Sunset

Since I showed you yesterday's sunrise I thot I would show you yesterday's sunset captured while driving home on the interstate, I think I was doing 80 mph when the pic was taken.
Several years ago, I purchased the Timex Bodylinks System and I have used it just about everyday. The watch died and I replaced the battery. But then it crapped out comletely, so I have been sans watch. So for my birthday (Dec. 5), I bought myself a new replacement watch. It came yesterday so I no longer feel nekid.My pedals also broke. I have Speedplay Zeros the basic crome moly that the bearing and bushing have been worn away...to many miles? not enough grease! So I went Clint's Bike Shoppe and bought myself another birthday present NEW PEDALS. Clint was nice enough to sell me the x/1 Titanium pedals for the same price as the crome pedals about a$30 savings. So look out I'll be fast with pedals that actually work and don't squeak!

20 answers

1. What was for breakfast?
First breakfast - decaf coffee, 8 oz Florida OJ, banana, and 12 oz h2o. Plus 12 oz of gaterade endurance formula on the ride.
Second breakfast - 8 oz h2o, bagel with peanut butter
Third breakfast - decaf coffee, Oldman's banana-nut muffin

2. Do you read a newspaper daily?
Wall Street Journal

3. What do you do when you can't sleep?
Read the book of Numbers or Judges in the Bible

4. Say a word that sums up your mood.
Content

5. Do you remember dreams?
No, I don't think I dream

6. Name something from your dream last night.
Darkness, I don't dream...I'm to tired to dream.

7. Name a food that describes you.
fine wine --- aged to perfection and strong enough to get the job done

8. Today your wearing?
Tan docker slacks, green polo golf shirt, loafers with no soxes.

9. What is in your pockets?

$450 in cash in my money clip, 53 cents in coins, keys, and a wallet with $150

10. Did you sing in the shower?
Nope

11. What was the last song you heard?
Frosty the Snowman

12. Looking forward to the holidays?
Yes I'm going home to see my grandsons in New Jersey.

13. What's for lunch?
First lunch- roast turkey on whole wheat with romaine and mustard. 8 oz of h2o.
Second lunch - tossed salad with roast turkey and balsamic vinegar. 8oz of h2o.
Third lunch - handful of almonds, banana, and h2o.

14. Where do you want to be this instant?
At the beach swimming.

15. What's something you would like to do soon?
the Tampa Bay Marathon Swim 26.2 miles across Tampa Bay or the Canadian Death Race.

16. Reading anything now?
The Camel Club by David Baldacci (fiction), Team of Rivals by Doris Kearns Goodwin (non-fiction) Sara's Secrets for Weeknight Meals by Sara Moulton (cooking) and The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren (business discussion group)

17. What's for dinner?
Poached salmon, brown rice, steamed broccoli and tossed salad. White wine probably a chardonnay. Desert frozen fruit pop.

18. A favorite part of the day is?
running, biking or swimming.

19. Are you happy?
Of course I live in paradise, have a great job, and can train year-round.

20. What will your friends do this meme?
nope.

[stolen from krisalis]

Weird Sunrise This Morning

RED SKY IN MORNING SAILORS TAKE WARNING! Was the sky every red. I tried to take a pic of it looking east but it didn't show how weird the sky looked. But it was a warning as the old saying warns.

I started out on my morning run with that warning in mind but looking east it did look like rain just some clouds. Today's schedule called for an easy seven miles thru the woods with a stop half way at the fitness center for water.

The first 2 miles were uneventful just trying to relax and not push. Then at the 3 mile mark I entered the path that goes along the river and thru the woods (but not to grandmother's house). Then the lightening alarms on the golf course went off with a LOUD BLAST that caused me to jump even with my MP3 player playing Garth Brooks.

As I exited the woods to the fitness center I wondered if I could get hit by lightening. I have rubber soles on my shoes so I'm not grounded. Then the lightening and rain started. Red sky remember? The last 4 miles I picked up the pace just to get home out of the lightening and rain. My time on the clock was 52'34".

I was hoping to swim at lunch today but it's raining so the pool is closed (outdoor pools in SW Florida) but the good news is a got a nice bonus check ($5,000) for finishing a project so I think I'll go to the bank to cash my check!

Turkey Weakend Update

Inquiring minds want to know, What Happened on Thanksgiving with the Cracker Barrel Dinner?

Thursday called for my regular 7 mile tennis ball run thru the woods. Since I didn't have to go to work, I slept in a little longer run anyway. I managed to stretch the 7 miles into 9 since I felt good and had the time. After a shower and breakfast I power washed my pavers so I have a clean driveway! I made a loaf of bread to take with me along with 2 bottles of 2002 Coppola chardonnay. The dinner was what you would expect, dry dry and dry with dry cornbread stuffing and dry cornbread rolls. So everyone sat around and drank a lot of wine!

Friday was the usual 25 mile ride with Tony sans Tony. I was one of the unfortunate ones that had to work. The market was open so we had to be at work. I swam at lunch and on my way home I bought a turkey from the Target Superstore with a coupon and instant saving the 10 lb bird cost $4.54.

Saturday was the long run day of the weak, this weak I took a new route. I ran out to Florida Gulf Coast University, around the campus and back home, 16 miles. After shower and breakfast I made some more bread and an apple pie. In the afternoon I invited J over for tree trimming and dinner (steaks, salad, bake potatoes, and Oldman's apple pie). Pics to follow. The tree looks pretty good, if I do say so myself.

Sunday saw the return of Florida humidity. I did the long ride of the weak to Coconut Point (no dolphins this weak), back then up to the new airport and back home, 65 miles. When I got home I started my turkey for my own thanksgiving dinner. Yes I had the stuffing, mashed garlic potatoes, carrots, gravy, cranberry sauce (whole cranberries) and of course leftover apple pie with ice cream. So it might have been late but it was tasty! Now I have leftovers!!!! Hurray!

WEAKLY Totals

Run 32 miles
Bike 135
Swim 3,000 meters

Next weak I'll try to get my regular swim routine, now that the gulf water is colder I will have to go to the pools more rather than the beach unless I breakout the wet suit.

Snowbird Season

Well it's started early this year. It gets earlier and earlier each year. I thought because of Wilma maybe it would be delayed but nooooooo, it has been confirmed Snowbird Season has started! Yup, it you live in Southwest Florida you find it is a great placed to live. But during Snowbird Season don't plan on driving anywhere, going to a restaurant without a reservation 1 month in advance or finding a parking spot at the beach!

Take Friday night for example of Snowbird Season. Usually on Friday's I try to leave the office a little early to get to the country club for happy hour and maybe dinner. It takes about 30 to 40 minutes. So keeping to my schedule I took the interstate home to go 21 miles to my house. It was bumper to bumper crawling ! UGH 1 hr 32 min to get home. Had I stuck to the Tamiami Trail it would have taken 2 hours!

What makes Snowbird Season worst for me is the wackies on the road Sunday's during my long ride. This Sunday was not an exception, I was almost hit by an SUV, had an old lady pull out in front of me, have to dodge walkers in the road, runners, dogs on long leashes (in the road) and recreation bike riders on the wrong side of the road and that's all with in my community!

OK Snowbirds here's the deal if your going to visit Oldman's paradise there are a few rule that you must abide by:

1. No travel to early bird dinner specials between the hours of 4:30 and 6:30 STAY OFF THE ROAD AND HAVE DINNER AT A NORMAL TIME LIKE 8:00pm.

2. No travel in the morning between 7:30 and 9:00 to get to Perkins for breakfast or an early tee time . YOU HAVE ALL DAY! SLEEP IN! GO TO BREAKFAST AT 9:30 am.

3. Snowbirds must walk on the sidewalks and keep their dogs on a short leash. YOUR NOT IN MICHIGAN OR INDIANA OR ILLINOIS WHERE THEY DON"T HAVE SIDEWALKS YOUR IN FLORIDA WALK ON THE SIDEWALK!

4. Keep out of the laps lanes at the pool. THEY ARE FOR SWIMMING NOT STANDING TALKING TO YOUR GRANDCHILDREN WHO JUMP INTO THE LAP LANES.

OK RANT OFF

Saturday was the usual long run. I did the woods course for 14 miles. Sunday was a long bike dodging people dogs and things for 55 miles and Sunday afternoon I went to the pool but got so frustrated I quit after 1500 meters.

Today it was raining so I didn't have to dodge anyone just the rain drops. I got my 25 miles in but I was soaked to the bone.

Weakly Report

Bike 122 miles
Run 22 miles
Swim 1,500 meters

I'll try to do better coach hasn't been my bestest weak. I kow I missed my fartlek run and my bike sprints with stomps but next weak!


DAVID UPDATE

David's surgery went well. He started PT on Satuday and comes home from the hospital today. The pain is quite intense but atl eas the pt has started.

THANKSGIVING UPDATE

I still plan on attending my neighbor's home for dinner but I took Susan's advice and told them I was bringing a few of my favorite Thanksgiving dishes. Crab and cheese dip, yam yums, homemade bread, apple pie, pumpkin pie and a couple of bottles of Stag's Leap chardonnay.

QUESTION

If it is Snowbird season can we shoot them?

Somebody Invite ME PLEASE!

OK it happened while I was at a Halloween get together on, of all days Halloween. It all started innocently. I went to my mail box after work when my Irish neighbor two houses down also getting his mail said Hey Oldman, stop over for some trick or treat beer. So I can't pass up free beer, so I walked over. There we are standing in his driveway drinking some Irish beer ( and I thot they were famous for single malt) watching for the 8 kids who live on our block.

Finally the 8 kids and there parents stop for the kids candy and at which time Irish neighbor gets all the adults a round of beer. KEWL another free beer! My Icelandic neighbor is here with his Chilean wife and announces that he, Chilean wife, and the Norwegian couple are hosting a Halloween snack and drink party in his driveway for me to come over. FREE FOOD AND BEER!

So on the walk back to my house and then on to my neighbor Icelandic guy's house, my Irish neighbor says What are you doing for Thanksgiving. Well nothing really. (Side note I was remembering the time I was invited to their home for dinner where they serve great lamb chops, good wine and a great cheese cake).

OK you got the picture, now Irish guy calls today to firm up Thanksgiving dinner. What time etc. So what can I bring? Irish guy replies Well, we are ordering take out from Cracker Barrel so you can help split the bill and bring some wine.

So I feel stuck, I can cook people and cook very well thank you very much. Last Christmas I hosted an open house where I cooked all the food including appetizers, ham, turkey, soup, deserts, home made bread, etc. I use recipes from Food and Wine, Julie Child, LaCucinna and old family recipes hand down. I even make my own salad dressings! I make just about everything from scratch. I can duplicate any resturant meal after one tasting. Yes I can cook so I don't want take out. I NEVER HAVE TAKE OUT! NOT EVEN MICKIE D'S.

Well so I don't want Cracker Barrel take out. I can cook my own turkey thank you! Got any thought of how to get out of this one?

Just Another Day

Live is moving at a frantic pace! I have been extremely busy not only at work but in my personal life as well. Why is it when things happen so that your personal life gets busy your work life gets busy also to make matters worse? I have a good relationship with the Firm I work for and a flexible schedule but right now there is no flex. Here's a quick update on what is happening.

David

Every morning it's been phone calls to Italy. Early in the week it looked like David was going to be flown to Milan for surgery. This would have cost approx. 50,000 euros! A specialist there would take his case and do surgery on Friday. However Carolina and her father (David's wife and father-in-law) were able to locate a sports medicine surgeon. He works on football (soccer) stars and has worked on musician as well. So today is the surgery. I looked for flights but when I thought he was going to Milan I didn't book anything and because it is busy at work I feel I can't get away. I spoke with David just a few minutes ago before he went into surgery. So I just wait for news.

Work

I have been working on a major project regarding our mutual fund. I'm changing the trust to a new trust which means a new bored of directors, back office, custodian, etc. Today is the shareholders meeting and until 5:00 pm yesterday I did have enough proxy votes to pass the change, 4% short! But after some scrambling I got it done and now have 55.6% FOR! Now its on to the actual move of the pieces. UGH! I'm also preparing for our partners meeting, which is an extremely stressful time, plus I'm finishing two audits of the Firm and the payroll failed on the 15th, not that we didn't have money in the bank our payroll company just didn't put thru the payroll then yesterday they forgot 1 employee who is going to Europe today! GASP! UGH! So it's been late nights this week.

Training

Swimming at lunch has been out all week in favor of eating at my desk. I did get my rides in Monday (25 miles) and yesterday (17 miles) along with my runs Tuesday(4 miles) and today (4 miles). But all workouts are shortened due to time constraints due to work and phoning David, Carolina, doctors, and etc. I feel like all I do is train, work, and sleep. Hopefully this will be all over by Dec. 10th.

Signs of life after Wilma

This past weekend there were no rental cars available at Ft. Myers airport. All 9 rental car companies were out of cars. Plus the 3 rental car companies in Naples had no cars. So if your coming to Naples or Ft. Myers and need a car, check ahead there may not be anything available.

Good News Bad News

The Good News

Friday I left work early and played a little golf. I shot 42 on the River Course. The last hole it was a little dark and I had trouble seeing but I got 9 holes in.

Saturday was my long run of 12 miles in the afternoon I worked around the house cleaning up the mess the painters made painting the house. Yes, my house is only 4 years old but the paint had faded and the association is painting all the houses on my circle.

Sunday was my long ride which turned out to be just around the community for 40 miles. It was quite windy so we cut it short.

The Bad News

I went to a late lunch at the country club and while eating lunch I got a cell phone call from David. He is a concert violist and lives with his wife and my grandson in Rome, Italy. It seems he was going home on his motorbike when he lost control of the bike on a curve. Fortunately he was wearing a helmet, but the bad news is he broke his left arm. They are going to operate to set it on Friday.

This couldn't have come at a worse time for him. His concert schedule was very busy thru Christmas and then January to May he was to be the principle violist in a symphony. On top of that they are having a house built and will be moving in soon. Roman medicine being what it is, he's in the hospital waiting for his surgery but there are no beds available so he is on a gurney in the hall. I spoke with him this morning and he is very uncomfortable.

Hurricane Wilma Aftermath

Well it has been almost three weeks since Wilma hit Southwest Florida and there are still signs of her visit. The town of Naples has a site to take the debris but there are still piles of "stuff" along the roadside. FEMA just had Operation Blue Roof where you can get a contractor to put a blue tarp over your damaged roof. So now as you drive around you see homes with beautiful bright blue roofs. Now that power is back on in most of the area Florida Power and Light has asked for a rate hike of $15 per user to pay for the storm damage.

This morning was a cooler morning than the past few days. As the sun came up there was a slight fog and the temp was 65*. I was going to ride in a sleeveless top but decided to wear a short-sleeve jersey because of the cool temp.

COFFEE DRIKER AND COLLIE SIGHTING

Yup, today as we went up Coffee Drinker and Collies street on the first loop they were out in the driveway. But I think they have recruited their neighbor across the street to get us. You see as I came to up the street the neighbor in his black Caddy SUV backed out of his driveway in front of me! I had no where to go, so it was a full emergency stop and unclip to put my foot down! Then black Caddy drove in the middle of the road and suddenly started a "K-Turn" type of maneuver to back into his neighbors driveway, again causing me to stop because he had the road blocked. All the while Coffee Drinker and Collie were watching and enjoying me being held up. Score one for them.


So I did complete my 25 mile ride this morning, inspite of being held up! I will not be swimming today at lunch because I'm going home early today (1:00) to go play 9 holes of golf, walking of course.

This weekend is of course my LSD run tomorrow. I have a light schedule this week so it's only 12 miles. Sunday's LSD ride is 45 miles.

Hope everyone has a good weekend!

Terrific Tuesday

This morning I woke up at 5:30 am for a nature call and to my amazement my headache was gone. It hung on for a couple of days so I'm always happy that I don't have to take any more aspirin. When I went outside to check the temp I found that a cool front had gone thru over night and the temp was now down to 68*, almost cold.

Today was a light easy run thru the woods and I decided that's exactly what I would do and not push myself. Once again I am amazed at how long it takes me to get loose. Even though I go thru a stretching routine prior to running it still takes about 2 miles before I feel "loose". That's just about when I'm passing my house and since I feel good at that point I continue on. My Timex Ironman watch broke so I don't know my pace or heartrate. When I went past Coffee Drinker and Collies house the garage door was open so I was on the look out for them but alas...no sightings!

I stopped at the five mile mark to get some water from one of the golf course "potty-houses", they have an ice machine and cold water along with cups at each potty house. I friend from the community stopped to tell me that some people were complaining about my bike riding that I was going to fast. He asked them how fast was I going and they replied 30 mph. Kewl I didn't know I was that fast! The last two miles was just a cool down mode just loping along and enjoying the cool breeze and the nice weather.

When I got to work today I realized I forgot my lunch/snack bag so my lunch time swim may be cut short so I can grab something to eat.

Weakend Report

Today is my grandson's 5th birthday. Happy Birthday Max. Here is a pic of Max and his brother, Justin getting ready to trick or treat. Max is of course Batman.


The weakend went by all to fast and today I woke up with a headache from my tumor so I sit in my office with the lights off. I did manage to get a 15 mile bike in today but I'm skipping swimming.

Saturday's run was uneventful I left the house just as the sun was coming up and did my long route thru the woods. The first two miles I consider warm up since it takes me that long to get loose. I then tried to maintain an even pace to my water stop at 6 miles. I was there at 50' 41. The next 6 are along the golf course and thru the woods and I guess the longing for water got me because I was at the next stop at 49'45". The final 4 included my 2 mile cool down finishing at 35'51". Not back I guess.

Some one asked what is a lania. My lania is the outdoor area of my house including a sitting area, sun deck and pool all covered by a screened cage to keep the bugs out. Here's a pic take when the kids were visiting me hence the baby furniture.
















Here's another pic of the outside looking in. My lania faces due south so the pool is always in the sun but the sitting area is in the shade which is important with those sunny Florida afternoons.

Sunday I did my lsd bike with Tony down to the point (no dolphins this week kids) and back then out to Mirromar Lake and back to get our 60 miles. Once again it was windy on the way back and we had a strong head wind to contend.

In the afternoon did manage to get to the beach for a brief swim...45 minutes and a few beers at Doc's. Maybe that's why I have a headache?

WEAKLY Totals

Bike 135 miles
Run 30 miles
Swim 150 minutes?

Some one suggested that you keep track of workouts by time rather than mileage, so you take into account headwinds, rain, good weather and bad weather. What do you think?

Beautiful Day

OK I had to mention it! It is a BEAUTIFUL DAY here today. The air temp is just right 81* and the water temp in the Gulf is 80*. It's cool enough to swim without over heating and warm enough to feel good.

The pic above is the beach down the street from my office (8th Street Naples). Not many people at the beach today, just a few sunbathers trying to get melanoma. I swam for 45 minutes. (Hey it's lunch hour) I then rinsed off in the cold water at the beach crossing. Wow that was cold! It was great to swim without a lot of people around.

This morning I did my regular 25 mile ride. It was cool and I felt good. One the straight-a-way I did 28.5 mph...just can't get to 30 mph!

COFFEE DRINKER AND COLLIE SIGHTING

That's right boys and girls as I was coming up Tony's street on my first loop, Coffee Drinker was walking Collie and yes he was drinking a cup of coffee but they were walking up his driveway and not in the street (ratz). Collie turned and looked longingly in my direction. I offered a "Good Morning" in the most cheerful voice I could muster to which I got a glaring look from Coffee Drinker. HUMMMM I wonder why?


Weakend Agenda

Tonight I'm going to the club for drinks but with a couple and I've made it plain not to set me up with any one (thing). I'm not really interested.

Tomorrow is the 16 miler LSD followed by some pool cleaning and washing the liana. I'm grilling some lamb and having my neighbors over for dinner.

Sunday is of course the LSD Bike. I have a 60 mile bike is on the schedule and hopefully down to Doc's in the afternoon for another swim in the Gulf at Bonita Beach.

Have a greak weakend everyone. Good luck to those at PCB doing IMFL and those at NYC doing the ING Marathon.

Tagged

Linda of Loping LouBob fame tagged me to post my fifth sentence of my 23rd post, which was on Aug 5, 2004 titled Lunch at LBS.

He explained the fine art of degreasing the chain and relubing it.

That was back when I had a problem with my chain..... I've since had it replaced and now I'm considering a Wipperman stainless steel chain. Florida weather is murder on chains.

So whom shall I tag? Hummm everyone has had this one already so if I pick some one who has already done it forgive me. I've gotta think of five.....

CorporateMediaWhore.... live from Portland

Cliff....Looking thru the eyes of

Tales of Slow Brave Athena...... riding Pinky


Health + Fitness Blog.... funny moods


Cloudy, Chance of Showers .....just engaged!

Date Application

Tri-mama suggested that I develop an application to give to my friends for use with prospective blind dates. My friends feel it necessary to find a suitable woman for me. They feel it's not natural for a 50's something guy to live alone. Hey even my docs tell me I shouldn't live alone. But I have my training schedule that usually gets in the way of dating and I just broke off a long-tern once engaged relationship, I did however get the ring back and I'm thinking about using it to buy a new car. But I digress!

Ok so Oldman's Date Application...this way my friends could have the "prospect" fill out Oldman's Date Application, I could review it and give a YEA or nay. This would solve any disappointment on the "prospects" part and save me time and emotional energy. It would allow me to set standards of care early, my care and standards. Yes it is all about the bike, the run and the swim!

So here are a few quick thots:

1. Which do your prefer? Wine, beer or gaterade or all three while sitting in the hot tub after a long (50 miles plus) bike ride?

2. After a long run of 12 miles or more do you prefer A. hot shower B. massage or C. cold beer followed by a quick 1 mile open water swim in the Gulf of Mexico.

3. What movie would you prefer to see during a quiet evening? A. Chariots of Fire B. 2004 Tour de France Special Edition (5 hours) C. Breaking Away D. Ironman Kona 2004 (NBC Special)

4. Include a picture of your bike. Extra points for a tri-bike. Extra Extra Points for a pic of you holding a tri-bike over your head while wearing a two piece tri-suit.

5. What's more important? A. Setting a PR in a triathlon? B. Setting a PR during a training run? C. Qualifying for Kona? D. All of the above.


Ok give me your suggestions for Oldman's Date Application.

TRAINING

Today was an easy recovery run and a swim at lunch. I might stop at the gym for some weights and then a pizza for dinner (veggie pizza it's Tuesday and I'm Buddhist on Tuesdays).