Monday, June 30, 2008
Done
I did it, wow what a weekend. It is Monday evening. I am tired, drained and happy to be home. I don't even know where to start, and I am not going to tonight. I need to sleep, rest and think however, I will say, " I get it".
Thursday, June 26, 2008
Pac Crest here I come
10:30 Thursday morning. I am packed and waiting to get out of Portland and heading to Sun River OR. In two days I will tackle a Half Ironman Triathlon at Pacific Crest, 1.2 mile swim, 58 mile bike, 13.1 mile run. I have been training since about January or February for this event. I am sitting here a little antsy, I want to get going, I am just a bit anxious. I know I am ready, this is a big test. Why am I doing this, well there are many reason and they have evolved over the winter and spring. The main reasons are, I wanted the challenge and I needed to channel some emotions in an appropriate direction. When it comes down to it this training has been good therapy.
Late last fall my life took a turn I wish had not come about and it hit me pretty hard. I had to do something. As my work schedule began to calm I found some swimming lesson that fit my schedule, programmed in some running and cycling, worked on swimming outside of my lessons and slowly built a physical base. Two weeks ago I completed an Olympic distance Tri. For A guy who just started taking swim lessons in February I am pretty pleased with myself. I swam 1500 meters and still was able to ride and run. The swim this coming Saturday will be only 500 meters further than the Olympic distance swim so I am confident.
The training allowed me to shed emotions, work through what was going on or simply forget things for a bit. I have reflected, swore, cried, dreamed, smiled, learned, processed, I believe I have grown, I am a better me. I am thankful.
Most of my running lately has been on trails either solo or with a friend. The trails provide so much solitude and beautiful scenery. I also want to get a MTN. Bike for this same reason. I just want to be on a trail somewhere taking in the sights and enjoying myself and those with me. I want to continue to be at peace, a peace that I have rediscovered from exercise, enjoying the outdoors and those around me. Work and my house projects will always be there and I will take care of that when I need to, but I want to live and be aware. Life is too short and should be shared, enjoyed and relished. Why don't you come along sometime?
When I am cycling up Mt. Bachelor on Saturday it will be with a smile on my face and the knowledge that all is well and it will only continue to be. Bachelor I am going to kick your ass, see you Saturday.
Peace
Late last fall my life took a turn I wish had not come about and it hit me pretty hard. I had to do something. As my work schedule began to calm I found some swimming lesson that fit my schedule, programmed in some running and cycling, worked on swimming outside of my lessons and slowly built a physical base. Two weeks ago I completed an Olympic distance Tri. For A guy who just started taking swim lessons in February I am pretty pleased with myself. I swam 1500 meters and still was able to ride and run. The swim this coming Saturday will be only 500 meters further than the Olympic distance swim so I am confident.
The training allowed me to shed emotions, work through what was going on or simply forget things for a bit. I have reflected, swore, cried, dreamed, smiled, learned, processed, I believe I have grown, I am a better me. I am thankful.
Most of my running lately has been on trails either solo or with a friend. The trails provide so much solitude and beautiful scenery. I also want to get a MTN. Bike for this same reason. I just want to be on a trail somewhere taking in the sights and enjoying myself and those with me. I want to continue to be at peace, a peace that I have rediscovered from exercise, enjoying the outdoors and those around me. Work and my house projects will always be there and I will take care of that when I need to, but I want to live and be aware. Life is too short and should be shared, enjoyed and relished. Why don't you come along sometime?
When I am cycling up Mt. Bachelor on Saturday it will be with a smile on my face and the knowledge that all is well and it will only continue to be. Bachelor I am going to kick your ass, see you Saturday.
Peace
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Portland, cloudy, the gods must be pissed.
Okay, I don't know who in Portland has pissed off the Gods, but please make amends. Prostrate yourself before your master, burn incense, sacrifice a virgin, pray, ask forgiveness. I don't care how you do it just make yourself right with your lord, master, God, supreme being, et al. I am simply tired of the rain and clouds. I want sunshine and warmth. I did nothing to deserve this, nor did the rest of the population of Portland. Get right with your lord. End of story.
Pray
Pray
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Training, living, mocking, drinking, wrecking.
Well, I have been training, working, living, painting, attending parties, mocking, and wrecking. I have been in the open water about four or five times since I last posted, good stuff, so much better than the back and forth in the pool.
Amongst all the training; I have been trying to finish painting my living room, which had to be proceeded by plaster patching. I have discovered I have no patience for the tedium of plaster work, but it is done. And the rather uneven work I did I am willing to just call character, which hopefully matches me. With spring here, they say it is suppose to get sunny sometime..., ha, liars. Anyway I find myself outside working in the yard quite a bit as well. I feel a little like a pin ball and probably appear to be a little ADD, bouncing from one project to another and training. Oh spread gravel, oh go run, oh texture wall, oh go swim, oh go paint, oh go for a ride, oh damn there are some weeds. It keeps down the tedium and varies my activities. Besides I really have not been able to sit still for a few months now. I chalk that up to more energy due to a more balanced life.
Recent racing has included a Trail run race in Forest Park, which I entered at the last minute and did surprisingly well. That day also included an impromptu party which I like to call "when training meets Tequila." Let's see, run a 20 K in the morning attend BBQ party in evening where the Margaritas were made correctly, meaning lots of tequila in use. Emily your "ritas" are wicked. Said margaritas forced a post party rest day in which the only major thing I accomplished was three naps.
Mocking, despite bouncing from project to project, drinking tequila, etc. I was able to put all three disciplines into a race. Just under a week ago I participated in my first Tri. The local Tri
club, of which I am a member puts on a Mock Tri to give newbies a chance to race without the real pressure of a true competition. The only timing done is if you set your own watch. All in all I did well. Swim was good, needs improvement, but I was not the last one out of the water and I did not freak out. I came out of the water at a dead run passing at least 9- 12 people, have to make up time. Bike went well hammered the 13.5 miles and I was able to pound out the 3.1 mile run, although it took about a mile to feel like I was really running like I should. That transition from bike to run is an odd one.
Wrecking, I headed out to Rocky Butte yesterday for some hill repeats. I managed to get two under my belt when for no apparent or particular reason I crashed, rather spectacularly. All I know is all of the sudden I was going down. I was able to clip out of the side the bike was going down on and in a modified fashion surfed on top of my bike. Damage list includes, scraped wrist, broken watch, bent rear skewer, rear wheel way out of true, minor bike frame tweak, scraped up bar tape, scraped bike seat, sore hips. I actually avoided going down on my knees. I was sprawled and sliding atop and over my bike on my hands and feet. I must have slid a good 10 to 15 feet, so Cycle Path is fixing up the bike. They will true the rear wheel, the frame is not so badly tweaked as to make it unsafe to ride. I am having them put on new bar tape and do a general tune up. I will also get a new chain as the one I have was pretty worn. I just need to find a new blue seat to match my blue bar tape. The wreck is giving me the opportunity to geek out my bike. Pictures to follow soon.
Words: industrious
diligent
wreckage
Amongst all the training; I have been trying to finish painting my living room, which had to be proceeded by plaster patching. I have discovered I have no patience for the tedium of plaster work, but it is done. And the rather uneven work I did I am willing to just call character, which hopefully matches me. With spring here, they say it is suppose to get sunny sometime..., ha, liars. Anyway I find myself outside working in the yard quite a bit as well. I feel a little like a pin ball and probably appear to be a little ADD, bouncing from one project to another and training. Oh spread gravel, oh go run, oh texture wall, oh go swim, oh go paint, oh go for a ride, oh damn there are some weeds. It keeps down the tedium and varies my activities. Besides I really have not been able to sit still for a few months now. I chalk that up to more energy due to a more balanced life.
Recent racing has included a Trail run race in Forest Park, which I entered at the last minute and did surprisingly well. That day also included an impromptu party which I like to call "when training meets Tequila." Let's see, run a 20 K in the morning attend BBQ party in evening where the Margaritas were made correctly, meaning lots of tequila in use. Emily your "ritas" are wicked. Said margaritas forced a post party rest day in which the only major thing I accomplished was three naps.
Mocking, despite bouncing from project to project, drinking tequila, etc. I was able to put all three disciplines into a race. Just under a week ago I participated in my first Tri. The local Tri
club, of which I am a member puts on a Mock Tri to give newbies a chance to race without the real pressure of a true competition. The only timing done is if you set your own watch. All in all I did well. Swim was good, needs improvement, but I was not the last one out of the water and I did not freak out. I came out of the water at a dead run passing at least 9- 12 people, have to make up time. Bike went well hammered the 13.5 miles and I was able to pound out the 3.1 mile run, although it took about a mile to feel like I was really running like I should. That transition from bike to run is an odd one.Wrecking, I headed out to Rocky Butte yesterday for some hill repeats. I managed to get two under my belt when for no apparent or particular reason I crashed, rather spectacularly. All I know is all of the sudden I was going down. I was able to clip out of the side the bike was going down on and in a modified fashion surfed on top of my bike. Damage list includes, scraped wrist, broken watch, bent rear skewer, rear wheel way out of true, minor bike frame tweak, scraped up bar tape, scraped bike seat, sore hips. I actually avoided going down on my knees. I was sprawled and sliding atop and over my bike on my hands and feet. I must have slid a good 10 to 15 feet, so Cycle Path is fixing up the bike. They will true the rear wheel, the frame is not so badly tweaked as to make it unsafe to ride. I am having them put on new bar tape and do a general tune up. I will also get a new chain as the one I have was pretty worn. I just need to find a new blue seat to match my blue bar tape. The wreck is giving me the opportunity to geek out my bike. Pictures to follow soon.
Words: industrious
diligent
wreckage
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