I think the mini-vacation took a bit too much out of me. Mentally I am rarin' to go. Emotionally I want to train so badly. Physically I am exhausted.
I did a late sleep-in Monday, skipping the planned run, so that I could have energy for Monday and the late afternoon swim. I was really beat all day but did get in a short swim of 600 meter, more due to bad timing than anything. It was short but I was able to put in some 50's and a 100 so I felt good that my endurance is getting better.
By the time I got home I was ready for bed. I was nodding off at 7pm and in bed at 8:15. I had planned on getting up at 0315 for the swim but the alarm went off and I there was no way I getting there. I woke up still really beat.
So I have an hour of flexibility, stretching and rehab set for this morning and then that's it. I was going to go for a run this afternoon, but I think if I skip today I will be able to do my a.m. run and then swim team in the afternoon and get back on track.
Tuesday, June 7, 2005
Monday, June 6, 2005
The Further Adventures of Mighty Mo
So, twenty of us staying at the resort decide to go to Outback Steakhouse for dinner Saturday night. Mighty Mo was full of vinegar and causing all kinds of ruckus while we waited fifteen minutes for the table to be ready. So I did the fatherly thing and went to the bar to buy drinks for everyone.
One of the other gals, took Mighty Mo for a walk around the parking lot, giving Mistress a much needed break to drink her El Patron Margarita. Then around the restaurant to look at decorations. By the time we sat down he was doing better.
thirty minutes later as food arrives he decides its a good time to act two years old and wants out of his high chair and to sit on someone's lap, so Mistress and I pass him between us. Again he decides being a two year old is more fun and begins yelling/screaming at the top of his lungs. But he has a huge smile on his face so its hard not to laugh (Sidenote: Yes I was an adult who cringed at screaming kids in public until I became a father. I still cringe but its different.)
Mistress decides its time for Time Out, so she take him from the table and into the curbside server's area for his Time Out. (BTW, his Time Out is standing up against the wall with his hands on the wall like being frisked by a cop) After a short Time Out they come back to the table for a few minutes. Well, I looked at him and he looked at me, he smiled, I got out one, "Stop!" before another scream. He then gets off my lap and runs around the corner and gets back into Time Out. A new server is wondering why a kid is waiting to be frisked. Oh his legs are spread out, his arms high, head turned around to look for me. So he and I leave.
Now I could be mad, I was mad, but as we walk out the curbside door a couple is walking towards us. Mighty Mo, looks at them and says, "Hi guys!" The woman looks down and then turns to her friend and says, "He has the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen on a baby." To which Mighty Mo without missing a beat says, "Thank you" How can you be mad at that?
After a short walk, we come back in time to pay the bill and Mighty Mo decides its time for smoozing with the two elderly couples at the table next to us and he is all flirt and charm and giggles. A perfect little gentleman. Then the customary "Bye" that he must say to everyone which takes another five minutes. He even gets people to say 'bye' back to him that he's never met. It's almost like "Norm" from Cheers. He just yells, "Bye" to the room, waves and smiles and like a dozen people say bye back to him. He then has to be taken over to them to acknowledge their comment. Its so sweet but its every single time we go out.
Then its the goodbyes to the inadament objects like, "Bye, bye table...bye, bye chair...bye, bye door, etc, etc, etc"
At least he has a positive attitude.
One of the other gals, took Mighty Mo for a walk around the parking lot, giving Mistress a much needed break to drink her El Patron Margarita. Then around the restaurant to look at decorations. By the time we sat down he was doing better.
thirty minutes later as food arrives he decides its a good time to act two years old and wants out of his high chair and to sit on someone's lap, so Mistress and I pass him between us. Again he decides being a two year old is more fun and begins yelling/screaming at the top of his lungs. But he has a huge smile on his face so its hard not to laugh (Sidenote: Yes I was an adult who cringed at screaming kids in public until I became a father. I still cringe but its different.)
Mistress decides its time for Time Out, so she take him from the table and into the curbside server's area for his Time Out. (BTW, his Time Out is standing up against the wall with his hands on the wall like being frisked by a cop) After a short Time Out they come back to the table for a few minutes. Well, I looked at him and he looked at me, he smiled, I got out one, "Stop!" before another scream. He then gets off my lap and runs around the corner and gets back into Time Out. A new server is wondering why a kid is waiting to be frisked. Oh his legs are spread out, his arms high, head turned around to look for me. So he and I leave.
Now I could be mad, I was mad, but as we walk out the curbside door a couple is walking towards us. Mighty Mo, looks at them and says, "Hi guys!" The woman looks down and then turns to her friend and says, "He has the most beautiful blue eyes I have ever seen on a baby." To which Mighty Mo without missing a beat says, "Thank you" How can you be mad at that?
After a short walk, we come back in time to pay the bill and Mighty Mo decides its time for smoozing with the two elderly couples at the table next to us and he is all flirt and charm and giggles. A perfect little gentleman. Then the customary "Bye" that he must say to everyone which takes another five minutes. He even gets people to say 'bye' back to him that he's never met. It's almost like "Norm" from Cheers. He just yells, "Bye" to the room, waves and smiles and like a dozen people say bye back to him. He then has to be taken over to them to acknowledge their comment. Its so sweet but its every single time we go out.
Then its the goodbyes to the inadament objects like, "Bye, bye table...bye, bye chair...bye, bye door, etc, etc, etc"
At least he has a positive attitude.
Sunday, June 5, 2005
Mini Vacation Lowdown
Staying at a five star resort has definite perks and serious wallet sucking abilities. Who thought a fricken cup of black coffee, one size only sir, would cost $5.00?
Really the resort was a blast. There was five families total that went to stay at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess over the weekend and we snuck a sixth family into the pool on Saturday. I lived in Snobs-dale for five years and got fair accustomed to having the resort experience thrown upon me but this was really enjoyable.
All the kids, ten in all, played and interacted really well. All of them vary in age from two, we rode that birthday pony at two restaurants, up to twelve. Mighty Mo is like a little magnet and all the other kids want him to play with them, so he was being pulled all over the place. Poor little guy gets tuckered so quick because of his immune system that he took two 3 hour naps each day, so we were constantly coming and going.
On Friday, immediately following check in, I did get in 500 yards in the lap pool area before being hauled away for a celebatory Corona by the guys. I would like to say that I got in that long run Saturday morning, but I have a funny story to tell. See the resort has a 'pool and a movie' theme on Friday and Saturday, you float in the pool or sit dockside. Friday night was Grease. The adults decided that Friday was guys night to cut loose and Saturday was the gals. So we meet the other four dads for drinks at the pool to decide the game plan.
I had only had one beer the whole day and was setting up my excuses based on getting up at 0500 for a ten-miler. At 8:30 pm we decided to play poker. One of us had a travel poker set up with great chips and we all chipped in a twenty a set high blinds to make it a quick game. At 10:30 I was winning and thought I could close this up by 11:30, sacrificing one hour for a Benny ($100-Ben Franklins on the bill). At midnight, it was down to three of us, I was still in but behind and going all in on a pair of six's so I could leave with some dignity and still get five hours sleep. I won.
At that point I knew I wasn't making that run at 0500. Not a chance in hell. So I grabbed a beer and the remainder of cigar and for the next two hours played poker and with reckless abandon. It came down the two of us, and I lost. I didn't mind losing the twenty I put in, I was really pissed off that it cost me my run.
So I know I the Mighty Mo gets up around 0530, and there is no way I can survive a Saturday on three hours sleep. So when he stirs at 0500, I make a command decision to sleep on the floor in the closet to get some uninterrupted sleep before breakfast. Little cuss sleeps until 0700 and I spent two hours on the floor in a cramped closet with the door closed.
The massage was really good, but not the $175 good that it cost for the hour. Its a beautiful spa but not that beautiful. I spent an hour before and after using the steam rooms, dry saunas, Swiss showers and aromatherepy rooms. That was pretty good. I spent that time by reading some Ironman Florida race reports that I downloaded for inspiration. I was also a bit disappointed in the apples. Not that fresh. But the prickly pear lemonade was really good. And the staff was fabulous. They really treated me, all the people there, with the utmost care and concern.
Saturday's dinner was trip for twenty to Outback Steakhouse and Mighty Mo got his dander up. I will save that for a future blog post. That's a whole other comedy of events. How does it take four adults and four other children to care for one child? When its Mighty Mo, it just does. Surprisingly, you feel good about though.
By the time we got back it was time for Mighty Mo, and daddy, to get some sleep so Mistress went to meet the gals. The two of us were asleep by 8:30. Sunday we went to the pool to see everyone after a $30 breakfast of four pastrys and aforementioned cup of $5 coffee. Mighty Mo did not last long and I took him up to the room for his nap and by the time he got up we had to leave. Not much of a resort day for me, but I did read several chapters of Going Long and Mistress sunned at the pool.
Total Resort costs including room, spa: $400
Total out of pocket for meals and junk: $120
A weekend bonding with the family: Priceless.
Really the resort was a blast. There was five families total that went to stay at the Fairmont Scottsdale Princess over the weekend and we snuck a sixth family into the pool on Saturday. I lived in Snobs-dale for five years and got fair accustomed to having the resort experience thrown upon me but this was really enjoyable.
All the kids, ten in all, played and interacted really well. All of them vary in age from two, we rode that birthday pony at two restaurants, up to twelve. Mighty Mo is like a little magnet and all the other kids want him to play with them, so he was being pulled all over the place. Poor little guy gets tuckered so quick because of his immune system that he took two 3 hour naps each day, so we were constantly coming and going.
On Friday, immediately following check in, I did get in 500 yards in the lap pool area before being hauled away for a celebatory Corona by the guys. I would like to say that I got in that long run Saturday morning, but I have a funny story to tell. See the resort has a 'pool and a movie' theme on Friday and Saturday, you float in the pool or sit dockside. Friday night was Grease. The adults decided that Friday was guys night to cut loose and Saturday was the gals. So we meet the other four dads for drinks at the pool to decide the game plan.
I had only had one beer the whole day and was setting up my excuses based on getting up at 0500 for a ten-miler. At 8:30 pm we decided to play poker. One of us had a travel poker set up with great chips and we all chipped in a twenty a set high blinds to make it a quick game. At 10:30 I was winning and thought I could close this up by 11:30, sacrificing one hour for a Benny ($100-Ben Franklins on the bill). At midnight, it was down to three of us, I was still in but behind and going all in on a pair of six's so I could leave with some dignity and still get five hours sleep. I won.
At that point I knew I wasn't making that run at 0500. Not a chance in hell. So I grabbed a beer and the remainder of cigar and for the next two hours played poker and with reckless abandon. It came down the two of us, and I lost. I didn't mind losing the twenty I put in, I was really pissed off that it cost me my run.
So I know I the Mighty Mo gets up around 0530, and there is no way I can survive a Saturday on three hours sleep. So when he stirs at 0500, I make a command decision to sleep on the floor in the closet to get some uninterrupted sleep before breakfast. Little cuss sleeps until 0700 and I spent two hours on the floor in a cramped closet with the door closed.
The massage was really good, but not the $175 good that it cost for the hour. Its a beautiful spa but not that beautiful. I spent an hour before and after using the steam rooms, dry saunas, Swiss showers and aromatherepy rooms. That was pretty good. I spent that time by reading some Ironman Florida race reports that I downloaded for inspiration. I was also a bit disappointed in the apples. Not that fresh. But the prickly pear lemonade was really good. And the staff was fabulous. They really treated me, all the people there, with the utmost care and concern.
Saturday's dinner was trip for twenty to Outback Steakhouse and Mighty Mo got his dander up. I will save that for a future blog post. That's a whole other comedy of events. How does it take four adults and four other children to care for one child? When its Mighty Mo, it just does. Surprisingly, you feel good about though.
By the time we got back it was time for Mighty Mo, and daddy, to get some sleep so Mistress went to meet the gals. The two of us were asleep by 8:30. Sunday we went to the pool to see everyone after a $30 breakfast of four pastrys and aforementioned cup of $5 coffee. Mighty Mo did not last long and I took him up to the room for his nap and by the time he got up we had to leave. Not much of a resort day for me, but I did read several chapters of Going Long and Mistress sunned at the pool.
Total Resort costs including room, spa: $400
Total out of pocket for meals and junk: $120
A weekend bonding with the family: Priceless.
Friday, June 3, 2005
A Much Needed Break
I will be offline until Sunday unless I get a cheap internet connection at the resort I am staying at. Yes that's right folks, the family and I are going to the Fairmount Scottsdale Princess Resort for a three day vacation. We are meeting three other families that I work with and their kids.
It is ranked as a Five Star Resort, one of the finest in the world. I have already scheduled my hour sports massage at the Willow Stream Spa there, voted by Conde' Nast Traveller as one of the best spas in America. I will also be sticking around for the amenities like the dry sauna, steam room, jaccuzi and cold plunge. Plus whatever else they provide. I bet they have good apples. All the good spas I go to have good fruit to eat, like apples.
Not to be deterred I am planning a 60-90 minute run Saturday morning and then I will swim during the day. Ahhhh, not really laps per se but I promise I will be around water. I have a feeling that I will be snockered from all day in the sun, a long run and long spa session so Sunday is for relaxing. My only day off the whole week from training.
So good luck Wil on your marathon, I expect to hit your site on Sunday for the play by play. Good luck the rest of you and have fun with your endeavors, if I forgot anyone's race this weekend I apologize. In a tribute to Nancy's comment on Wil's site and also to repay Tri-Geek Kahuna I will be writing everyone's names down and having an adult beverage for them...you know to get me through the rough parts.
It is ranked as a Five Star Resort, one of the finest in the world. I have already scheduled my hour sports massage at the Willow Stream Spa there, voted by Conde' Nast Traveller as one of the best spas in America. I will also be sticking around for the amenities like the dry sauna, steam room, jaccuzi and cold plunge. Plus whatever else they provide. I bet they have good apples. All the good spas I go to have good fruit to eat, like apples.
Not to be deterred I am planning a 60-90 minute run Saturday morning and then I will swim during the day. Ahhhh, not really laps per se but I promise I will be around water. I have a feeling that I will be snockered from all day in the sun, a long run and long spa session so Sunday is for relaxing. My only day off the whole week from training.
So good luck Wil on your marathon, I expect to hit your site on Sunday for the play by play. Good luck the rest of you and have fun with your endeavors, if I forgot anyone's race this weekend I apologize. In a tribute to Nancy's comment on Wil's site and also to repay Tri-Geek Kahuna I will be writing everyone's names down and having an adult beverage for them...you know to get me through the rough parts.
Thursday, June 2, 2005
Alright Back To Regular Programming
I can't leave a depressing post up on top. So lets change the subject.
In my visualization of Ironman Florida 2006, which I am finishing have no doubt about that, I plan out my comfortable times to finish each leg and still have a cushion of time at the end. I am building into this plan a single word-FUN. Even though all this training can be draining, frustrating, enlightening and long, if the race isn't fun then why do it, right?
So tell me what you think and maybe add your own personal goals in the comment box.
Swim 2.4 miles: 1 hr. 15 minutes
T1: 15 minutes
Bike 112 miles: 7 hours (average 17 mph, plus including 30 minutes of tire changing)
T2: 15 minutes (including hamstring rub down by ART tech or massuse)
Run 26.2 miles: 4.5 hours (average 10 minute miles)
TOTAL TIME: 13 HOURS 15 MINUTES
With the Grace of God and some good luck, I think is a realistic to finish, still have fun and not visit the medical tent when I am done. If training goes very well over the next 500 days, then a sub 12 hour would be easy to obtain.
In my visualization of Ironman Florida 2006, which I am finishing have no doubt about that, I plan out my comfortable times to finish each leg and still have a cushion of time at the end. I am building into this plan a single word-FUN. Even though all this training can be draining, frustrating, enlightening and long, if the race isn't fun then why do it, right?
So tell me what you think and maybe add your own personal goals in the comment box.
Swim 2.4 miles: 1 hr. 15 minutes
T1: 15 minutes
Bike 112 miles: 7 hours (average 17 mph, plus including 30 minutes of tire changing)
T2: 15 minutes (including hamstring rub down by ART tech or massuse)
Run 26.2 miles: 4.5 hours (average 10 minute miles)
TOTAL TIME: 13 HOURS 15 MINUTES
With the Grace of God and some good luck, I think is a realistic to finish, still have fun and not visit the medical tent when I am done. If training goes very well over the next 500 days, then a sub 12 hour would be easy to obtain.
Death Is In the Air
I recieved some disturbing news last night that goes on par with the what's been circling the Alliance lately. A good friend of mine overdosed on prescription drugs and died the other day.
His name was Jeff C. I met Jeff 13 years ago at the first health club I worked at coming back home from time I spent in the South Pacific. He was a successful independant personal trainer. Through Jeff I made some great friends. We went to church together, we broke bread together. We took trips together to Canada or camping or rock climbing. He used to host an inpromptu bible study in his apartment for our little gang.
Jeff became addicted to prescription drugs a few years later. He lost most of his clients because he asked them for loans of money, to use for drugs, and would miss training sessions with them. He dropped out of the church and our little click. I took Jeff in to my apartment for a few weeks before he entered rehab, he had nowhere else to go. He was contrite, overwhelmed, scared, frustrated, thankful he still had one friend.
He finished rehab and started to get his life back in order. I got married and was moving up in the company and as things naturally happen we drifted apart. We hooked up as often as we could. He was putting things back together but that took him several years to rebuild his reputation and repair his wrecked past. I eventually moved to Arizona and lost contact.
A few years ago he started working with our sister fitness company in Washington. He was getting a second chance at a career. He did well for a while but the rumor was that he was back to using. The companies had a joint Las Vegas trip in 2002 and we spent a few hours together, him asking forgiveness, me asking him to get more help. The last time I saw Jeff was at a wedding last summer. He was eager to talk but I was torn up inside becuase my son was admitted to the hospital, for what would be several days, while I was in flight to Washington and I wanted to get home as soon as possible.
An addict is an addict. I lost Jeff long ago and this is finally the ending to a sad saga of a good mans life ruined by drugs. I still have vivid memories of his laugh, his walk, he loved a specific brand of Nikes and wore only those.
Today or this weekend don't run, or swim or bike for mourning. Run, swim or bike for life.
Today is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.
His name was Jeff C. I met Jeff 13 years ago at the first health club I worked at coming back home from time I spent in the South Pacific. He was a successful independant personal trainer. Through Jeff I made some great friends. We went to church together, we broke bread together. We took trips together to Canada or camping or rock climbing. He used to host an inpromptu bible study in his apartment for our little gang.
Jeff became addicted to prescription drugs a few years later. He lost most of his clients because he asked them for loans of money, to use for drugs, and would miss training sessions with them. He dropped out of the church and our little click. I took Jeff in to my apartment for a few weeks before he entered rehab, he had nowhere else to go. He was contrite, overwhelmed, scared, frustrated, thankful he still had one friend.
He finished rehab and started to get his life back in order. I got married and was moving up in the company and as things naturally happen we drifted apart. We hooked up as often as we could. He was putting things back together but that took him several years to rebuild his reputation and repair his wrecked past. I eventually moved to Arizona and lost contact.
A few years ago he started working with our sister fitness company in Washington. He was getting a second chance at a career. He did well for a while but the rumor was that he was back to using. The companies had a joint Las Vegas trip in 2002 and we spent a few hours together, him asking forgiveness, me asking him to get more help. The last time I saw Jeff was at a wedding last summer. He was eager to talk but I was torn up inside becuase my son was admitted to the hospital, for what would be several days, while I was in flight to Washington and I wanted to get home as soon as possible.
An addict is an addict. I lost Jeff long ago and this is finally the ending to a sad saga of a good mans life ruined by drugs. I still have vivid memories of his laugh, his walk, he loved a specific brand of Nikes and wore only those.
Today or this weekend don't run, or swim or bike for mourning. Run, swim or bike for life.
Today is the day the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.
Wednesday, June 1, 2005
Swim update
With a few minor exceptions this mornings swim went well. Swam 12oo meters (yards, whatever) in this set up:
8x25 catch ups(?)- arms straight out, touch hands before next stroke
8x25 fist drill- swim with clenched hands
8x25 finger drag drill
Each drill had a recovery lap, and I paused 15 secs between laps. If any of my terms are not normal lingo or if there is a more universal swim drill term please let me know, I get frustrated when I am using words that don't make sense.
This afternoon to change things up I am planning on taking the mountain bike out for some hill work around the office.
8x25 catch ups(?)- arms straight out, touch hands before next stroke
8x25 fist drill- swim with clenched hands
8x25 finger drag drill
Each drill had a recovery lap, and I paused 15 secs between laps. If any of my terms are not normal lingo or if there is a more universal swim drill term please let me know, I get frustrated when I am using words that don't make sense.
This afternoon to change things up I am planning on taking the mountain bike out for some hill work around the office.
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