Recap

Sorry for the long delay with regards to the last few days. I know I had great intentions of updating on a daily basis and that didn't happen. My sincere apologies for the 4 or 5 people that were eagerly waiting on the edge of their seats for updates.

I already told you about Thursday night when Kate arrived and how we started running non-stop. I filled you in about the house guest and hopefully roughly what we had planned for the weekend

Saturday morning, we were awaken by the famous Blackberry alarm at 4:15 as we prep for the Liberty Half. We arrive to the race course and the weather is looking perfect for a great day. Now for those that race, everyone has encountered the "Bucket Guy" For those that don't, this is the "racer" that shows up to transition with everything he owns, everything his neighbor owns and a bucket just in case he is isn't sure if he has a enough shit in transition. And everyone dread this "racer" racking next to them.....guess who the lucky winner was today. Not only does this moron rack next to me and take up about 6 spots, he sits down and starts reading a book with his fake iPod in. He is racing the Olympic race, which I wasn't aware of ahead of time, so upon my return from the bike...I find my run shoes covered by his bucket, towels (yes towels) and whatever else his neighbor leant him. So, in typically Marcus fashion, I politely get my run stuff, keep my comments to myself and head out on the run. Even dealing with this guy's crap, I still managed the 2nd fastest T2 of the day!! I ended up with a PR by about 12 minutes and am super happy with my race.

Saturday night was a hoot. Kate and I sat in the back yard sipping beers and enjoying a great evening. The crazy old lady next door even summonsed me for a beer. That's a whole different Oprah episode for another time.

Sunday morning wake was the same as Saturday as we were headed out to Manitou to volunteer. We were not 100% sure what to expect, other than help with the swim. This was the first year the race was under the supervision of SCS, and I must say these 3 guys did a great job. It was another picture perfect day and F-A-S-T as D Palmer was able to prove. We left the race site about about 11:45, totally spent, in need of food and a nap. We got both. Sunday night was followed by a few more beers at Old Chicago and an early night.

Monday, back to work, well for me anyway....Kate held the home office down again, Rome of the North some might call it....okay so maybe no one calls it that. But she has a pretty sweet set-up to work from. Her favorite part is the unlimited number of times she is able to watch 40 Year Old Virgin and Step Brothers!! Monday night we got a couples massage from Scott at Quantum Massage Works. This was the first couples massage I have ever gotten. It was a blast. For fear of missing out on conversation, I was in the room for Kates and vice versa when it was mine turn. I think Scott was a little uneasy at first, but it was a blast and we laughed and chatted for the whole time. What a great way to get your body worked on. Following the massages we meet S Nelson for beer and to hear all about her race 70.3 race in KS.

Tuesday, work during the day and than a race to Hudson to meet the parents for supper. My mom was super excited to meet us and try Chipotle for the first time. This might seem silly for those that have eaten at this establishment in the past, but she never has and was looking for something different. Given the look on her face when she walked in, it was different and not what she was expecting at all. Like my dad, "long freakin' way to eat at a McDonalds" We had a great time and were happy they were able to meet us.

Wednesday, FINALLY DATE NIGHT for us. This entire week was suppose to be one long date night and as you can see by the stuff we had going on, not a whole lot alone time. We ended up at Champps for live music and found a new artist that we both really enjoyed, Shane Martin. Marginal food, cold beer, good music and Kate....really what else can I ask for.

Thursday was the end of our time together......not really, but under the same roof for a while, okay only 1 night. We had coffee and brekkie together and both headed to work. Kate had a short 3ish hour commute first though.

All and all we had a BLAST together and are already trying to figure out when we can do it again

Have you seen my bucket?

Kate and I made it last week just fine for all the worriers, or is warriors, either way we are still alive and kicking. Been going a zillion miles an hour if 12.3852 directions. I will do a full Team WE recap in the next day or so. Stay tuned, sorry the generic tweeter thing sucked.....I know it would even when I typed it, ha!!!

Day 1

Thus far 1 full day with Kate and the fun we've had. A quick recap:
She arrives last night about 6ish to find me on the bike just finishing up and getting ready to change for a quick transition run. For those that care about me, I felt good and feeling ready for tomorrow.
After the training is done, a quick shower to rinse off and than the "rat race" is on. We head to Start Line for packet pick-up. Off to Gear West for new replacement pedals for Kate's road bike.....long story for this trip. The first 2 stops are north and west of for us. Now comes the true test of driver skill, which for me is speeding without having the po-po catch me....knock on wood I've succeeded so far. Any rate, we are headed to Chaska and Brickyard Bikes to visit our buddy and get some bike "love". We discuss possible new toys and than need food. By this point in the day Kater has been in the car for about 5ish hours and in need of fuel for the body.......who am I kidding, I am starving as well. We stop and get a burrito at Qdoba, only 1 for me tonight, i had 2 from Chipotle last night. I've been told thats about 2000 calories or so, but who's counting, ha!!! We arrive back to Casa de' Norde and call it a day. In goes one of the Seinfeld DVD's and we are both fast asleep.
Today brings another day of fun....the alarms squawks at 5:15 telling us to get to the pool. We show up and are met in the parking lot by our weekend roomie; Matt Wilson. We all change and hop in the warm pool for a short set and off to brekkie at the Original Pancake House. This is a Monster favorite hands down. They have the best bacon I've ever had...the good thick kind. Plus, I've never drank a cup of coffee during breakfast; they are johnny on the spot to refill your cup. I worked at the office today as did Kate, the only difference she works from the comfort of the living room while watching Step Brothers or 40 Year Old Virgin. When I got home from work we got the bikes all set for "the big race" had supper and now we are resting watching game 7 of the Cup.
To be continued.......

T-Minus 1 Night

So its been a really really long time again since I have updated this for the 6 people that occasionally check out whats going on in my life. Since my last post, not much has changed. I am still working, which is always a plus in today's economy. Still training. Still commuting to and from IA to see a little cutie that makes me smile.

Common questions that I am asked that I will answer and then continue with this little post.

Whats new?

Not much. Pretty much the same as always.

Hows training and racing going?

So far its going good. I feel I am swimming faster than I ever have before. My bike feels solid and my run, well, its my run. Lets just say I am glad that I am not "just" a runner

How are things with you and Kate?

Good. We are able to spend a ton of time together regardless of the distance and we make the most of our time. Seldom are we just sitting around. We are constantly on the go

Okay, with those answered, lets continue.

I have Liberty half coming up this Saturday. It will be a good start to the season and a great fitness check for me. I have raced a few times already and have felt pretty good. I did a 10k in IA last Saturday and was going to work on race pace stuff. Clearly I am a moron and have Z-E-R-O concept of pacing. I was out of the gates way to HOT. Tried to settle down and get in a groove, no luck. Tried again at the still no luck. But, like I said I felt good. So I just kept my pace for that race. Not really the goal I had set in my coco-noodle when I woke that morning. So, I feel ready for what is looming ahead for me on Saturday. Sunday morning we (Kate and I) will be up at the butt crack of stupid and heading to the Manitou Sprint race as volunteers. Afterwards we have plans on going to Stillwater to watch the last stage of the Nature Valley Grand Prix cycling race. I've seen stages of this race in the past and its an amazing thing to see. The riders are so impressive and the crashes rival those that Bob Roll shows on his crash compilation DVDs.

More importantly than all of the that is what is arriving tomorrow evening. Kate is coming to stay for the next week!!! I am going to work on doing a generic version of Twitter and give daily updates as to what Team WE is doing....so stay tuned, I promise to entertain.

So for those 3 faithful followers, thats what I have been up to as of late. Exciting huh? Makes you happy that you decided to stop by and take a look, ha!!!