. I have no idea why anyone would put pinecones in a box and then story them in the garage (Christmas?). I try to be a pretty good hubby, but the one thing that irritates the hell out of me being told how to do something. Just tell me what you want done and let me do it. Just because it is not "your" way doesn't make it wrong. The poor man was on national cable TV being ridiculed by his wife on how he was putting pinecones in a box. I was really truly amazed at how nutless this man was. I have seen bits and pieces of this show when my wife is watching in the past and I have always come to the same conclusion. However, my wife sees nothing wrong with it. It just pisses me off. LOL

Swimming and Strange People

I was back in the pool today. We I swam 2100 yards but I really did not like the workout. I really can’t put my finger on it. Maybe it was the 250 of breast stroke that we did. However, I think I have determined a method of keeping track of how far I have swam on distances over 250 yards. Instead of keeping track of my actually yards which confuses me after a 250 or so. I kept track of how many 50s I did. Every time I touched the wall, I counted and I kept that number in my head until I touch the wall again. So for the 500 set, I counted 1, 2, 3, etc. It seemed to work this time. Let’s see if it works again the future.

Our Adult League swims start at 0530 and go until 0630. At 0630, the pool opens for general swim. In the last couple of weeks attendance has been down so if people show up early the coach and the lifeguard have been allowing others to use the unused lanes. Today we were back up to a more normal crowd, but we still had one individual show up at 6 and want to swim, but all the lanes were in use. This guy stood at the end of my lane and just stared at the all of swimming for about 15 minutes. I have to assume that he was hoping for an invite into the pool. Hell, I pay an extra $50 a month for these classes. I am not going to let someone in who is getting it for free. As one of the more obnoxious members of the Adult League, I really wanted to say something to this guy. However, cooler heads prevailed and we all had a good laugh at the moron. Based on the way he was watching I really thought he may a great swimmer and irritated at some of us slow people. However, once he started swimming it was plain to see his ego was much greater than is ability.

The ReBirth

I awoke at 0330 this morning from one of those dreams you don't want to leave. Usually, I can tie my dreams to something that has occurred, or someone I talked to, or something I read. However, I still can't figure this one out.

Lately, I have been waking up early (0330 or so) very hot and sweaty, and awake. 0330 is a shitty time to be awake. Its too early to get up and if I go back to sleep I am just at REM before my alarm goes off at 0450. However, this morning I did it up.

I made some coffee and drank some water as I read the news and some of my favorite blogs. Finally about 0500 I hopped on the trainer for the first time in weeks and did about an hour. I have busted my bike computer so I am not sure how far I rode. I kept my HR under 140 (138 average) for the hour. So based on my lack of riding, I probably did about 16 miles. It was great to work up a good morning sweat and get the heart working and clear the mind. It is now time for the serious training to begin.

Random Thoughts from the Week

Today is Easter. Easter is a time for rebirth, which means for me that it is time to get my ass back in gear. I have been getting in 3 workouts a week, but that's not near enough. So after my email to Laurie on Saturday I know its time for me to get moving. Tomorrow morning is a trainer ride, even though Monday's are typically a day off.

Friday my work partner and I took the day off and played golf. We have a rather difficult client at work and there have been some issues. I have been limited in hours, so it was either go do admin work or take a day off. I haven't played golf in years and I am still as bad as I usually am.

This week in DC there were anti-war protests. They attempted to shut down the IRS, conducted a "die-in" at Caterpillar, and were going to have a bike ride through town. When I drove in work, there were more press than protesters tying up traffic. From what I saw on my home the bike ride was non-existent due to the rain. The two points I would like to make is regardless of your feeling of war in general, if you are going to protest the evilness of any war you can't let a little rain in get your way. It makes your conviction questionable. The second point is I have been threatened on numerous occasions by the peace lovers. (????) Here is a is a video from the Daily Show that gives my feelings toward this individuals.

Basketball is high swing at the house this weekend. I really don't care for hoops, but I get sucked in by my wife's love of the game in March. So far she is doing very well. She will know better tomorrow how she stacks up with her co-workers.

I hope everyone had Happy Easter.

Running and a New Book

I was up at 0445 this morning for my bi-weekly run with Janel. It was absolutely painful to get out of bed this morning. I was unable to fall asleep last night and ended up reading half a great book (more on that in minute).

As usually, once I got the blood flowing I was very happy I was up and out at Oh Dark Early. We did our normal route through the neighborhood and had a very spirited talk (which we usually do). I am starting to get back on the right track and work off my winter coat and get ready for Columbia.

My partner in crime at worked turned me on to the Doc Ford Series, by Randy Wayne White. I bought the first book, Sanibel Flats, last night and I was up until almost midnight reading it. If you are looking for literature, I would not read this series. However, if you like mystery/action with a Jimmy Buffett flavor and some love interests thrown in, you will love this series.

Swimming

Today I was back in the pool and it felt good. I did a total of 2200 yards in 47 minutes and some change. The workout today was more speed work than distance, but its good to get my HR up during the swims.



200 w/u

10 x 75 15 sec r/i

200 pull

200 kick

4 x 150 20 sec r/i

100 kick c/d

100 pull c/d

Overwhelmed

These past few weeks I have just been overwhelmed with stuff. When ever I get overwhelmed, instead of eating the elephant one bite at a time, I tend to stop doing the things I don't want to do and just let the shit pile up. Thats not good. Its amazing how fast you are in over your head. So this is the week I plan on digging my head out of my ass and get caught up. My dear readers, please hold me to it. I will post updates. LOL

On the plus side, I did get my bike into the shop this weekend for it's annual physical. The doctor said he should be ready on Friday. In addition to the physical he is getting new tires. I have about 1500 miles (450 trainer miles) on these tires and they have been wonderful. However, I don't want to take any chances so new tires will be installed. I have decided to go with the All Condition Amadillo Elite by Specialized. I had the S Works Mondo and loved them, so I hope I am not cursing myself with these new tires.

Just being Lazy.

This past week has been crazy!!!!! I like being busy, but sometimes you just need some time to breathe. I am so far behind is some many things—which includes keeping all of my loyal reader(s) up to date.

Last week, I was able to get in one swim and then one run. I was unable to swim last Thursday due to an early morning meeting and no run on Friday because it was my weekend to go play army. This month it was a Friday thru Sunday battle assembly. The weather was just plain shitty on Friday and Saturday, so the bike ride that Mike and I had planned did not occur. Sunday was just COLD and neither of us brought cycling or running clothes so the weekend was a bust for exercise.

Today it was back in the pool. I was glad to get wet again and get the HR up. The workout was some short sprints, followed by a 250, 500, 250 and then a cool down. Now just get my distance back up. I have been doing about 2200-2300 yards in the 50 min workout. I would like to make that closer to 2500—but that would mean I would have to be there consistently.

I hope everyone had a great weekend!!!

Seven Things about me

Ok, so I am going to break the rules since I have been tagged twice. It is my option to now change the rules. I will not tag anyone. Thanks to both Mary and Zina.

1. I grew up in a small town. We had 1 highschool for the entire county. The year I graduated we had two honors- My class had the most scholarship money in the history of the school and. we had the highest drop-out rate in the state.

2. I went to college on an ROTC scholarship and for four years of school I only had to pay $183.

3. I once shared a sleeping bag with a man when we were trapped in a snow storm on the Korean DMZ.

4. I am expert shot with both M16/M4 and the 9mm pistol

5. I met my wife on Match.com

6. I have walked up the inside cliff of the Bamiam Buddhas.

7. I have an interest in photography and if I could start life again I would love to be a photojournalist.

There you have it. And everyone is safe from the tag monster.

Sunday Ride

Last week was not a great work for workouts. It was cold and rainy and since I am the Lazy Triathlete I did not get much done. However, Sunday I did participate in the Half VASA ride sponsored by the Washington Area Bicycle Association and the House of Sweden. It was good to get out and ride about 30 miles, but the organization of the event left a little to be desired.

I really expected a more organized event. We received a cue sheet and off we went. There was no leader, the roads were not marked, and the start times were not correct. However, my buddy and I did enjoy a cold ride out to Great Falls, MD, did about 2300 feet of climbing along the way, and I was still home in time to have a hot grilled cheese sandwich.

I am back!!!

Wow. It has been a long time since I posted something of substance. The last couple of weeks have been busy and I have had some kind of cold. I hope I am about over it.

Due to having a heavy head, working late, and drinking too much during the week I was a bum. I was able to get in about 2000 yards of swimming on Tuesday. It was rather slow, but it made my shoulder feel better. Its too embarassing to go into detail about how I hurt it. But suffice to say it deals with ice, steps, and leather bottom shoes.

Friday we had more ice, but not nearly as much as was promised by the weatherman (thank God), so on Thursday we made the decision to work from home. I was able to get in a 50 minute ride on Friday between emails, powerpoint presentations, and phone calls. It felt good to be back on bike. Next weekend I am going to be doing the VASA Ride sponsored by the WABA and the Swedish Embassy. I will only be doing the Halv Vasa which is 28 miles. I don't have the legs yet for a comfortable 55 miles.

Today I hit pavement for a nice little 6.2 mile run along the Potomac and Old Town. I decided to keep it fairly short due to the cold I have been battling and not running in two weeks. I feel really good now and I think I am going to go heat up left over Crispy Hot beef.


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Remiss

I know I have been remiss in posting in the last couple of weeks. I am battling a cold and cough which have settled in my head, and I was in Orlando for some fun. As soon as I get caught up at work, I will post some of the happenings and some photos.

I have also been tagged, so I will generate that list also.

What a Busy Week

Wow!! Where did the week go? Talk about some long days this past week. But you know, you feel good when you can look back and see everything you have accomplished. Tuesday was just a very long day at work. I had meeting early and did not get out of there until after 7pm. However, I was able to get in a bike ride, errr trainer ride.

Wednesday start off very hot and humid for Feb. The Wednesday morning St Elmo's run actually grew by one 33.3% We had 3 runners. We did about 5 miles with 3 two minute pick-ups. It was a really good work out. After a full day at work, the DC Tri Club Board met. So I did not get home until almost 11pm.

Thursday was not a good day for swimming. I woke up with the alarm at 0450, sat up in bed and the next thing I knew it was 0625. No swimming for me. A full day at work and then off to the DC Tri Club New Triathlete Program (NTP) happy hour. I did not get home until after 9pm.

Friday was another St Elmos run, but we kept it rather short--maybe 3.5 miles. It was just enough to get the blood flowing.

Today, I did an hour on the trainer and then Donna and I had lunch, hit REI, and then headed down to Mount Vernon, the home of George Washington. They have really fixed it up since the last time I was down there. The new part is totally amazing. I highly recommend it.

This was taken from the back yard over looking the Potomac River. Today was just totally awesome. The weather was great and so sunny. You could not ask for a better day to be outside playing tourist. This actually the resting place of our first president. I did not get a photo of the wreath, but due to a wreath laying, the iron gates were open and you could see very clearning inside.

This is in the visitors center. Its a replica of Washington as a surveryor. The new addition is great. I highly recommend it to anyone visiting town.

Tomorrow Donna is heading out of town early, so I plan on getting an early swim and then running with some friends after lunch. I hope I get it in and it doesn't kill me. Its been a long time since I did two work outs in one day.

Root Canal

I showed up at my dentists this morning at about 0750 this morning and told the receptionist that I the doctor wanted me to come in first thing because I had broken a tooth. So right at 8 I was taken back and put in the chair, the pretty assistant with the great assets took some x-rays of the booth and then the dentist came in. He looked at said, "Son, your tooth broke because you had an abcess. Did you have a filling on that tooth?" I had a lot of filling as a kid. My mother has terrible teeth and I inherited that trait.

After some chit-chat about boating and fishing, he numbed me up really good. Then I waiting and waited and waited. Finally he back in and went to work. I learned that he likes to fish, he went gambling this weekend and to a party he did not really want to go to, but he had a great time anyway. I also learned his assistant is a big party animal. I am glad she was not hung-over.

More more novicaine, lots of drilling, and even a burning smell I was all done. I have to admit that was actually a very pleaseant trip to the dentist--even for a root canal. My dentist ROCKS!!!!

After I got home, I was very patient and careful as I drank. I would place my finger to my lip to make sure I knew where it was and then I would drink. I did that every time, but ONE!! So you can imagine what happened. I spilled my drink all over my shirt. Go ahead and laugh--I did.

I feel pretty good this evening. My jaw hurts from the pulling and pushing and prodding. However, I don't really have any pain. So I count myself lucky. Back to the pool in the morning.

You ain't gonna believe this $&%@

Friday night I was sitting on the couch watching the news, eating my lovely brides delicous pizza, when felt something pop in mouth. The next thing I know I bite down on my own tooth. OUCH. I broke a molar. How the hell do you break a molar eatting pizza? I have no f-ing idea. However, my dentist called me right back after leaving my number. So I will be at his office first thing on Monday to see what can be done. I really hate dental work.

This weekend was my monthly Battle Assembly. Remember the old Army Reserve commericals, "One weekend a month, two weeks a year"? Then there was a year in Afghanistan and another in Iraq. I have gut feeling there will be another coming in soon. I have been home for almost 5 years.

Saturday was pretty cold and I was still weary of what would happen with my tooth, so I did not run during lunch. Today, I finished up what I was doing and I was able to get out before 11. I drove over to the gym, changed and went for a run of a little over 5 miles. As you can see below most of the run was around the Fort Meade Golf Course. It is a crushed rock trail through the woods. It is a very nice place to run. It has some hills, which I needed to run. All in all it was a good run. It was a little slower than I had hoped at 49 min and some change. But the hills caused that. I will only get faster running the hills.

Rain Rain

I got this morning looking forward to 5 mile hilly workout and what do I see is rain. Don't get me wrong, we need some rain and I know come spring and summer we will be glad we have the reserve, but I am trying to get a running group started in my neighborbood. There is plenty of training going through out the club, the key is getting it communicated to the general population. Plus my runs on Wed and Fri start at 0530--people don't alway like that. So on the run front today was a bust. Oh well!!

So I know all you dear readers are wondering what The Lazy Triathlete did? Did he go back to sleep? Sit on his ass and drink coffee? I know the suspense is killing you. I actually got in a 50+ min spin watching Crockett and Tubbs bust a kiddie porn king. What a way to start the day!!!!

Yesterday I was in the pool at the Y. After a short 300 warm up, we did a 500 yd time trial. I had been hoping we start doing some TTs. I either swam in 9:16 or 10:07 I lost track of 50 yards I am not sure which is correct. I really need to get me a lap counter. After that we did some lifeguard type drills with a brick. You swim to the brick, dive into the deep end to retrieve it, and then kick on your back holding the brick above your head. You have to kick hard to keep your speed up or you will sink. It was a good leg work out.

This weekend is Army weekend. I hope to get in today's run on Saturday. But we will see.

Sick of being Sick

I don't know whats up with me. But in the last month I have had some kind of stomach bug that seems to be hanging on. I had a fever and very upset stomach at the beginning of the month and prior to that I would get an upset stomach for a day and it would pass. In the middle of the night Monday I woke up with an upset stomach and was up until after 6am. I worked from home on Tuesday and by this morning I felt fine.

I was unable to swim on Tuesday and I did not run this morning just to be on the safe side. I really hate this. I am going to see a doctor hopefully next week to see he can figure out whats wrong with me. Tomorrow I will head to the pool and hopefully the weather will allow for a good run on Friday.

Every had one of those days?

Sunday was one of those days where I wanted to kill people. There is construction on my near my house where a new bridge is being built. Due to the construction traffic has been re-routed and it comes down my street. I understand the traffic and I am willing to deal with it. What I am not willing to deal with is the dangerous drivers trying to make the light and not paying the least little bit of attention to what is going on around them.

I was taking the cars for their monthly baths and a fill up and I was almost hit twice pulling away from the curb. Both times were by what appeared to be moms in mini-vans with their kids with in the car with them. Then I would put my nose out to merge into the lane and people would cut me off, swerve to miss me (even when the light was red), or flip me off. It took all myself restraint not to walk up to one of the guys in front of me at the red light and throttle the little bastard. There are rules for a fucking reason. Follow them.

On a lighter note, I was able to get in two rides in the last couple of days. They were nothing special but I was able to do 15 miles in the 50 minutes of a Miami Vice episode. No, I have replaced Magnum. I just needed some variety. One of my blogger buddies Mary did 3 hours on the trainer. I would have killed myself after that long. But I bet my wife would beat me to it.