Sucking the fun outta you

In one of my recent posts I hinted that I personally disliked the coaching profession (though not the coaches themselves); it's not helpful to me.

From my limited experience as a non-professional athlete in both team sports (football, baseball, track, etc.) & individual sports (triathlon & cycling) coaching provided for a disciplined schedule of training & tactics in exchange for the loss of spontaneity.

No longer were you just out running, throwing, dodging cars, outwitting the neighbor dog, and otherwise having fun with your friends on an all day adventure into several activities at various levels of intensity, covered in grit & grim, with a tired satisfaction (of not accomplishing anything per se) enjoying the day.

Now everyone is focused into the minutia of particular (and sometimes peculiar) tasks to maximize your potential (in whatever skill). The person being coached (especially if they're a paying customer) feels compelled to follow the tasks to the T, otherwise they're wasting $$. So its interval this, split time that, repeat! Monitor your intensity, wattage, HR, minimize junk time, rest! Analyze & adjust.

In the one year I was using a cycling coach, he asked me at the beginning what my major goal was? When I told him, "too have fun" (rather than a particular race or placing), & I think it confounded him. Some people need coaching, they need the guidance, impetus, and feedback that their coach provides. Others, like myself, are self-motivated and prefer a different approach.

I like to employ the fartlek method in my lone wolf training, as it keeps me fresh and ready to tackle the miles & intensity at my own whim - do just enough, with frequency, but not too much, have fun, eat & and rest!

Set the DVR

Repetitions

Not sure why it is we (the generic "we" as athletes) keep track of the number of times we do certain things, especially pertaining to our exercise workouts?

Why do we count sit-ups, pull-ups, push-ups, lat dips, bench presses, lunges, etc.? Why do we count number of laps in the pool, laps on the track, or floors while stair climbing? [Does anyone out there besides me do actual stair climbing, in a stairwell of a building or slope of a hillside, instead of the machine version?] Who cares about how many intervals, at what pace, HR, wattage, etc.?

Seems to me that there is too much effort placed on keeping focused on & improving "numbers" without being engaged as to enjoying your athletic endeavors for what they are and the resulting improvement that entails.

I no longer employ the company of a HR monitor, power meter, or bike computer. I can't tell you exactly how many miles traveled, at what specific pace, or elevation gained at what peak gradient...but I still get some quality back-to-basics workouts while having a great time.

Speaking of time - think of all the time it takes install the equipment, make sure it sized properly, reading the usage instructions, and the post-workout time spent it takes to analyze your electronic data. And don't even think about the additional stress if/when your batteries quit, oh the humanity!

I had a cycling coach one year not too long ago (when I, incorrectly, thought I needed some good guidance) who asked me what my most important goal was: and I think my answer "to have fun" confounded him. The professional coaching population would cringe to see this - especially those that detail every last waking moment of their athletes particular schedule - but they suck the life out of what's important (but that's a topic for another discussion).

I challenge you to do a set of sit-ups (pull-ups, push-ups, whatever) without counting. The not counting part will probably be harder than the actual exercise. Leave your HR monitor at home, take off that cycling computer - don't be a slave to the numbers & just go outside and have FUN!

Black Friday follies

By the numbers - up at 6:50AM for the 9:50 flight to OAK upon which we arrived a bit after Noon. Got van ride to Hot_L in Emeryville, checked in & put Clown Bike together in 15 minutes. Took an additional 15 minutes to get my act together (kit on, load jersey pockets, visit loo, put kit back on, etc) and down the elevator (an oxymoron?).

A protest of sorts with 50 or so folks was going on across the street on the site of an old local Indian artifacts location. Not sure what their updated issue was since they were all gone (understandably so) when I returned.

Out on the road up through Bezerkley and immediately found a fricking 15-20% grade that seemed to go on forever until it finally topped out on the ridge road. Shortly thereafter the darkest clouds clouds that I've seen in quite some time out on a ride move in from the north & proceeded to dump a torrent of rain/hail mixture until I was soaked and freezing. Shivering became an additional challenge to confront on the way back to the hotel.

Took another 15 to thaw in the shower, change into running gear & out the door. Warmed up into a nice pace for a 45-minute jaunt - 2nd run in 2 days, trying to get the kick the metabolism up. Gotta get my post-tofurkey weight (161) down by race season. Pound-a-month club ought to be fine.

BTW - for those of you who think that life on the road is all glitz & glamor, my layover in Emeryville is representative of most - Car rental agency in lobby - Ohm. Businesses in the immediate area - Pier One/Half, Men's WearHut, BND Theaters, Bill's Napa, Snooze Train, 4 Bucks (w/apologies to Seinfeld), A pea - no pod, Saw's Candies, Victoria's Tattle Tale, CeCe, Pottery Shack, Banana Anarchy, Chasm, Aged Navy, Burger Prince, and The Heffalump Bar.

Dinner from TJ's.

NPR

Why is it that their volume is always so low? I know I'm getting older, but every time I tune in an NPR station I have to turn up the sound because they talk in such a muted tone - SPEAK UP!

the fiasco of insurance

Definition: transfer & management of some risk that you hope you never need much of but desire the most complete coverage possible.

Whether it's Accidental death and dismemberment, Dental, Disability, Burial, Total permanent disability, Income protection, Long term care, Vision, Permanent life, Term life, Universal life, Variable universal life, Whole life, Bond, Errors and omissions, Fidelity, Professional indemnity, Professional liability, Protection and indemnity, Pie, Contents, Earthquake, Flood, Home, Landlords, Renters, Mortgage, Property, Casualty, Crime, Crop, Group, Liability, Marine, No-fault, Pet, Phone, Reinsurance, Terrorism, Vehicle, Wage, Weather, or Workers' compensation. This is by no means a comprehensive list - given enough of a premium you can insure just about anything, even rocket launches & taste buds on best pie eater in the NW.

Whether all or a portion is paid by you, your employer, or some other party (government); the bet is this -you'll never get back what you put into it. With a family of 5 (with three kids 4 & under) and all the premiums we pay in part or in full for health (medical, dental & vision), car(s), house(s), and an umbrella liability policy for good measure, plus the deductible on each (individual & family); we're out a ton of money each year verses what we get back (even with my wife's knee & foot surgeries).

Why don't deductibles roll over from year-to-year anyway? If I get injured on a JAN 2nd training ride I have to start my yearly deductible all over again...why can't it be a rolling 12-month period?

And it's not life insurance - it's death insurance (or end of life insurance)! You pay them in a bet that you're eventually going to lose - unless its term, then they'll win almost every time.

Issuing insurance is a booming business, and all those tall stylish monoliths worldwide are bought by ever increasing premiums while they process fewer claims.

So while I view insurance as a necessary evil for catastrophic situations beyond our means, I am less than assured by the dubious practices they employ to ensure their success.

Less than 10 seconds of fun

Functional Fashion?

I'm not sure who/why/or where the trend of wearing your favorite player's sport jersey started; but I was reminded last night of why I dislike it.

As I was eating my grilled veggie burrito at Baja Fresh yesterday in walked Mr. Welker wearing his NE Patriots jersey. I could tell it was Mr. Welker because it said so on the back. He was being fawned over by another guy who jokingly was referring to his catching a career high 15 passes as he single-handedly tore up the defense against the Jets. Despite this production, I very much doubt that this overly stout man in his XXL toga-like shirt was indeed a real football hero, perhaps it was his brother Eas.

Folks of all ages around the nation (and presumable the world) are adorned in these things, of almost every imaginable sport, in almost every possible setting (to job interviews or at work, out to dinner, traveling, etc.), anything except actually using it while playing the sport for which it was intended - and for what reason?

Forget about the youngsters for a moment who have the right to dream and look up to their local or international sports hero's. Also look beyond the crass commercialization in progress and capitalizing on a marketing scheme - what does this apparel idolization on adult men & women say about the people wearing this stuff? If there wasn't a market, there wouldn't be people capitalising on it.

Fortunately my favorite sport (except for perhaps the brief tenure of Toyota-United?) is largely exempt from this trend. Though the '08 & '09 jersey's of Gin Optics did list teamies on the pockets, you would be hard pressed to find anybody but a Gin O racer wearing one.

True aficionado's of cycling do like to accumulate unique or obscure team jersey's to show off on club or training rides - perhaps because of a favorite racer, or the country they're riding through, or they just like the garish clash of colors on lycra (or retro wool).

But I doubt you'll see anybody actually wearing one into Baja Fresh unless it's for a mid or post-ride carbo topping & their mode of transportation is outside leaning up against the storefront glass or adjacent tree.

HOV appropriate?

Can an empty Sound Transit with "out-of-service" on its message board, or a school bus without passengers, legally utlize the HOV lanes OR were these drivers just going on muscle memory to piss off the rest of us?

Kit Orders

Why is it every year we go through some version of the same thing? Many orders of jersey's & bib shorts but then have a tough time meeting minimums on just about everything else? Then those who have ordered some of the items that don't meet the minimums put pressure on those that haven't. Then folks get pissed - either at not getting item(s) that they really wanted (needed?) or those that had to buy (pay) more than they wanted (could afford).

And this in-fighting is from those on the same team - and I'm certain this happens on every team - and the season is months away (of which many teams will be late in placing orders so that many will be riding in last season's kit through Spring anyway).

Nice!

Dreaded Snot Rocket

To the jerk(s) in the paceline or on the trail hacking a cough or blowing their runny nose with abandon without a clue who's around you - stop it! Nobody wants your lingering germs.

New speak

Since my college days ended many years ago (I've long lost my schooling in German & Spanish), I've yearned to learn a new language.

Blabber, Mumbling, and Whining spoken by my 3 kiddo's tops the list languages I've yet to master.

Glenwood RR

Rumor has it that PruDog has taken the reigns as RD for the '10 Glenwood RR (CR?).

Not confirmed are that portions of the course be off-road or will contain cobbles (a la Ronde Ohop). Word is that a properly baked pie will get you a reduced entry.

KSM histeria

Just as terrorism has given 9/11 a bad name; now with the upcoming trial of one of the chief architects of that fateful day, KSM is having a severe financial negative on otherwise unrelated entities.

The band, guitar maker, designer, school, airport, electronics manufacturer, & engineering firm are all suffering and need your support.

Don't let the terrorists bring Porsche and the rest of these good folks down.

Retirement

I just rebalanced my large-cap top-heavy 401k to further diversify my portfolio which hopefully spreads my risk (and perhaps rewards) amongst several sectors.

The trouble with 401K's (verses a traditional defined benefit plan) is that it empowers individual investors who have little time, training, or in depth knowledge in making sound and/or strategic financial decisions.

So take away or reduce the old pensions of days gone by and give me the power to lose my $$ in funds that don't perform as advertised; that does not make me comfortable at all.

Of course the way our profession is going, by the time I want to retire - the FAA's Age 65 rule will be replaced by a new "fly-'till-you-die" rule.

Where's my mattress?

Muddy fun

On the mountain bike for the first time in awhile actually off-road, though not really near any mountain or even in sight of a mountain. Not sure if it was the new tires, or air pressure (35psi), or the perfect conditions, or my bike handling skills (or lack thereof) - but I only fell once (and even that was fun).

Lots of trees, who lost slippery leaves & exposed their roots, and the perfect combination of twisties with puddles & mud. Had no clue which end was where, but found my way back to the car before a search party was formed. Maybe next time I'll take a map.

It's also comforting to know that the folks who manage this area have a plan.

You don't tug on Superman's cape, you don't spit...

As I am used to seeing a full windsock at airports for anything greater than 15mph, I posted this question to the WA DOT:
I was just wondering what triggers the severe wind message that warns drivers about conditions on the Tacoma Narrows Bridges? And what level of wind defines severe? Is it a different warning if it's only a steady wind verses one that includes gusts? Is it an automatic sensor or subjective observation? Is the warning aimed particularly toward truckers & other tall vehicles or everyone? It seems to me that I see the warning frequently enough when the wind isn't strong enough to warrant a severe warning, and I wonder if drivers then get too complacent about them.

WA DOT responded:
We currently have cameras that look at both Tacoma Narrows bridges. These are monitored at our Traffic Management Center (TMC). At both ends of the older bridge there is a wind sock. When the wind sock is straight out the wind is about 35 to 40 mph. When the operator at the TMC notices the wind socks are straight out they turn on the high wind warning signs. We turn on the signs to warn drivers with unsecured loads,trucks traveling empty, or pulling manufactured homes to take precautions. Our directions to our TMC operators is when in doubt turn the warning signs on.

So it would seem as if their windsock fully inflates at 35-40 mph they must be of a larger size and/or of heavier weight material; though they look very much the same to me.

They also have an anemometer on the top of one of the bridge towers, but that wind could read very differently than the deck below. They are looking at installing another somewhere near the deck level.

My suggestion would be to then have a couple of signs before the last exit at either end of the bridge displaying the actual wind speed so a particular vehicle operator knew exactly what they were dealing with rather than a subjective observation (or non-observation as the case may be).

Drug testing revisited

With the admission earlier the week of a top local WA racer of doping (or masking the fact that he doped) at track Nationals is one reason that I made the request last year to have the WSBA fund a grant for testing at the State RR we hosted this lastseason (or any of the WA State Championship events). Not that I knew of any specific athlete(s), but I have my suspicions' (though I admit Kenny wasn't one of them, which makes this all the more important).
Now if you believe this is isolated to just one athlete in a moment of weakness, then we don't need drug testing here in the NW. But I would think that this should be revisited by the WSBA Board.

To my friends, clients, competitors and USA Cycling officials,
My name is Kenny Williams and I've been racing my bike for 20 years. In June 2009 I broke and had surgery on my left collarbone. In my haste to return to the top of my game I purchased DHEA at the local Drug Store, without consulting anyone. 6 weeks later at Masters Track Nationals in Colorado Springs I was tested positive for this illegal drug. I do not deny the results of the test.
I am ashamed that I’ve done something that hurts the sport of cycling and the community of people who have become the most important part of my life. I’m facing the very real possibility that I can try for the rest of my life to regain the confidence of the cycling community and my friends, but this cloud will be with me for the rest of my life. I am not asking for forgiveness, because I am admitting to my mistake and own all the horrible feelings that come with my bad decision. I am hoping for compassion and understanding. Compassion that I never intended to hurt anyone and understanding that if I could have one re-do in my life that this would be it. As I have done throughout my whole athletic life I will fight to re-gain my reputation as a fair man, tough competitor and drug-free cyclist. You can trust me when I say that I will never take a short-cut like this ever again.
Bike racing is one of the most important things in my life, second to my wife, whom I owe the biggest apology to for being so irresponsible. I am sorry Annette. I also feel horrible about the results I took away from the other athletes that I raced against. I am very sorry to have disappointed all of them. To my sponsors and my clients, I am sorry. To all in the cycling community and my friends, I am sorry.
Sincerely, Kenny Williams
Tuesday, November 3

Don't drop the soap!

Big "L" for Dr. Thompson.

Transfers

Interesting to note that some local WA boys are making changes in their quest to gain or remain employed in the professional ranks.

Jonny Sundt - out at Kelly Benefits Strategies, in at Kenda Pro,
Morgan Schmitt - out at Bissell, in at OUCH,
Russell Stevenson - out at Kenda, in at ??,
Adrian Hegyvary - in at OUCH,

On the big guns front, I got to wonder what Columbia/HTC did to piss these guys off; or is the $$ that much better elsewhere?
George Hincapie (BMC)
Michael Barry (Sky)
Edvald Boasson Hagen (Sky)
Greg Henderson (Sky)
Kim Kirchen (Katusha)
Thomas Lövkvist (Sky)

And Radio Shack is stacked with talent - here's my prediction for the '10 TdF team most are former Astana, (with McCartney being the odd man to fill in for an injured teamie),
Lance Armstrong
Levi Leipheimer
Chris Horner
Janez Brajkovic
Andreas Kloden
Jason McCartney (Saxo Bank)
Yaroslav Popovich
José Luis Rubiera
Gert Steegmans (Katusha)
Tomas Vaitkus

And where will the rainbow jersey find a home?

11/1 update: answer to above question.

Treats

Surrounded by Spiderman, Snow White & Cinderella - the 3 kiddo's don't know too much in the way of tricking, but they definitely know how to get the bag full of treats.

Ark

2 road bikes, 2 mtn bikes, 2 motorcycles, 2 cars, 2 trucks, 2 snakes warming themselves in the sun, 2 water bottles, with 2 gel packs = 2 good to be true beautiful ride on Glendora Ridge Road up to Mt Baldy Village in SoCal. Biked for the last time this month (year?) in the sun and warmth (though a little ice on the road where spring was trickling across the road in the corner shadows).

Time off at home and for annual recurrent flight training until mid-NOV and opportunity to nurse still sore lower calf (which I refuse to complain about - where are my compression socks?).

Maybe a good massage is in order.

Give me 3 years

The 55-59 age group winner's time at '09 Hawaii Ironman was 10:33.

I can take this!

top 11 list

From Letterman - the little known 11th best reason the NWA 188 pilots overflew MSP:

"We ate the fish!"

1,461 days ago

Today I celebrate the birth of my eldest daughter - Makenna. A bright, passionate, funny, and athletic joy in my life.

As I look to my personal athletic future - I must take stock in what will help propel me forward. So I will share with you my breakthrough training method - keeping up with my kids.

The routine of bouncing on beds, tumbling, jumping stairs, running in endless circles, screaming at the top of my lungs, serious giggling, playing tag, climbing on furniture, chasing butterflies, pouncing in puddles, splashing in the pool, along with daily naps and treating my bike as a new adventure every day are just some of the tools in my chest.

I'm sure my coaches have have additional obstacles and challenges ahead for me and I will try to incorporate & embrace them wholeheartedly.

1-fifty explained

I think the timely 3-part NPR report explains - much to the chagrin of PruDog - that airlines outsourcing their maintenance to 3rd world blender technicians is indeed a menace. "Blender" of course being airline jargon for aircraft navigation systems - i.e "Throw the junk (route) into the blender (GPS)." And what happens when that "blender" fails enroute? NWA 188!

The pilots will be vindicated on this one.

Which again proves that you get what you pay for - how's that for pithy!

Shortage of Swine Flu vaccine

You may have my place in line when the H1N1 vaccine finally ramps up production & becomes available for the general public. I'm waiting for the next one, the I2O2 virus; or perhaps the one after that (J3P3).

If a tree falls in the forest...

If somebody picks their nose and nobody is there to see it - is that still gross?

Speaking (er writing) of bodily functions - I think the spread of the flu / H1N1 / and other associated contagious viruses will be high this season as more folks seem to be oblivious when/where they release their snot rockets when running, cycling, or sitting at a WSBA meeting. And how long does that associated spray linger (especially on an already cold moist day)?

Loser of sore

After a couple weeks off the bike on vacation (where I reunited with my running self), I returned to cycling in full force today while on layover in Sacoftomatoes (CA State Capitol).

While I definitely enjoy running it doesn't come easily. As evidenced by the fact that I tweaked my lower right calf on a run right after nearly getting run over by Brian Babbitt on a trail loop south of Crescent Lake last Tuesday. I was limping around all day yesterday while trying to loosen it up with massage, stretching, and chasing the kiddo's.

But what me & my sore calf needed was a good 4 hour (mostly uninterrupted) spin on a perfect CA day (warm, light winds) with a perfect mix of flats, rollers, and some slight hills.

I plan on mixing up my off-season with running with perhaps some swimming (do I hear a return to a few triathlons next season?) to keep my cycling specific workouts as fresh as possible as the weather sours and some other athletes turn to pies for solace.

Maui condo available NOW!

Another shameless plug for our 2-bedroom Wailea Maui condo with immediate availability through mid-DEC. Other times available as well.

Ask us about availability for our 1-bedroom too.

Airfares are approx. $470/person RT from Seattle - though the steal is out of Portland for as little as $320/person RT (both on Alaska Airlines), check Travelocity or other Internet travel sites as well (especially if you have flexible travel dates).

Don't forget the 4 S's - your sweetie, a tube of sunblock, your swimwear, and your sunnies...why wouldn't you go?

Children's Museum

Did not see one kid on static display in Olympia this afternoon. No dioramas (though many miniature versions were running amok). Certainly none stuffed. Nothing of scientific, artistic, or of historical importance.

So not sure if this place actually qualifies as a museum per se; but there were plenty of wee ones available for public viewing, and worthy of the price of admission (though I'd recommend the annual membership if planning multiple visits).

Shaving - part 2

OK this question comes up to me every now & again, and it came up again today: "Why do you shave your legs?"

I think I began shaving approximately 20 years ago when I mostly raced triathlons and to my recollection first shaved for a race down in Cabo San Lucas around Halloween in 1990. I think I won my age-group in that race, and would attribute that to my newly smooth profile.

So back to my answer - as many athletes who shave you'll have just as many answers - I pose back to the questioner a question similar to that asked as to why I'm a vegetarian; "Why aren't you? Or in the case of shaving, "Why don't you? Or if they're a woman - "Why do you?"

Of course I knew several triathletes (mostly pro) who also shave their arms. And many other athletes (body builders, swimmers, etc.) who shave their entire exposed (& possibly unexposed) body.

Shaving

I do not necessarily like the task of shaving my face but I do like a good shave. In fact it was in the act of preparing to shave that I cut the tips of my fingers the other day - not a good start to my shave.

My wife of course loves a good shave but will tolerate me for a day or several if I stave off shaving on my days away from work (where I'm required to be clean shaven).

Legs are altogether another manner. Cyclist as a lot tend to shave their legs - most racers and a good percentage of recreational cyclists. I personally opt to shave infrequently at best their as well. At best during the racing season I do it once a week, sometimes though slipping to 2 weeks between. Off season it's catch as catch can.

I was listening to the Vuelta a Espana broadcast on Universal Sports the other day and one of the commentators mentioned that the race leader (Valverde) had actually shaved that day (he typically looks like he sports a couple days worth of beard); and it got me thinking.

With the time trial coming up perhaps he's shaving now and then purposely letting it grow so as to gain an advantage in his otherwise sub-par TT skills. By letting his hair grow just a little over the next few days he is gaining a tiny bit of grow to promote a better airflow (much like the boundary layer devices on aircraft) which pull down the air closer to the skin. This would smooth the airflow rather than have it leave in a turbulent manner, thus reducing drag and allowing the racer to go faster.

We shall see if my hypothesis is correct after Saturday's ever important TT - does he keep the Golden Jersey?

Goodnight Armadillo!

Walking down the street in Orlando this evening I did not see:
Gorilla, or
Elephant, or
Lion, or
Giraffe, or
Hyena, or
Mouse.

but I swear I heard Armadillo say Goodnight!

If only

Tis getting to the end of the cycling season and the "if only's" are taking hold.

If only I had...
...done this,
...not done that,
...more of these,
...bought some of those,
...taken the advice of,
...not listened to,

Not to be confused with that you've done anything wrong in the past, but rather how you can improve in the future.

This is of course a good thing. Without the second guessing as to how you could have done better, which happens after every race, as well as every season - you might as well quit (and a lot of people do). I think you need that questioning of your performance to reignite the passion to try & succeed and meet your goals.

For example, I can attest to thinking during and immediately after every Ironman race I participated in (and I've done 9) that this will be the last one I ever do. It took as little as later that evening or the very next day to get the "if only's", and I was hooked into doing another one. Of course that's been over 10 years now - but I know I've got at least another one in me.

The "if only's" apply to life as well - what can I do to be a better husband, lover, father, friend, pilot, smoothie maker, blogger, etc.

A lot of people coast in their comfort zone without ever fully applying the "if only's" they themselves identify. I'm as guilty as that as anyone - as it takes time & commitment to continually apply the corrections or changes necessary.

I think athletes are better suited to try new things -especially when it applies to their athletic performance - though whether that makes them better at adapting to changes necessary in the rest of their life is an open question.

Strong...

...is what my wife is after nearly 2 months of gimping around on crutches - today being officially cleared to resume limited weight bearing activities (light walking, swimming, and stationary cycling) to get her strength back in her atrophied left leg. She begins PT next week. Plan has her resuming her flying in another 6-8 weeks depending on her progress.

It took only was 5 seconds to put her in the situation where the hay ride for my eldest daughter took an awful turn - resulting in my wife getting clipped in her left knee (like a linebacker blindsiding a QB) when the tractor driver popped the clutch prematurely. The tibial plateau fracture was surgically repaired to offset a divot that would have had her knock need and leading to premature osteoarthritis.

Folks don't try this at home - when that little voice says something may not be quite right - stop & listen.

Shortly after wifey's injury I came down with a bout of acute bronchitis - which drained my energy (just when I needed to step it up with taking care of our zoo) - lasting about 3 1/2 weeks. I'm finally breathing normally again and trying to get some fitness on the bike. Just as most are probably ready for the racing season to be over I'm looking forward to getting my butt in shape and being burnt out by the start of next season.

Well we're both on the mend and slowly returning to normal speed. I hope everybody's summer has gone better than ours.

RD Challenge

Gotta post something or be culled from the Pru-Dogs blog.

There are so many good bike routes that have great potential to have races on that require way too much staff to properly man - and racing suffers as a result. Many of the courses we race on year after year are plain boring. Of course my definition or interpretation of racing may differ from yours - I like a challenge, both from the individual racers & the tactics, as well as from the course itself.

Look at the recent Boston Harbor CR to pick an example. Just 4 simple corners with a few rollers, but could be expanded to utilize much more of that great portion of the northern Olympia area, but would require more corner marshals.

More corners, more hills, more variety - instead we settle for a decent course designed for safe racing for all categories making due with what's available. Of course if they'd expand the loop then we'd call it a RR instead. Ravensdale same thing - not the 4-corners race, but the simple loop (which you do enough loops and it's long enough to call it a RR); though it's just an expanded Seward Park (which requires minimal staffing).

We need more turns, more hills, on challenging roads - along the lines of races like the Independence Valley RR which is fairly simple to staff and has good variety while being quite technical. Though if it's too tough people won't show (look at what happens when they go up the S curves at PR), unless it's got a fun factor (the difference between Crystal Mtn Hill Climb & Mt Baker).

We need to break out of the mold to discover new courses or a makeover of some present ones. I think RD's get lazy and offer what's been successful in the past without thinking of how to keep things fresh. Same thing for some area Crit's. Of course attendance is maybe the bottom line and whatever gets folks to sign up & race with the minimum effort is the means to an end.

When I looked at the Glenwood RR course I could've gone for the simple 10 mile loop and settled for the 3 corner option and a boring false flattish sprint finish. It would've required 6 corner marshals. Instead I spiced it up and we have 7 corners over a 15+ mile loop which require 14 marshals and a challenging little ramp for the finish. Is it perfect? Not by any means; too much traffic on a few roads. Not a friendly course for Juniors or those who get dropped outside the confines of the rolling enclosure. And I need to find a better feed zone.

So I've been looking to tinker with it, maybe run it backwards, do a figure 8, or shorten it to a CR with the 5.5 mile loop on the east side of Glenwood keeping the same finish and all the short rollers with the one fast flattish section by the old Pt Orchard Airport. Maybe getting a couple of different west side courses set up for a new CR series.

I've got ideas - and like a lot of other RD's I just don't have a lot of manpower to staff some of the expanded courses as I'd like to really run. Is there a solution to the manpower issue? One idea I'm looking at is getting some non-profit groups and their members involved and committed for the long term for a piece of the cut and not relying on various bike racing teams themselves. Friends & family you can only tap into for so long. Without a big budget benefactor hiring manpower is not an option. If I can get the bodies I can do anything.

Butt hard

Down in SFO early today and heading out about 1PM for my nice loop ride. I was feeling good until coming down the hill to Pacifica when I realized the wind was blowing, and hard, out of the south. This is atypical and caught me completely off guard.

So I slogged into the wind, which aided by the coastal overcast made for cool & blustery conditions; very much different from just the other side of the coast range (Santa Cruz Mountains). Turned off of the main road at Lobitos Creek cut-off for a 2 mile climb to intercept the remainder of the Tunitus Creek climb - all in all a 9.5 mile 2500' affair. This was a climb on this years TdCA and one that I frequent when I'm on a SFO layover. The TdCA must've had some influence because gone were the numerous cracks and ruts that makes this road great for climbing but a nightmare for descending. Though I swear the reasonably new asphalt was making the climb slower, albeit smoother. I'll save my review of the descent for another day, as I've been too chicken head down.

On other rides up this climb though the redwoods I've had some wonderful experiences, often passing several others on the way. Not today! Not only was it a solitary effort - but an effort that really showcased my lack of training and fitness. Either that or I can blame it on the fact that I forgot to eat anything until mid-climb and was running on empty.

On the way back toward the airport on top of Skyline Blvd the fog was rolling up and over the road in several spots with gusto, blowing me sideways and forcing me to pedal harder than I wanted on the descent when faced into the wind. Still a good day to be out and look forward to my rematch next week.

Knee

OK so it's been 6 months since the Doc supposedly fixed my left knee - so how come it still feels weaker and less stable than previously?

I've been hesitant to do any artificial weight bearing activity at the gym - letting it fully heal and not hurrying myself back too quickly while risking further damage to the inner workings of the joint. So with my occasionally infrequent & erratic cycling schedule bringing my cardio fitness slowly back to par, I will now try to solidify and strengthen the knee to balance out my full recovery.

I should be ready for the season to begin for 2010.

OK maybe 2011.

Sotomayor

Will the Senate determine that the Supreme Court suits her to replace Justice Souter? Hey she's single, saved baseball and loves Seinfeld, what more can you say?

I remember

I didn't always agree with why you were put in harms way, but:
I remember your service,
I remember your dedication,
I remember your pride,
I remember your sacrifice.

Best race car circuit in the world!

Hands down - the F1 race that overwhelms the Principality of Monaco.

Ya it's only 160 miles, and it only last about an hour 45, and passing is a bitch, and the required haute factor is very high - but they have to make both left AND right turns (plus a tunnel!).

Very cool.

You just never know?

Steve Larsen died after a hard track workout. I know he was somewhat of a controversial figure from his racing days but I only dealt with him from the business side as a client of his World Tri business based in Bend.

He personally called me several times to update me on the status of a delayed order and we often chatted about various things from racing bikes to triathlons to different equipment and clothing choices.

A good interview with him on Slowtwitch.

I never had the chance to meet him personally but I feel sad nonetheless. All the best to his wife and 5 kids.

1 hand clapping

The pilot group approved the tentative agreement today by what seems to be an overwhelming margin of 85%. With a 95% voter turnout over 1000 pilots voted in favor of the TA with less than 200 pilots voting against.

The sad part is that I think most of those who voted in favor were not necessarily voting YES as much as they weren't voting NO.

Nothing really outstanding - sure there are pay raises to be had - which is tough to argue against in the present economic situation; but they are tempered by increased scheduling flexibility, higher employee health insurance costs, and other items that lean toward the Company. It also created a trio of choices for current pilots for their retirement options (current plan, reduced DB & increased DC, or DC only), though new pilots will not get a choice (DC only). The old saying goes that pay rates ebb and flow but work rules & benefits given up never return.

Another respected pilot used to say that the only things that really mattered were "money & days off." If looked at in that regard we did OK.

I'm sure the news of the voting results were greeted by the management and shareholders at today's AAG annual shareholder meeting at the Museum of Flight with glee.

Idiot passengers of the day

At the airport this morning getting some paperwork from a remote computer behind the gate (C-11) at SEATAC when an alarm went off in the pocket of a couple of young guys sleeping nearby. These 2 guys were college-age and a bit disheveled, but otherwise cleanly dressed and in a most contorted position. When I turned around after the alarm continued to do it's electronic best to wake these 2 - all the people around them had their collective heads up their ass.

So I walked over and lightly shook the one guy who was beeping the loudest & got him to wake up. He sleepily thanked me while waking his partner. Before I walked away toward my flight I told them that their fellow passengers were ignorant in their assistance and would have let them continue to sleep; perhaps missing their flight.

As a result I get the collective look from everybody else. Somebody will probably complain and I'll have to explain the whole situation to the Chief Pilot. Of course if he reads this blog, I won't have to.

Arrrrrrrgggg!!!!!!!

Tyler what are you thinking?

A disgrace to the Stars & Stripes jersey on your back, and an embarrassment to your team & fans who supported you.

I will have a public burning* of my "I believe" t-shirt on Monday in my cul-de-sac - all are welcome.

*unless burn ban in is effect.

Tour of LA

Beautiful SoCal weather allowed me to do a big loop from the LAX airport area to Dominquez Hills for a local crit just after Noon (Masters CAT 1/2/3 field w/over 100 racers) then up to visit my Dad's house in the Hollywood Hills. Then back to the LAX airport. Total trip distance is approx. 55 miles plus the 60 minute crit (perhaps 25 miles) brings my day to a wonderful 80-ish miles.

BTW

I was going to name yesterday's post Urine-Nation but thought better of it, wasn't Apoopriate; just thought you'd like to know.

Issues

With a lot of recent posts going on at the WSBA message board about racers peeing in any convenient spot that may be available - not necessarily public but still not private either; I've got to wonder what - as humans - our hangup is?

What the hell is wrong with some guy standing behind a tree or gal squatting behind a bush?

Dogs being walked pee on the fire hydrants and folks pickup after their droppings (who's the real boss?) and we see horses going on trails and at the track (he pees like a race horse) and cows in the fields. All my kids wear diapers, as as most parents will attest, it's not that big a deal. We all know what it looks like, smells like; it's not the most pleasant sights to view and folks doing it seem a bit shy & vulnerable.

But peeing & pooping are a life-long natural bodily function for every living creature - a direct result of drinking and eating. You want to stop one, you've got to stop doing the other.

So as with Mother's breast-feeding their kids in public which is a very natural occurrence (nobody is shouting at the zoo to restrict viewing of the monkey's or other apes from doing the same) - this seems to create an awkwardness or outright furor among some people. Where did we all get so prude?

We've got manners! We've evolved!! We're more intelligent!!! Well apparently we're not.

A Superior race

OK maybe it was only adequate, but it did start in Superior, AZ, 60 miles east of Phoenix off HWY 60 (with most categories doing 60+ miles). Now only if I entered the Masters 60+ race, the stars would've been aligned.

However being the longest ride of the year, in the hottest weather I've faced this year (with the overnight low being hotter than the warmest day in SEA so far), with the most hills I've seen this year - the stars were not aligned for a superior race; especially on my relatively heavy and not-too-stiff Pocket Rocket.

Course was an out-and-back with lots of ups and downs. The road sign said 10% grade going out (and downhill) - which I knew was going to spell trouble for me on the return (which it did). We raced with the 60+ group (which include Seattle area hometown fav. Franz Hammer who is 72). The group shed a few on the way out though most regrouped until approx. 15 miles to the finish where the dreaded 10%-er loomed. This went on (not all of it 10%) for about 8 miles. At top-of-climb I put the hammer down on Franz and did a solo run for home (dropping my 2 suffer-fest companions). The one thiing I am very sure of on this bike is that it does go downhill fast. Not sure where I finished but will reluctantly post when they show up.

update (3/24): results

On a Roll...

...with Bobke that is.

Last night at Magnuson Park Bobke had the house laughing up a storm with his observations, antidotes, and musings. The thing I thought most interesting was his observations on Astana and how Johann will have his hands full keeping all the Chiefs satisfied (Leipheimer, Contandor, and Armstrong) - especially when it comes to the TdF in July.

His prediction - Lance wins #8. I'd be hard to bet against him - he's predicted all his previous 7.

As any parent knows...

...repetition breeds insanity.

As David Byrne once sang,"say something once, why say it again?" I think my 3 Kiddo's may be Psycho Killers!

Bum on a bike

The cop who pulled up next to me on this evenings commute home as I rode westbound on 6th through Tacoma - rolled down the passenger side window and said,"hey you don't look like the typical bum on a bike that I usually see around these parts."

I'm not sure whether to take that as a compliment or what? I guess there is a difference between being a bike bum and a bum on a bike.

I think he was impressed by the fact that I was lit up like a Christmas tree with all my LED's blinking away - rather than being all lit on something a little more toxic and riding around without so much as a reflector.

Irony?

I'm not sure that's the word I want to use here...

Commuting home through Federal Way this evening a red pickup threw a full plastic water bottle at me as it sped south of the Commons (now with all lights turned off so I couldn't pick out his license number - really bright move) weaving through a few other cars before disappearing ahead. The bottle landed adjacent to me and bounced into the side of my front wheel (harmlessly thank goodness) - but the outcome could've been much different had it hit my torso or head (or got tangled in my wheel) causing me to lose my balance or otherwise crash with perhaps dire consequences. Only 30 seconds after I lost track of the p/u ahead a Federal Way cop cruises by and gives me a nice wave.

Without so much as a good description, license plate number or look at the actual characters who demonstrated their juvenile behaviour I didn't have cause to flag him over to make any sort of report.

And that's basically the world we cyclists live in day in & day out; relying on the majority of good citizens to look out after us (sometimes begrudgingly) with a heavy amount of trust as we share the road with them. The physics don't act in our favor if their 2+ ton plastic, metal, and glass surroundings encounter us on our bike with a 9 oz helmet. We live with a huge target on our backs for a tiny, but dangerous, minority who derive some sort of misguided pleasure in harassing those (seemingly) more vulnerable. And we never know which one of those bullies determined to endanger us is actually going to score on us one day; perhaps never having a clue what short or long term damage they might inflict.

The irony here is that my first such encounter of this type of idiotic behavior occurred in Dallas in the early 80's - where I had just gone for a nice (though blustery) 3+ hour ride earlier in the day. But I can still see in my minds eye, more than 25 years earlier, that brown beer bottle floating by at eye level in slow motion from left to right as the pickup sped off up the road. That quite literally opened my eyes up to the world of them verses us. Be very wary of them.

My ride in the Big D was actually quite pleasant today except for the jerk running his mutt around White Rock Lake. Having his little yapper on one of those expandable 30 foot leashes taking up the entire shared pathway - and he couldn't hear me coming because of his headphones blasting and the wind rustling. So when I inch up to him and finally got around I give him a bit of a look with a little shake of the head and he unloads the F bomb on me. Now sticks & stones and being clotheslined by a leash may break my bones but... I resisted the urge to lower myself to his level and just continued on my way.

I wonder if leash boy owns a pickup?

SFO

Good riddance to long San Francisco layovers for the immediate future. The last two Sunday's spent there I have been dogged by heavy wind and steady rain. Not a good combination for getting in a good long ride even for somebody used to riding alot in wet weather.

Shooting blanks

If there's one good thing about frequenting the Internet; you know you would have impressed your High School typing teacher because of your ability to type while using a hotel computer whose keyboard has been used so much the keys are blank. It's only taken me 33 years.

Of course spell check does wonders too!

I didn't do it...

...nobody saw me do it, you can't prove a thing!

ToC

Did a trip trade to get a Sacramento layover Friday night which put allowed me to see up close the the first day of the ToC.

Most teams & staff were at our layover hotel and setting up the TT bikes in the morning. I went for a quick 2 hour spin about 9AM and was happy to share the American River trail (up to Folsom Lake) with the likes of Columbia High Road, Rabobank, and a few other assorted racers getting out to loosen the legs.

The thing I noticed that was sorta odd (or maybe not) was that the Rock Racing trailer and support was off by themselves while the whole rest of the other teams were all crowded together and commingling.

Drove downtown about Noon to go through the vendor expo and then got to witness half of the prologue (which started at 1:30). I hope they enjoyed today's weather (cool and blustery) because tomorrow they're all going to be cold & get soaked.

Stupidstitions

In case you didn't notice the 13th of this month is today as it will be again in March; and as it will again in November - not a good year for those who suffer from Paraskevidekatriaphobia.

Fools!

I'm not sure who the folks who have license plate protectors think they're fooling?

License plates don't need protecting any more than they need a frame. But at least the frame provides some purpose in that it conveys a message of some sort - either as an advertisement for the dealer you bought the car from or some personalized cutesy remark.

The plate protector tells me that you're a scofflaw who's either frequently running stop lights & trying to avoid the corner camera's who'll ticket your dangerous habit and/or trying to foil the radar (laser) cop trying to get a bead on you. Either way - what's the rush folks?

My Grandma had a good saying about such drivers - they're in such a hurry to attend their own funeral. Just be sure to stay well clear, you don't want them taking you along.

Commuting w/BOB

My new friend allows me to bring my pertinent belongings with me since my place of work doesn't have any lockers and only a meager shower.

Of course it turns my bike into a trike (and I'm sure I look kinda dorky - though not any more so than me riding my clown bike), plus it feels awkward and like somebody is drafting me without permission (wheel-sucker). But so far I think it's a very useful tool and provides another level of training when the grade increases.

My plan is to transport as much of my clean stuff as necessary to then provide my own storage facility and leave it there, as I then commute back-and-forth as a bike again, until such time as I need to bring it all home for washing. Kinda like coming home from college all over again (can I raid my wife's purse for an extra $20?).

State of affairs?

Call me naive - but what is it about people today that popularity of services like these (Ashley Madison, Discreet Adventures, Affairs 4 U, Taken & Looking, etc) even exist let alone seem to be flourishing?

I am one for what goes on behind closed doors between consenting adults is fine by me, and should be nobodies beeswax. As cheating has been going on ever since Eve (or Adam for that matter) had competition. I was under the impression that affairs kinda just occurred by happenstance - not by design. You know the flirt by the water cooler, or business trip away from home, or with your basic White House intern and a tryst happened that may or may not then develop into an elicit longer lasting relationship. Kinda exciting, very hypocritical, and then the awkward what now??

Now you can just plunk down your credit card get a password and browse for your affair-mate online. No work or emotions - all the "fun" and mystery peeled away with just a click of the mouse.

I guess you gotta like the entrepreneurial spirit that somebody has taken advantage of the demand - I think they used to call these folks pimps?

I blame it on our soap opera society that takes no responsibility for their deceitful actions; probably the same kind of self-righteous folks who passed Prop 8 in CA. All these morally weak men & women should be so lucky as to end up being made a mockery of on the Jerry Springer show - some public shame and ridicule (let alone a cat fight or 2) would do them a world of good.

Obama factor

OK so whatever's going on - I like the trend.

The very first words from the last 3 people to put my life at risk while out riding my bike (2 diving into parking spots, and 1 trying to door me) offered up immediate apologies instead of stupid excuses (the standard being - "Oh, I didn't see you").

All 3 folks were of the fairer sex; though in the past these were equal opportunity excuse givers too.

And while it doesn't justify their bad driving behavior it does allow me to offer up a chance to calmly discuss and educate them so hopefully their children (all 3 ladies had kids) will be extra vigilant for drivers like just like them. And I anticipate that these ladies behavior may change for the better as well.

Truth-O-Meter

"I want you to hold our government accountable. I want you to hold me accountable" - Barack Obama.

The St. Petersburg Times (FL) has their Obameter up and running to check how our new President is keeping up on all his unprecedented number of campaign promises. At least in the first couple of days he's off to a good start.

It never rains in CA...

and it didn't pour either.

A mostly cloudy morning in Ontario, CA with only a brief shower, but with temps in the low 60's I rode through it, with only a fleeting thought of turning back to the hotel to get my rain gear on. I'm glad I didn't as the rest of the day was very nice indeed.

I did lube up with Elite Ozone Energy Oil as a precaution for any wet mess that may occur, and it did a nice job warming up the legs and shedding the road spray.

Pre-ride I discovered that I had run out of chamois cream so I stopped off at Coates Cyclery and bought a small tub of AsMaster. I've never heard off their product before but(t) with a name like that how could I resist. Seem to work well for my initial 3+ hour test ride.

So I'm glad the forecasters were off on their predictions of rain all day - though I'm sure I'll meet up with it another day (like perhaps next Monday in SFO).

Metabolism up

Rode to work in the fog this morning and had no idea how chilly it really was. Only had on a long sleeve undershirt and my Gore rain jacket plus tights and booties. When I passed a bank thermometer showing 33F - geez I've been chillier with temps 20 degrees higher and working harder to try and stay warm.

And no I'm not sporting any more layers of fat since my surgery & the holidays. So long road to passable fitness is back in full swing. May not be race ready by Mason Lake #1, but we'll see.

Oh goodie - rain tomorrow in Ontario for my long ride.

Lame pilot joke

What is the flight call sign for the outgoing president for his final trip home (to Crawford)?

Air Force None!

Good riddance tour

Great ride out in the San Fran area today - headed out to the coast by Half Moon Bay and up over the Santa Cruz Mtns. Was out for about 3 hours on yet another spectacular day (albeit quite windy off the water) - motivated by the fact that this is the last full day GWB can do any more damage to our great country.

Ran into a group of riders from Rapha who are on day 2 of riding the ToC route, they dropped me on the climb south of Pacifica up to Devil's Slide.

BTW - I managed to practice what I preached earlier - stuffing my jersey pockets (several times) full of discarded material by the side of the road, which I emptied at the next available dumpster or trash can - the world (or at least a portion of the Santa Cruz Mtns) is a slightly cleaner and healthier place.

Day On!

If you have today off from work for the MLK Jr holiday (I do not) make it a day on - get out and do something good for yourself, your family, your neighborhood, and your community.

Say Hi to a stranger, donate stuff to the Goodwill or thrift store, write a check to your favorite charity, give food or your time to your local food bank, pick up some unsightly trash - whatever it is you decide to do, GO MAKE A DIFFERENCE!

Screwing with Tyler again

While Rock-around-the-clock appears to have filed the appropriate amount in trust securing their commitment as a UCI Continental team - Operation Puerto is rearing its ugly head again just in time for ToC folks to exclude those under continued investigation. Great fun?

Unintended Glider

Today's actual ditching in the Hudson River by a US Airways A320 is very unique. The apparent circumstances in which caused the ditching are not.

Bird strikes on aircraft are quite common. All portions of the aircraft are subject to the inadvertent strike - whether it be the cockpit windshield (which I can personally attest is very loud) or a leading edge of the aircraft (nose, wing, tail) - some sort of damage is likely (usually minor). And jet engine manufactures must pass an ingestion test as part of the certification process.

Airports, many by their very location along various waterfronts (lakes, oceans, rivers), are prone to birds in their vicinity with high frequency. Most, if not all, airports have an ongoing bird mitigation program utilizing various techniques to control the bird population and migration patterns around the runway environment. These range from the standard pop gun (makes noise), to introducing predators (raptors, cats, etc.), to paving grassy areas, and actually making some other areas near the outlaying portions of the airport more attractive for birds to populate - whatever it takes to keep them away from the arrival and departure paths.

Not everything is guaranteed to completely control the problem. And many times the problem is solved by just waiting for the known flock of birds to move on by; or maneuvering the aircraft to avoid.

Birds have downed jet airplanes before - most notably a KC135 tanker departing Elmendorf AFB near Anchorage - when they ingested a flock of geese after departure and all 4 engines were unable to sustain power. The problem being not that they just disrupt the initial airflow and clog the intake, but they also bend or break the vital blades that the engine relies on to compress and smooth the flow of air through the engine to do its work.

Unfortunately the airplane is most vulnerable when taking off as it is low, slow and usually heavy (loaded with lots of gas for it's trip). And these occurrences generally happen at a low altitude where such an encounter does not lend a lot of options. And the bigger and more numerous the bird(s) the worse the problem for the aircraft they collide with.

It looks like in this case back in NY, the pilot indicated that he was initially going to try to glide to a general aviation airport (Teterboro) just west in NJ; but quickly had to reevaluate and make the tough decision to ditch in the river. Not a lot of practice goes into ditching, and this one looks as if it'll write the textbook on how to do it perfectly.

And unlike a lot of doom & gloom in the media - the jet airplane does not drop like a rock when the engines quit - it does glide quite well (approx. 2 miles per 1000' of altitude); which time-wise will be eaten up at low altitude very quickly. With seconds ticking by you may not be able to go where you want but given the quick thinking (and the wherewith all to amend your initial thoughts) a survivable crash landing is not only possible, but very probable.

Great work to all the crew members on that jet - before, during, and after the ditching. Let the second guessing begin. Though I believe the investigation will reveal these guys as true hero's.

Back in the saddle again

In San Jose today - with temp's in the mid-60's I finally got my ass out for the first ride outside in over a month and a half. May have over-done it at 4+ hours, but it was at a Zone 1/2 pace; so I'll see how the legs feel tomorrow.

So for your listening pleasure:

Holy lardass Fatman!

A study by the National Center for Health Statistics announced that over two-thirds of Americans between 20 & 72 are fat, with MORE than half of those being in the obese category.

I thought that shows such as NBC's "The Biggest Loser" were showing freaks and what they can accomplish given proper nutritional guidance and exercise motivation. But it's apparent that they are the freaks after losing all that weight - the norm is being heavy, and being overly heavy! Yikes.

The good news though from the CDC is that 1 in 200 (or one-half of one percent) of kids in America is a vegetarian; a growing trend that may help reverse the above. Let's hope.

back 2 work

Flying for the first time in 48 days - hope I remember how? I think my passengers & crew hope so too.

I was supposed to do a trip on Sunday but had to continue my sick leave to allow a for another couple of days to clear the crud. Last thing I need is my flying partner to be looking at me sideways while I'm still hacking up a lung or snigling out some green gunk and passing the crud to him.

I'm looking forward to some decent weather in San Jose tomorrow as I'd love to see a little warmer temps for my first scheduled ride of the year; though wouldn't you know it temps at home supposed to be hitting the low-to-mid 50's (almost summer!).

Longest run ever...

...OK, maybe for the new year.

After a 45 minute spin I cruised a mile (9 laps) on the indoor track the Y - 8 minutes. Not too bad on the new knee and not having any meaningful exercise in the last 7 weeks. Room for improvement (speed and endurance) but everything felt really good - especially happy with my breathing (and lack of the hack).

Now I just need to splash around in the pool & not drown and I'll call myself a tri-geek again.

In tune...

with the weather. As the temps rise & the clouds start to clear out today so too has my sinuses, nearing the end of a 2-week hack & snittle-fest. Whatever that was - good riddance!!

So simple only a child could do it!

If only it was a career field - some of these kids might have a future in painting jets for a living?

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Crud

Well better to get it over and done with now (especially while still recovering from my knee surgery) - my bi-annual bout with a sinus infection. It's making it way through the kids; though my wife, so far, has been spared.

2008 bike in review

Total miles - I think that would be a negative number

Total days on/off - is there a number greater than 366 for days off the bike?

Month with most mileage - probably OCT or NOV (trying to gain the most fitness leading up to knee surgery)

Month with least mileage - December (post op recovery from knee surgery - what's up fitness anyway?).

The only year that I really tried to keep track of all that stuff was when I took the year 2000 off to do Odyssey 2000 (a year-long round-the-world bike trip) and I still wasn't focused enough to do it all.

Order of bike usage (most to least) - Pocket Rocket (collapsible travel bike), Cervelo (race/training), Rush Hour (fixie - commute/training), Cannondale (training/commute/tow kids trailer+), Klein (mtn bike), Raleigh (touring, stored in Maui), Softride (TT/Triathlon).

No wins (or placings for that matter - WTF?). No TT's. No ITT's. No double centuries. No tandem fun. No off-roading adventures (intentionally anyway!). No triathlons.

Several run-in's with knuckheaded motorists and at least 1 lame cop.

Will resume outdoor activity when my stuffy-nose allows, brain is ready, legs want some fresh (albeit cold and moist) air; get me out of the Y (and the New Year resolutionairies).

I will continue my no-pollute commute on Sunday JAN 11th watch out!

200.5K

My employer wants to freeze our traditional defined benefit plan (A Plan in which they make 100% contributions and a payout at retirement based on years of service and salary) to only a defined contribution plan (B Plan or 401K plan with a high percentage employee contribution plus a low employer contribution whose investment choices are then controlled by the employee). Currently we enjoy both.

If they watched this show they'd realize why it is stupid to get rid of the defined benefit plan.

The employee may feel empowered to have control of their defined contribution plan, but most (if any) are not professional financial planners. My B plan lost almost 44% of its value in 2008, and many of my co-workers faced with mandatory retirement must continue to work (elsewhere) to make ends meet.

The balance is in a solid A Plan and a good B Plan, they compliment each other.

2 wheels/2 feet

Make a resolution you can live with - the 1-mile solution