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.