Gut Check = Hurt Locker

Now I know that there is a movie out called "Hurt Locker" Hollywood clearly has stole this title from the buddy of mine. But at any rate, I loaded my gear bag and headed to the Y last night for a little run and swim session. Its been a few years since I've been a Y memember, but I need a place run and swim. With Lifetime being so expensive, and fake to me, I rejoined the Y. Plus, if I am in WI or IA, I can use the facilities there as well.
I get a treadmill in the back of the of the room, plug the iPod in and select Gut Check from the playlist, turn the channel to the Olympics and off I go. "Prayer" by Sevendust comes on and this sets the tone for what is going to be a great 40 minute run. It gets better from there and as Eminem's "Lose Yourself" comes on we are full speed ahead at a break neck offseason pace. Now, the treadmills I am running on are new to me. They have these goofy touch screens and hand controls, similar to an X-Wing Fighter. I was able to figure them out pretty quick when I first ran on them a few weeks ago, but the older lady next to me was lost. So with my HR about 223 she decides its a good time to start asking me how to use it. WRONG! I am a breathing like a clydsdale, stopping snakes with every stride and generating some of the best runners form seen in a long time. You know, the classic over striding, reaching every step....no really, I've heard its a very very efficient way to run. Knowing I am running so poorly, I try to shorten my stride, adjust my breathing and settle into a good rythm. By the way, I am singing "Lose Yourself" this entire time.....probably failing at that as well, ha!! I am able to keep my pace, assist the lady next to me, only to watch her walk for another 30 seconds and leave. That was time well spent to show her, maybe I was sweating or stunk to much?!?!
It was a good workout session and the pool set was so so. I was tired from the run, lack of food and some mild dehydration. Best part of the workout was finding out that "Slapshot" was playing on Versus (thanks for the text) and that the front desk attendant told me where the nearest Chipotle was located!!

Recent Accomplishments

1) Shoveled the driveway, and I happen to think its the nicest on the block. I may be a little bias
2) Resigned up to become a YMCA member
3) Shoveled the driveway
4) Cooked a nice stay at home dinner
5) Shoveled the driveway
6) Went to a new eatery in Northeast called Victory 44, it was great. Kate and I had blast and the food was amazing
7) Still shoveling the driveway

So it could be worse, I could live in DC which is getting more snow than Houghton/Hancock is this year...or worse yet, in CA with all the headcase nut jobs out there!!

Its started

Everyone has signs that indicate their training has started for whatever joy in life they pursue. This is one sign for me that I am getting back into it.

First would be the unopened beer

Second would be the jug of Hammer Gel

Cottage Cheese

Carrots

Broccoli

And the fact that the fridge was stocked full on Monday, its now Wednesday....good thing I live close to three grocery stores!!

Question?

How much lint does one need to carry in the crack of their butt in order to leave a sample of it on the toilet seat? I am wondering if your plan was to knit a scarf or a sweater?

Heeeellllllllooooooo!!!!

Now picture Jerry Seinfeld saying that in the episode with the Tweety Bird Peez dispenser....funny now, huh?!?!?

Just a quick update to let EnJ know that I am alive...heck, I talk to my family so they know I still breathing, but its EnJ that I am worried about.

Since my last post I have ran 42.4 miles in 3 days, the 5k on Friday was more than I'd ran in a month, so the pending half marathon and marathon were a little daunting. I have jumped back in the pool and slowly started to find some sort of swim stroke again. Maybe you don't know this, but swimming is hard. I am working everyday to find the motivation to train in some way as I am going at this season solo...no coaching for this guy. It will be a change, but I think it will be good. I used to stress about getting a workout in and often missed out on much funnier group rides, runs, swims, happy hours, etc. Last I checked I wasn't as close to that pro card as I once thought, ha!!

I have a new ride, it s Ford Edge. Well, just for the next few days, which might turn into spring.

Prior to this photo I actually had keys in my back pocket. Now Big Red is stranded in IA, thankfully Boo had the Edge ready to head north for me, otherwise I might still be in IA raking and shoveling snow looking for my danged keys. The kids and I had a blast that weekend and the weather was perfect.I have a co-worker with a metal detector, so hopefully I can find them when I am south this weekend. Keep your fingers crossed.

I was in WI for Christmas and had a great time. It was so much fun to hang out with the family and see everyone again. Even though everyone lives in WI, except me, we aren't always able to get together as much as we'd like to. Prior to Christmas, I was able to see my sister and her family for Octoberfest in LaCrosse. This is a must trip for every year going forward, Bryan's I hope your prepared!!

I mean, how can you not have fun with this group; at the end of the night they fry bacon over the fire!!

Saved, but by whom?!?!

You ever have one of those surpirses that make you wonder? Wonder why its been done? Who done it? Well this evening when I rolled upon the homestead, via Ruby the Redline of course, the yard had been taken care of. I mean really taken care of. Kate and I spent a better part of Sunday morning raking the back yard and formed 4 HUGE piles. Lola was getting lost in the smallest piles and Benny in the bigger ones. I was struggling to see Kater if she was behind one of them....shes not so tall, ha!! Well, some kind folk took care of the front yard, the back yard, the flower beds and proceeded to give me the nicest yard on the block, now only if the house itself would transform for me tomorrow. It was a nice surprise to know that I don't have to worry about dealing with the yard anymore this year.

Its Always Something....

....today's adventure started out with my morning commute via Menagerie with a brisky air temp of a balmy 27 degrees. Watching the weather prior to departing, it said a chance of rain this afternoon. The thought of grabbing the cross bike today was an option. An option that was probably better than taking Menagerie the road bike. So the morning goes on at the office as usual. Nothing exciting or out of the norm. I decide against the turkey and cheese sandwhich and apple for lunch and go with some co-workers to the food court at the EP mall. I start with chicken and brocolli with an egg roll. I wash that down with a medium Oero blizzard. Still hungry. Off to McDonalds for more food. A double quarter pounder, should have gotten the meal, but got just the sandwhich...damn tape worm. Back to the office and what appears to a pending rain storm.

As the day apporaches quieting time, its getting darker and clearly raining at this point. Not so bad, its a short 5 mile ride home. Its one of those rides thats almost not worth getting all of the spandex and riding gear on. But I am dork and dawn it anyway. Lots of wise cracks from the not so in shape co-workers and off I go. The weather isn't so bad, a little rain and what feels like sleet in the face, stings a touch...but I have no choice but to carry on. As I apply the brakes for my first big turn, the back tire fish tales and I am heading street side and in a hurry!!! I am some how able to keep the rubber on the road and am now taking a different way home. This way is a less traveled and newly paved road, so it actually worked out better. I keep on my way, now getting very wet, my shoe covers are no longer keeping my feet warm, or dry for that matter. About 2 or 3 miles from the house my back tire is getting really spongey, kind of like when you know your getting a flat. Sure enough, FLAT!! So off the bike and time to run it home. I keep my shoes clipped to the bike and start to hoof it homeward. Socks are completely soaked, feet are freezing and feel like cinder blocks. I make it home, almost biff it on the tile in the entry way, grab a beer and let the 8 of you that read this know about my day. Hope everyone else had just as much fun today!!

The bike I should have taken