Nike and iPod to Marry

OLDMAN NEWS WIRE

It was announced yesterday by Nike (nke) and Apple Computer (aapl) that they have teamed up to make AIR Zoom Moire shoes which connect to a runners iPod. It will show distance, time, pace and calories burned. This will be competing directly with Adidas AG bras and shoes having connections for the Polar Electro heart rate monitors (no jokes please) and Oakley having the Thump sunglasses with a built-in mp3 player.

The Apple/Nike wedding brings two (families) companies together that are making significant headway in the new media markets. Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO, said he believes the Nike fitness device is in keeping with the iPod's heritage in entertainment saying "I would like it if iPods were indispensable throughout daily life."

The iPod kit will be in Apple and Nike stores in July with the shoes at Footlocker. iPod is expecting to release 10 million units by 2007. (10 mil boys and girls).

On another note you may now download Lance Armstrong's playlist from the Apple iTunes website along with other professional athletes.

I'm sure Bolder has already tested Air Zoom Moire and the iPod kit. Heck he has probably tested the Polar heart rate monitor and the Adidas bra!

Remember you heard it here first on Oldman News Service with all the news that might not be fit to print.

Flatman can run but not hide

One of my favorite bloggers, Flatman, had a mishap with his site ending in someone stealing his addy. So boys and girls time to update your favorites or your NewsGator feed. He is a link to his site.


http://fl4tm4n.blogspot.com/

Investment World is A Changing

Disclaimer: OK so this post is not about TRI's. I do have other interests!

On a daily basis I read my favorite TRI blogs like Loping LouBob , Nancy Toby, fellow melanoma patient Holly at TRI and Be Happy, and of course I can't forget Bolder In Bolder! I even try to comment on as many as I have time. To keep up with everybody I now subscribe to NewsGator Online so I get updated when you write a new post. I read some fun blogs like Dooce, Durteemartini, and Tales From the Tube. I also read mountain biking blogs like Fat Cyclists.

Lately I have been reading blogs that relate to my industry, investments. More particular VC's...Venture capitalist or Venture capital Firms. On my NewsGator feed is Brad Feld of Mobius Venture Capital, Inc; Venture Blog by David Hornick and Andrew Anker of August Capital; and Jeremy Levine of Bessemer Venture Partners. I have learned from my reading that the VC's are on the cutting edge of how the investment world is changing.

This is now the world of the new media and you are a part of it. Yes, you who I mentioned above that write blogs that I read and yes you who read blogs that I write are a part of the new media. Jim Cramer was humping his show or book but humping something appearing on the Imus in the Morning Show on MSNBC and streamed online at msnbc.com. Don Imus, only interested in himself, asked about a stock he has personal interest in, CBS (ticker: CBS). Since his show is owned by CBS and he has a large CBS holding as a part of his salary Imus wanted to know if he was going to make more money. Jim Cramer said, loosely translated, CBS is trading at $23 something and in 10 years it will be trading at $23 something. CBS is the old media and is not doing anything to be a part of the new media. That was a month ago. Today CBS is at $24 something.

So I found it interesting that in today's Wall Street Journal, yes I still read print media all though I don't buy the paper I get a sample copy, on page B3 of the Media & Marketing section there was an article about two VC firms, Bessemer Venture Partners and Insight Venture Partners buying a 50% interest in IAG Research. IAG is not a Wall Street research firm but a research firm that is a major player in media research. IAG's clients list includes GM and American Express. It seems the VC's are interested in the new media and commercials on new media i.e. blogs, online video, mobile devices and web ads.

So what? That's the change. The change from the old media to the new media. Now I'm not talking about over priced Google. No I'm talking about the new media companies we use on a daily basis. Gone are the days of the print media, circulation is down. Gone are the days of the evening nightly news, viewership is down. Gone are the days of commercial revenue from TV, with TiVo no one watches commercials except during the super bowl and then only because someone else is in the bathroom.

So what are we holding in our portfolios new or old? To make money for our investors are we doing them a disservice by holding positions in companies that like CBS will not really grow in the next 10 years? New or old seems to be an age old question. I kinda like the new prospects for greater returns.

Mt. St. Helens Giant Rock Growing!

Perhaps we can get our man on location, Brian, to do a video for us? It seems a fin is growing at the rate of 4.6 feet per day and is now 300 feet tall and 330 feet wide at the base. You might be able to see if via the Mt. St. Helens VolcanoCam if the mist, clouds, and stuff lift.

Also check out Brian's Trojan Implosion!

Elephant Dreadmill

Well I don't like dreadmills and neither does Maggie a 23 year-old African elephant who lives at the Anchorage Zoo. Her keepers built her this elephant dreadmill to help her get some training in for this summer's road races. Here is the full story in the National Geographic.

Today is a run day for me but no dreadmill. It was a cold cold morning run, 48* ugh. Well I guess it is better than the 70* and humid weather that Naples is having. I ran through the Haverford campus and I'm amazed at the beautiful buildings and grounds. I wound up doing 7 miles. I'm going to try to swim at lunch time. This will be my first official Oldman at the Y swim.

did they really say that?

Recently overheard while attending a street fair in a community with a lot of young families an elderly woman to her friend....

• "I can't see anything because of all of these damn baby carriages!"

While attending a birthday party, one of the guest was discussing his vacation to San Juan over the Easter weakend.....

• "it was not the traditional Easter that I'm use to with the Easter bunny and egg hunts. They made it into a some kind of religious holiday!"

Student cleaning out his apartment and throwing perfectly good "stuff" in the dumpster because he didn't want to haul to his parents....

• "I hate putting this good shit in here, the homeless will come and rummage thru it and steal it!"

Haverford Library Correction

Some one pointed out to me in the comments section of this mornings post that the library while looking like a church building was built in the gothic style but always used as a library.



Here's the college's description:

The Library. 1865 photograph.
The original Haverford School Library was in the southwestern corner of the first floor of Founders. Considered "the centre of the small college," it required more space and resulted in the erection of Alumni Hall, later Library, in 1864. This photograph is the earliest-known photograph of the completed building.


Sorry I got it wrong but it looked like a church to me having grown up in St. Mary's Church founded in 1706. Here is a pic of the "new St. Mary's" built in 1846 to 1848 in the gothic style.



St. Mary's was done by architect Richard Upjohn in the cruciform plan similar to his design for Trinity church in New York City and Grace Church in Newark, NJ. But it is really a copy of St. John's Shottesbrooke a 14th century English parish church...Upjohn used measured drawlings of St. John's to do St. Mary's.

So you can see why I would think it was a church having never seen Haverford College.

BTW - I was baptized, confirmed and married at St. Mary's and will be buried there along with my great grandparents, grandparents, parents and wife.


St.Mary's steeple contains eight bells cast by the same company that made Big Ben and the Liberty Bell, Whitechapel Bell Foundry. They were rung the first time in 1866 and my father as a high school boy rang the funeral bells (yes they are stuck by hammers to allow one person to ring the chimes and are rarely rung by swinging due to the steeple swaying during the ringing). To hear them stop by Burlington any Sunday they are played at every mass and each day at 6:00 pm for evening prayer.

Century

Saturday was the century ride. With the rain on Friday, I wasn't sure if the ride would be held. I left my apartment early, 6:30 ugh, to arrive early enough in case there was a problem with my late registration. Everything was in order, got my T-shirt and got ready to ride.

The ride itself was well marked and the cue sheets accurate. I was a little disconcerted when there was no actual start, everyone just did their own thing. Being from "out-of-state" though not really I grew up around here, I didn't know anyone and hope to hook up with a group. I was either to fast or to slow for the groups so I just did my own ride which really is better training for me.

The ride was through the rolling hills of central Jersey, past the lovely horse farms and tree nurseries. There was just an occasional pasting car but the organizers did a good job of sticking to the back country roads. It did rain for just a few minutes, just enough to get the road wet. At the first stop I had a pb&j sandwich and refilled my bottles. That kept me till the end of the ride since I ate my Cliff Bars while riding only stopping again to refill the bottles and go potty...always a good sign if you have to pee at 75 miles.

On one part of the ride I road past the old barm where my father as a teenage kept horses for his ice delievery wagon (1920's), I rode past the road named for my family, saw the site of my cousin's farm now a developement, and saw signs for my family's plantation now a museum.

At the finish they had lunch but I didn't feel much like eating another pb&j sandwich so I drove back to my apartment. On the way I drove past my boyhood home, my first home I bought when I was 20, then past the home I sold to go to Florida. My how things have changed and not all for the good.

Sunday was a run day for me so I did 14 miles around Ardmore. I went through the lovely Haverford College campus and saw some neat old buildings including a church which is now a library. (Pics coming soon).

Here's the totals for the weak:

Bike 175 miles
Run 28 miles - can't seem to get in the 30's
Swim - Nada - still haven't figured out the pool situation

Moving

Last night I heard police cars and noise like you would not believe. it was moving day for this piece of equipment which took up three lanes of the road. Can you count the wheels?

Hometown Century

I was looking at the Suburban Cyclist Unlimited website, they are a suburban Philly club, for a weekend group ride. As I looked over the list I saw a Century Ride in my hometown of Burlington NJ. My family history goes way back in Burlington to the 1600's when the ship Shield landed with English settlers. Notice the indian sitting on the banks of the Delaware River in the City Seal? That is my great, great, great, great grandfather.

Now you've gotta understand I haven't been home in 8 years so I thought this would be a fun ride to do. so I signed up today! Who's in with me?

It Must Be Me......

Well I've been in Philly, well Ardmore Pa, now going on two months. I thought it was time to get back into some serious training which would now including finding a gym. At home, in Naples, FL., my community has a fitness center with a pool. The membership is included in my community dues. It has everything I want, need or gotta have including 1. pool, 2. dreadmills, 3. elipical machines, 4. free weights, and yes 5. machines. So I want a gym that has similar equipment and a pool.




So keeping in mind what I had, or still have since I haven't sold my house and I'm commuting every two weeks, I went looking. My first stop was the local YMCA, the Mainline Y. While it is "old" looking it was clean and neat. It has a 1. pool, 2. dreadmills, 3. eliptical, 4. weights and 5. machines. They also have spin classes twice a day at 9:15 am and 6:30 pm! I get a nice tour of the facility and they give me a week for fee to "try it out". The cost for a temporary membership is $72 per month no joining fee no processing fee. The Y is a 2 minute walk from my office.







The second place I went was the Philadelphia Sports Club. PSC is a 4 minute walk from my office. It is slick, shiny, bright..... I was greeted at the desk and told I had to meet with a "membership consultant", a guy with baggy pants three or four sizes to big who didn't speak English but streeteeze. He took a look at old me and ask what I wanted here. So I told him I have a cancer and a brain tumor (I couldn't resist) and was looking for a place to workout. "well wes gots us a special today....." and he launches into a sales pitch. "OK....give me a tour" I asked. As we walkout of his office we walk past an office with four guys in suits and ties that look like the local Sopranos meeting. There are just a few people working out but quite a few staff. He shows me the dreadmills room, the eliptical room, the machine room that is for not "serious" people, the stretching area, the free weight room, the "real machines", and yes a spinning room that has spinning classes 3 times a week. I ask about the pool to which he replies "yea we got one but not here it's at Highpoint" I ask "Where's Highpoint I'm not from around here." He says "I don't know, I'm not from around here either...." Well I could have guessed that. Now back at his "office" he says if I joined today I could get the month-by-month plan $99.95 plus $39.99 joining fee plus 39.00 processing fee. Could I try it out? I ask. Well if you do that you will have to pay the $199 joining fee plus the $39 processing fee plus the $99.00 month fee but you will only have to pay 1/2 for the first month since it is past the 15th. Sweet huh? $280 the first month?

Ok so maybe it's me, so tell me. The "older" Y with a pool, spin classes every day for $72 the first month as oppose to no poll , spin classes 3 days a week and the local mobsters all for $280 for the first month. What a deal.

Ok so what do you think?


I want go back to Florida.

Best Bolder Blogs

I came across a recent article from the Daily Camera, the local Bolder, Co. newspaper. The are posting excerpts from local business blogs. However I noticed our own outstanding blogger Bolder was not listed. Perhaps you could drop an email or two to Matt Branaugh at branaughm@dailycamera.com to let him know that when it comes to the business of running, biking or cycling or life in general Bolder is da man!


As a public service announcement... PSA if you will. Unusual spring avalanche watch issued for Colorado peaks. Be careful Bold... Just doing my part to keep Colorado safe.

Morning Ride

Today was a ride day in the morning. I have been trying to find a route from my apartment to the Philly Art Museum, actually the Italian Fountain. It is there either, the back of the Museum (you know the steps Rocky ran up in the movie), or the Italian fountain, that a lot of group ride start. There was a ride last nite at 6 pm with an A group and a B group. I'm told the A group goes about 28 mph and has a few local pros that do it.... but I digress. So I'm trying to find a route that I can ride to the Museum. I had walked from my office to Human Zoom Bikes and met a nice bike wrench (not like the Biketopia meany) there who told me of a route so I tried it this morning. Well I got LOST with no map or cue cards.

Since I kinda knew the area somewhat I stated back at the 10 mile mark. As I turned a corner and went down a hill I saw two "roadies" on nice bikes, a guy and a girl. One had a Victory Brewing /Victory Beer jersey that was kewl. So I treated it like a break away, I had to catch them. Finally I got to them. The girl (college age) turned around and I think was shocked that this old guy was now on their wheel out of no where. I said "Hi, I'm not from around here can you tell me how to get back to Montgomery Ave?" "Straight ahead." That was the only words they said to me. I stayed with them for about 2 miles while we climbed a hill together at the top they turned right I went straight ahead.

Well tomorrow I hope to do a group ride with the Bicycle Club of Philadelphia. The have a whole range of rides....

Treadputer

I want one of these, all though I'm sure Bolder already has one and will write a report for us soon. This is actually Brad Feld's office treadputer... he is the Managing Director of Mobius Venture Capital in Bolder, Co. Note the three 19" NEC monitors.

LBS Attitude

OK I love to walk into a bike shop and look around at the "eye candy" and now that I've moved to the land of the frozen chosen I'm looking for a good local bike shop where I can have Roo serviced. Now mind you I'm a good and loyal customer. I'll buy my supplies, jerseys, and stuff for the LBS even if it is a little more than I can get elsewhere just to support my LBS. I'll tell my friends about the LBS and send people there to buy a bike. I'm also thinking about buying another bike but I digress..... I like to walk into bike shops look around and talk to the owner about his choice of bikes to sell perhaps the local riders and routes you know you've done it too!

So today I had lunch with a friend who rides a road bike. On the walk back to his office we passed a bike shop, so of course I had to go into the store. It was a store with quite a few mountain bikes because with all the mountain bike trails here that's what everyone rides. There were two or three road bikes on display. In the back of the store was, I guess the owner working with a bike on a stand working.

As we walked in the store the owner shout "What do you guys want?" Maybe we didn't fit his profile of cyclists or he got up on the wrong side of the rug this morning but I was kind of taken back by his approach to potential customers. My friend asked what kind of bike he sold and the reply was Jamis.... which my friend had never heard of so he asked what about Trek.... you know the Tour de France winners bike.... "That's to expensive for what you get...." and on he went. So then I asked about Litespeed....nice bike but to many dealers here already.... So then I said I have a Quintana Roo...which by his expression he had never heard of he said "good luck with it!"

My friend and I as we walked out commented on "how does that guy stay in business being so "friendly"?

So scratch one Biketopia in Havertown on Darby Road off my list of potential LBS for Oldman. Attitude my friends it's all about attitude!

PS Now I tried to post a note on his website to let him know I wrote about his store but.... I can't because I'm a gmail user and MSN will not let me. So if you can post a note on his website for me......

Happy Birthday Justin

Sunday was my grandson Justin's second birthday party. His birthday is today. Happy Birthday Justin. Here he is eating his birthday cake.

Training wise, I got a short ride in yesterday of 25 miles since I had to drive 2 hours to the party. I feel like I say the same thing every weak, I just don't seem to get enough training time in now that I have moved north. So my goal for this weak is to be consistent in my training.




Here are this weaks totals:

Bike: 100 miles
Swim: 4,000 yards
Run: 24 miles

So Use Your Sunscreen

Today's PSA is from WEBMD


Melanoma Skin Cancer Strikes Again
Study Shows 8% of Patients Get Melanoma Again within 2 Years of 1st Diagnosis
By Miranda HittiWebMD Medical News
Reviewed By Louise Chang, MDon Monday, April 17, 2006

April 17, 2006 -- Melanoma skin cancer may return more often than expected, experts report in the Archives of Dermatology. Melanoma is the most serious type of skin cancer. It's much rarer than nonmelanoma skin cancers. The study included 354 melanoma patients living in New Hampshire. The findings include:

27 patients (8%) had recurrent melanoma within two years of their first diagnosis.
20 patients (6%) had recurrent melanoma within a year of their first diagnosis.

Atypical moles upped the odds of recurrent melanoma. Melanoma didn't always return in the same spot. Melanoma patients should be closely monitored, and past studies have shown lower melanoma recurrence rates, note Linda Titus-Ernstoff, PhD, and colleagues. Titus-Ernstoff works in Dartmouth Medical School's community and family medicine department and the Norris Cotton Cancer Center at Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center in Lebanon, N.H.

Interview and Skin Check

The researchers interviewed each patient by telephone for 40 minutes. In the interviews, participants disclosed their family history of melanoma, natural hair color at age 20, eye color, and sunburns starting when participants were 10 years old. Patients also got skin exams by doctors. For comparison, the researchers also studied 327 people with a one-time history of melanoma who did not have a history of another new melanoma. All participants were about 53 years old, on average, when they were first diagnosed. Almost all participants in both groups had at least one benign mole (96% of past melanoma patients and 94% of the comparison group); most had less than 15. Benign moles weren't associated with greater risk of melanoma recurrence -- but the same wasn't true of atypical moles.

Warning Sign

In the new study, atypical moles were linked to a higher rate of recurrent melanoma. Atypical moles have at least three of the following features: diameter larger than 5 millimeters, redness, varied colors, irregular or ill-defined borders, and a flat portion of the mole. The more atypical moles a past melanoma patient had, the greater the odds of having recurrent melanoma. Past melanoma patients with at least three atypical moles were more than four times as likely to have recurrent melanoma, compared with those with no atypical moles, the researchers write.
Atypical moles were also more common with recurrent melanoma than in the comparison group. Of the 27 patients with recurrent melanoma, 63% had at least one atypical mole. So did 37% of the comparison group.

New Location

Melanoma often recurred in new areas. Of the 27 patients with recurrent melanoma, nearly half had all their melanomas in roughly the same spot. For example, they may have had their first melanoma on the upper back and recurrent melanoma in the middle of the back. In four other patients, melanoma returned a bit farther away. They may have gotten their first melanoma on their back and later tumors on their front, or above and below the waist. Melanoma recurred in more distant locations in the other 10 patients. For instance, they may have had their first melanoma on their trunk (midsection) and recurrent melanoma on an arm. The bottom line: Melanoma can come back in new locations, so melanoma patients need close surveillance, the researchers write.

Sunburn Surprise

Excessive sun exposure has long been linked to skin cancer risk. For unknown reasons, the study showed a lower risk of melanoma recurrence in people with history of blistering sunburns
That finding should be interpreted "cautiously," the researchers write. They warn that "the association should not be construed as suggesting that sunburn protects patients with melanoma from developing additional tumors." The study doesn't track melanoma recurrence beyond two years after first diagnosis and wasn't big enough to detect subtle patterns in melanoma recurrence, note Titus-Ernstoff and colleagues.

Lance and NYC Marathon

The AP is reporting the following story:

Associated Press

ROME, Ga. -- Look out, New York. Lance is ready to run.
Lance Armstrong told The Associated Press on Wednesday that he plans to compete in the New York City Marathon on Nov. 5.
"We were looking at the Chicago Marathon, but a conflict arose with the date, and New York seems to fit our schedule better," Armstrong said in a telephone interview. "I've been training some, but I wouldn't call it serious. It's just something to fill a void in my life after I quit competing as a professional cyclist."
Armstrong, who is preparing for his first marathon, retired from cycling after winning an unprecedented seventh straight Tour de France last year.
Before committing to become a full-time cyclist, Armstrong competed in triathlons as a teenager. He indicated he has no plans to run marathons or enter triathlons professionally, at least not at this time.

OLDMAN - Does Lance run as a mere mortal or with the elite runners? Does he stand in the sea of runners or.... Can Kona be in the future?

Gatorade vs Powerade

Well boys and girls we have all had debates about hydration for the Ironman but here is a different view on Gatorade vs Powerade. Slate.com has the video proof of the differences between G and P as shown in an Amish drag race. Unfortunately due to legal reasons the ad was pulled.... but then you'll get the point. Click here.

Monday Update

This has been a difficult weak to train living now in the Philly area and traveling back to Florida on Thursday returning to Philly on Monday. So here is a quick recap of my training weak. Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Sunday were ride days. I've yet to "find" a route here in Pa but on Friday and Sunday I rode in Florida on the ole Steel Monster. It made me appreciate clipless peddles and aerobars. I rode Sunday with Tony for 50 miles but I found it hard to keep up with him and maintain a steady 22 mph pace. No way was I even close to 30 mph on the straight-a-way. My run days have been less that great, running Tuesday and Thursday in Philly and Saturday in Florida. I was able to get a long run in on Saturday of 14 miles. Swimming has been a little difficult. I'm trying a local pool within walking distance of my office but I can't get use to their odd schedule. So I have only swam 2 days.

Weakly totals

Bike 110 miles
Run 28 miles
Swim 5,000 yards

I flew back to Philly this morning so hopefully I'll get a ride in after work. I haven't sold my Florida home even though I've had a lot of people looking. That also means I haven't found a house here and I'm still living in my temporary apartment. So if you want to buy a house in Florida, let me know.

Good luck to everyone doing the Boston Marathon today...Especially Jeff!

HILLS!

One thing Florida doesn't have is hills, unless you go to the north, but in Southwest Florida there are no hills. It's flat! The only hills that I ever encountered were overpasses. The overpasses over golf courses or the 5 bridges on my ride around Estero Island. The last bridge on the around the island ride is 130 ft tall! But one thing that Philly does have is plenty of hills!

This mornings ride was getting my legs in hill shape. Since I'm not sure of my route I've been riding for time. I have 60 minutes to ride so I go out 30 minutes turn around and head back. This morning I took a new and improve route. This route was one where I thought I wouldn't have a soccer mom talking on her cell phone while beeping her horn at me to get out of the way because she is late for work after dropping the kids off at school and day care. So the first few miles are down hill then up hill then flat then up hill again. It seem more up hill than down on the way out. I didn't have 10 miles on the speedo so I road a couple of loops around a neighborhood to get to 10 and started back. (Actually I got a little lost). Did I mention that on the way out I saw 37 mph? That should have been a clue but hey I'm from Florida.

The ride back started down hill, 27 to 30 mph then a nice uphill followed by some more uphill then a brief down followed by a huge hill. I thought my heart was going to come out of my chest hill. At the top was a traffic light and thankfully it was RED! It was good to stop take a drink and get some air. Then on to a downhill followed by a flat the a GIANT HILL worse than the first! I was afraid I was going to have to stop when I saw the speedo at 8 mph. But with burning legs, thumping heart, grasping for air I made it to the top! I made it back to my apartment in my allotted time of 60 minutes but I did feel like I got a good workout. Tomorrow I'm going to run that course so I can get my running legs in hill shape!

I moved!

Well boys and girls I didn't fall of the face of the earth but I'm now in beautiful Ardmore, PA a suburb of Philadelphia. They actually had snow for me on Wednesday! While the house in Florida hasn't sold, the Firm is putting me up in a furnished apartment.

This morning was a 20 mile ride and it was cold! I need some kind of warm jersey to keep my upper body warm. It is a lot different training here than in Florida where all you have to worry about is sweating. I have found some good hills although I haven't found a regular riding route. This morning I had a lady in an suv talking on her cell phone while blowing her horn at me because I was going to slow.... 26 mph! There was no bike lane so I had no place to go but take the right side of the road.

I plan on getting a swim in at lunch time and then next week is I will focus on getting back into the groove of training with a minimum of two workouts a day.

Moving - House For Sale

Ok it is finally settled. After two and a half months of negation, my saying no three times and now a second visit there, I have accepted a new position in Filthydelphia. Yes I'm crazy to leave sunny Florida weather where I can train outside year round. I will not be able to have lunch time swims in the Gulf of Mexico nor will I have my weekly Saturday swims at the beach followed by a beer at Doc's Beach House. But I will have new friends to train with along the Schuylkill Bike Path. The job is a great opportunity for me and they offered me Partnership immediately along with a wonderful 2 year contract. I'll be doing much of what I currently do just getting paid a lot more money.

These past weakend has been showing my house to potential buyers. I've have 12 people come thru after sending out a broadcast email to my community telling them that my house was for sale. Yes, I'm selling it without a realtor. I currently have 2 people interested and should know by the end of the weak.

I was able to get my long run in on Saturday and Tony and I did around the Island on Sunday for 54 miles. So here's the weakly totals:

Bike -129 miles
Run - 29 miles
Swim - 6,000 yards

He's Alive!!!!!!

Just a quick note to say I'm alive! Yes I survived my visit to Philadelphia. But I never want to see a Security and Exchange Commission Examiner again! Ugh. Above is a picture from my room in beautiful Conshohocken Pa. The Firm I worked for has offered me an outstanding job. So part of my visit has been evaluating if I want to move to the Philly area.




Training wise last week we will count as a rest week. I left home at 5:00 am only to arrived Saturday in Philly and drive straight to the office (picture above) and worked on the preparation of the examination until late in the evening. So no workout. Sunday I ran 7 miles along a portion of the Schuykill River Bike Trail. It runs from Philly to Valley Forge, 24 miles. It was cold cold cold. 29* and you know how I feel about the cold weather! I did have roadies pass me along the way and I was constantly amazed by the about of people biking the path. The rest of the day was looking at houses. Why is it I can't find a simple 3 bedroom, den with a fireplace and a deck home? Everything they showed me in my price range was a huge "executive home" with 4 bedrooms den, office, etc. Some of the master bedrooms had there own sitting rooms. I don't need huge for just me.


It was all down hill after Sunday. I worked and worked .... I did have dinner with a good friend on Monday and my youngest son Josh on Wednesday night. He is now home for good from Iraq and is now looking for a job in the computer industry. But no training. Friday I flew home exhausted and got in late.

Saturday I was tempted to sleep in but I got up at 8 am and did a 25 mile ride. I went to sunset and dinner with Tony and his wife.

The Sunday was the every popular around Estero Island ride with Tony. We added a few more miles to get it to 60 miles. It was a brutal ride into the wind much of the way. I was ready to get off my bike at the end.

WEAKLY Totals

Bike 85 miles
Run 7 miles
Swim Nada miles

Friday's Random Thots

Here is just a few ramdom thots to bring you up to speed on whatz happening:

Tony left for England on Wed to visit his Father for a week.... so I rode along this morning and felt pretty good for the first 21 miles...then I had no one to put the hammer down for the last 4 miles.

I got my suitcase down for my trip to Philly tomorrow. Gota pack tonight. I don't own warm clothing I have more shorts that long pants and only one suit.

I'm working Satuday and Sunday in Philly then meet the Security and Exchange Commission Examiners on Monday morning bright and early.

Did I mention that it is 76* and sunny here and 34* windy and cloudy in Philly?

I do plan on buying a Kmart Special and giving it to a needy child when I leave. Are there needy children in Philly?

I've made arrangements to use a local Y for swimming.

I'm getting together with my old friends from Vanguard...the Morron and Hey8Ball for a few beers Saturday night.

The swim has been canceled at the Ironman New Zeland in Taupo.... so now what do they do? actuall the race is tomorrow but you can watch it today becuase theyare ahead of us.

It is suppose to snow in Philly on Tuesday......snow people!

I don't want to go to Philly.

Maserati

The mystery car is a Maserati. Roman Mica and Steve were both right however Roman noted that it is a Maserati Quattroport. I was surprised that people knew what it was by my poor picture. This time of year, Snow Bird Season, you see al kinds of odd expensive cars. I'll try to find a hard one for next time.

Car

I had to go to our accountants office this afternoon. This was parked in the parking lot..

what is it?

On the Road Again

My training is coming to a screeching halt! Well cycling at least. I'm leaving early Saturday morning for Freezing Philly Pa and not returning until Friday. So I can't ride for a week people, a week! I have been thinking about buying a K-Mart special for $89 and giving it away when I leave so I can get my rides in but I think Roo would get jealous. I'll be close to the Philly-Valley Forge bike path and some of the best riding in the area. So what do you think? There is a Y near the office where I'll be working so I can swim at lunch and I can run in the mornings but hey it's cold up there...ugh! Well I can go see the WALL from the famous US Pro Cycling Championship.

Big Numbers

What does it take to complete an Ironman? Remember that is 140 miles all total? So what do I have to do to complete that race? Some one said:

A goal without a plan is just a wish!

So I spoke with several people who have done an Ironman. One had a respectable time at Kona for a 50 year old of 9:35. So I asked about training and weekly totals from someone who finished under 10 hours and particularly the bike. How much time do you spend on the bike? The answer was no less than 40 miles a weekday ride. The usual 3 day a week ride was a minimum of 40 miles each and the long ride was 80 miles. A total of 200 miles! The run mileage is a even higher than I thought it would be. It is not unusual to have a 50 mile week with a long run of 18 miles. Swim was what I thought, 3 to 4 days a week with at least one open water swim of 2 miles.

How can I do that? So what does it take? Planning, time and discipline. Planning of your training and planning of your time. The hours spent training are some serious hours...15 to 20 hours. It takes discipline to get up on time, go to bed on time, get out to do your training on time and to eat right...disicpline.

So for those of you that ask me about my numbers, they are really small compared to those who have done what I want to do. That's why I call it WEAKLY totals. They are weak by comparison.

Weakend Report

This week has had an emphasis on the bike.... while tri's are not just about the bike it is a major portion of the race. After all you spend 6 hours or more in the saddle and 1 hour on the swim. So you have got to develop an iron butt. Since I did the Estero Island Challenege on Monday, Tony wanted to do that for our Sunday ride. More on that in a moment.

Friday was of course one of my regular ride days. Tony and I were able to get 25 miles in before having to go to work. Once at work I found I was incredibly hungery, eating everthing in sight. I swam at lunch only to return to the office to eat more food.

Friday night I went to the Club as usual and again ate and drank beer like a pig.

Saturday was my long run day. I got up at my regular for a 7:30 run but I just didn't have any energy. It was warm, about 72* and bright sun so I thought it was going to be a tough one. So I imagined it was Kona. You know after the bike your hot, tired and have no energy. The first 2 miles were uneventful. I picked up my water bottle at the 2 mile mark and just tried to maintain an even pace. Then my HR monitor stoped working so I ran on feel. The next 4 miles was just plain hot..... I refilled my water bottle and had to choose long course or short course. Welll don't give yourself a choice...I took the short course so my next water stop wouild be at the 10 mile mark..... I just dragged myself there. No energy no nothing, I was just empty. After refueling with water I headed home and finished for a total of 14 miles. O well better get it next time.

Saturday night J and I met Tony and his wife at the Country Club for the British Invansion Night. It was a great night of eatting fish and chips with triffle for desert and dancing the night away to the music of the 60'.... the Beatles etc.

Sunday the forecast called for rain showers. But when I got up to go for my ride it was partly sunny and looked like it was going to clear. After giving Roo a quick bath ( I gotta remember to do this after the ride and not before) I met Tony at his house. We decided to do the Estero Island route.

As we started out it looked as if it would clear but the winds started up. We slogged into the wind for the first 10 miles and I couldn't wait to make a left turn onto Bonita Beach Road hoping the wind would be less...but no it was more! Now going directly west toward the Gulf of Mexico the winds increased as we got closer to the water. At Doc's Beach house, where I swim in the gulf, we turned north on Hickory Blouevard. The wind was on our left side coming off the Gulf and having such sudden gusts it was hard to stay on the road. The wind actually whistled thru the spokes on my wheels. Then the heavens opened with a stinging downpour. At one point Tony was actually blown off the road into the grass. Fortunately there is no curb or sidewalk. From then on it was one of the hardest bike rides I've ever done. Wind, stinging rain and going over 7 bridges including one climb in Ft. Myers Beach that is over a huge bridge (beyond cat climb). Needless to say after 50 miles I was glad to be back home. It was a struggle just to stay upright on the bike. But then I thot of Kona and the winds there so it was good practice.

Totals for the Weak

Bike - 140 miles
Run - 28 miles
Swim 12,500 yards
weights 2xs
pilates nada

Circumnavigate Estero Island Challenge

Yesterday I circumnavigated Estero Island a total of 41 miles. This is something that I have been wanting to do for some time but due to the road construction on one leg of my trip it hasn't been safe. So more in moment.....

The weakend weather was wonderful. The morning lows were in the mid 60's and the day time highs 81*with a nice gentle breeze. So here is a quick recap of my weakend...

This weekend I.....
... got off work early Friday, 2 pm, and went to the pool for a swim....
...had drinks with friends at the Club
...ran 15 miles Saturday morning
...walked 9 holes of golf Saturday afternoon
...had dinner at the beach with J watched the sunset.
...did the airport ride with Tony total of 60 miles
...did the Estero Island ride by myself total of 40 miles
...washed the windows at the house inside and out plus vacuumed the window treatments.
....fix a wonderful dinner of Oldman's meatloaf with Oldman's homemade mac & cheese.... hey I was starved for carbs.

So I was off Monday for President's Day therefore I decided to do my much thought about Estero Island ride. As I said above, I haven't done it because of road construction on the beginning leg on highway 41. There is suppose to be a bike lane but it has been removed and the highway is a mess.


So after giving Roo a quick bath (pic left) I started out at 7:30 am. It was overcast with patches of fog. Here's a pic looking down my street but you can't see the fog.

The first 10 miles are on the bike lane of Rte 41 until the road construction lanes. I road the right lane when I had to then on to Bonita Beach Road which leads of course to the beach and past Doc's.... I stopped at Lover's Key State Park which is rate as on of the top 10 beaches in the US. It is a beautiful park with wonderful white sand beaches. Here's a pic of Roo at Lover's Key...



Just after I took this pic a truck passed my with a sheet of drywall on the roof. The drywall blew off and crashed into the road. Had I not stopped for the pic it might have hit me! I continued on over 6 bridges into the community of Ft. Myers Beach. It is your typical island beach town with a lot of the 3 wheeled motorcycle engine cars and tourists.

Finally I reached the beyond cat climb of Ft. Myers Beach Bridge. Once at the top I stopped to take some pics, the one above and this one.....



At the top of the bridge I at my cliff bar and then headed home.... I had thought about riding on to Sanibel Island but I'll leave that for the next holiday. The ride was a total of 41 miles with an ave pace of 17.5 mph. I did have a problem with muscle cramps at the 38 mile mark. So I've got to solve that problem. I was drinking regular gatorade rather than endurance formula so maybe that had something to do with it.

I came home to wash windows at my house and I fixed myself a wonderful dinner of meatloaf with homemade mac and cheese which I had with a nice bottle of chardonnay (alone Linda).

Continuing Saga of the Cold

Weakend Update

This weakend I...

Friday I had drinks and dinner with my neighbors at the Country Club
Go up late Saturday morning
Ran 15 miles
did my taxes...I owe, I owe, so it's of to work I got.....
went to Maxwells with J for dinner
did a long COLD ride with Tony on Sunday 53 miles...43*
made it to church on time
skipped the beach for swimming
went to the wait room
had beers at the River Clb
put the robot in the pool
sat in the hot tub and watched the robot

Weakly totals
Bike 128
Run 29
Swim 6,000
Waits x2
Pilates Nada

Monday it was cold again ....38* and today we had frost with a morning temp of 31*. I turned my heater on last night for the first time in 2 years. No lunch time swims so far this week even though the temp at lunch time was 62*.

Cold Spell Continues

I'm sure your tired of hearing me say it, however it was another cold morning. This week Southwest Florida has had some really cold mornings and some areas reported frost. I'm not used to riding/running in 38* weather! I don't have the right clothes nor do I want to buy them for just one week out of the year. So today was a ride day. I wore my warmest cotton longsleeve shirt, tights, a windbreaker and wool gloves and I was still cold for the first 10 miles. But I got it done and finished my 25 miles.

Tony is recovering from his back injury. He wore a back brace and disguised his appearance by wearing a terrorist ski cap under his helmet. I almost didn't know who he was..... a short skinny balding Englishman with a funny accent!

I have some running around to do at lunch for the Firm so no swimming today. This weekend looks promising so here are my plans. Maybe if I tell you in advance it will help me to keep them!

Tonight
Cocktails at the Country Club
Dinner with the Icelandic neighbors
Tomorrow
Long Slow Run 15 miles
Work on my taxes
Sit in the Hot Tub
Wait Room work out for upper body
Dinner at Maxwells on the Bay with J
Sunday
Long Ride with Tony 60 miles
Go to Church
Clean my pool
Sit in the Hot Tub
Long Swim at beach if warm 1.5 hour
Afternoon beer(s) at Doc's Beach House
Passout from exhaustion at 8:30 pm

COMING SOON

I just realized I'm off on Monday Feb 20th for Presidents Day. Anybody want to do a long ride around the Island to Sanibell and back?

Road Rage Gone Wrong

Ok here is road rage in Toronto gone wrong against a bike messenger, Lisa. See the whole photo shoot and read about it here. The basic story is the guy threw trash out of his car window. The messenger not liking liter picked it up and threw it back thru the car window. The guy now mad threw hot coffee at the messenger. The messenger then keyed the guys car. The guy stopped to stomp on the messengers bike which then started this fight. The photographer took these pics plus a pic of the license plate at which time the car's drive chase him with a baseball bat.

The Long Cold Lonely ride

OK it wasn't as cold as Jill faces Up inAlaska faces but for me 43* was cold given the fact that I don't really have cold weather riding gear. So cold is relative to where you live and since I'm use to 70* in the early morning it was cold.

Also Tony (pictured left on his old bike not his new Trek Madone) has missed three rides with a bad back. It seems he "put it out" loading his van with boxes. YEA sure. OK so I'll just continue on getting stronger while he gets uglier.

Today I did my regular loops through the community to get my 25 COLD COLD miles. Not to many people around today. I did see Smilie and the Thin Lady and her husband. No Coffee Drinker and Collie, no Bull Dog and Bull Dog Walker.

I'm not sure about today's swim because even now it is only 56* so we shall see at lunch time. Tonight I plan on going to the wait room on the way home to work on my negelcted upper body.

Lunch Time Swim

This morning was the regular Tuesday recovery run thru the woods and past the fitness center. Other than it was cool, about 55*, there is not much to say. Hardly any one around because it was "cold". Didn't see Coffee Drinker and Collie but I did see Bull Dog and his large Bull Dog. He walks the dog off the leash even though we have a leash rule in our community. When he sees me coming he grabs the dog. Yesterday when I passed on my bike he was a little late grabbing the dog.... it's just a matter of time before you will be reading about a runnner or cyclist who punted a large bull dog thru the goal posts. (Something the Sea Hawks field goal kicker couldn't do Sunday).

At lunch I met up with my former swim Coach, Carrie. Coach Carrie taught me to swim the Total Immersion way or fish like swimming. I have her come and check me out from time to time to see if I'm balanced, roll enough and have good overall form. She will suggest drills and such for me to work on so my swims are not jsut about doing laps. It is amazing how my stroke count has come down with her help and insight. So I have a whole set of drills to do for about the next month since I'm not rolling enough AGAIN when I breath on right side. Hey I'm a lefty most of the time except in baseball and eating and writing.

Unfortunately I was a little late, well a lot late, gettting back to work (1/2 hour late). So I'll have to leave 1/2 hour early to make it up.

Tonight is weight nite but it might have to wait since I'm tired already and hungry.

Strange Weakend

OK it was a strange, weird, weakend....

Saturday I got up early hearing it raining off and on during the night. A cold front came down from up North (thanks Shelly) which cause severe thunderstorms and a few tornados. At 7:00am , when I finally got ready to leave the house for my run, there was a pause in the action, so I thot I could squeeze between the rain drops and not get wet. But it was not to be boys and girls! At the 6 mile mark the sky looked almost as dark as night so I headed home. The last mile the thunder and lightening started then the heavens opened for a Florida car wash (that when it rains so hard it's like going thru a car wash and you can't see a thing). My watch said I ran the last mile in 7:19....I'm not so sure but I did push really hard to get home. So my 15 mile run got shortened to 7 miles. It rain the rest of the day which is unusual for this time of year. This is our dry season so it was good to get an all day soaker.

Sunday morning the cold front had pushed thru and now it was cold with a northeast wind blowing cold dry air. I did the first 2 miles of my bike with long pants but I stopped at the house to switch to bike shorts with a long sleeve jersey. When I got to the spot where I meet Tony there was no Tony. (I found out he slept in since it was too cold and he was tired.) The wind made it a tough go but I did get 50 miles in but several times it felt like I was gong to get blown off the bike.

Sunday afternoons I usually go to the beach or pool for some swim time but since the wind was blowing and it was cool and it was Super Bowl Sunday I chose to go to my neighbors to watch the Steelers beat the Sea Hawks. (GO STEELERS).

WEAKLY TOTALS

RUN - 21 miles
Bike - 125 miles
Swim - 9,000 yards
Weights - 2x's
Pilates - NADA

Finally Friday

It's casual day at the office today. Our regualr dress is business casual but today we can wear shorts.... so, yes Joe, I'm wearing shorts today.

Above is a picture of Olivia Orchid. She just started blooming so I thot I would post a pic of her first the blooms. When she is in full bloom she will have about 60 blooms. She sits on my coffee table on the lania.

Today was a ride morning. I did my usual 25 miles with Tony. Hopefully a swim at lunch time. I was thinking about going to the beach to swim but it is threatening rain and the air temp is 76* so it looks like I'll be going to the heated pool.

Happy Groundhog Day!

Let me be the first to wish all of my friends HAPPY GROUNDHOG DAY! For you who missed Phil's awaking from his long winters slumber to make his forecast you can go here to watch the festivities. To be sure since Phil did see his shadow there will be SIX MORE WEEKS of winter! Which is ok with me since I'm not looking forward to the hot weather.

For my friends Loubob and Cliff here is a picture of the hibiscus in full bloom in front of my house.



Today was a tennis ball run day. There was a nice breeze from the east with the temp at 68* when I left the house. I did my usual thru the wood and tried to add an extra mile since I felt pretty good. But as I started on the 8th mile one of my neighbors stopped me to ask me a few questions so I was a little late and I could only add a half of a mile. O well. I'm planning on swimming at lunch time and hopefully get to the weight room tonight.

Tomorrow is the Day!!!!

That's right boys and girls! I know you are excited and can hardly sleep at night. Tomorrow is the big day! I'm sure all of you boys and girls are going to watch the festivities on the webcam.
Tomorrow live from Gobbler's Knob your waiting will be over. Will we have six more weeks of winter? So this is your reminder to set your alarm clocks boys and girls to 5:15 so you can see Punxsutawney Phil crawl out of his borrow at 5:30 and tell us how much long we have to put up with winter.



Remember to tell every one you heard it here on Tri-Oldman's blog.

How Fast is Fast?

So you think you're fast? Did you see the times for the P.F. Chang's Rock'n'Roll Arizona Marathon? Yup boys and girls a NEW WORLD RECORD by Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia for the half marathon, 58:55. That is a pace of right around 4 min 40 seconds per mile! That is pick 'em up and put'em down quick like. The winner of the marathon, Shimelis Mola also of Ethiopia did it in 2:13:08....also pretty fast!

So it makes my little run thru the woods seem like I'm going real slow, which I did today a slow 7 mile recovery run. I'm hoping to swim at lunch time.

Weakly Update

Here is a quick review of what went on this past week:

Monday - 25 mi bike normal loops
Tuesday - 7 mile run thru the woods
Wednesday - NADA - went to NYC
Thursday - NADA went to Philly and the on to home
Friday - 25 mi bike normal loops
Saturday 14 mile run, 45 mi swim at Doc's beach
Sunday - 60 mi bike Pelican Landing to RSW Airport and home

Totals:

Bike 110 mi
Run 21 mi
Swim 45 min
Pilates - NADA
Weights - NADA

I had to go to NYC and Philly this past week on business which messed up my training schedule. So I'll count this week as a rest week. Neat way of planning, anounce a rest week after the fact!


EAGLE update

Tony and I went to Pelican Landing so we could see the eagle's nest. Much to our surprise the eaglet was standing on the edge of the nest while mom or dad stood in a branch watching. Later in the day I took J to see the nest and brought alone my field glasses. At first I thought the eaglet had flown away since it appeared that the nest was empty. But waiting around a little we saw a wing stretch up. Then the next thing that happened was Mom flew in to the tree and sat on her branch above the nest. Baby showed no signs of appearing when Dad eagle flew in with food in his talons ( a large rat or small rabbit). Dad proceeded to eat the food then baby woke up an began to feed as well. What a sight! Then mom eagle joined in the nest to get a snack. Mother Father and Baby all sitting in the nest!

Weekend Eagle update

Ok this mornings crash has me all befuddled! But I did mean to tell everyone that my weekend training went well. I chose not to do the Naples Half Marathon in order to keep on track with my training schedule. If the winner of my age group (55-59) is any indication I had no chance of placing in my AG... Joe Bonness finished 5th in my AG at 1:34 so I had no hope!

Saturday I did 17 miles - two loops of my through the woods course (14 miles) plus up to the River Club and back to add 3 miles for a total of 17. It was a rather warm day 78* and sunny. Even though I used SPF 50 sun block I got burned on my neck. I did see Coffee Drinkers Daughter walking Collie but nothing to report. She even smiled at me! Collie looked at me with evil eyes though.

Sunday was our long ride. Tony and I did the Pelican Landing course so we could see the eagle's nest. We decided to take turns pulling switching every half mile. This work pretty good and we got to the eagle's nest very quickly...ave 19.5 mph. The eagle was sitting on the nest but as we watched he/she got up, stood on a branch then flew over us and out to the fields near by.

Tony and I proceeded on to the boat launch area and ate our breakfast, for me a Peanut Butter Crunch Cliff Bar and Tony a rapsberry PowerBar. We looked for dolphins but I guess it is not the right time for them to be in the bay. We did see a lot of pelicans.

On the way back we stopped again at the eagles nest and once again he/she was in the nest but this time obviously feeding the eaglets! What a neat sight to see. We are hoping to see the eaglets fly in a few weeks.

On the ride back home it was windy as the morning winds shifted to the northeast. It made for a tough pull all the way home but we got it done..... 40 miles.

Another Accident

During todays ride I had a collision with my cycling partner, Tony. I feel really stupid because I felt it coming on or I knew it was about to happen. It happened at an intersection that we go thru 4 times in our normal loop, twice we turn right and twice we turn left. Tony was talking about his new puppy and had lost track of where we were. I shouted LEFT LEFT but he was turning right and down I went, he stayed up. Fortunately I just scraped my arm and knee and I finished our ride.

Cycling TV

I found a streaming TV channel on the web dedicated to Cycling... Cycling TV...check it out I'm currently watching a time trail that includes Team Discovery Channel.

A Frigid Morning

I did not want to get out of bed this morning. It was cold and I haven't turned on my heater since .... well last year sometime, so it was cold in the house and it was 48* outside! Last week when I visited my LBS, I bought a pair of gloves to go under my bike gloves. Well they work for running also I found out this morning.

My run was the normal Tuesday Thursday loop through the woods. I did find with it being cold, well cold for me, that it was more difficult to get my muscles loose. At the two mile mark I had shin splints. I pushed thru th e pain for the next two miles when finally the pain subsided. What is that a sign for,new shoes? I'm hoping it was just the cold.

I'm going to try to swim today at lunch time it is supose to be 76* by noon. Then I'll hit the weights at the fitness center tonight.

Still Alive and Kicking

Just a quickie.... no Bolder not that.... A quickie update to let everyone know I'm OK. I have been very busy at work, this is our busy time reconciling accounts, sending out statements and bills so I have been swamped!

Quickie Highlights:

Friday - I road 25 miles in the morning, swam at lunch and went to the club for cocktails (yes the feathers do get caught in my teeth) then home for early bed.

Saturday - Tour de Cape century - I awoke to wind and rain but went to Cape Coral anyway for the Tour. By the time I got there it was no longer raining just windy. It was a brutal day riding into the wind etc... I thought about doing the 62 miler but hung in there for the 100 miles 5 hrs 32 min...of pure torture. (yes I had one stop for fuel and pottie). It was a well supported ride but alot of people didn't show due to the wind. What are you going to do in the wind at Kona not show up?

Sunday - rest day I did have J over for dinner - Carrot Ginger Soup, Oldman Bread, Spinach Quiche, Salad and Cream Brulee all of which I served with some Stagg's Leap chardonnay. Hey I can still cook.

Monday - of course MLK Day so I worked like a slave around my house washing windows and doing winter house cleanning. I did manage a 15 mile ride.

Tuesday - run day before work and it was a great run of 7 miles. I went to the weight room afterwork. Couldn't swim had to work thru lunch.

Today - rain and cold and rain but I rode anyway in the rain 20 miles, I just couldn't do the last 5 since I was wet and cold. I'm hoping that it is warm enough to swim at lunch time (open air pools in FL).

Lunch and LBS

Ok I had a lunch meeting with our Firm's accountant regarding our taxes. Yes it is that time of year again. So after my lunch meeting at Aqua Grill, I stopped by my LBS, Clint's Bicycle Shoppe. After Flatman's wife purchased him a new bike, I thot maybe I'd find some one to buy me a new bike. So here's is the bike I looked at:



Trek Madone SSLx. A Boron frame weights 14 lbs and comes in my size! What do you think?

So I bought a pair of wool gloves to go under my bike gloves to keep my fingers nice and toastie. The bike was $12,500, a little more than I want to spend on a bike.

Tennis Ball Run Again

Today was the Thursday Tennis Ball run along my regular route. Half way home Eileen jumped in to run with me. It's nice to have a younger pretty woman who can run faster than me join in the tennis ball games. She runs in the 7's so it pushes me, which is what I need at this point.

For those interested, the dead rat is gone from the road but the dead snake is still there.

Wednesday Random Thots

Today was a ride day, while it was warmer than yesterday I still wore my arm warmers. Yesterday I told you about the people I usually see. Today I thought I would tell you about the sights that I see. As I left my house it was light enough I didn't need a headlamp or my rear blinky but still a little foggy or maybe it is mist. I noticed that the re-cycling truck that picks up glass, plastic and newspapers had dropped some glass on the road. You have to be careful of these since my tires are more slicks with no tread and I ride with 100 lbs of air in my tires. These little shards of glass will cause a major flat.

As I left my circle I noticed the road here was wet. Not from rain because it is now dry season and we get little or no rain until June when it rains every afternoon at 4 pm. No it was wet from the irrigation. With my slick tires I have to be careful taking the next corner to fast.... anything over 20 mph.

As we turn onto Southern Hills Drive Tony stands in the saddle to sprint, he is trying to sprint more to get in shape for the straight-a-way where he wants to get to 35 mph. This sprinting causes me to speed up, the only problem is Southern Hills Drive has speed bumps which jars everything my speedometer and cadence stop working and the road ends in a cul-de-sac where we turn around. I have a tri bike, Quintana Roo, which doesn't handle as well as Tony's Trek Madone roadbike. So at the turn-around I fall behind yet again. Since I'm trying to train for triathlons I remain in the saddle most of the time and just try to spin faster to catch up. Some times it works.

A golf cart pulls out in front of us as we head back and this is a signal for Tony and I to go faster to try to catch the cart and pass it. I change gears to 5 down and off we go and yes we catch and pass it nicely saying "Good Morning" to a startled golf cart driver. We are doing 23 mph the cart is doing about 19 mph.

As we head up Tony's street we watch for Coffee Drinker and Collie. I am convinced that since I haven't seen them in a month they are planning a sneak attack. At the end of Tony's street, another cul-de-sac, we turn around and it is catch-up time to me. We come down his street to he back gate blow thru the stop sign and head up to the Fitness Center.

At the Fitness Center is a large parking lot where we cruise around the perimeter get a drink and start back the way we came but making a right to go to the famous straight-a-way. I usually pull from the Fitness Center around Island Circle then jump the sidewalk up a slight incline to the straight-a-way. I get a sip of drink get into aero position again and I try to pull Tony as fast as I can. Here on the straight-a-way we usually have to announce the "BIKES COMING" to move the Groupies (6 ladies walking in the road side-by-side). At about half way we are doing 28, Tony goes around me, I try to get on his wheel but usually since he is 8 years younger than me (I'm the better looking one) he drops me.

As we make the lefthand turn and head to the Boat Yard we jump onto the trail/bike path that passes the "Pottie House" then on to the road again heading back toward my house. Here we saw a LARGE DEAD RAT. No the little ones like we saw last winter. And not the Palmetto Rats that I killed in my attic last year. No, a real RAT.

When we make the turn to my street, we spot a dead snake. He's nicely coiled but dead. Tony and I do my street as fast as possible then back to Southern Hills to start our second loop hoping to find another golf cart to pass along the way. Those two loops make 20 miles. Sometimes I go to Tony's house and back another 5 miles to cool off.

Tagged

OK Susan passed on this meme to me. I'm not sure why but here goes:

Four jobs you've had in your life:
telephone tech, electrician, minister, adminstrator
Four movies you could watch over and over:
Gettysburg, Christmas Vacation, Master and Commander, Star Wars or Star Trek
Four places you've lived: New Jersey, Texas, Florida no place else...
Four TV shows you love to watch:
Imus in the Morning, CNBC During the day in my office, News (MSNBC ,Fox or CNN), Two and a Half Men
Four places you've been on vacation:
Rome, Italy; London, England; Paris, France; the Caribbean
Four websites you visit daily:
Gooogle, Slowtwitch, Gmail, Vanguard, Janus
Four of your favorite foods:
anything Italian i.e. pasta, pesto; anything seafood i.e. grouper, shrimp, clams; anything cocolate i.e. cookies, cake, ice cream, pies etc; anything Wine i.e. champagne, chardonay, merlot, Pinor Noir
Four places you'd rather be:
Barefoot Beach near my home; on a sailboat in the Chesapeake; Rome, Italy visiting my grandson; NJ visiting my other 2 grandsons
Four albums you can't live without:
Common Thread: Songs of the Eagles; Andrea Bocelli; Louis Armstrong; Sarah Brightman
Four vehicles I've owned:
VW Bug, Jeep Cherokee, Fiero, Buick Regal Grand Sport

OK so I'll tag the great Goofy Challenge winner Nancy, the great Prarie Dawg Leader, Bolder and Cliff of Canada fame.

Terrific Tuesday

My training seems to be routine doing the same thing over and over again. Sunday is the long ride, Monday is a recovery ride and weights, Tuesday is run and swim, Wednesday is ride and swim Thursday fartlek run and weights, Friday is ride and swim, Saturday is my long run and long swim. Same week in and week out.

Since my schedule is pretty much the same, I don't always know what to post. Take this morning for example. It was a nice morning, almost perfect morning to run. It was cool but not to cold, about 56 no breeze. The sun was just coming up and as I started my run, it was reflecting off the golf course lake causing me to squint. I saw the usually walkers and a few new people because it is season now and the snowbirds are here.

AS I leave my block and turn left on the main street I see the usual people. I name the "usual" people that I see. No I don't "know" them but I do say good morning to them. There is the Smiley Guy, he is always smiling. At the corner is Pajama Girl, she walks two dogs wearing a sweatshirt and pajama bottoms, she looks like she just got done with a shower since her hair is wet. Then I see the Skinny Lady and Skinny Ladies Husband. She is so skinny if she turns sideways and sticks out her tongue she would be a zipper. Next up is Fast Walker, she walks really fast. As I round the curve at the first mile mark is Cigar Guy, always smoking a cigar picking up stuff in his yard or sweeping his driveway. I then head up Tony's street to the now famous Coffee Drinker and Collie, whom I haven't seen in a while but you know about them probably planning a secret attack on Tony and me.

As I continue on my run at the 2 mile mark I enter the woods. It's a trail that follows the Estero River and is very popular with canoeist and kayakers. I have only seen one person on the trail in all the years that I have been using it. But I have seen some great wildlife. Birds of course, and rabbits. One morning I startled a panther. This year I rounded the corner at the end of the trail as it crosses a bridge over a little creek when I startled a mother Otter and three babies playing. I don't know who was more excited me or the otters!

After leaving the woods I come to the Fitness Center and Pool for our community. It is along the river, next to the dock masters office for our boat lunch and dock. There is also the River Club next to the Fitness Center and Pool. I usually stop inside the Fitness center to get a drink of water and on Tuesdays get weighted. As I leave the Fitness Center I run now on the road that leads back to the community thru some preserve areas that the State of Florida will not allow to be developed. That is what attracted me to this community the natural areas and large open spaces, unlike some community builders who use up every available space.

As I go along the preserve area there is a small trail that leads to a grave site that was used by the Koreseans. The Koreseans were a cult in the late 1800's lead by Cyrus Tweed. In the cemetery are the graves of several of this cult that died. One is a Confederate soldier and another is a Union soldier from the Spanish American War. I think of them and how no one visits their grave. This past Memorial Day I got a small American Flag and a small Confederate Flag to place on their graves to remember their sacrifice for America.

Usually along in here I will see Two Dog Walker, he walks two small dogs. I then round a corner and go up a small incline to an abandoned road that goes under a high tension line. The road follows the fence border of our community that separates us from a very ritzy community with multi-million dollar homes on the right and three holes of the golf course on the left, including two lakes. This road is our famous straight-a-way.

On the straight-a-way I see Bottle Guy, he's riding a bike with a bottle holder on his handle bar with a large large bottle of water. I also see Dog Rider, he's riding a bike with his dog on a leash. Also I see Dog with No Leash, a lady walking her dog with no leash even though it is a major rule to have your dog on a leash. Then I see several people that I haven't named yet. A group (6) of ladies all walking together, Groupies. I guy in a yellow shirt, the same yellow shirt every day. Sometimes the workers from the golf course or our community are on the road with gas powered golf carts.

The road makes a 90* turn to the left then ends at the back of our boat storage yard.
It is here that you have to get on the sidewalk that paralls the boat yard and the golf course. There is a "Pottie House" half way along the sidewalk where I can get another drink of water, or in case of runners emergencies, well you know.

Then it is back to the community roads and on the homeward stretch of my 7 miles. I see Smiley Guy again, Fast Walker, and then Poodle Lady, yup two poodles. Sometimes Bob-on-a-moutain-bike, a guy from my circle will pass by on his mountain bike, or Icelandic Man, my neighbor from Iceland. Eileen is usually around in here on the days she runs. She does 9 miles at about a 8 min. pace. She wears a great bikini tops and running short shorts, but she is married.

The course then makes a right turn and short stretch then another right turn and I'm on my street. I hear the bell in my head indicating 1 mile to go! I see Frank the Priest going to work, Annie sweeping her driveway, and the Norwegian Lady taking the kids to school. Sometimes my neighbor across the street is getting his newspaper when I finish.

So today was like so many days running. Uneventful unless you count the people.

Freezing Friday

Freezing....well not quite that cold but to me it felt cold. Last night I was awakened by howling winds blowing from the north. That usually means a cold front is pushing its way here from up north bringing with it cooler weather. As you may know it has been a beautiful week here in Southwest Florida with daytime highs around 78* with bright sunshine and night time lows about 70*. So the howling winds meant change was in the air.

When I got ready for my ride this morning I expected a bitter cold morning but to my surprise the wind had subsided and the temp was 56*. So it was cold going into the wind but not so cold going down wind. Tony had to drop our after the first loop so I rode the last 12 miles alone. But hey it was a good ride, I even pasted Tony on the straight-a-way at 29 mph...but he did jump on my wheel so I didn't drop him...next time. I got my 25 miles in.

I have started going back to the weight room at the fitness center. Wednesday night a I did 2 miles on the dreadmill and then an upper body workout. I was a little sore for my run yesterday but I guess my little Christmas rest help because I felt real strong on my 7 mile jaunt.

Tonight is the famous cocktails at the club night with some friends and tomorrow I'm going to attempt a long run of 15 miles. Sunday Tony and I are doing the Cocnut Point Ride to see the eagles nest and perhaps get a look at the babies. (What is a baby eagle called a hatchling?)

Here's a pic of the beach from yesterday....I didn't swim at the beach because I didn't have a wetsuit. The water temp is 65*. I just had lunch watching the water rather than staying in the office and eating at my desk.

Bolder , the girl walking the water line has a nice bikini, just for you! this is 4 blocks from my office.

Time for Reflection

It was this time last year that I began experiencing severe headaches and was still recovering from my various treatments and surgeries for cancer. I had discovered a new "growth" on my back on the same site as my first surgery and went to see my oncologist. She ask me it I had any symptoms and of course I mentioned my headaches, dizzy spells, blurry vision and ringing in my ears...so this started a series of chest and head mri then a brain mra then re-tests then a pet scan and finally the report from the onoclogist. It went something like this: You have something in your brain. I think it is a tumor. I'm sending you to a brain surgeon and he is reserving an operating room for Tuesday. Always good news to hear. The brain surgeon met me on a Saturday morning in his office. His words were I canceled the operating room after looking at your brain study because it we remove it you would spend the rest of your life smiling a lot ...like the Kennedy girl. People don't function well with a quarter of their brain removed.

Well since that stressful month I've had two growths removed from my back, multiple brain tests and more tests. I still have the headaches, dizzy spells, blurry vision and this ringing in my ears...some days worse than others. I thank God that my surgeon was not out to just do surgery and after seeing 3 "second" opinions I've been told that Dr. Lusk has probably saved my ability to think and function normally. He and other surgeons have told me that no ethical brain surgeon would attempt my surgery unless I have a bleed or other complication and then, according to Dr. Lusk, there is no one qualified in Florida to do the surgery.

Now one year later, life is less stressful. I've been given the ok to do races, hey they didn't even want me to train for a while! So what have I learned? What has God taught me thru this all?

1. YA GOTTA BELIEVE!
When I lived in Philly a few years ago that was the rally cry for the Philadelphia Phillies started by I think Tug McGraw. Well I've found that no matter what YA GOTTA BELIEVE! Like a tri or a marathon even when the pain becomes unbearable YA GOTTA BELIEVE you are going to beat this thing.

While I was a hospital chaplain I worked with many dying patients and saw the five stages of death that Elizabeth Kubler Ross talked about in her book On Death and Dying; denial, anger, bargaining, depression and acceptance. I want to get to that acceptance stage...YA GOTTA BELIEVE while this was happening I'm going to do what ever I have to do to survive....win...finish the course.

2. Have Fun in Life
Lance Armstrong while undergoing chemo for his cancer and brain surgery said about his blood count:

"Those numbers became the highlight of each day; they were my motivation....I would concentrate on that number, as if I could make the counts by mentally willing it."

Lance made it a game. Life is to short to not laugh, love and play along the way. So yes sometimes my humor is a little "sick" but if I can't laugh at what is going on I'd go nuts. I like to have fun and even make fun of myself. So kickoff your shoes, have a beer or two and laugh!

3. Help others along the way
I had learned this a while back but I have gotten away from it. During my time as a pastor, I took on five people at a time, not members of my church, who were dying. I would help them thru the death process. To this day I still keep in touch with families who have lost a loved one.

I decided to do that with cancer/brain tumor, to encourage others facing the same thing I was facing. Thru notes, conversations, phone calls etc I've tried to help several people I know that are facing what I faced.

It you haven't read it I suggest you do, Laurence Gonzales book Deep Survival. Gonzales suggests Survivors are always doing what they do for someone else, even if that someone is thousands of miles away. I decided to do that with cancer/brain tumor patients.

4. Quitting is Quitters

Growing up I had great parents. They taught me so much about life. My mother would say to me: There is no such thing as I can't. This was from a woman who at the age of seven her father died during the Great Depression leaving a wife and five children, three of whom would not live to see age 13 due to a crippling childhood disease.

My hometown of Burlington NJ is the birth place of Captain James Lawrence who in the mist of a great naval battle, his ship almost destroyed and sinking said "Don't give up the ship!"

A race or cancer or a brain tumor I've decided to never, never, never give up! Quitting is for quitters!

5. Contentment
We live in a culture that is never content. More is the cry. More money, more toys, bigger house, faster car.... I'm learning contentment. Do I need a new bike? No just lose a few pounds and I'll go faster. My car a 1991 that is worth less than my bike. Do I need a new car? No, it would be nice but why? Could I make more money? Yes I could move back t New York City work from 7:30 to 6:30 have an hour commute each way and make big bucks. However, I'm content working for a small firm from 9:30 to 5:00, I can train in the morning, swim at lunch, and be home in time to work out in the fitness center plus there is the beach to do open water swimming.

The Apostle Paul writing to the Philippians said:

I'm not saying that because I need anything. I have learned to be content no matter what happens to me. (Phil 4:11)

I've learned to be content no matter what happens to me.

He's Back!!!!!

OK quick update...

flew to Newark NJ on Dec. 23
saw some family and friends for Christmas Eve, ate & drank to much
went to church for midnight Christmas Eve
has an awesome Christmas Day, ate to much
ran on Monday 7 miles, went to dinner (see pic below)
rode a mountain bike 20 miles on Tuesday _ cold< ugh
went to the City Wednesday
ran 10 miles Thursday
flew home Friday -- good to be back to warm weather!
Sat rode 25 miles ran 8 miles
Sun rode 60 miles with Tony
Mon rode 30 miles (counts on next weaks report), took down my Christmas decorations, ugh!

Weakly Totals
Run 25 miles
Bike 105 miles
Swim NADA

Thanks everyone for the notes and emails...