Mr B

Sweetness

2011-12-06T20:04:00.001-05:00

I decided several weeks ago to give up baked sweets and dessert type stuff until the end of the year. I made it through Halloween with all the tasty candy. I made it through Thanksgiving with all the pies. The magnificent, flavor pies. I even made it past the chocolate covered pretzels I had ordered from a friend at work as a fund raiser for his choral group but forgot about until they showed up on my desk after I already made the decision. I didn't eat a single one of the dark chocolate, or the milk chocolate, and not even any of the white chocolate, which happen to be my favorite. I managed to resist the chocolate chip cookie bars my wife made, and the weekly Friday donuts at work. I've been so good. It hasn't even been that hard But now, a pumpkin pie in the fridge and home made chocolate chip cookies on the counter are taunting and teasing me everytime I walk in the kitchen. Aaaaaasrrrrrrgggggg!

13.1, done!

2011-11-21T15:04:00.002-05:00

Ran the half distance at the Philly Marathon yesterday. Finished in 1:57. Not my best HM time, not my worst. Not too bad though, when you consider that I've only run 22 mile in the entire past 2 months.

Pick up the packet, uh huh!

2011-11-19T18:19:00.002-05:00

Not quite AWB, but still fun nonetheless. Picked up my race packet this morning for the Philadelphia marathon. As I've mentioned, I'm registered for the full but plan on doing the half only. I injured my left Achilles tendon several weeks ago, most likely due to overuse in building run volume too quickly after IM recovery. I took a week off, ran once, then took 4 weeks off. Started running again 3 weeks ago and a half marathon tomorrow will be more mileage in one day than I've had in any of the last 3 weeks so it's best not to attempt the full. I've done that distance and may do it again, but no need to risk further injury. I'm not even approaching the half like a race; it will just be a long training run for me. Of course I don't want crappy race times sitting on the Interwebs for the rest of time, but oh well.

BOOM!!!! (that was my head exploding)

2011-11-18T11:43:00.002-05:00

I used to be the President of a youth football organization. When I first started coaching in that program, the business meetings consisted of beer, wings, and fist fights. When I stepped down years later we were one of the most respected organizations in our area. I am very proud of the work I did to change the mindset of that community. One of the things I did was build a web site where all sorts of information could be communicated, forms could be downloaded, contact information was available, by-laws were published and we even started online registrations. I still check in every now and then on that web site. Today I noticed this:

If your interested in the league glick here

That was when my head exploded

Wednesday Weigh In (on Thursday)

2011-11-17T15:59:00.001-05:00

Weighed in at 165.8 yesterday, Wednesday, 11/16/11. I was about 157 when I raced Ironman Lake Placid 7/24/11; eight pounds gained in 4 months. Not too terrible I guess, but I was hoping to drop below the 157 after Ironman. I had dropped weight prior to starting full on training and wanted to get back to weight loss after the race. I knew it was foolish to try to lose weight while building fitness for such a grueling endurance event but figured I could just pick right up with where I left off. Oh, I picked right up; I picked up food. I kept my caloric intake pretty much the same but my training volume dropped significantly. So, I'm getting back at it. I'll be weighing in every Wednesday.

I decided a few weeks ago to stop eating sweets and dessert type stuff through the end of the year. No cookies, no candy, no cakes, no pies, no ice cream none of the stuff my wife bakes so well and I love so much. Now I need to get the workouts cranked back up and reduce the caloric intake a bit more. No more second helpings or two lunches ;) I'd like to get down to 155, but am more concerned about body composition that the actual number. I want to be leaner and lose the spare tire and fat deposits around the midsection

I have a half marathon race this Sunday, and then I intend to get back to a balanced SBR regimen of 3x ea per week, with 2 strength training session. I am pretty excited about the strength training because I am going to be working out with my son. He's certified in Crossfit and is working on some sort of Olympic weight lifting certification. I've got 3 weeks left of 2x per week with Dominic (the trainer I've been working with once a week for years) then I am turning myself over to Tim. Should be fun. And painful. I'll keep you posted.

What, not why

2011-11-11T09:55:00.002-05:00

I've been really off my game since finishing Ironman. Training has been sporadic, nutrition in the crapper, putting on weight, losing fitness. and not doing a damn thing about it. I get stuck sometimes wondering why I'm in this place but knowing why is of little value really. The better question is what am I going to do about it. I started running again after 4 week off to rest the Achilles, but I have juggled things around and blown off a couple workouts and haven't run since Monday. Did I mention I am scheduled for the Philadelphia Marathon on 11/20? I think I will be able to at least do the half, but am still considering the full. Maybe that's the what I need to get my mojo back.

I thought I had recommitted myself to training, but the proof is in the pudding. It was a wish, a weak brab at an idea, not a commitment. What will it take?

Getting back at it

2011-11-05T18:31:00.002-04:00

Ran three times this week after a 4 week layoff to heal up the left Achilles. Feeling pretty good in that regard.

Going mobile

2011-10-30T10:49:00.001-04:00

Blogger app for iPhone? What the hell, why not! Maybe I'll blog more. Maybe I'll become annoyingly active on here.

Dude, long time no long board

2011-10-22T13:05:00.004-04:00

I took my long board out for a ride today. I haven't skated much in years, opting to avoid the chance of injury while working towards Ironman. I set aside a few things while working towards that goal; skating, coaching football, and theatre. I miss them all, and the easiest one to just go out and do is skate. So I did. I've been seeing local kids on their boards since we moved in here but lately there's a crew with long boards and that really got me excited. There are a couple of longish hills and one has no stop signs to worry about and is wide enough to do some decent carving. Neither are super fast but they are close by. I'd really like to find a wide steep parking lot for the long board. I've always had my eye on one hotel parking lot up near Valley Forge. You can see it right of Rt. 422 and I think it's the Valley Forge Conference Center. Anyway, it was fun today.

Once more, with feeling

2011-10-21T18:01:00.004-04:00

Yeah, so, I haven't been here for a while. I wonder how many blog posts start with some variation on that same theme. I actually have been here, but haven't been posting. I like to click on the interests in my profile and see who else put those same things. Or I come here to get to blogs I'm following. Sometimes I'l just click through "Next Blog" until I find something interesting. What I always find are outdated blogs and posts that start of with this same I-haven't-posted-in-a-while theme. So, here I am, just another one of "them"

What the good Doctor wanted to write.

2011-05-16T09:25:00.002-04:00

The road to hell

2011-05-09T09:42:00.003-04:00

Yeah, so I've totally dropped the ball on the whole 90 in 90 thing. It seemed so easy at the time; just post once a day for there months. How hard can that be? Apparently very hard. I had good intentions, but as "they" say, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

Part of it (part?) is due to my personal nuttiness. I don't like typing on the lap top, I don't want to spend too much time blogging at work, and I don't make the time to get on the desktop computer upstairs. So, I don't do it at all. Not that anyone really noticed which begs the question, "Why am I blogging to begin with?". I don't really know except that I enjoy writing. Does something written need to be read?

Compassion

2011-05-04T09:17:00.002-04:00

Noun: sympathetic consciousness of others' distress together with a desire to alleviate it.

It has been suggested in some quarters that I take a more compassionate approach to step parenting. On one level, being more compassionate won't be too hard. If I am brutally honest, I have little sympathy at all for K, so there's plenty of room for being more conscious of her suffering and desiring to alleviate it. The hard part for me is to get past the visceral disdain she has for me, and her sheer disgust at my presence.

On another level I have been very compassionate, though my desire to alleviate her suffering through order and discipline is clearly not working. I cannot break her defiant spirit to reveal the loving child. The walls of anger need to chipped away at with a sculptors chisel rather than smashed with a wrecking ball. Time to get on with sculpting and leave the wrecking behind.

It is not me, but the Father within, who does the work.

Cake

2011-05-03T17:30:00.002-04:00

I know, you're all wondering where I've been. I promise you 90 posts in 90 days and I don't even make it a full week. Just remember, I told you up front I may miss a day or two here and there and double up. So have no fear, faithful readers, I will complete my 90 in 90. I know how much it means to all of you... [insert chirping crickets here]

On to cake. It's quite timely that this past Sunday Scribblings prompt was"Cake"; my son and I went to see the band Cake in concert a few weekends ago. I enjoy their music very much and one song in particular, The Distance. The refrain of "He's going the distance, he's going for speed" is relevant for me as I think about triathlon. I got into this sport with a very specific goal of doing an Ironman while I'm 50 years old. I've been working at this for over three years. Longer really, if you factor in that first moment many moons ago when I thought, "I'd like to do that someday." "Someday" will be July 24 2011, and while working towards that goal I've trained and raced my way to longer distance and faster finishes.

Now, here's where distance and speed get really interesting. My last triathlon was a smallish sprint distance race where I took 3rd place in my age group, qualifying me for an award. The competitive side of me (yeah, ok, that's every side of me) is very excited by this and sees the potential for actually taking 1st place in my age group in some of these shorter races. I doubt I could ever finish that well in longer distances but I think I can go pretty fast in a short race for a guy my age. So there's where the gotcha is; do I go for distance or do I go for speed? Of course I'm 100% focused on and committed to Ironman, but after that's done.......

It can't really be that hard

2011-04-30T18:16:00.005-04:00

Here's your warning; I'm going to rant a bit.

What the hell is wrong with the guys at the gym who can't figure out what hook to use in the showers? There is one hook for every stall and they are located on the "far" side of each stall. By far side I mean furthest from the entrance to the shower area, or closest to the back wall. When guys use the wrong hook it just messes up the entire order of the Universe, not to mention that it can create an uncomfortable situation where there is an open stall but no open hook.

You see, I believe in order. Order makes sense, it creates harmony, it helps the natural flow of energy. Unfortunately, I am all too aware when things are out of order. It hurts my soul when I witness things like roads where two lanes merge into one and people violate the every other car rule, or when I'm cycling and well meaning motorists will yield the right of way when I have timed my gearing and/or my unclipping to my expectation of them following the orderly flow of traffic (and the law too, but let's not quibble). It gnaws at my very being when people start to line up at each individual self check out at the grocery store when clearly there is a single line where we all wait in an orderly manner for the next available check out.

What bothers me the most is when I'm driving and other drivers simply ignore the rules of the road; they jump the light to make a left, they pull out of a driveway into my lane just to drive slowly, or they have no freaking idea how to navigate a four way stop and pull out in front of me when it's my turn to go. Some day I am going to buy a big old Buick. I am going to reinforce the frame with steel I beams, and replace the bumper with rail road ties. Then, when the next guy makes a left turn in front of me when I have the green light I am just going to plow right into him. Oops, so sorry. Did I hit you when you turned right in front of me? My bad. Gee, did you fail to yield the right of way and I plowed your nice new BMW? Oh well.

In the mean time, I will continue to "nicely suggest" to others that they follow along in an orderly manner. We'll all be better off.

NFL draft

2011-04-29T19:08:00.003-04:00

I guess I'd cry too if I just got drafted into the NFL as a 22 year old kid. These guys are instant millionaires. I miss coaching football.

Oops I did it again

2011-04-28T20:26:00.002-04:00

Left the jammers at home and swam in running shorts. Again. Not that big a deal in the grand scheme, except that I had a time trial and I came in with a 1:42 average over 1000 yards. I went pretty hard and was expecting to see a better average. Oh well.

Fuck

2011-04-27T19:55:00.000-04:00

Fucking, fuck, fuck.

If it's Tuesday

2011-04-26T15:41:00.003-04:00

This must be... um... wait... I know this one..... Belgium! Well, since I don't see Suzanne Pleshette around maybe that's not right this time.

Ok, so here's the deal; my workout schedule is pretty random. I used to know day to day what I'd be doing because I did the same disciplines on the same days every week. With this 20 week intermediate IM plan, not so much. Today I ran at lunch and I have a swim after work. I swam yesterday too, but that was because I moved my Sunday swim to Monday. I've biked 3 days in a row and have a bike tomorrow too. Guess what I have in my gym bag. Better stated, guess what I don't have. Swim jammers. Once again (this is the third time since starting this plan) I will be swimming in running shorts. Good times!

100 mile weekend

2011-04-25T11:06:00.002-04:00

Saturday found me running a local 5 mile race in the pouring rain. What fun! I have done this race 3 years in a row now since moving into our house. How can I not; it goes right down our street! This year though, I was determined to make it a Zone1 - Zone2 heart rate run since my plan called for that anyway. It was hard to not "race" but I was s a bit sore from the race the weekend before and the added bike volume following the race, plus I had about 6 hours of cycling over the weekend staring me in the face. I did pretty well managin the HR. Crept up a bit on the hills, and I hammered the last few hundred yards to the finish. I was keeping pace with a female runner and she kept looking over her shoulder at me and speeding up. When we rounded the last turn she glanced over at me again and started her kick. Well, that was all I needed. I dropped her like a bad habit. I really didn't care one way or another at first but she kept looking at me and speeding up. Guess she didn't want to get beat by the old guy. Oh well.

After the race I recovered a bit and then bundled up (it was rainy and chilly) for a 2:20 ride. I took the Specialized since it was really wet out and I figured I'd be on the hoods for handling purposes much of the ride. Besides, I didn't want to drown The Mistress. Got in 37.72 miles in 2:25:07 for a 15.9 mph avg. A bit slow, but it was wet and I did seek out some hills.

Yesterday was the polar opposite weather; sunny and beautiful and I went way out past Phoenixville. Next time I go out that way I'll get on Rt 23 instead of staying on 724. Too much traffic and a horrible shoulder. Totals for the day were 3:32:30, 60.95 miles, and a 17.2 average. Ended up with a farmers tan on my arms and a white band on my ankle from my Road ID.

So, 5 mile road race, 37 mile ride, and a 60 mile ride equals 102 miles.

Hey, half of 100 is 50, and then the 2. 52!

Ninety in ninety

2011-04-24T21:11:00.003-04:00

Here we are, 90 days out from Lake Placid, and I've decided to do 90 blogs posts in 90 days. That's one a day essentially but it may happen that I'll miss a day and then double up. Or I'll double up anyway if I have extra goodness to share, 'cause, you know, I blog so much as it is.

Today was Eastern, and Max's birthday so we had some family over for dinner and that was nice. Good food, good company; always nice. Got in a 60 mile ride in the beautiful sunshine but had to put off a swim until tomorrow. Took some time this morning to work through some angst on the home front, but it's all for the good. I love my family :)

Hey, how's it going?

2011-01-26T09:35:00.002-05:00

Yup, it's been a while. So much for regular blogging. Of course once or twice a month is a form of regular, right? Good stuff going on around here; losing weight each week, training is picking up and I'm getting in some nice workouts. Snow is happening again, which is not so good as it puts a cramp in my style. For instance, today I am scheduled for a 75 minute run. It is snowing and raining and yucky out. I could do it on the treadmill, but that is like torture to me. Factor in work, the commute in the snow, etc. and I don't know when I'll get it in. I did get up early and went to the gym for a long swim so that's good. I have a couple of things to get done here, then may head home early and see what the conditions are like for an outdoor run. I'd rather do it here in NJ 'cause it's flatter, but we'll have to see how it goes.

Headed in the right direction

2011-01-11T11:22:00.004-05:00

Did I mention I am trying to drop some weight? I'd like to get down to 150 by the time I start my 20 week IM plan. I realize that's just a number, but based on my body composition and my current weight I think it's a good target. Tuesday is my weigh in day, and after 1 week of no change, one week of adding .4 lbs, this morning I registered a .8 lb loss at 164.0. This was after my largest training volume week in months, and only slightly reducing caloric intake. I haven't been counting calories at all, just focusing on smarter choices and not over eating. I may start the counting but we'll see how I do in the next couple of weeks. I was a bit disappointed that the third digit was still a 4 but I am headed in the right direction.

The Weather Outside is Frightful

2011-01-08T08:48:00.002-05:00

Ok, maybe not frightful, but it's snowing and cold and windy. I'm scheduled to do a FTP running test today and I don't think I'll be able to do it outdoors. Poop! I'd really hate to have to do it on a treadmill. Not even sure I could do it accurately that way, though if you are getting VO2 Max or lactate threshold testing done professionally that is done on a treadmill, but under supervised conditions.

What's an FTP test you ask? This is:

After 10 minute warm up, you are going to run for 30 minutes as hard as you can for the entire 30 minutes. After starting the run, hit your 'Lap' button so you record the average HR over the last 20 minutes. This can be run on track or measured course (flat). Record the time and get a 10 minute cool down.

It's designed to help you calculate heart rate zones for running workouts. It can also be done on the bike. When done right, it's no fun at all :) I did it in the spring but my plan calls for it today. I would like to see where I stand since the last test.

The rest of it

2011-01-03T12:05:00.001-05:00

Today is the first day of my 8 Week Run Focused Winter Maintenance plan from BeginnerTriathlete.com. Day 1 is a rest day. Woo hoo!!!

1111

2011-01-01T17:56:00.002-05:00

If you know binary, you'll know that essentially 1 is "on" and 0 is"off". Today is 1/1/11; that's a lot of ones. Oh yeah, it's on big time for 2011.

This in the year of Ironman
This is the year of deeper spiritual growth
This is the year of an even stronger partnership with my wife
This is the year of professional growth
This is the year of dreams coming true
This is THE year!

It's on!

Slacker

2010-12-29T09:22:00.003-05:00

I've done nothing since Sunday. Well, I shoveled snow, and drove over to Jersey to see my kids but other than that I've pretty much been sitting around eating. At least my weight on Tuesday was the same as last Tuesday and not higher.

Oh, I did make a meditation bench for J and started another for me. I'll get some pictures up when they are both complete.

I'm going to go for a swim today, but need to wait for the aqua fit ladies to clear out. I had such high hopes for working out and getting things done this week. But it's only Wednesday! Still plenty of time to procrastinate on other stay-cation projects.

Some time later......

I got the swim in and worked some more on the meditation benches. My head is all stuffy and my sinuses irritated from the pool today. Very heavy on the chemicals it was.

Christmas Eve

2010-12-24T16:39:00.002-05:00

Merry Christmas everyone! (Like there are so many people reading this :) )

Went for a chilly and hilly 30 mile bike ride today. Went out Conshohocken Sate Rd to the Schuylkill Trail, turned around near Valley Forge and road back. There are some nice hills along that route but I sure don't like the traffic. One spot the speed limit is 30 MPH, I wass doing 32 and getting passed. What is wrong with people? They had to drive in excess of the speed limit and cross a double yellow to pass a cyclist who was riding down the hill over 30 MPH. Still, I like the up hills and the down hills. I need to venture out on new routes. I'm getting a bit bored with the SRT, but it is convenient.

So, I decided to drop some weight. I am at 164.4 (12/21) and want to get to 150 by the time I start the 20 week IM plan. Don't think I've been that light since my 20's. I'll have to see how my body reacts and how I feel. Most height/weight charts want me well below that; one has 139 -151. I'd be a skeleton at 139!

I've got to lose 1.3 lbs a week. With my wife's awesome cooking and baking that's going to be a challenge.

Tick Tock

2010-12-23T09:41:00.003-05:00

I'm sitting here at work counting the minutes until I'm out of here for 10 days. Woo hoo!! It's very slow and I'm getting a few things out of the way so I can have a clear conscious over the break.

Going to run today when I get home and do a bike ride tomorrow. That's the plan anyway; we'll see how the weather holds out. Supposed to be very windy today.

Consistently inconsistent

2010-12-22T09:11:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I was going to do a bike ride. Had planned to bring my bike to work and ride for an hour at lunch. On Monday I got call from my dentist reminding me that Tuesday at noon was my semi annual cleaning and check up. So much for a lunchtime ride. Figured I'd ride the trainer at home... but I HATE riding the trainer. I really need to get over it. It is a necessary training tool for the winter months. I just have to figure out how to get over the mental resistance. It's not too bad if I set up in the living room and put on the TV, but that disrupts the entire household. I have the fan going, and the noise from the trainer. so I have to turn the TV up real loud, and that is just to much to ask J & the kids to deal with. Throw in some Christmas stuff I needed to do and I did not ride the trainer last night. Again. I blew off two trainer rides last week. I know it's the holiday season, and the off season, and I start a new training plan the first week of January, but I cannot let my base go to shit.

Ok, onward and upward!

Today

2010-12-20T20:15:00.004-05:00

Yeah, so today is the day. Yup, The day. I thought it would be last July, or October. Those came and went and then I thought it might be January, or early March. Nope. It's today. Today I start blogging regularly with a focus on my build towards IronMan Lake Placid, July 24 2011.

I thought it would be cool to blog about my experiences leading up to IronMan for a full year, from July 2010 when we volunteered and I signed up, until July 2011 when I cross the finish line. When I didn't start that I thought it would be cool to start on my 50th birthday since the idea of IronMan was born of me contemplating turning 50. When that didn't happen I figured I'd wait until the first of the year and blog every day in 2011 until I become and IronMan. I also considered waiting until the official start of my 20 week training program in March. I'm not big on starting things on January 1st. That's too easy and way overdone (in two weeks the gym will be crowded with the resolutioners, God bless them).

Then today it hit me. Today is the day. I don't need a milestone or a jumping off point. Just go! So, here I go, today.

Workouts today were a 5 mile run at lunch and a swim after work. I feel like I haven't been in the pool in ages and I felt it in the water. I managed to get in 1600 yards though and felt good about that:

WU
2x200

MS
2x500
25 easy
25 hard
50 easy
50 hard
75 easy
75 hard
100 easy
100 hard

CD
200

I'll edit this later with the times since I don't have my watch in front of me.

The run was good but chilly. It's pretty cold around here with temps in the 30's and wind chill in the 20's. I was maybe a bit overdressed but I'd rather be hot than cold.

5. 1 miles
42:49
8:24 avg

When I got back to the fitness center at work I smelled BO. Bad BO. I thought it was me and kept sniffing and checking. I thought maybe it was my gloves or my skull cap since they get sweaty but don't get washed much. Nope. They smelled fine. It was almost as if it was the rugs or something but they had just been cleaned a few weeks ago. I stretched a bit and went to get showered and changed. When I got back to my locker after the shower I found out what smelled so bad. Well, who smelled so bad actually. There was a guy I'd not seen before in the locker room and he reeked to high heaven. Damn dude! He was wearing a very dingy and sweaty plain white undershirt and he put on his overcoat and left. No shower, no change of clothes, no nothing. Ewwwwww!! No wonder he's so stinky. Hope he doesn't make regular visits. I'd take the Axe body spray kid from last summer over this guy. Ooo Fa!

Back From the Brink

2010-11-21T16:00:00.014-05:00

Just when it looked like I had disappeared from 52 Projects for good, something reached out and smacked me upside my creativity. My beloved discovered a new photo technique called ttv, or Through the Viewfinder. You can read about Jane's side of the story on 52 Projects.

The technique involves taking a picture through the view finder of a second camera. It works best with a Kodak Duaflex and they are selling like hotcakes on eBay. The trick is to block out extraneous light between the lenses. To accomplish this one must use a Contraption. That's right, a Contraption with a capital C because that is the proper name for this tool. They come in all shapes and sizes and making one (or more) has captured my imagination. So has shooting pictures through one.

Here's what the camera sees

Here's what the picture looks like

I found a template on the web but it didn't quite turn out like the pictures. First off, the template wasn't to scale but it didn't really indicate that. The guy has re-done it and this time, has noted that it is not to scale.

Anyway, I got really excited when I saw the template. We went out and bought foam board and I went to town. Unfortunately the foam board is a bit too thick and doesn't cut well with a razor knife. Then I taped the hell out of the thing and it looked really ghetto.

Undaunted, the next day we went out and got some heavy black card stock, I printed out the updated template, and I made a much nicer one. This one even has adjustable height. This comes in handy as you play with focus and zoom and macro and all that photographer stuff.

I have gotten so jazzed about this that I bought my own Duaflex on eBay and plan on experimenting with different materials and designs for making Contraptions. I am visualizing PCV.

So, here is some of what I've seen Through the Viewfinder........

My work space:

Under a bridge

Pipes in an alley

Other worldly

My muse

After tossing the ball

The hands that brought this all to you

A bench. I really like the ground level view

She walked away

Some things to note:

All images taken this way are reversed. There is debate in the ttv community whether or not one should flip the images. I think some look cool backwards, others look better flipped

The image is not always square in the frame so some post processing is necessary to straighten them out, unless you like them a bit crooked. Sometimes I do.

There is a lot of black around the images. The ones above have all been cropped but here's one that's not cropped, rotated or mirrored. Note the backwards writing.

The Mistress

2010-10-16T20:25:00.004-04:00

I bought a new bike a couple of months ago. My wife dubbed her The Mistress

Flying and Frying

2010-08-10T15:36:00.012-04:00

After weeks of absence I've done double duty for 52 Projects. This past week I knocked two things off my "Things I want to do someday" list; riding in a hot air balloon...

And eating fried Oreos. I ate fried Oreos, fried Snickers, and fried Twinkies. More on that decadence later.

Here's the deal with the hot air balloon; several months ago I stumbled across a most interesting adventure opportunity, a Bicycle Balloon race. Balloons take off with a bike strapped to the outside and a cyclist in the basket. The pilot flies a certain distance, lands the balloon, and the cyclist must race back to the starting area. The team with the shortest elapsed time wins $600.

This was all part of the New Jersey Balloon Festival at the Warren County Framers Fair. Although my team didn't win (winning times was 38 minutes, our time was 57 minutes) I had an awesome time. Being up in the balloon was like floating through the air. It was quiet and peaceful, except when the burner kicked in. Wow! That was hot and loud.

It was fascinating to see the whole process. The balloon and basket get pulled off the truck

The balloon gets rolled out

A fan fills the balloon with air to get it slightly inflated

Then the burners kick in to fill it with hot air

The balloon needs to be held open to allow all the air to get in. I got to help

Did I mentioned these things are pretty damn big?

Bike gets strapped on

Cyclist climbs in

And away we go!!

A birds eye view

We had to fly outside a 3 mile radius then find a place to land. As you can probably see from the pictures, my camera wasn't behaving too well and it was very hazy out so I didn't get too many good aerial shots.

Once we landed I hauled ass back to the fairgrounds. I didn't know the roads that well and ended up taking a longer route than I needed to and added a mile to the bike leg. Still, that would have only cut our time by4 minutes or so. Winners or not I had a fantastic time and would do it again. It would be nice if it wasn't an hour and a half away :)

The whole day was a ton of fun. Jane, the kids, and her parents came and we got to enjoy some family time at the fair, including eating the aforementioned fried treats. I've seen fried sweet things on the boardwalk at the shore and at other fairs but never took the plunge. I'm glad I did because they were sinfully delicious, especially the fried Snickers. Wow. I rationalized it as a post race recovery jolt of calories and protein (hey, Snickers have peanuts). I have no idea what other people used as an excuse. I know we have other pictures to post of those treats, but I'll treat you to some of our family fun.

Bless me Blogger for I have sinned

2010-08-01T18:59:00.003-04:00

It's been a month and a half since my last 52 Projects post. It's not that I haven't been doing stuff, I just haven't been focused on posting about them. Here's one thing I did;

As some of you know I am a triathlete. I swim, bike, and run, one right after the other for hours on end. Sounds like a blast, right? Such a good time! My main focus is Ironman Lake Placid next July but I do have some other races planned. One race is coming up in mid September; it's a half iron distance race called Savageman. Sounds pretty rough and apparently it is. It is in the mountains of western Maryland and the bike course is very hilly. I've been working really hard on my training and think I'm going to do well. In fact, I have my sights sets on a podium finish for my age group (that means 1st, 2nd, or 3rd). It's a pretty aggressive goal but based on previous year's finish times I think it's doable.

Another great thing about this race is that it's a charity fundraiser for The Joanna Nicolay Melanoma Foundation. I am not required to raise any money beyo0nd my entry fee but have decided to set up a fund raising page and set a goal to raise $1000. That's sort of where 52 Projects comes in. This is something I've never done but this time I felt like giving it a shot. I even set up a Facebook event and invited all my FB friends to support me. I think most of them thought I was inviting them to the actual race, but I'm really just inviting them to donate money. I am also extending that invitation to anyone reading this. It's easy to do, you can remain anonymous, and it's 100% tax deductible. Search your heart, then if you're so moved just surf on over to this link and make your donation.

Thanks!!!

I'm in!!

2010-07-28T11:18:00.002-04:00

I have officially registered for Ironman Lake Placid. Jane and I drove up for the race this past weekend to volunteer and so I could register on site for next year. It was a uniquely rewarding experience adn I am aalready in rcae mode for next year. I intended to blog more about my training and my experiences on the road to becoming an Ironman!

I'm still here

2010-07-28T11:16:00.002-04:00

It's been quite a while since I've posted, but you knew that. I have been derelict in my duties as a member of the 52 Projects gang. I beg your forgiveness. I will pick up this week where I left off.

Who's Your Daddy?

2010-06-19T20:28:00.013-04:00

Happy Father's Day to me! I got presents! A bicycle repair stand and a set of bike tools. Woo Hoo!!!!

So, for 52 Projects I gave my bike the once over!!!

Ok, not just for 52 Projects. I've wanted to break down, clean & lube my bike for quite some time but didn't have the proper tools. Now I do!!!!!!!

I set up the stand and clamped my bike in

I took off the chain and soaked it in degreaser

I pulled both cranks and cleaned them up real well.

I then pulled the bottom bracket. Bottom bracket was a pain in the ass, and in the hand. Also, the camera ran out of batteries so I have no pics of the BB out but here's one of it still in with the crank off, and one of my hand after the wrench slipped. That bottom bracket was in there tight!

Then I pulled the cassette and cleaned it

And I pulled the rear axle and cleaned and regreased the bearings. Again no pic other than the "after" once I got it reassembled. I have to remember to take more pictures but it's hard to stop when I'm on a roll, plus my hands were just a tad greasy.

Here's a cool shot of the bottom bracket and drive side crank after they were reinstalled

Here's one of the cassette and rear derailleur

Here's my baby all back together and ready to ride

Here's a run down of all the work;

Pull, clean, lube, reinstall chain
Pull & clean both cranks
Pull & clean bottom bracket
Pull & clean cassette
Remove dork disc
Clean & re grease rear axle
Replace brake pads
Tighten spokes

Be-Weldered

2010-06-13T17:50:00.013-04:00

This week I decided to break out the arc welder we picked up at Sears Hardware a few weeks ago. I've wanted to learn how to weld for years and 52 Projects is just the thing to get me moving. I've seen it done on TV and in auto repair shops, and it never looked too hard. I knew I would have to learn sooner or later because I have metal sculpture in me waiting to come out and that requires welding. Besides, if that chick from Flashdance can weld, how hard could it be? Well, I found out how hard it could be.

I decided to practice on an old beat up scooter that was in need of repair (or a trash heap). The handle was loose so it seemed like a perfect job for welding.

Arc welding is basically an electric circuit that creates an arc between the surface to be welded and an electrode rod. The arc create by the electric circuit melts the electrode rod and the melted material creates the bond. In theory anyway. The arc is very bright and the welding kit comes with all manner of safety warnings and eye damage hazards. It even comes with a very dark protective mask. Not the cool kind like you see on Monster Garage (you know, the ones that have a head band and flip down over the face when the welder knods his head) but one that requires the user to hold it in one hand. So already I'm working with only one hand. Maybe that's just as well. I wouldn't want to weld my hand to something.

Here's how it looks:

Did I mention it is dark? Very, very dark. Like this-is-what-I-see-when-I-look-through-it dark:

How the hell am I supposed to work blind and with one hand??? The instructions tell me right off that it takes a lot of practice to become proficient at welding so I figure I should be good in about 10 minutes. Well, that was before I became a one handed blind man. The trick is... well, there are a lot of tricks; the right amperage on the welder, the right size and material rod for the application, the right distance of the rod to the material, the right angle, the right motion with the arc, the right speed... What. The. Fuck? I was completely lost.

Maybe if I hold the mask real close....

Maybe if I stand up....

Maybe if I lean over and peak around the mask...

Maybe if I ask a neighbor for help....

He was actually pretty helpful and suggested I try a few things like testing it out on a small piece of metal in case the size or composition of the scooter was part of the problem......

That worked a little better but still not very good. It really is a tricky thing; you have to get the rod close enough to the object to be welded so that the arc is created and the rod melts onto the object. If you get too close the rod sticks to the object. Too far away and no arc. But if you can't see a damn thing it's pretty tough to get that right balance. I eventually traded the blackout mask for dark sunglasses and managed a better arc but could not maintain it long enough to get a good bead on the mating surfaces of metal.

I decided to pack it in when storm clouds rolled in. It had poured down rain earlier on my bike ride and was threatening again. And it did. Not too long after we got everything cleaned up the skies opened and drenched the neighborhood.

I have not given up though. I am going to do some more research on welding techniques and maybe find a class (like I really have time for that). I am also going to look into a better/different mask. I think the ability to see the actual weld would be helpful. Welding will indeed make a return visit to 52 Projects.

Macrame, Take Two

2010-06-06T14:51:00.005-04:00

I went back to the well, kids. I decided to make another macrame plant hanger for 52 Projects. At first I thought it was cheating but it' s my project and I'll do what the hell I want, and I really wanted to make another hanger. I enjoyed making the first one and learned a lot about how to do it "the next time." Then I dyed all that hemp for another project and really wanted to use it. So, I did. I figure it's ok to apply some of the same skills, tools, and materials from previous projects and incorporate them into a new project. What good is learning something if you don't use it again? I plan to continue this trend going forward. I won't duplicate the exact same project twice but I will do second (and third) passes of things, trying out new skills and new tools.

For this one I really paid attention to the direction of the knots, the pairings of the strands, and the overall symmetry of the work. I think this one is way better than the first one. So here it is, the red & black self dyed hemp macrame plant hanger.

Knotting the strands

You gotta keep 'em separated!!

It's almost as tall as me.

Knots and beads...

Beads and knots

Arranging the foliage

There she is, Miss Macramerica...

Daddy Did The Double Down

2010-05-31T14:35:00.003-04:00

One of the things I like so much about 52 Projects is the freedom to be inspired. This project is one of those things where ideas and opportunity align and inspiration hits hard.

A few weeks ago I read a thread on a triathlon message board about a new meal at Kentucky Fried Chicken. It's two slabs of breaded and fried chicken breast with cheese, bacon, and some creamy sort of sauce in between. At first I didn't even think it was a real menu item. What restaurant would really sell such disgustingly decadent deadly deliciousness?

Surprise, it is real!

As much as I know how horribly unhealthy it is, how many calories and grams of salt laden fat it contains, how against the laws of nature it may be, I had to have one. I didn't know when I would do it, but I knew I would. It was only a matter of time. As much as a firey crash is only a matter of time for a race car driver.

That time came on Friday. We were heading out of town for a family wedding and needed to grab a quick bite on the road. We turned at the last light before the highway entrance and there it was; a KFC/Taco Bell restaurant. That's when I knew. It was time.

I would tell you I'll never do it again but that may be a lie. It was delicious in that this-is-so-wrong- kind of way. I could feel my arteries clog as I sat there enjoying the gooey, salty, greasy yumminess of it all.

Colonel Sanders, I salute you!

Ride of Silence

2010-05-23T16:42:00.009-04:00

Last Sunday on my training ride I had a fellow cyclist ask me if I'd heard about the Ride of Silence. I had not. It is a nationwide undertaking to honor those who have been killed and injured while cycling. The intent is to raise awareness and to encourage motorist and cyclist to share the road.

On Wednesday night we met at the steps of the Philadelphia Art Museum. After a brief ceremony hundreds of cyclist of all types took a slow silent ride through the streets of the city, returning about a hour later to the Art Museum. It was a power and moving experience.

I've had some close calls, got bumped once by an elderly woman, and have a couple of near road rage incidents. I'm embarrassed to say I was the one in a rage. I've been know to flip off assholes, but a car is a lot bigger than a bike so I'm learning to keep it to myself. There are so many unaware or distracted drivers out there. We all need to pay more attention; cyclists and motorist.

Here is a GPS view of the actual ride from my Garmin. The green line is the route. Kinda hard to see, but it's there.

Here are cell phone pics from the ride

Dyed? Who Dyed?

2010-05-17T15:46:00.006-04:00

Anyone remember I Love Lucy? We used to love watching that show when I was a kid. There was one series of episodes where Lucy and Ethel were driving across country for some crazy Lucy reason. She ended up hitchhiking or picked up a hitchhiker, but there was a woman who was sure Lucy was an escaped killer, and Lucy thought she was the killer. They wound up at a truck stop diner and the woman was trying to raise the suspicions of the waitress. She pointedly asked Lucy if her hair was dyed. Lucy screamed out, "Died? Who died??"

But I digress....

I did it. I cheated. This week for 52 Projects I am holding on to last week's hemp theme and decide to buy more and dye it. I want to make another plant hanger or two and use some color and decided on a two toned black and red look. Very basic, very sophisticated. I am so all that :)

So, off to the store for more hemp and some Rit dye. The instructions are written such that you need a proton microscope to read them so I went to the Rit web site and found nice, easy to read directions. What did we do before the Interwebs?

I decided to do the "sink or bucket" method since we have a nasty dirty stained slop sink the basement. Yup... just like yours. I was glad it was not the sink or swim method though my swim pace is about 1:50 per 100 yds. But, again, I digress.

First, wash the hemp in hot water. I had already cut it in the desired lengths and knotted them together in bundles.

Pre-mix the dye in really hot water

Add the premixed dye to - you guessed it; hot water

Add the material to the dye solution

Swish the material around for 10 - 30 minutes. 10 - 30? Really? That's a pretty wide margin. I went with about 15.

Oh, just before you are ready to drain the tub make sure to remember that you forgot to add some extra lengths of rope for wrapping around the ring and for making the top and bottom Alpine coil knots

Let the dye solution run out of the tub

Rinse the material in, wait, what was that? Oh yeah, hot water that gets progressively cooler until it runs clear. The progressively cooler part was not hard since "somebody" decided to run the dishwasher and take a shower at the same time, while I was working. How can an artist create under these conditions? I was so distraught I have no pictures of the rinsing process

After rinsing, wash the material in, wait for it... hot water, and then rinse with progressively cooler water.

Allow to dry. I hung it on a chair in the driveway.

Hemp is interesting stuff. The water turned a yellowish brown when I washed it and the wet hemp had a strong, musky, almost manure like smell. It also swelled a bit and curled up on itself. Once I got done all the dying and washing and rinsing I untangled it as best I could to let it hang dry. I'll keep you posted on how it progresses with drying. I did find a web site where the author posts several steps about conditioning and dyeing hemp. I may follow some of the post dyeing steps.

Duuuude, it's like, hemp.

2010-05-09T20:50:00.008-04:00

This is one of those projects that I've been wanting to do for a long time and 52 Projects finally gave me the impetus to just do it. Once I made the decision I was charged up with excitement and all sorts of ideas. I even chose to work on this rather than run or swim on Saturday, and I very rarely blow of workouts. So, what got me so jacked up? Macrame!

Here's the story. My father always had a lot of house plants when I was growing up. He had them all over the house and took meticulous care of them. He'd haul them out to the kitchen table every so often and water them with a bulb baster, tracking every drop of water in a marble composition book. Can you see where I get some of my anal retentive tendencies? After my father passed, I inherited many of his plants. One in particular was an Asparagus Fern that used to hang in the kitchen window above the sink. I've had it with me in several places I lived and for the past few years it was in my cube at work. I re-potted it a couple of times and it needed it again. Badly. What it also needed was a throw back circa 1974 macrame plant hanger. No problem, right? Just head over to the Home Depot garden section. Nope. Lowes? Nope. Local garden center? Nope. Google? Well, there were a few but nothing that really grabbed me. This needed to be just right. Jane had supposedly found some in a thrift store. She even called me to ask if she should buy them. Hello?? Of course!! But for some reason, she didn't. That was the last straw. Only one thing to do; make one!

Like a good child of the '70s I went straight to Google to figure out what to do. I looked at several instruction pages before settling on this one. It seemed easy enough. I spent my lunch hour Friday at AC Moore, Michael's and Home Depot gathering the supplies (hemp, beads, and rings)

and spent a good part of Friday night reading the instructions and getting started.

First I wrapped the ring for the top

Then I measured out the strands

I attached the strands to the ring

Then I started knotting like mad

I was so excited I spent all my free time on Saturday re-potting plants

and working on the hanger. I tried all sorts of knots and twists and braids. I used some cool aqua and black beads but had to drill out the center hole to accommodate the rope.

I had to check the size against the pot. The instructions were very vague as far as sizing. They were pretty vague on a lot of things.

And then........... it was done!!

The fern looks happier already (maybe not to you but I know it is.) Just wait a few weeks and I'll post again and you see how much it's grown in its new hang out.

I learned quite a bit from this adventure and know that the next one I make will be much better. The instructions were very simple, maybe too simple, and included what I thought was a huge error; she states to start with 16 strands, but you only need 8. You double them over at the ring and that's where you get 16. Try it, you'll see.

Some other things I learned;

Working on the floor is uncomfortable
It's hard to concentrate when the tv is on
It's difficult to picture the hanger in 3D when it's laying flat on the floor
Cut your strands at least 50% longer than you think you'll need. Knots make the ropes shorter :)
Keep the strands tight or the knots will not be tight
Pay attention to which way you tie knots so the others will be symmetrical ( if you want symmetry)
Pay attention to the diameter of the strands compared to the diameter of beads (if you want to use beads)
Pay attention to which way things twist. Once you tie them together they won't untwist. That's the good news and the bad news

I am already planning on at least two more. For one I am going to experiment with dying the hemp. Is it cheating if I use that for 52 Projects? I've never dyed hemp rope before.

A Shopping Trip

2010-05-02T18:58:00.002-04:00

I decided to do something a bit different for 52 Projects this week. I'll admit that I didn't have much planned before Friday or so, and that I've not been as excited as I was a few weeks ago. With the warmer weather here, K-Dog playing softbal, and my training picking up I haven't been planning properly and the last couple of weeks were sort of fly by the seat of my pants. I will say, though, that I noted in my very first 52 Projects post that some of my projects would be last minute wing it kind of things. I will do better moving forward because I really do think this is a great idea and I want to be a part of it, and be an active, present, and thoughtful part of it.

Which brings us to this week. As some may know, Jane and I have been church shopping. I have been a member for over 20 years of a Unity church, which is part of the Association of Unity Churches and the Unity School of Christianity. It is a scripture based Christian church that digs deeply into the metaphysics of the Bible. Charles and Myrtle Fillmore founded the Unity movement in the late 1800's and it's been going strong ever since.

The church I belonged to was in Philadelphia, then moved to NJ. My ex wife and I eventually moved to NJ too. We were very involved there and raised our kids there. I've served on the Board of Directors, acted as Ministry Head for various ministries, and had a strong commitment to the Church. To make a long story short, as years went by, I felt less and less fulfilled there. I stopped going as often, especially after my marriage ended. My ex still went (she still does) and it was awkward at times. She and I had been a strong couple there and it was hard for us, and hard for others to see us apart.

Anyway, fast forward to now. I live about 22 miles away and it takes a good 45 minutes to get there. Getting home is even worse, trying to get across the city on a Sunday afternoon. Jane and I have been several times (the Senior Minister married us) but it just doesn't feel like home for either of us. There is much good there, and maybe if it were closer there wouldn't be as much of an issue. But, maybe not. Even when I was single and lived much closer I didn't go regularly. It no longer felt like home.

So... we've been shopping, and today we went to the Main Line Unitarian Church, part of the Universalist Unitarian movement. We went to a different Unitarian chrch a few weeks ago but weren't too crazy about it. This one felt much better and we will be going back.

Here's the 52 Projects part; I actually engaged with other people there. I was open with them and talked about myself. I even introduced myself to the Senior Minister. In our previous shopping experiences I've pretty much kept to myself and didn't reach out or talk with others unless spoken to, and then it was just superficial pleasantries. This time I asked questions, talked about my previous church experiences, even shared with one woman that I have a 12 step background. I never talk about that. If felt really good to put myself out there and be open to a new experience. I'm not sure that this will be my new church home but it's the closest we've come so far. I'll keep you posted :)

Ok, this is freaky; a very good friend of mine from Unity (the old church) just called to check in on me. How weird is that???

There'll be Pie in the Sky By and By

2010-04-25T20:08:00.003-04:00

Another week, another team project for 52 Projects. This weekend Jane and I went to a local Church family fun day and entered a pie eating contest. No small coincidence that this is something we've both wanted to do for some time because, of course, we are the same. It wasn't a world class pie eating contest, but it was fun and a good way to start competitive eating. Hey, maybe that's my next gig after Ironman Lake Placid!

Jane has a great write up on the 52 Projects main page so I won't force you to read about it over here too. I will post some different pictures though.

My game face

Flashing the P, for Pie. But it's backwards. So much for intimidating the competition.

WINNER!!!!

Playing with Paint Shop Pro

2010-04-18T17:55:00.003-04:00

I've mentioned a few times here that I was planning on posting some digital art for 52 Projects some week. Well, this is some week.

With no further adieu...

These are all from my tree pruning project last week.

Tree Trimming

2010-04-11T19:25:00.008-04:00

Tree trimming usually happens in December when spruce and pine get adorned with the beauty of professional sports teams’ licensed merchandise, but I’ve taken a different route. Ok, I am taking a different definition of trimming. More like pruning. Our backyard neighbor has a beautiful flowering fruit tree, probably a Cherry Blossom, that provides beauty and shade to his yard. And our yard. And our back porch. Right up to the back door. I knew late last summer that this tree would need pruning on our side of the fence. It hangs over a small back deck where our grill is, and was beginning to get in the way. I kept meaning to get around to it but this week the thing seemed to explode in bloom over night and completely take over the deck. It was time. In fact, it was 52 Projects time.

I looked into renting one of those telescoping tree pruning saws. First place I called place didn’t carry them. They guy on the phone kind of laughed at the notion of renting them and said there was too much liability. Hmmm. What could possibly go wrong when working overhead with heavy branches near electrical lines? I called another tool rental place and they did rent them, but were out. I guess there are a lot of trees hanging over back decks around here. Undaunted, I set out to buy my own. Though we are renting a house now we will have our own place soon enough and every good homeowner needs a 14 foot telescoping tree pruning saw.

Never having used one before it took me a little bit to realize that the saw blade and the cutting mechanism are separate parts of the tool. The rope hanging down from the business end is for operating the shears, not for operating the saw. Maybe there was something to the notion of not renting these things out.

After some assembly I figured out the not so very complicated mechanism and set out to free the grill from the attack of the Cherry Blossoms. I asked Max if he wanted to help and he was very excited about the notion of cutting things. I told him there would be some manual labor at first and later we’d use a power saw. That really got him going. That brought me to another first for 52 Projects; teaching Max how to use hand saws and power saws safely and effectively. In light of the lack of blood this seems to have been a success.

Here are some before and after pictures

Do, do do, looking out my back door....

Up the down staircase

A view from a yard

Here are some during pictures

We used my reciprocating saw to cut the branches down to manageable bits

Then we stuffed them in the mandatory recyclable yard waste bags

Now we can grill on the back deck without fear of arbor attacks.

(And yes, I did put the snow shovels, rock salt, and tree stand away. Hey, we may still have another frost coming!)

Weekend Wood

2010-04-05T11:27:00.004-04:00

This week, for 52 Projects, I decided that I would play with tools. I did not complete anything, rather I've started something.

I've always been fascinated by wood. I love the smell of fresh cut lumber, I like to the look of broken timber, and, as we found out earlier, I have a thing for driftwood. This spring I have seen different types of wood lying around; downed branches, fallen tress, etc. One day I was out running and I saw a log that was in a pile of yard clean up stuff. As I ran by it I could see a face carved in it. By me. All I needed to do was 1) remember where I saw it and go back later with the car 2) learn to carve. Pretty simple eh? We'll see how it all works out but I've started. I got a cheap set of starter carving tools, cut a slab off the log, and started playing. I didn't get too far since we were so busy over the weekend but it's a start. This will be a work in progress but eventually will make it back to 52 Projects.

I look for the light through the pourin' rain

2010-03-28T20:10:00.018-04:00

A couple of weeks ago Jane and I went to New York City to celebrate our first wedding anniversary. We walked around Times Square, visited Saint Pat's, took in a show and visited Ground Zero. It was a great time and a wonderful way to mark our first year as husband and wife. We both wrote about it for 52 Projects. So what does that have to do with this week's 52 Projects? I'll tell you...

When we went to NY it rained

A lot

For two days

There were heavy winds, torrential rains, flooding, power outages, and all manner of mayhem all over the tri state region. Go ahead, Google it.

After visiting Ground Zero on Sunday we took a walk in Battery Park

Right there in the North Marina on the Hudson River...

We saw the remnants of the storm; a whole bunch of drift wood

We picked up several pieces. So many in fact that we had to grab some umbrella bags (plastic bags used to keep umbrellas from dripping indoors, conveniently located inside the big building right by the marina) to carry away our loot. Funny thing is, I'd never seen these umbrella bags before this trip. Hmmm...

Here's a look at things laid out to dry once we got home.

I know we (I) will have many more projects born out of this haul ,but the first are the City Scape and Lady Liberty we built and Jane wrote about on the main 52 Projects site

And the candle holders I fashioned out of a cylindrical piece of wood

Isolation on the original piece from the pile

Seems like all our pieces this week have candles. Go figure.

It was such an honor and a privileg to be able to work with Jane on this project. I feel like we brought it to life together in so many ways. I first noticed the wood and started collecting pieces. That inspired her to grab a few too. I've always been fascinated by drift wood and flotsam and jetsam and now I have 52 Projects to really get me thinking and creating. I knew I wanted to do "something" with the wood but Jane knew right away that she wanted to build the city scape to commemorate our anniversary but also to honor those who died as a result of the attacks on September 11th. So, she had the idea and the vision but wasn't sure about how to make some things work. That part was easy for me; drill here, screw there, bada boom bada bing - City Scape and Lady Liberty.

The whole process was like the miracle of birth. I had the seed of the idea for using the driftwood to create something. This seed found fertile ground in the womb of her imagination and the city images began to grow in her mind. When the time came to bring them to life I was able to coach her some and pull just a bit to bring them into the light of the world. We really are a great team and I am so excited to see what we do next!

Bonus points for anyone who gets the reference in the post title. And NO GOOGLING!!!

Six Word Saturday

2010-03-27T16:59:00.002-04:00

Yea for me; I'm running again.

I've been nursing an Achilles tendon injury since mid January. At one point I went 4 weeks without running which for me seems like forever. I've been running 3-5 times a week since 2005; to go without was torturous. I'm on my way back now, slowly ramping up my mileage, but I had to bail on a half iron distance race I had scheduled in May. I'm going to do an Olympic distance race instead and should be able to train for and complete that one just fine.

Roasting my nuts

2010-03-21T15:46:00.011-04:00

This week for 52 Projects I've taken on a culinary challenge; cashew butter. I LOVE cashews and have always wanted to make my own nut butter, so I did. It was pretty easy and there were quite a few "How to's" online.

I wanted to start with raw pieces and roast them myself. My wonderful wife volunteered to pick them up for me as she was making a run to Wegmans and they have a nice bulk section. I wanted 3 cups of raw cashews. She came home with 3 pounds of roasted cashews :) Good thing we like cashews!

She redeemed herself by going to a local nut store, The Head Nut, and got the 3 cups of raw pieces while I was out on a bike ride this morning.

So here's the process:

Get nuts (I swear, it was full!)

Roast them @ 350 for a few minutes until brown (mine went about 9 mins)

Have food processor

Throw them in the food processor and let it do its thing.

Add some extra virgin olive oil as needed for creaminess (I used about 3-4 teaspoons for 3 cups of nuts.

You'll need to keep checking the consistency and scrapping the sides. Mad scientist face is optional.

Put it in an air tight container to keep it fresh

Enjoy!

We spread some on fresh apple pieces using the sunshine plate Jane created. Yummage!

Things I learned:

* Don't put 3 cups of nuts on a single baking sheet. Only put on enough to cover the pan in one layer.

* Make sure to stir the nuts every few minutes while roasting. Keep an eye on them so they don't burn.

* Let the nuts cool before using the food processor.

* Be patient. Let the processor do its thing. It will take a while and you'll need to scrape the sides often. At first the nuts will just get chopped into bits. Eventually the bits will start to clump. This is when to add the oil, but remember the Brylcreem adds; a little dab'll do ya. Use as little oil as possible to get the consistency you like.

I will be enjoying this project for days to come. Yea for nuts!

A Visit

2010-03-14T20:37:00.007-04:00

Today is the first anniversary of our wedding. Yea! Hard to believe it's only a year. Seems like Jane and I have been together our whole lives. Such a good feeling; so connected, so united, such the Same.

We went to New York Saturday morning and spent the night. We did all the touristy stuff; Times Square, 5th Avenue, St. Pat's. The highlight of the day was seeing Avenue Q. That was fun! It was a great trip and we had a great time, but none of it was really new for me. Not that familiar is a bad thing, but I was planning on using parts of the trip for 52 Projects.

What I really wanted to do was go out for a run on Sunday morning. I've always wanted to run down the middle of Broadway and run in Central Park. I was going to run through Times Square, run up 7th Ave to Central Park, and take a loop around the park. But my ankle is sore from running Friday and walking a lot on Saturday and as much as I want to fulfill a fantasy, my long term healing is more important. So, no NYC run for 52 Projects. This time. It WILL happen!

The other part of my plan still came to be. Jane and I drove down to lower Manhattan to visit the site of the World Trade Center. Ground Zero. I have never visited and have always wanted to. Now I have.

I will never forget that Tuesday in September. I was to fly out to San Diego that afternoon and had gone in to the office to get a few things done. Of course, I never made my flight. We crowded around TV's and radios. We surfed the web for news. We called loved ones. We went home to be with family. We prayed. We wept.

I became very angry in the days after the attack. I wanted someone to blame. I wanted someone upon who we could seek revenge. I was confused and twisted inside. As twisted as the steel that melted that day. I wanted to forgive and hold thoughts of peace and love but I was livid. I wanted to fight. I even called the National Guard to volunteer but I was too old. Eventually I calmed down. The anger subsided and the grief stung less each day.

This morning I started to feel it again. As we parked the car and walked towards the site my heart began racing and I felt my throat tighten. Tears came to my eyes. The memories of the horrible day come flooding back into my mind. Yes, we will never forget.

To honor those who lost their lives on that day and in subsequent days as a direct result of the attacks, and to never minimize the huge impact that event had on our country, I will always refer to that day as September Eleventh. I do not say nine one one. I do not say nine eleven. Do we call Independence Day seven four? Do we call Pearl Harbor day twelve seven? Why shorten, or abbreviate, or minimize in any way the day we experienced the most horrific attack on our own soil?

In Memory of September Eleventh Two Thousand and One

I went for a run today

2010-03-09T14:36:00.002-05:00

First run since Feb 1. It was short, and slow, but I did it. The weather was beautiful and I felt really good. Some discomfort in the Achilles but no real pain. It didn't get any worse as I went along and it feels no worse now than it did before the run. I stretched well before and after and iced it for a bit.

Totals:
22:25
2.2 mi
10:11 avg

Fast - Ease Out

2010-03-08T13:18:00.003-05:00

Today marks the first day on the road back to normal eating. Well, what I hope to become normal for me because normal for me usually means too much crap. I intended to limit sugary foods, dense high calorie foods, high fat foods, and highly processed foods. Damn, I'm hungry just looking at the list of stuff I want to limit.

Weight this morning was 157.8. Interesting that it went up a bit from yesterday. For breakfast I had some red grapes, a red grapefruit, and ate some of the steamed veggies I made to take for lunch. I took the grapes in to work along with some baby carrots and the aforementioned steamed broccoli, cauliflower and carrots. These were steamed with low sodium chicken broth from Wholefoods (365) and I added the warm stock from steaming to the veggies with a chopped up boiled egg. Had to nuke it for lunch at work but it was pretty good. I have a small piece of catfish to eat for dinner and I'm thinking of adding some brown rice. I wasn't going to originally but I think I want to eat something with some substance.

I felt really good this morning. I'm glad I did this since I've been wanting to for some time. I think I could have stayed on for a few more days, but that was not the intent and I want to my triathlon training. Can't do that and fast at the same time.

Out of the Fire

2010-03-07T17:45:00.003-05:00

This week for 52 Projects I've ventured into new territory, dabbling in some natural material art. Wood, to be exact. Last fall Jane and I went in with her parents on a cord of wood. We have a fireplace in our house and we love fires. I had never bought a cord of wood before so I didn't know that it's a lot of wood. We stacked a bunch of it for her folks and loaded up her Santa Fe with as much as we could manage. We've had lots of fires this winter and we still have more to burn. And there's still some sitting in her parents driveway. We'll get it out of there eventually.

So, how did I get from there to here? A particular piece of wood caught my eye as we were stacking it on our porch. It was a log with a sort of hole in it. The hole was round and was probably from a branch that grew out of the tree at some point. I remember thinking how cool it was and that I should do "something" with it. I had no idea what, but I was drawn to it. Skip ahead to cold, snowy, winter night. A fire is going and needs more wood. I grab this particular log and figure, what the hell. Might as well burn it since I'm not really going to follow through with doing "something". In it goes, and begins to burn. In a few minutes I have a surge of regret. I beat myself up for putting it in the fire, for not following through with things, for not listening to that voice within; again. So I pull it out of the fire and it's charred pretty good but still intact. I take it outside and cover it in snow. I figured it would put of the flames and maybe have some magical effect on the wood. What the hell do I know. Well it snowed more this winter than we've ever had and the wood got buried and almost forgotten. Almost.

Once the snow started to melt I dug out my little charred friend and set him out to dry. By then Jane had already begun 52 Projects and that was exactly the push I needed. Now I had a reason to actually do that "something". This was to be the week. I cleaned all the loose bits off, sanded it down, and washed it. Then I set it out to dry in the sun; the beautiful sun we've been having for the last several days. I knew I wanted to mount it vertically somehow, maybe on a wood base like a trophy. Jane needed to go to Michaels and suggested I might find something there. I was going to just go to a trophy shop and get a base but my beautiful bride was right; I found just the right thing at Michaels. A bit of drilling, some Sedona Red 222, and a squirt or two (or six) of polyurethane later and I give you...

derivation

Fast - Day Nine

2010-03-07T08:10:00.003-05:00

Last day of the lemon maple water. Tomorrow I ease back in to real food. I feel good this morning. I woke up thinking that this isn't so bad and that I could keep it up for a few more days. I'm not, but I feel like I could.

I need to get back to my training. My ankle is still hurting me at times and I don't know if I can run. I had to chase a ball yesterday and I could feel it for sure. I've been doing my stretching pretty regularly but I know I could be more consistent. Tomorrow I go back to see the sports medicine doc. I miss training but maybe I needed a break. I'm concerned that I've lost some core fitness so I have to make sure I esae back in. I still have Harryman in the back of my mind. It may be crazy to think I can do a half iron in late May, but I haven't given that up 100% yet.

Weight this morning was 157.2

Softballs and Spring in the air

2010-03-06T18:26:00.002-05:00

Temps in the 50's, sunshine, and tossing the softball. First practice tomorrow!

Fast - Day Eight

2010-03-06T08:24:00.002-05:00

Let the good times roll! Yesterday was not too bad. I took lemon juice, maple syrup & cayenne to work and used the fitered water cooler water to fill a 16o bottle several times. It worked out well. People brought in bagles, lox & cream cheese but I knew it was coming so it wasnt too bad. I went to Borders at lunch so I could get out and get some fresh air. I bought 4 books; two for me and two for Jane. One was Jonathan Livingston Seagull. I read that years ago and was inspired not too long ago by a blog I stumbled across to read it again. I also picke op Lewis Black's book Me of Little Faith. That guy is hilarious! I surprised Jane with a cook book and a craft book.

Today we have girls basketball, I will be working on my project for 52 Projects, and I want to read JLS. Weight this morning was 157.8.

Fast - Day Seven

2010-03-05T10:28:00.002-05:00

First day on the lemon maple water. Weight this morning was 159.2.

As some may know, this lemon maple water thing is from the Master Cleanse developed by Stanley Burroughs in the 1940's. There are all sorts of variations of the cleanse and a whole cottage industry has sprung up around it. I don't take it as far as some and have modified it to fit me and my lifestyle.

Fast - Day Six

2010-03-04T13:22:00.002-05:00

Getting to this late in the day.

Weight this morning was 159.4. Made the same juices as the last two days. The red grapefruit is really good! I went out to Wegmans and got an Odwalla green smoothie and some Pomegranate juice at lunch then took a short walk. I was going to ride the stationary bike but decided to conserve energy. Tomorrow starts the lemon/maple water portion. Woo hoo

Fast - Day Five

2010-03-03T10:56:00.004-05:00

Second day of juices. It took me about an hour this morning to make a container each of grapefruit (24 oz), apple(24oz), and pine/orange/banana(48oz). I also stopped at Wawa and got a "Naked" juice (some green thing with apples and broccoli) and a Nantucket Nectar (peach orange). I am going to workout with Dominic my trainer today and want to make sure I take in decent calories.
Weight this morning 160.4. Again, this is not a weight loss specific thing, but it's bound to happen.

Adding an afternoon update:

Workout today was pretty tough but I got through it. We did "minutes" which is doing an exercise for a full minute, 3 sets of 3 exercise:

cable press
lat pull down
step up w/20lbs

pull over w/ crunch w/35 lbs
push ups
alternating reverse lunge w/20lbs

straight arm pull downs w/blue band
mountain climbers
leg press - not sure of weight but there were a lot of plates

Fast - Day Four

2010-03-02T09:25:00.003-05:00

Today is the first day of just juice and water. I got up early and made up 3 containers of juice for the work day; red grapefruit, orange pineapple, and apple. I already finished the grapefruit at my desk. 4 grapefruits made about 20 ounces.

For breakfast I had some grapefruit juice, then I took half a honeydew and some blueberries and threw them through the juicer. Yummage!

Weight this morning was 161.6

Last night for dinner Jane and I made a delicious vegetable "stew. Here's her write up from her blog:

Yesterday was Breen's last day of eating "solid" fruits and veggies on his 9 day fast. So we decided to make a very impromptu "vegetable stew" and I think this turned out to be the epitome of healthfulness. Literally it took less than 15 minutes to put together and there is absolutely nothing in here that is processed or bad for you. Just a big steaming bowl of green goodness.

Breen took 4 tomatoes (raw with the stems pulled off) and put them in the blender on puree. Meanwhile, I took a large pasta pot and filled it with about an inch of organic vegetable stock. I placed the steaming basket in there and filled it with cauliflower, broccoli and carrots. In a separate saute pan I heated up about 2 tablespoons of olive oil and cooked a chopped onion and red pepper; to that I added the tomatoes from the blender and heated it through. Once the veggies were steamed and tender, I threw them in a bowl and topped them off with the tomato sauce.

Fast - Day Three

2010-03-01T11:47:00.002-05:00

So far so good. Weight this morning: 162.4. I've been weighing myself as soon as I get out of bed, before anything goes in or out.

First day in the office. Brought in a bunch of grapes and some baby carrots. Will go to the gym at lunch for an easy swim. My back (possibly sacroilliac) is sore again and I'm not sure why. It's been flaring up for about a week now. Between that and the Achilles I am concerned about my fitness level and my future training.

But, on with the fasting!

Fast - Day Two

2010-02-28T09:15:00.002-05:00

So far, so good. Weight is 162 and the caffeine withdrawal headache is easing. It was coming in waves last night kind of ebbing and flowing but it's just a slight discomfort now.

For dinner last night Jane roasted up a whole bunch of veggies; cauliflower, broccoli, zucchini, red peppers, asparagus, mushrooms and some soy beans. Mmmm, mmmmm.

This morning I've had a grapefruit, a banana, and half a honeydew. The melon wasn't quite ripe so I may use the other half for juice. It was weird to not have hot, creamy, delicious coffee first thing. I don't miss it. Much :)

In Response

2010-02-28T09:00:00.003-05:00

Just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone for the comments on my 52 Projects last week. I wasn't quite sure how it would be received, especially since I seem to be the only male playing along so far. I'm not as artsy as my wife, or as crafty as many of those who have been posting on 52 Projects, so I think many of my projects will be in a slightly different vein.

To answer a couple of questions; I used Paint Shop Pro 7 to edit the images and I think I used the "Statue" effect combined with some other effects. I played around with so many styles that I'm not sure how the final project was made.

This does tie in slightly with my quest for Iron Man. On one level, I would have never thought of posing like that had I not redefined my body over the last few years. At one point I was about 30 lbs heavier and didn't even like to take my shirt off. I think I still have a way to go before I get to the point where I could use less post processing, but I am proud of how I look.

On another level, I have a small idea the hard work and sacrifice that elite athletes go through in order to accomplish their goals. A very small idea. What I do is nothing compared to what they do. The Greeks held the first Olympic games so I decided to use a classic Greek athletic figure to honor the men and women who work so hard.

Juice me!

2010-02-27T18:36:00.005-05:00

Today marks Day One of a nine day fasting cycle upon which I am embarking. This is something I’ve done off and on in the past but have not done in years. I’ve been working out and training for one race or another for quite some time and have not been willing to reduce calories in this manner. But here I am, with an Achilles injury and several weeks of no running so it seems like a good time. I will still do some exercising for the first few days but will not push things hard at all. I’ve been thinking about this fast and wanting to do it for a couple of years and now I have the opportunity. This is not a weight loss thing so much, though I will undoubtedly lose a few pounds. This is about cleansing my system both physically and spiritually. It will be a time for more prayer and reflection; a time for turning away from the physical and turning more towards the spiritual.

Here’s how it works: three days of nothing but fruits and vegetables, juices, and water; three days of just juices and water; three days of a lemon juice, maple syrup, cayenne pepper, and water concoction. Those last three can be rough. I have it planned out so the final two days fall on a weekend. That Monday I will break the fast with some grapes and maybe some fruit juice. Need to make sure I get that final bit of cleansing, if you know what I mean. Then I will ease back in to “regular” food. Maybe some chicken broth or Chicken and Stars soup for lunch (gotta watch the sodium), plenty of veggies to snack on during the day, and perhaps a small piece of fish with some brown rice for dinner. My intention is to really focus on nutrition after the fast, avoiding high carb/high calories food. I have a major sweet tooth so that’s the biggest challenge.

I decided that I am going to incorporate my fast into 52 Projects this week because we just got a juicer! Talk about timing and serendipity. Jane’s mom picked it up at a consignment shop for less than $5! I have never used a juicer before, and have never used fresh juices during this fast. Now I will! Jane and I went to Produce Junction and stocked up on all sorts of goodies.

I started already with some orange juice using the citrus feature.

This afternoon I went to town with some vegetable juice. I used several carrots, an apple, two tomatoes, and two small beets. It was very good, but a little too carroty. I’ll have to tweak the ingredients as I move along.

This morning I had a cantaloupe a banana and fresh orange juice. Later I had a banana before going to the gym for a swim. When I got home I made the veggie cocktail and had a little nap. Later I had a grapefruit and another banana. I’m kinda hungry now so I think I’m going to make a banana orange smoothie. We do to need to get some more things like strawberries and celery so we’ll take a shopping trip in just a bit. I feel pretty good except for a slight headache which I attribute to caffeine withdrawal. I weaned myself down over the last week in preparation so I didn’t go cold turkey. I had been having 3 to5 cups a day and got down to one cup on Friday. Giving up coffee can be the hardest part.

I plan to write here every day this week to track what I’m eating and how I am feeling.

Weight this morning was 163

Cheers!

(I was a bit apprehensive about my creation hence the lack of smile in this self portrait)

To Strive, To Compete, To Achieve

2010-02-21T10:55:00.011-05:00

As long as I can remember I've been inspired by the Olympic Games. The courage the athletes embody is palpable. These men and women are shining examples of the power of hard work, of commitment, of dreams, of decision. This week for 52 Projects I've recreated a classic Greek statue in a modern digital format to honor the spirit of athletic competition.

Gold, Silver, Bronze

This project combines a few things I've not done before; digital photo art, classic statue recreation, and putting nude images of myself on the web. Kinda going out on a limb but I think it's all in good taste.

A Family Affair

2010-02-14T13:20:00.004-05:00

I tell ya, being a parent will have you climbing the walls sometime. So why fight it?

This week I arranged for a family rock climbing excursion. Max and I have been climbing with my son for a while but this time we added a few climbers. Jane signed up for the beginner class, and I signed my daughter up as a gift for her birthday. Her husband signed up too, Kendall came along (she's too young for the adult class), and we had a family day of climbing. It was a great blended family event. I got to watch everyone interact, supporting and encouraging each other, belaying (and trusting) each other, and just having fun together. Rock climbing was not a first for me, but having everyone doing it together certainly was. We didn't take a whole lot of pictures because we were too busy climbing and having fun, but here are a few:

The "kids" and me:

Four out of five:

My beautiful bride:

Me climbing:

Me tying up loose ends:

Fitty duece

2010-02-07T15:35:00.008-05:00

Can I tell you how awesome my wife is? I love her mind! She came up with the 52 Projects idea and it's got me really psyched.

I've had this thing that I've wanted to do for some time but it required some external conditions to align; time, and elements. Well, we got both with this weekend's snowstorm as it presented me with a wonderful opportunity to do something I've thought about for quite some time; go snowboarding at the Belmont Plateau. For those who don't know, The Plat, as locals call it, it an open piece of land at the top of a hill in Fairmount Park, overlooking Philadelphia from the west. It's a fairly well know spot (both Will Smith and G Love have sung about it) with softball fields, football fields, cross country race courses (High School and College teams compete there), and lots of picnic space. And when it snows, there are a whole bunch of folks out there sledding.

I drive past the Plat twice a day on my work commute and have seen it through all the seasons and many of the ways it's enjoyed. I've seen the kids sledding out there when it snows and have always wanted to take my snowboard over there. So today I did. Jane, Max, and I bundled up and headed out by 9:00. The snow was deep and fluffy. Not the best for riding but there were a couple of packed down areas that made for decent trails. Max had a cheap plastic board that didn't work so well so we went back to the house after a bit to get my other board and he and I returned to spend several hours there. It was crowded by the time we got back and the hill was getting pretty packed down. I don't have any pictures from later in the day but wish I did so you can see the difference in the snow. It was easier to ride the more packed it got, but all the people out there sledding and such made it busy. Plus, some folks just don't know not to walk right back up the middle of the trail. On a side note, I was really proud of Max. He did great out there riding for the first time.

Here's the view from the snowbound parking area

One of the early runs

Max and me

Just me

And........ some video!!! Woo hoo!!!!

Ouch, and damn! (take two)

2010-02-01T14:47:00.001-05:00

I haven't run for over a week in order to rest my ankle. I did about 5 miles today and the damn thing is sore again. What the fuck?!?! I cannot be injured now.

2 of 52

2010-01-31T10:40:00.017-05:00

I’ve lived in the Philadelphia area for 20+ years. I’ve driven over it hundreds of times. I’ve crossed it in a PATCO train dozens of times. I’ve even run across the thing during 10K races, but I’ve never been on the pedestrian walkway of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge. Until now.

The Ben, as we like to call it, crosses the Delaware River, linking Pennsylvania and New Jersey. It is one of three bridges within the city limits and the only one the leads right in to Center City. I cross this bridge every day, twice a day, on my commute to and from work. Many times, in the evenings, I see beautiful sunsets illuminating the Philly skyline. I think Philadelphia has an awesome skyline and I’ve always wanted to stop and take pictures. So this week, for 52 Projects, I did. I drove across the bridge as usual on my way home from work, parked underneath it and headed up the south side walkway towards Camden. I got so caught up in looking and gawking and taking pictures that I never made it all the way across, but I did make it past the midpoint so technically I was on the Jersey side. I took a whole bunch of pictures but have narrowed it down to just a few to post here. I have a Photobucket page for posting things (like the cool SBR gif I put on my banner). I may go back and do some post processing on some of them. Hmmm, maybe another project to post?

It's for the birds

2010-01-30T09:05:00.003-05:00

I just stumled across a blog that has a post about the book Jonathan Livingston Seagull. I remember reading it and loving it in the 70's. I've alway wanted to read it again and now I am more motivated thanks to a simple blog post by a nice Englishwoman.

I also want to read Catcher in the Rye. Salinger just died this week and I have never read that book. I have a copy somewhere; I had taken it away from my son when he was in his pre-teen years. I only knew it was controversial, an knew he was impressionable and impulsive so out of simle fear I took it from him. What a dick move on my part.

On a side note, I really do not like typing on a loptop with a touch pad. My hands brush the touch pad, move the cursor around and by the time I look up (what, you thought I could type without looking at the keys?) I have type an enire sentence in he middle of another.

Tweaking

2010-01-27T13:09:00.002-05:00

Changed the blog format. Again. I think one of these days I may just take the time to learn enough HTML to create my own templates. Could be a project for 52 Projects.

Speaking of 52 Projects, have I mentioned how excited I am and how proud I am of Jane for kicking this off?

New toy

2010-01-26T15:09:00.002-05:00

I just added a S/B/R animated gif to my header. Pretty cool, eh?

Is the volume low or am I going deaf?

2010-01-25T20:56:00.001-05:00

My training volume is way down due to an inflamed achilles tendon on the right side. I plan to swim and do elliptical, add in bike as I can tolerate it and save the running for next week. My 16 week HIM plan starts 2/1/10. Here's a "course map":

52 Projects

2010-01-24T10:07:00.004-05:00

I am very excited about the launching of 52 Projects. Jane came up with this wonderful idea and I jumped on the band wagon. We've had a lot of fun setting up the new blog space and I've learned a lot of HTML. I could have used that as my first project, but I had already decided on a whim to write a limerick for my wife and post it on Facebook.

To me the beauty of 52 Projects is that it can be ANYTHING. Some of mine are going to be light and fun, some will be athletic in nature, some will be spiritual, some will be social experiments, some will be last minute oh-shit-I-forgot-my-project-this-week.

So, project #1:

Write a limerick for my wife and post it on Facebook for all the (FB) world to see.

I fell in love with a girl named Jane
She inspires my heart and my brain
She’s the love of my life
I made her my wife
Without her I might go insane

52 Projects

2010-01-22T14:53:00.003-05:00

My darling bride has a new initiative on her blog; 52 Projects.

Here's #1 for me -

I have never written a limerick for my wife and posted it on Facebook, so I posted this on my Facebook page:

I fell in love with a girl named Jane
She inspires my heart and my brain
She’s the love of my life
I made her my wife
Without her I might go insane

Ouch, and damn!

2010-01-22T11:10:00.003-05:00

So I'm injured. Again. This time it's the right achilles and I'm really frustrated. It seems like I've been dealing with one thing or another since Bassman. I aggravated my left peroneal tendon during that race (an old snowboard injury) and don't feel like I've been the same since. That threw off my mechanical balance a bit and when I started a new and intense winter training plan the imbalance combined with a new aggressive bike fit and the intesity and load of the training aggravated my left sacro-illiac joint and I had to shut down for two weeks. I eased back into a lighter training regimen and then got a sinus infection that sidelined me for about another week. Now I've tweaked my achillies such that I have to limp. I felt a twinge about a week and a half ago while doing fast, hard intervals during a fartlek run. Yesterday I ran at lunch and felt it stinging a bit. It got sore as the day went on. I iced a lot when I got home but went to bed with a limp. I've got it wrapped and elevated at work and have been icing here too. Everyone is asking me what's wrong. Fun stuff.

I'm really bummed because I have such big plans for the next two race seasons, with IMLP in July of 2011. My next race training cycle is to start on 2/1. It's a 16 week build to Harryman in NY. Then I have a week or two before I start another 16 week cycle leading to Savage Man.

I know I need to let my body heal, but I need to maintain my fitness at the same time.

Damn. Damn. Damn.

It's cold

2010-01-12T15:06:00.003-05:00

I went for a bike ride at lunch today. It was cold. No surprise there I guess. I live in the North Eastern part of the country, of course it's cold. At least my water bottle didn't freeze. I took a ride on Sunday and had a Gatorade slushy by the end. Still, I'd rather ride outside than on the trainer, and I'd rather run outside than on the treadmill.

Egg Salad

2010-01-05T11:03:00.001-05:00

Jane made me an egg salad sammich for lunch. I can't explain how touched I was. I felt so special that she'd do that for me.

Bless the Resolutioners

2010-01-04T20:30:00.004-05:00

Today was my first trip to the gym since the start of the new year. Actually, I visited two gyms if you count the fitness center at work. Both were more crowded than usual, full of people who made a New Year's resolution to get fit. God bless their pointy little heads. I really don't mind the inconvenience this causes. I'm all for people getting fit. I just wish they'd keep at it. According to Dr. Donald E. Wetmore, 90% of those who join health and fitness clubs will stop going within the first 90 days. I don't know who Doctor Don is, but if he's right that number is pretty staggering. Hopefully they didn't sign long term contracts. I get it though. I've been there. Not for gym membership but any number of new things for the new year. I used to bite off way more than I could chew and would set myself up for failure. I don't make New Year's resolutions any more, but I do make decisions to act or not act a certain way as I am moved to do so. A new year can be a nice little prod to get moving with something, just make sure it's something that really serves you.

Into the great wide open

2010-01-03T19:38:00.003-05:00

It's Sunday evening, the end of the holiday break. I am back to work tomorrow after over a week off and the kids are back to school. I think it will be good for all of us to get back to our routine. I am looking forward to all 2010 has to offer. I don't remember ever feeling so expectant for a new year. I sense great things at home, great things at work, great things with my triathlon "career", and great things particularly for Jane.

2010

2010-01-01T10:24:00.001-05:00

What will you call it; twenty ten, two thousand ten, two thousand and ten, oh ten? No matter how it's spoken, it will be lived well!

Daniel Snyder is killing my Redskins

2009-11-02T11:31:00.001-05:00

Sad times for a once proud franchise...

Almost 3 months to the day

2009-10-24T08:59:00.001-04:00

A post once a quarter :)

I want to do better.

This is me, smiling

2009-07-27T15:44:00.002-04:00

Why am I smiling, you ask. Isn't it obvious? I have spotted my loving wife, my sherpa for life, as I cross the finish line on a hot, sunny, late July morning. A few minutes earlier, as I crested a hill under the blaring sun, I was not smiling. What can turn my mood? Jane can. She takes such good care of me, is patient beyond belief with me, and just amazes me with her love.

I'm being encouraged...

2009-07-02T12:09:00.005-04:00

... to write here more. So, here I am. If people I care about and who care about me want me to write, I'll write.

Finished my 2nd race of the season, the Philadelphia Insurance Triathlon - Olympic distance. I did pretty well considering I did not train specifically for the race and I had been struggling with some congestion. I am in the midst of a 20 week HIM plan and have two Olympic distance races during that time (Philly and NJ State). I am really looking forward to NJ because this will be the first time I've repeated a race. It will be a good gauge of my progress.

here are some pics from Philly......

the absent blogger

2009-05-20T14:40:00.000-04:00

I haven't been on here for quite some time but I want to say, my wife is awesome!!!!!!!

Are we there yet?

2009-03-09T13:48:00.003-04:00

Just a few days until the wedding and I get more excited every day. I also have moments of panic worrying about all the logistics. We are going DIY for much of it and I really want it to be perfect. Of course, it will be. We finished up the play lists last night and got them on one iPod. Now we will put them on two more for backup. I also needs to check out my audio receiver to see what I need in order to use it as the output. We are borrowing some sort of board/amp from a friend but that will stay in the main room and we need something for the bar area during the cocktail hour.

But, enough about the "stuff". On to what's real; cementing our commitment in front of God, family, and friends. Jane and I take turns telling each other how lucky we are. I know I am so blessed to have such a wonderful woman but she seems to think she's getting the better end of the deal. Not possible! There was a time not too long ago when I decided that I was not going to settle on the kind of partner and relationship I wanted. Looks like that's what the Universe was waiting for because not too long after that Jane came into my life. I am blessed beyond belief and maybe more than I "deserve". Wait, scratch that. We all deserve the very best God has for us which often times is way better than we could ever imagine. Beyond my wildest dreams!

Yes I can!

2009-02-20T14:54:00.001-05:00

I haven’t posted for a while and I’m not sure why. It’s not like I don’t have plenty of opinions on stuff. Work has been busy with pressure from several fronts, my training has picked up over the past few weeks, and wedding plans are cruising right along. Only 22 more days until we tie the knot. I am really looking forward to this. We will be cementing our commitment legally even though we are already there emotionally and spiritually.

I was thinking last week about all the steps that have led me here; my marriage, my divorce, a broken heart or two, breaking a heart. I had a couple of relationships since my divorce and one that was pretty significant in many ways. She was (is) a really good person and cared for me a great deal. I just couldn’t fully reciprocate and at times feel badly for how things went. We were together and apart a few times, with me ending it each time. There was a strong bond between us, and us being together and apart ultimately led me to refine and hold onto the four things I wanted in a mate; to really connect emotionally, spiritually, intellectually and physically. She and I had some but not all and at times I wondered if I was asking for too much. I wondered if I really could have it all. Guess what? I can. We all can!

Sherpa for life

2009-02-06T11:03:00.008-05:00

Jane is awesome. Period. She loves and supports me, cooks excellent food for me, gets up at the ass crack of dawn to be there with me while I spaz about my race stuff, tells me how great I am, is open with me and to me, makes passionate love with me, makes time for herself and her creativity, loves her children, squeals when I tickle her, challenges me, inspires me, believes in me.

Winter Wonderland

2009-02-04T10:06:00.005-05:00

We had a bit of snow yesterday and took some time last night to enjoy it. Time seemed to stand still, like we had nothing else to do but play and enjoy. When I got home from work I shoveled the walk but it was pointless because the snow kept falling. At least I got some ice melt down so shoveling this morning was much easier. Anyway, I poked my head in the front door and announced that everyone was required to stop whatever they were doing and come outside for a snowball fight. The kids obliged, but Jane decided to enjoy some time alone. We played for 20 minutes or so, then went in so they could eat dinner and I could get on the bike trainer for a workout.

After dinner and my trainer ride (boring!) Jane and I went for a nice long walk in the falling snow. Alone. Max started out with us but we made him go back because he wasn't wearing a hat. It was so nice to spend time together in the cold and snow. We walked through the small downtown area and up and down the streets of our neighborhood. When we came back to the house we got ambushed by the kids with snowballs. We spent quite a while out there throwing snow around. Kids from across the street came out for a while until their dad announced it was 9:30, time to come in. WTF? It was snowing! There is no time to come in when it's snowing. Especially not at 9:30 when it's almost certain schools would be closed or at least delayed in the morning. Things quieted down a bit after that so we went in to enjoy some hot chocolate.

Sitting there sipping the hot chocolate I couldn't stop thinking about a hill at the school just up the road. After some mental debate, I got my gear together and Jane and I headed up there so I could ride my snowboard. The hill wasn't very big and there really wasn't enough snow but I got in 6 rides or so and it was pretty awesome. I haven't been out in a while and now I've got the fever again. We WILL be heading to the Poconos at some point this winter! Kendall wants to learn and Max seems open to the idea. Not sure if they will ski or snowboard, but I know what I will do!

Groundhog Day

2009-02-02T13:04:00.002-05:00

Well, Phil saw his shadow which means the sun was out this morning in Punxsutawney, PA. What that has to do with the weather I'll never know. But it sure made for a great movie.

I just got back from the gym where I swam for 30 minutes and I'm enjoying delicious leftover chicken pot pie. My baby can cook! I ran 30 minutes this morning in cold darkness. I really don't like running in the dark and this morning was especially bad because of the ice. So much melted yesterday and then refroze overnight. Plus some people don't bother to clear their sidewalks at all. What is that about?? Still, it was good to be up and out though it is beautiful out there now. Sunny, low 50's. Opened the sun roof on the drive back from the gym. Nice.

On a side note, I am having bad Garmin karma. I didn't record my bike ride yesterday as a bike ride so I couldn't upload it to my training log on BT. I usually just turn it on and hit go then when I download to TC I just drag and drop bike workouts to the Bike folder. Looks like I'll have to set the appropriate sport when I'm training. Another thing to try to read without my reading glasses. This morning the thing kept beeping at me throughout my run and I couldn't see what the display said (see previous sentence). Turns out the memory was full so when I turned it off I lost my data. I know it was just over 30 mins, about 3.5 miles and a 9:00 pace.

Sunday Scribblings 1/31/09

2009-01-31T22:05:00.002-05:00

Regrets, I’ve had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.

It’s pretty hard to move forward while looking back. Most of the time you walk into a pole, sometimes into oncoming traffic. That’ll leave a mark. Sure there are things I’d do differently if I could do them over but I can’t so why waste energy on it. Then again, maybe I wouldn’t. The person I am is a culmination of all my experiences; everything I’ve done, said, thought, and seen, plus all the things I’ve not done, said, thought or seen.

The biggest one I used to have on the “things I’ve done” side of the ledger was thinking I never should have married who and when I did. But if I hadn’t I would have missed so much; I wouldn’t have two great kids who are evolving into great adults, I wouldn’t have moved to Philly to be a part of a dynamic and revolutionary group of recovering people, I wouldn’t have become a member of Unity church and would not have had intense life transforming experiences through the classes and workshops there, I wouldn’t have met the most perfect woman in the world for me.

The biggest one from the “things I’ve not done” side was not finishing my degree. But it is never too late. For anything. Ever. It’s all about choice. We cannot change the past but we control our future. Keep looking forward. Here, this might help; Luke 17:32.

Double

2009-01-31T16:37:00.003-05:00

Run and a swim today, but not a brick.

4.5 miles
40:04
lap 1 - 9m 22s 1.00 miles, 9m 22s /mile
lap 2 - 9m 00s 1.00 miles, 9m /mile
lap 3 - 8m 50s 1.00 miles, 8m 50s /mile
lap 4 - 8m 18s 1.00 miles, 8m 18s /mile
lap 5 - 4m 34s 0.57 miles, 8m 04s /mile

Stretch, eat, then off to the gym for swim:

40:58

100 wu

250 4:56
100 1:40
50 44:11
25 20.00
25 21:15

250 4:48
100 1:45
50 44:72
25 20:00
25 21:15

300 5:44 (lost count)
100 untimed
50 47:87
25 20:87
25 20:88

150 CD

Now I am kinda tired, but it feels good. Gonna head over the bridge to NJ for a Wegmans trip and some wedding ring shopping. :)

Biscuit Head

2009-01-31T08:15:00.003-05:00

Saturday morning and I'm sitting at the counter watching Max and Jane make biscuits, inspired by the Spin Doctors. Thanks to me, Max has become a fan of their song Biscuit Head. He found videos on you tube, is learning the lyrics, and wants us to play it at the wedding. I like the way he thinks.

My brother's wife was in the area last night because their oldest was at a Catholic HS swim meet. We met up for dinner and a visit. We went Italian and I ate too much. Feeling it this morning. I am scheduled for a 40 min run and a 40 min swim today. Kendall has a BB game at 10:00 so I won't have time to run before. Of course, I could have managed my nutrition and sleep better and gotten up earlier with less pasta sitting in my belly and gotten that done. At least it's sunny out. Tomorrow it's supposed to be sunny too and in the low 40's so I'll do my 80 min bike outdoors (yeah!!)

Wedding plans coming along but I am behind on my items; suit and music. We are going DIY digital so I have to collect and arrange the songs. No big deal really, just time consuming. The suit is not that big a deal either, but I have to coordinate with my son who does not own a suit or have money to buy one. Apparently he has money for other things, but not a suit for his father’s wedding. Does that sound resentful? I am a bit, but I understand. The boy (“grown ass man” in his words) has his own priorities. I don’t necessarily agree with him but want to be supportive. It will be my gift to him. He can wear it on job interviews after he graduates from college in a few years. The tricky part will be arranging the time around his school and work schedule; 12 credit hours and 30 hours of work. Very ambitious undertaking, considering he's not been in a traditional college setting before. He wants so badly to be out on his own again after his time in the Army. Living with his mother is cramping his style. I get it, but he has no idea what a gift it is to be able to live for free while going to school. He intends to pay his own way living on his own and going to school. He and some friends plan on getting an apartment near campus in North Philly. I want him to succeed but worry he is biting off too much. Of course, he knows better than me. Ah, to be 20 again. On second thought, no thanks!

Love is

2009-01-30T16:02:00.001-05:00

Jane... need I say more?

She is my North.

Going nowhere fast

2009-01-29T21:26:00.002-05:00

Trainer ride after basketball practice. Got started around 7:30. Don't really like starting that late, but I'd rather that than get up early. I can't wait for warmer weather and longer days.
Inside the numbers:
1:02:44
15.59 Mi
14.8 avg MPH
21.8 max MPH
95 avg Cad
115 max cad

Did iPod intervals, where I ride hard for the duration of a song. The faster the song the harder I ride. Good thing most Ramones songs are 3 minutes or less.

Forgot the Garmin. Again.

2009-01-29T15:51:00.004-05:00

30 minute run scheduled today. Did it at work which required packing cold weather gear in my gym bag. My hat and gloves were in the basement on the drying rack. I was upstairs and had not even showered yet. I could have showered and gotten dressed and taken everything from my room down stairs and then gone to the basement for my other stuff. I didn't. I like to fully pack my bag before I do anything else. Not efficient, I know. Multiple trips up and down the stairs.

We all have our insanity. One of mine is making sure I have "everything." I get nuts on race mornings. Hell, I get nuts the night before the race especially if there are weather issues. Last fall I ran the Philly marathon. I planned and worked for months to go for a BQ @ 3:30:59. Show up race morning, walking to the start line when I realize I do not have my Garmin. Fuuuuuck! I was beside myself. I almost went into a panic. How the hell will I track my pace? What the fuck am I going to do? I might as well not even race if I can't see the fruits of all my hard work. Then I took a few deep breaths, gathered myself and knew I would just have to make do. Make do turned into wearing Jane's pink ladies Times Ironman watch. At least I could have some idea of my pace, if I could see the numbers and if I could do the math. I have trouble doing math on paper, let alone when my brain is oxygen deprived. And who the hell decided an hour should be 60 minutes? How about a freakin' decimal system so it's easier to do the math? Anyway, I manged to squeeze out a 3:33:38. Not quite my goal but pretty damn close and I don't know if having my Garmin would have helped or not. But I still wish I had not forgotten it. So... I forgot it today. Had to use my Timex Ironman watch for the time. No distance, no pace. I know I was about 4.10 in distance and the time was 33:05...but I don't have my splits. I like my splits. I'm sure I had negative splits. But I did remember my iPod which was in neither my bedroom nor the basement. But it was a nice run. Sunny and cold.