Here's a pic of my grandson. We went out to dinner on Dec. 26.

It is really cold here. I can't wait to get back to Fl.

P C Christmas?

On krisalis blog she wrote about the Human Resources PC correct greetings. Here it is:

• Please accept without obligation, express or implied, these best wishes for an environmentally safe, socially responsible, low stress, non-addictive, and gender-neutral celebration of the winter solstice holiday as practiced within the most enjoyable traditions of the religious persuasion of your choice (but with respect for the religious or secular persuasions and/or traditions of others, or for their choice not to practice religious or secular traditions at all) and further for a fiscally successful, personally fulfilling, and medically uncomplicated onset of the generally accepted calendar year (including, but not limited to, the Christian calendar, but not without due respect for the calendars of choice of other cultures).

• The preceding wishes are extended without regard to the race, creed, age, physical ability, religious faith or lack thereof, choice of computer platform, or sexual preference of the wishee(s).

Perhaps the above is a sign of the time. I guess I don't understand all the fight about Christmas and saying Merry Christmas. Why are people offended? If you are a Christian you are celebrating Jesus' birth, it's a historical fact he was born, lived and died according to a Roman historian Flavius Josephus. If your not a Christian, then why would celebrating a baby's birth be so offensive to you? I've been wished Happy Chanukkah or Happy Ramadan and even Happy Qwuanza . But why are people upset about a little baby in a manager? Perhaps the better questions is who is this Jesus?

You must admit Jesus changed the course of the then know world and continues to divide peoples. He is the dividing point. Who is he? C. S. Lewis in his book Mere Christianity answer that question by saying we have three choices. #1. Jesus was a liar. Would a liar do the things Jesus did? Say the things that He said like the Sermon on the Mount? #2. Jesus was a lunatic. Only a mad man would claim to be God (remember the Jews wanted to stone him and in the end He was crucified for blasphemy, claiming to be God). But would a lunatic heal the sick, raise the dead, and bring sight to the blind? 3. Jesus is Lord. Here is the dividing point! If he is not a liar or a lunatic then He must be Lord. That's the divide. While a baby in a manager puts no demands on our life, the teachings, the life, the death and the resurrection of Jesus does put demands upon us. He calls for our worship and commitment. He calls for our ALL.

So when I see people get upset when I say Merry Christmas or I here of the forced pc as above I remind myself it's because of Jesus.... His Birth, His Life, His Teachings, His Death and His Resurrection. When some one gets upset about the saying Merry Christmas I just remind myself they are not willing to bow before the manger like the lowly shepherds and say Hossanna. He is Lord.

I'll be taking a blog break. I'm leaving warm sunny Florida to go to New Jersey to celebrate Christmas with my family. I will be running and riding a mountain bike to keep up my training. I want to wish all of my blog family and friends:

MERRY CHRISTMAS

I pray that you and your family will know the joy and peace of worshiping the new born King.

Tagged and a brief word from our sponsor

Linda over at Loping LouBob tagged me. It's a challenge tag, I have to describe my upcoming 2006 training season in one word. Single-minded (that's one word just because it has a hyphen doesn't make it two words). I still have a single goal of Kona.... To get me there I have some steps along the way. In January is the Tour de Cape a century ride the local tri club here turns into a race. Also in January the Naples Half Marathon a great race thru a very wealth neighborhood. February brings the Chill Willy Duathlon and March is the Tampa Bay Marathon Swim across Tampa Bay or the Redhills Triathlon. April is another busy month with the Escape Ft. DeSoto Triathlon and St. Anthony's. May is an "A" race the Florida 1/2 Ironman at Disney. June is the Madeira Beach Triathlon. July, August, September is the Publix Family Fitness Triathlon series also in August is the Top Gun Triathlon. October is the Steamtown Marathon where I hope to qualify for the Boston Marathon since Steamtown is all down hill and the fastest marathon around. November is the "A" race the Florida Ironman. The closes out of the year with the Safety Harbor Duathlon in December and January 1st the St. Pete Mad Dog Triathlon. Along the way, rather than buy a new bike I want to lose weight, 25-30 lbs.

Eagles and it's not a fluke!

Sunday's ride with Tony was awesome! Several weeks ago during our ride thru Raptor Bay and Coconut Plantaion (Hyatt's golf course and time share developement) we discovered a HUGE nest. It is in a large tall pine tree and is as big as the top of a VW bug roof. Since we went to the airport last week we didn't get to see the nest. However this week when we passed the nest there were two bald eagles sitting in it! Awesome! We watched as one eagle got out of the nest and sat on a branch looking down the golf course from his lofty pearch. I guess he was looking for breakfast! I went back later with my camera but the nest is just to far to get a good shot without a telephoto lens. I'm hoping when the eggs hatch I'll get to see the babies.

Today's ride proved that the 31.5 mph record breaking ride was not a fluke, we did 30.5 miles down the straight-a-way. Can 35 mph be in the near future?

I DID IT! WAHOOOO!

Boys and girls you know how hard I have been trying, it has been ever elusive. But today was the day! I felt good, my bike was running smooth, Tony and I were riding side-by-side and not drafting so it happened! Just like that I looked down and saw

31.5

I broke the 30 mph barrier. But the really good news was that I was able to maintain that speed for more then just a few seconds!

Beers all around!

Tagged

I was tagged by Donald to reveal five random facts about myself. This is the 21st century version of those old chain letters, right? I'm fearful that something horrible will happen to me if I don't comply.

so here are 5 ahhh random facts about me.


1. I'm a factory defect and there was a recall on me but my parents failed to take me back to the dealership to get fixed.... I was born with one kidney. I'm missing my left kidney but my right kidney is twice as large as a normal persons kidney.

2. My grandparents grew up on the Leni-Lenape Indian reservation in New Jersey (Shamong Township) and were first cousins when they married hence the factory defect in #1.

3. My parents were very disappointed when I didn't go to the Naval Academy like my cousins but it was the Vietnam war and I was a factory defect (see #1) which kept me out of the Academy and the war.

4. To further my parents disappointment, I went to a Bible College and Seminary and was an ordained minister serving as a missionary for 20 years. They never attended any of my graduations, ordination or commissioning as a missionary.

5. My wife, in 1995, of 25 years ran off with her boyfriend. I was divorced on Valentines day of the 25th year of our marriage. After the Judge pronounced us divorced my then ex-wife asked me if I would perform the wedding ceremony for her and her boyfriend since they couldn't find a minister to do the wedding. I told them NO!

6. I moved to Florida after taking care of both of my parents until their deaths (Yup I'm an orphan), Mom with Alzhiemers (see #2 above) and Dad with COPD. I then decided to move to Florida.

7. After moving to Florida I met some one and proposed then I was diagnosed with melanoma (fast growing cancer). My fiance broke of the engagement due to the cancer and then I was diagnosed with a brain tumor in my left frontal lobes. The cancer has been removed (4 surgeries) and I'm cancer free but the tumor is in-operable because of it's location...So I get headaches, dizzy spells, ringing in the ears, blurry vision etc. The docs don't want me to live alone, but if they take it out it would be like a frontal lobotomy.

8. I had a racing sailboat that I loved and still love to this day. So days when I get depressed, I miss her more than my ex-wife or fiance. I think about buying a new boat to sail alone around the world like Joshua Slocum. But I want to see my grandchildren and do Ironman Kona.

9. I love trainning more that races, especially riding my bike. My times open water swimming are some of the best time here in Florida because of the water and the beaches.

10. I can't think of a 10!


Depressing huh? Aren't you glad you asked?

The Virus Continues!

I woke up a half hour before the alarm went off. Even though I fell asleep on the sofa watching Martha Stewart's Apprentice (what's with her robot daughter? can she speak more then one word sentences?) I did not feel rested. So, this morning was slightly warmer than yesterday morning so I decided on my running shorts with a long sleeve t-shirt, but what I did not count on was my stomach again. UGH...two trips to the bathroom before I left the house for my run. Today's schedule is the now infamous tennis ball fartlek run but I place emphasis on the FART part of the run. Then my stomach pain started. I wondered if I was going to keep my fresh Florida OJ down (Raymond James sent us a case of fresh Florida oranges which I used for juice, everyone got a tray of oranges). I had planned on going thru the woods for 7 miles but at the 2 mile mark I knew I better start heading towards the house. It's interesting how distress can cause you to pick up the pace. I got home, 4.5 miles total, (32'43") just in the nick of time!

I went to the pool at lunch time. My stomach still feels odd. I did 2x100, 100 kick and 100 easy as my warm up then I worked on my balance drills (yes Cliff I do balance drills too) then I did 15x100 and a cool down of 2x100. Then I had to make a quick pit stop! UGH will this virus ever go away?

When I got back to the office I ate my turkey wrap and again I feel yucky. Tonight I plan on stopping at our community fitness center to do a light wait workout (you have to wait your turn for the machine or for the weights).

Thanks for all the well wishes....I'm doing the same job just getting a new title and a little more money and larger bonuses... what I really want is more time to train.

The Stomach Virus

OK it started yesterday afternoon.... just before lunch...

I was to have lunch with the Portfolio Manager and a Sales Trader from Philadelphia. It started just about then, it was that upset stomach feeling then I think I need to go AGAIN. Lunch was OK but I couldn't enjoy eating next door at Pier 41 watching the boats go by and the two masted sailboat pull away from the slip because I was worried could I get back to the office in time?

I had to look at some office space since we are probably going to have to move our offices and then I went home. But the thought hit me again, CAN I MAKE IT HOME IN TIME?....

So my evening that I had planned on going to the gym to do some weight training will have to wait. I lazed on the sofa, had some of Oldman's turkey soup and went to bed.

This morning it was again really cold. Yea I know you people in the frozen waste lands have it real cold. Like below freezing, 43* seems freezing to me. I don't have winter riding gear so it was tights, heavy soxes, a long sleeve cotton tee and a bike jersey but I was able to get my 25 miles in. Of course I was alone and was frozen when I got home but I got it done.

Today I'm taking it easy food wise. Yogurt, soup, and decaf tea. Hopefully I'll feel better tomorrow and it will be warmer...Well as I type this it's 74* at 4:30 pm. Sorry LouBob can't send you any warm weather....

O BY THE WAY.....

It was announced yesterday I have been promoted to Vice President of the Firm. (Hail Columbia plays in the background). That and 4 bucks will get you coffee at 4bucks,

Cold Snap

I decorated the pony palm tree in the front of my house with red bows. What do you think of my art work?

Today it was cold, the morning temp when I left for my morning run was 51* but it's going to be 74* today. I wore my long sleeve tee and shorts but I wished I had tights. I did the usual thru the woods run. I didn't see to many people out walking or riding bikes. I guess it was just to cold for them.

Like yesterday I will not be able to swim, so this makes two misses in a row. ugh!

Not a good Monday

Last week I hired a new employee...today I had to let him go! He just could not get things right. He had all the qualifications. He had good previous job experience but he was just awful. How did he get this far?

To top it off, I didn't get to swim today.... and it's a little to cold to go to the pool tonight (65*). Hey it's an open air pool. UGH I hate bad Mondays!

I think I'm going to go home fix a fire in the ourdoor fireplace, roast some hotdogs and drink some beer.

Weakend Report

This weakend I...

sent my italian grandson Christmas presents via fedex international.
went to the club friday nite for cocktails, didn't get any feathers caught in my teeth, saw some friends, drank some guinness, had a blackened grouper salad
got up early saturday ran my 17 mile loop to the college and back.
went Christmas shopping for my grandsons.
cook chicken marsala and rissoto mileanse for diner with J.
J and I went christmas carroling with neighbors
drank some very nice chardonnay.
drank some very very very nice tequila.
drank some good single malt scotch.
got up early sunday, temp 62*, rode with tony 65 miles with an aver pace of 19.7, can't break 20 mph ave. rode to the new airport up the departing flights ramp (a HILL) did we get strange looks from the departing passengers!
lazed around the pool for lunch, had some eggs, was suppose to swim but ran out of time
went to the living Christmas tree at church in the afternoon
made myself some turkey soup
fell asleep at 8:30

weakly totals

run - 24 miles
bike - 135 miles
swim - 2,000 yards

"Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming "WOW what a ride!" S. Hunter Thompson

How Low Can You Go?

This morning was a very quite and peaceful day in my neighborhood. At 6:30, the birds were singing, the sun was coming up and the boys (they are from the other side of the river, the Rio Grande) were cutting the grass on the golf course! There was a light breeze out of the west and the temp was 72* (sorry Ironbenny you know I can't resist).

As I placed my heart rate monitor on I always check to see what is my resting heart rate. Well not resting as in bed resting but resting as it is first thing in the morning and after I have gone.....well you know. This morning I did a double take! I even took off my monitor and made sure the leads were wet (a little licky lick) and put it back on. Sure enough my resting Heart Rate was 38!.... I've seen it as low as 44 at the doctors but never below 40! WOW!

I did the woods course but I forgot my tennis ball for a fartlek run. I guess I was so befuddled by my heart rate I just forgot my ball. So I did hard easy half miles with the first mile as a warm up then hard for a half and easy for the next half and so on... My heart rate got to 155 btw! So 7 miles in 57'48".

I have to take the Portfolio Manager to the hospital today at lunch time, he's having some minor (?) surgery that requires some one to drive him home, so no swim at lunch today. Maybe on the way home.

So how low can you go?

Santa's visit!

This arrived at our office. Santa is three boxes filled with goodies, candy, cookies and caramel corn. But now Santa is making various visits to people work areas or cubes. Here is Santa in the kitchen looking out the windows longing to take off those northern clothes and go to the beach for a swim....the gulf water temp is 70* and the air temp is 78*.

Today was the usual ride day. Once again I was able to get to 28.5 on the straight-a-way but no faster. I had to cut my ride shot so I was onl able to do 2o miles. I'm swiming at lunch, no Santa not at the beach but at the Aquatics Center.

Monday Monday...no good for me!

What a great weakend but not for training. It was our Firm's Partners Meeting weekend which included golf matches and several lunches and dinners. Pictured on the left is the Naples National Golf club where Saturday's dinner was held. I played golf Friday afternoon, shot 87 and lost $10. Friday evening was dinner at one of our Partners home on the beach in Naples. Just a lovely night dining "al fresco" until the stars. Of course there was no ride on Friday and Saturday I couldn't get out of bed until 10:30 am so no run. I played golf again shooting 84 and lost another $20. Saturday night was a wonderful dinner at the Naples National Golf Club. Sunday I did manage to get a brief ride in of 30 miles.

December is my usual goal setting time so let me bore you with some of my goals. Since today is my BIRTHDAY!!!


January 14 - Tour de Cape, Cape Coral Fl 100 mile ride
January 22 - Naples Half Marathon, Naples, Fl
February 5 - Chilly Willy Duathlon, Ft. DeSoto, Fl
March 25 - Red Hills Triathlon
April 16- Escape Ft. DeSoto
May 21 - Florida Half Ironman

This weaks goals:

To get back on track with training:

Bike 150 miles
Run 20 miles
Swim 12,000 yards including 1 open water swim

Last weaks accomplishments?

Bike 80 miles
Run 14 miles
Swim 3,000 yards

Not a good weak at all.

Today I can offically join AARP, but I think I'll pass...

Sub Tropical Weather?

Yes it is COOOOOLLLD! It was 48* this morning. But have no fear, I didn't ride! I had to be in the office early for partners meeting. Then we have lunch at a country club followed by golf. Then tonight is dinner and dancing at the beach. Tomorrow we are playing golf again followed by dinner at a very private golf club. Now if Loubob, Tracy or SOMEBODY would be my date for these dinners I wouldn't have to go alone. It looks like I will not get to train until Sunday. There goes my weakly total.

Bitter Cold

This morning it was bitter cold. I even thought about turning on the heater! It was 52* when I left the house for my morning run. I wore a long sleeve cotton shirt...

I put the new pedals on my bike. I found that Clint did not sell me the Speedplay Zeros X1 but when I was installing them I found that he sold me the X2 which were even more money ($200). Kewl! so I really saved about $65! It pays to go to your LBS rather than buying stuff online.