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.