Mango the Bunny

Monday Stress/non-Stress

Here the stress / non stress report

Stress:

i have a major presentation regarding the mutual fund today with the fund's bored of directors -not sure the PM cares. hey they moved the date up by 2 days so that added stress. i wore slacks and a golf shirt to work (no soxes) rather than my usual shorts and teeshirt..to feel more profession on my conference call.

having an MRI and MVA of my brain tumor on Wed...need time off from work but still get everything done...who can drive and bring me home? is driving under the influence of valium an offense?

finding some one to drive me...last time they did this I had a severe headache for 2 days, doc says it was all in my head... the IV contrast shouldn't give me a headaches, but it does..its not in my head...so stop trying to play head games

after the tests i get to go to Florida Cancer Specialist...my oncologist...always a fun time...what cocktails are you mixing? Why don't we do some more tests...bloodwork anyone? How's you nodes huh? do you think the nurse can do my weight/bp and temp right this time?

i think the thingie on my back is getting bigger, but i can't really see it...well at least its not like the hump from last time (nurf football size)...at least i think its not that big

i'm bunny sitting Tony's rabbit while he is in Europe for 3 weeks. i wanta get stronger while he's away since he is faster on his new bike....maybe i need a new bike?

gotta figure out how to swim tonight and tomorrow, and can i ride on wednesday before my mri/mva?

NON-Stress

i walked to fourbucks for lunch today, sat and watched people go by...toursists had a white mocha grande.

i bought myself the sopranos season 5 on dvd... i'm going to start watching it wednesday since I'll have to lie on the sofa for 2 days.

im going to lose weight this week, want to lose about 20 pounds any way, i'll not be able to eat wed thru sat... but i want be strong enough to run and swim sat and ride 5o miles on sunday



why is my stress list bigger than my non-stress list?

Weekend Update

Saturday was a run and swim day...... Since I am having trouble swimming in the afternoon I thot it would be good to get it done early. So I ran the long course out to the University and back through the woods. at the 12 mile mark I ran out of water so the last 3 miles were a little difficult.

At lunch time I went to the beach a at Doc's Beach House and swam for 45 minutes (trolling for sharks). Then had lunch and a couple of beer at the beach.

Saturday night J came over for some nice Del Montico steaks, baked potatoes and tossed salad with a very nice bottle of Red wine. It was wine I forgot I had. I had bought a case a year ago and left it in the cellar. It is very nice with a good steak.

Sunday was a long ride day. Tony and I decided to do the Bay loop and then back to the University for a total of 50 miles. However, I was feeling pretty good until the 25 mile mark when all of the sudden I felt like sh$%. That was after eating m,y first Cliff Bar and drinking two bottle of Endurance. I couldn't wait to get home and get off my bike. The only thing I can think happened was I was dehydrated from Saturday nite (I think it was the beers and red wine) and I failed to rehydrate enough in the morning. It was hot and humid 78* and since I sweat heavy I think was dehydration. Today I felt my normal self and rode 25 miles without a problem.

Totals for The Weak

Bike 145 miles
Run 27 miles
Swim 6 k yards , 45 minutes open water

Coffee and More TGIF

It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood.... Well it's not raining yet!

I usually wake up to the TV turning on and the coffee pot making it's brewing noises. Neither of which happened this morning. One, the TV broke as you read previously on Oldman and second the coffee pot died this morning. No Starbucks coffee waiting me when I haul myself out of bed. So it was up to the attic to get my old Braun pot and get it cooking. I guess it's a good thing that I saved the old pot?

When I got home last night I did my run. I had to make up the run since I goofed in the morning and rode instead of running and the university pool was closed. It was just an easy run thru the woods. Fortunately the approaching storm, seen below, didn't get to my house until much later. So 56 minutes of fun before dinner (cheese ravioli, turkey sausage, and tossed salad with Oldman's vinergrette). I guess I need to try to beat the rain more often. This morning, I rode alone again. It did my 25 mile morning loops. Hopefully I'll get to swim at lunch time.

Approaching Storm 

One of those days

So it continues....

Yes as I look out my office window towards the Everglades, I can see this afternoon's thunderstorm heading in towards Naples. The front looks dark an ominous complete with bolts of lightening. So I called the pool and up they are closing because yup lightening in the area!

I got a call from the Oncologist. Yea they don't call to say how's your cancer doing? Hey, still got the brain tumor, huh? When are you going to let us shoot you with chemo and radiation, huh? NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! They call to tell me I missed an appointment with the Oncologist! What F>>>>>>> Appointment? O, I guess we forgot to call you. UGH>>>> it's one of those days!

But it gets even better......

I'm scheduled for an MRI and MVA of the brain to see if my turmor has grown in the past month. June 29th followed by a visit with the brain surgeon who reviews the results with me. They just called and the visit with the surgeon has to be rescheduled from July 6 to who in the hell knows when. it's one of those days! Hey lady, if you had a brain tumor would you like to know the results ASAF'ingP? have a happy day..right!

So the doc is being sued by one of his FORMER patients and he's in court!

Confusion Rules

It was one of those morning, you know you've had them. Nothing seems to go right. It really started when I go home from work last night. I couldn't swim because of lightening, so that made my day. Then after I made some nice homemade chicken noodle soup from some left over poached chicken (for a beach picnic that didn't happen because I was to tired on Sunday), I fell asleep on the sofa watching TV. I woke myself from my stupor and went to bed . Thinking I fell asleep in from of the TV I'll turn on the bedroom TV. Just as I got comfortable the bedroom TV DIED! No warning just a heart attack and died. So after fiddling with the TV I went to bed. SO that made my night!

My restful night wasn't very restful, since I was awakened by thunder, of all things, at 2:30. Which made me think about the TV. Was it a lightening surge? Hey I have a surge protector on the whole house and a separate one on the TV. But the AC goes in and out with the storms so maybe... I saw 4:00 am..Then the alarm at 5:30 but no TV so I couldn't watch IMUS. ugh! Made my morning!

I got ready to ride putting on my bike shorts and jersey, after coffee I went out to the garage to pump my tires. Would you believe on the front tire I broke the little stem that screws down after you pump the air into the tire? Snapped right off! Well it holds air so put that on the list to do, change the tube. So that helped make my morning!

As I left the house, I was watching for Tony. He usually meets me after the first 3 miles or so. I get a chance to get loose and warm up. But no Tony. So I continue on my route, past Tony's house. Still no Tony. Then I think oops today is Thursday not Friday. I was suppose to run today. Confusion! So I rode on by myself and finished the 25 mile ride ALONE. Oh yea the straight-a-way I did 26.5 so I've got work more to get to 30.

Well the way things are going today, the pool will be closed at lunch for cleaning. That will really make my day!

Wednesday Random Thots

Ok so it's just a few things that have come to my attention. Like Brennan Hawkins, the 11 year old Boy Scout who was lost in the mountains for 4 days. He walked up the mountain rather than down like searchers thought he would. Brennan was miles outside of the search grid. So how did he survive? No food no water and 11 years old. Way to go Brennan.

How about Natalee Holloway? What happened to her? To much party? Or did some one slip her a mickey? Perhaps she was sold into slavery and is now with the Sultan of Burni.

The Solar Sail probe never made it to space. The booster rock failed. So we will have to spend some more money to see if it works.

Today was a ride and swim day. I rode with Tony but we had to be careful because just after the 5 mile warm up it started to rain. So we just tried to keep a steady pace at 20 mph. At one point I was a little to careful and almost rode off the road going around a curve. The rain did make it a little cooler today. So all in all it was a good 25 mile ride.

I called the pool to see if it would be open at lunch time. Since there is no lightening it is open. So hopefully I'll get my swim in.

Tuesday Brick

Since it continued to rain from yesterday I wasn't sure I would be able to do my brick. But when I got up this morning the rain had stopped and the streets looked some what dry. So it was on!

The bike portion of the brick was good. The air was cool and just a slight breeze out of the east. I did my normal loop around the community but I didn't try for 30 mph on the straight-a-way, rather I tried to maintain an even pace and remain in aero position as much as possible. The only problem I have is that there are to many turns where I have to get out of aero. I got back top the house at the 16 mile mark.

Next was the run. Again I decided to do my normal 5 mile course thru the woods. I like to go thru the woods since it's quite and you can see some great birds and animals. Just as I as I started my run the rain started up again. My legs felt like mush but I got it done.

I hope to swim at lunch today, since the pool was closed yesterday. If not at lunch then I'll stop at the University pool on the way home.

Monday, Monday no good for me

Monday has come and I went to work to get some rest! I've worked all weekend getting the Master Bedroom done and by 6:30 pm Sunday I put the last piece of furniture back in the room. It looks great but I'm exhausted! So I came to work to get some rest.

I did manage to get some training in this weekend inspite of "the room". I swam for 40 minutes at the beach house and did my Sunday LSD, 42 miles. Working in "the room" has hurt my energy level, I felt like I was going to fall down on Sunday afternoon I was so tired. I struggled just to put one foot in front of the other but I reminded myself of my goal of being finished by Sunday afternoon come hell or high water.

Today it was overcast when I left the house and I thought I would get wet on my ride around the regular loops. The wind even picked up a little. But fortunately it held of raining until I left for work. I guess the pool will be closed at lunch time due to the rain!

Once again, Tony is killing me with his speed. His bike being a regular road bike, he is faster around the corners and turn arounds (2 each loop). Then I read about Lance's average speed of 32 mph and I realize how slow I am at my 20 to 22 mph.

Weakly Totals

Bike 117 miles - missed Monday's 25 miles
Run 26 miles
Swim 6k yards plus 45 open water swim
Weights None
Pilates none

Goals

No more misses.
17 weeks to Steamtown increase running mileage 10% per week to 60 miles per week in 10 weeks then running 60 mile per for 7 weeks prior to Steamtown.

Friday FUN

I have now banned Tony's bike from weekly training rides. He can only ride his Trek on Sunday's, that our long ride day. He's killing me with the speed! We started this morning jumping right in, without warm up, at 18 mph and went up from there. Hey I'm not used to 22 to 24 on the roads! But I did notice we got done a little quicker than usual! On the straight-a-way I was dropped at 28 mph...yes he did 30 again! All in all it was a good ride this morning! Dr. Steve jumped in for the second loop.

Update of the bedroom

I'm half way through installing the wood floor. Looking good! But did my legs and back hurt this morning! UGH. MEMO TO SELF next time hire some one! Hopefully I can get done by Saturday noon and start putting the room back together!

WEEKEND TGIF

I'm hoping to go to the Beach House for a swim late Saturday afternoon then perhaps a few beers. The gulf has cooled down to 83 from the rain but I think I can do it without my wet suit. My goal is to swim 1 hr and not to see any sharks.

Sunday will be a long ride hopefully 60 miles. My plan is to do the University loop and then down to the bay for breakfast and then home. Since it's so hot I plan on leaving at 6:30 if anyone want to go.

FATHERS DAY

My son sent a DVD of his concert in Osaka Japan with the Riverside Symphony Ensemble produced by Panasonic. I must say it was very good! But why do the Japanese not have the orchestra stand? Is it all about the soloist?

Alive Update

Yes I'm still alive! Work has been very hectic these days. My latest project is to find a new home for our mutual fund. The current Trust for the Fund is going out of business so I'm interviewing possible trust for the Fund. This past Monday I did a due diligence inspection of a possible candidate in Richmond, VA. So long with my regular hectic work schedule a new project and then a road trip ugh!

I'm also remodeling my master bedroom which is taking longer than planned. The faux painting I did of the crown modeling sounded simple but ended up taking 2 full days. This week in the evening's I'm laying the wood floor. My goal (come hell or high water) is to get the entire room put back together by Sunday afternoon.

Due to my schedule and the recent heavy rains, my training has been lighter than usual. Several days the pool has been closed due to lightening and some sections of the roads in my community are flooded so it has made riding difficult.

The good news is Tony bought a new bike, a Trek Madone 5.9. It's a nice bike but no Quintanna Roo. Of course the goal is to break 30 mph on the straight-a-way. So on the second ride with Tony's new bike I noticed a real different in Tony's speed...taking our route around the community at 20-22 mph when we reach the straight-a-way Tony passed me as usually at 26 mph when..... finally..... he did it 30.9 mph! I saw 27... sorry. Hey I'm older and better looking. See what a lot of money spent on a bike will do for your speed? Pics to follow. New goal 35 mph.


Weakly totals for last week:

Bike - 109 miles - a wash out
Run - 26 miles another wash out
Swim - 3,000 yards - a lightening out

This week doesn't look much better since I did train on Mon so that will be my rest day for the month.

... Tornado Watch number 370 is cancelled for Lee.. Highlands... Charlotte

Wow what a night of lightening and thunder...then early this morning rain. Not just your nice gentle soaking rain. No this was car wash rain! Blinding rain. We even had tornado warnings! Well I guess it is a preparation test for Hurricane season. At least I don't have to add water to my pool!

So since it was still lightening when I went to ride this morning I chose not to ride. I'm sure the rubber tires will insulate me enough that I will not attract lightening but I didn't want to test my theory. Hey I know old Ben flew a kite in the lightening and survived but just barely. Ben didn't live in the lightening capital of the world.

So it was raining at lunch time ...the pool was closed due to lightening in the area... so no swimming today. My game plan is to leave work a little early to ride. I came in late so I have to leave early to make up for it. I'll have tot ride alone since Tony has to work. So 25 miles tonight after work.

Monday Headaches

After a great weekend I had some things I wanted to complete on Monday starting with my ride! I met Tony at 7:30. It was bright and sunny with a nice temp of 72*. We decided to do a modified Coconut Point Route with a stop at the boat launch for a Cliff bar and some water. As we started out I felt pretty good and did most of the "pulling" trying to maintain a cadence of 85-90 bpm and a speed of 21-22 mph. Once we got to the big hill (overpass over a golf course, the only hills in Florida are overpasses) I tried to spin up the hill and not decrease our speed but I felt good to get to the top at 19.6 mph! We stopped to enjoy the morning and watch the water at the bay.... then headed back.

One the way back Tony's front wheel developed a noise.... We checked everything even taking it off the bike but couldn't find it. I think it is a loose spoke! As we came to the last stretch, I was beginning to feel tired...But a good tired total ride was 30 miles.

I've finally decided to put a wood floor in the my master bedroom. I chose an oak and Tony helped me pick up the lumber. When I got home, I had to unload everything...ugh. I also bought an arbor for my garden. So I decided top build the arbor and then it hit me... I felt drained and was suddenly tired! I thought maybe I was dehydrated and drank some water, ate a banana and some PowerBar Recovery...then I got a tremendous headache!

Of course I worry that it is my brain tumor getting angry at me for going on a long ride. So after a nights rest with an ice pack on my head, I feel fine...

I didn't run this morning but...I think I'll run tonight when I'm done work.

Weekend Update

O what a weekend!

It was a beautiful weekend which started early for me...FRIDAY! Yes I was off Friday so I was able to get a great ride early in the morning. Tony joined me for a good ride of 35 miles. I did spin in the small ring and then change to the big ring. I did some laps in the pool at lunch even though it wasn't on the schedule I felt a little pool time might be fun... I worked on balance drills...my least favorite drill. Friday night I went to the Ritz Carlton beach bar for drinks and I took J to the Pazzo for dinner.


Saturday I slept past 6:30 and didn't get out for my run until 7 am! It was already hot, 78* and sunny sooooo...Thank God for fuel belt. I took 2 bottles and started slow and easy. After all it was suppose to be LSD. Once again it took two miles to feel loose. I did 8:30 pace and drank Endurance every mile. It was so hot, I had to keep reminding myself about the pool shower waiting for me at home. I finished up the 14 miles in 2:10 that's with my stop to refill the bottles at the Fitness center. Since I didn't want to be shark bait I went to the beach at 4:00 thinking the sharks would want to feed later. I did the usual 1 hr swim, down to the end of the State Park swim area and back to the No Wake buoy at Docs.

Sunday was the long ride day. Tony and I escaped our regular route to go out on the local roads. It felt good to be able to just go along without slowing for curves and stops I tried to maintain 21 mph. The route we take only has three turns and one stop for 12 miles.. at the 30 miles mark we stopped at the ester Bay boat lunch and had our Cliff bars..then rode back to the college, around the loop and back home. Water is now becoming a problem since the college pool where we fill our water bottles is closed on Sundays. The total for our trip was 61.2 miles.


Weakly Totals

Bike 146
Run 35
Swim 12k plus 1 hr open water

Melanoma




Since my diagnosis in 2003, I’ve been meaning to tell my friends and family via my blog about Melanoma. Melanoma is a very serious form of skin cancer that begins in the melaocytes (cells that make the skin pigment called melanin). While it accounts for only 4% of all skin cancer, it causes the most cancer related deaths! It is the fastest growing form of cancer and can spread rapidly to other parts of the body including the lymph nods, lungs, colon, eyes and brain. If caught in its early stages it is treatable and highly curable. Left undetected it is deadly.

Perhaps the most famous person to succumb to melanoma was Maureen Reagan, President Reagan’s daughter. Ms Reagan fought melanoma taking interferon of a year and five years after her diagnosis died in 2001. There are others famous people who have survived melanoma they include Troy Aikman, Sam Donaldson, and John McCain. Yet with its easy detection and treatment according to The Melanoma Research Foundation every hour of every day of the year one American dies of melanoma. More young women die of melanoma than any other form of cancer, including breast cancer!

So here’s your homework. Learn the ABCD’s of Melanoma and we will add an E:

A: Asymmetry. The mole is not completely even in appearance.
B: Border. The margins should be even and smooth, without jagged projecting edges.
C: Circumference. The mole should be nice and round, without jagged or sharp edges.
D: Diameter. The size of the mole should not be more than 6 mm measured across the mole. The size of a pencil eraser.
E: Evolving (changes). Any changes over time in size, shape, symptoms (itching, tenderness), surface (bleeding, scaling, inflammation) and shades of color.

So now you know what to look for, LOOK! That's right, stand in front of a mirror with a hand held mirror and look. Check everywhere! Yup there too! The scalp, annus, and the bottom of your feet.

O what day....

Doc's Beach House beach

O what a night. I was sleeping so well when the alarm went off this morning. I didn't want to get out of bed! It was one of those cold summer nights, you know just as I went to bed a thunderstorm went thru lighting up the sky and shaking the windows and the AC is set low! It rained long enough for me to fall asleep listening to the sound of rain drops. It was cold since I left the AC set at 74*. So as the alarm went off I was huddled under the blankets nice and cozy!

Today was a fartlek run of 10 miles. I took my tennis ball with me to help with the fartlek (you bounce the ball and speed up to catch it and then slow down etc.). Once again it took me 2 miles to get loose and I even did some stretching while the GPS was hunting for a satellite. So from mile 3 to 8 I just kinda played with the ball speeding up and slowing down.., at 8 miles I decided I had had enough of this and just ran and finished up in 93:24 that's with a stop at the Fitness center to full the water jug.

Today is a swim day at lunch...the pool water has been to warm as of late..it's 86* so after a few laps I'm hot...maybe I should bring some ice cubes? Over the weekend I'm going to Bonita Beach (Docs Beach House) so I can swim in the Gulf. I can get a spot to leave my gear then when I'm done I can have a beer or two!

Hey I'm of work tomorrow to make a long 4 day weekend!











Brick Day

It was hot and humid this morning 77* at 6:30 ugh! I keep reminding myself that it is hot and humid in Kona so get use to it! Today was a 30 mile ride with a run at the end. I want to get use to getting off the bike and running. So I was to spin with a candence of 85 to 90 for the first 10 miles. At the 5 mile mark Dr. Steve jumped in but since I didn't want to draft today and stick with my training I led.

At 10 miles I jumped to the big ring and tried to keep the cadence at 85. Of course I didn't sprint the straight-a-way but instead tried to keep a steady cadence. For the last 5 miles I went back to the small ring.

The most difficult part was getting off my bike to run. The old legs just don't want to do that but it's good practice. So it was a 3 mile run at 8 min pace...well it was suppose to be 8 min! The first mile was 9:30 ugh!The second was 8:20 and the final was 8:09. Not to bad for the first brick in a long time. So I rode 30 miles and ran 3. I'm going to swim at lunch time and tonight I'm suppose to take a long walk with J.

I think of those guys that train with the NAT (Naples Area Triathletes) that do 45 miles in the morning and hammer. How can they keep that pace? 30 miles seems to be at the edge of my time limit and still get to work on time. I guess I could get up earlier.

BTW...the only thing I saw this morning was a rabbit that ran along side of me for a few seconds. I was afraid he would go in front of me and I'd run over him but he went the other way. It's funny when you are in aero position and concentrating on cadence how you don't see much of anything.

This weaks schedule

The schedule this week seems out of hand already and its only tues!

Mon
B -25 miles big gear No Swim No Pilates

Tues
R- 7 Zone 3-4
Swim 3k yards
Weights

Wed
Brick bike 25 run 3 off bike
Swim 3k -

Thur
Run 10 mile fartlek
Swim 3k
Weights

Fri
bike -35 10 mile spin 15 mile big gear 5 spin

Sat
Run lsd 15 mile
Swim open water

Sun
Ride LSD 60 mile

Total
Bike 145
Run 35 miles
Swim 12 k yards
Weights 2 xs

Snake Day

It was another beautiful morning with just a slight wisp of a breeze out of the east...it will change around as the thermals get heated up about 11:00 and come out of the west off the gulf. But for now it was a pleasant morning the temp was about 72*. I started my run out slow since I had a hard time getting motivated to run today. I guess I'm a little tired from a stressful day at work yesterday...one of our offices was flooded from an AC leak... I did the first mile in 8:05 along the way I saw two cattle cranes eating bugs in the center island of the main exit from my community. I wondered why they were they rather than their usually spots on the golf course.

I did the second mile back to pick up my water bottle in 8:03 and yet my muscles still seemed tight and I wondered if I would ever get loose. Maybe its from the bike that I now have a hard time feeling loose on the run? Maybe I need not Pilates? As I started my third mile one of the ladies of the neighborhood out for her morning walk said hi and commented on what nice legs I have.... to bad there aren't some single ladies out.

I got to the trail (3.5 miles) thru the woods and along the river still trying to maintain an 8 min pace. I was hoping to see Robert our local Bobcat but I haven't seen him for a couple of weeks. I guess in the warmer weather he goes out just at night. I heard he was spotted at 4 am. There were plenty of bugs out...note to self use some bug repellent.

At the 5 mile mark I exited the woods near the fitness center so I too a brief stop to fill my water bottle. There was no one on the dreadmills or bikes, I guess now that season is over the snowbirds have all left. I never could stand to run on a dreadmill.

At 5.5 mile mark I have a decision point. I can go left and add 3 miles to do 10 or continue straight to do 7...since I had to be to work on time and I still feel a little tired I chose the 7... along the way I saw a nice 7 ft black snake slither across the road. Got to the house with a finishing time of 61:04...That's with the refill time at the fitness center since I didn't stop my watch.

I had a few minutes to cool off so I put the robot in the pool so he can vacuum and put some chlorine in the chlorinator. Next to my pool filter I have several large clay pot stacked upside down. Thru the hole of the top pot a black snake was poking his head... when he sensed me he when down into the pots. I'm leaving him alone in hopes that he will eat some rats!

I'm going to swim at lunch and do Pilates after work...any one for a swim?

Weekend Report

The weather was great on Saturday as I left for my long run. It wasn't to hot just about 70* and just a little overcast so it made the 14 miles go rather quickly. I did see some great wildlife including a reddish color snake coiled in the gutter, a golpher tortoise and a couple of rabbits.

Sunday morning just as I got ready to ride Roo it started to drizzle. I don't mind the light rain but I do have to be careful on the paver sections of our development and one turnaround were it is all pavers. Boy are those thing slippery when wet. Just as I finished my warm up Tony and Dr. Steve jumped in to make it a rather fast ride. Half way through the first loop it really started to rain so an aver of 18.6 mph in a downpour is not to bad. On the second loop it stopped raining and I thought the sun would come out but then on the third loop it poured again, ugh! So our long ride ended up a short ride of 35 miles since no one wanted to go on in the rain.

This Weaks Totals

Bike 110 miles
Run 26 miles
Swim 9,000 yards
Pilates 1 time
Weights 1 time

I didn't get to ride this morning since I had a Doc's appointment. I hope to ride after work and swim at lunch but we shall see how that all works out.

My brain surgeon wants another MRI to see how much if any my tumor has grown and he wants me to see an eye doc who specializes in these things, especially since I have a little blurred vision in my left eye. The oncologist want to keep my treatment plan as is so we shall see how that all plays out. Next week I get to see the my dermatologist to check for any new or changing moles and I also get to see my surgeon regarding a new tumor on my back. When will all these trips to the doctors stop?

Update

Here's an update on several pending items:

THE UN PARTY

I wasn't the only American there. Another neighbor came to the party he's from South Jersey like me and his wife is from Norway, she's Norwayian. So some people spoke English and those that didn't at least tried. The conversations were polite staying away from issues like terrorist in the hood, the UN oil for food program, John Bolton, and airport security for aliens (those from Mar or Venus).

The food was what you would expect at a home of a guy who owns a Salmon farm in Chile. Yup marckrel salad, smoked mackrel, and baked trout as well as smoked salmon. The Caesar shrimp salad was my favs along with the home made pizzas and black beans and rice.

HURRICANE PREPARATIONS

Well after hurricane Charlie several of the local resorts will open (they've been closed since Aug 12, 2004) for Memorial Day weekend with a big parties. A lot of locals are going just to support their business since they lost not only property but a lot of season business from Nov- Apr (their peak time).

Me I'm getting ready for this years hurricane season which begins June 1 by putting in better supplies in my hurricane kit like a battery operated TV and Fan, extra tequila and beer, directions for ice should the power go out for 2 weeks again and I'm emptying my freezer of all food so I don't have anything that can spoil this time. Oh yea...Red wine since it's best served at room temp....It helps taking pictures in 145 mph winds to be drunk. (See drunk pics here taken in 145 mph winds as Charlie passed by).


WEATHER

It has been extremely great weather, the day time highs are 88* and the pool and gulf temp is 81*. The morning lows have been about 68*. Every day there has been a great breeze and the real humidity hasn't gotten here yet but it's coming.

PERSONAL

I get to see the oncologist tomorrow we are discussing the interferon treatments. It's always fun seeing her because I feel like I tell her what to do rather than her being aggressive in my treatment plan. Managed health care... I have to manage my health because they don't care except to get paid.

Monday I have a follow up visit with my brain surgeon. I'm sure he will be a bundle of good news probably say well I just don't know let's get another MRI and MRA ($7,000 or a new bike), I'll have a headache from the dye and them well make a decision.

J had some surgery so I had to pick her up from the hospital. I told her to do what I do when I have surgery and take a taxi home but I thought better of it. So I didn't get home until 8 last night and no gym time. So ....

Today was a run day. I was a little tired this morning fortunately I scheduled an easy run of 5 miles, so I did my golf course loop and ran the golf course. I'm swimming on the way home, it if doesn't rain I think I'll stop at Laudermilk Park and swim in the gulf.

Wednesday Random Thots

Today was a ride morning and a swim lunch with a Pilates dinner! I rode alone since Tony was AWOL! IT was a great warm 74* with bright sunshine so I did 27 miles alone...good practice. Here are some of the random thots:

• boy its humid
• hey it was a good party last nite and I didn't drink but 2 beers!
• is that dead snake?
• I hope that snake is dead!
• it's hot
• this care behnd me wants to pass but the road is narrow here and he'll force me into the curb so I'll drop a gear speed up to 22 mph and take my half out of the middle of the road!
• I've gotten remember to order that VPN connection for the office
• it is hot and humid
• that guy is going to try to pass me on the right as I get ready after signaling, to turn left...guess I wasn't going fast enough!
• there's the dead snake again...yup he's dead

OK.... so it's not Newsweek but at least its real!

School Night Party

OK I don't usually do it but I'm making an exception just this once and I'll only drink red wine or beer and made some tequila or whiskey.....

Yup my neighbor from Iceland, that would make him Icelandic and his wife from Chile, that would make her Chilean, are having some friends over for a dinner party. The friends are on vacation from Germany that would make them germanium. They have also invited a couple from down the block she's from Brazil, or Brazilian and he's from Britain, a Britainian! At least there will be some one there that speaks English...I can't even practice my Italian!

so Icelandic, Spanish, German, Portuguese, English....The Tower of Babel all over again. I'm confused!

I kinda don't want to go, I'd rather go to the pool.

This is the last year that the Germans will be allowed into our country unless the German government changes their passports to accept the new required barcode. So I guess we can celebrate?

Accidents

Today was a hot and humid morning with the temperature at 74* when I left the house for my 7 mile run. As I started my run today I thought of how accidents can happen while your training, perhaps because my butt muscle was hurting and has never hurt before today. Or perhaps because Jeff of boingoblog wrote about running in a very rural if not remote area alone.

So what can happen? Most notable dehydration, heat related illness and even exhaustion. I take PowerBar Endurance with me on most of my runs over 5 miles especially here in Florida because you get dehydrated so quickly.

Equipment failures can happen, I have had I don't know who many flats, once while on a trip miles from the hotel where I was staying, with out a cell phone. I try to keep my bike in the best of condition even taking her to the bike shop regularly for maintaince and replacing worn tires after 4,000 miles. Yet accidents happen. As happened to Chris Sandowski of Kona fame pictured above. As you know he was hit by a motorcycle at the 107 mile make of the bike course.

(See Chris's full story here).

So when I think of Kona how hot and humid it is with the winds along Kings Highway and the afternoon thunderstorms, I think hey southwest Florida is a pretty good place to train since the weather is some much like Kona, however I remind myself of Chris Sandowski, accidents can happen even in Kona.

Weekend Report

Saturday

It was a glorious morning Saturday with the temp just right for running. I did one loop of my regular bike route and the warm up route to make it 14 miles. Then a quick shower and preperation for the dinner party that I had Saturday nite.

D48

The rest of the day was spent getting ready for the dinner party (Dinner for Eight or D48) but my eight people ended up being nine. So I didn't want to put the second leaf in my table so I put two people at the head of the table to may everyone fit. Since my theme was Italian...My menu was totally Italian. Here's what I made... Mozzarella and tomatoes with fresh basil & EVOO (extra virgin olive oil), breasetta on crustini, mixed green salad with a strawberry vinergrette, and for the main course.. Oldman's Mediterranean Chicken (chicken breasts with black & green olives, sundried tomatoes & raisins), Risotto Milanesse and Carrots with Italian herbs. I served a Tuscan red wine Monte Antioch. Dessert was Cannolis with coffee....

Sunday

I met Tony for our weakly LSD ride. The morning temp was just right for a nice ride. We just did an easy tempo for 55 miles although I did see 24 mph on the straight-a-way. The rest of the day, after I cleaned my china and stemware putting the dining room table back together etc., was spent relaxing around and in the pool. I didn't feel like doing much of anything.

Flag & Pole

Across the street from our office building is a small park. Just the other day the town of Naples erected a new flag pole with a large American Flag. Since you can see it from our office kitchen window, I have suggested that the employees all gather every morning for the a reading from the Bible followed by the Lord's Prayer, then the Pledge and singing of God Bless America. Like we used to do, or at least I did, in Kidnergarden. Oh over the top huh? Can't pray, read the Bible or Pledge any more? Couldn't we just sing?

Seen on the Drive to Work

Every notice the weird things you see on the way to work. It makes me wonder sometimes about people and life. Why just today I looked in my review mirror and saw a gray Lexus behind me (I know nothing special). Except in the passenger seat the person was some what reclining...Not all the way back but almost. Her face was covered in bandages! White tape! Like a mummy. SO..I figure she just had a face life and her dutiful husband was driving her home. I tried taking her pic...but it didn't work out. Weird.

It was another beautiful day this morning. So I ran my regular 7 miles. Nothing exciting. Swim at lunch, Pilates after work.

Randon Thots Wednesday

So I took a walk this morning to the Post Office to mail some of the office mail. As I entered the P.O. I noticed the above sign "No Dogs Allowed Except Seeing Eye Dogs" Wow I didn't know those seeing eye dogs could read or maybe they put the sign there for the blind person to read so they would know it is OK for their dog to lead them inside?






So today was a cycling day and another day I didn't feel like getting out of bed! But I forced myself and found that it was another beautiful day! The temp was just right. I started out in the small ring spinning at 80 bpm to get to 18 mph...so once I got loose it was a good ride. Of course Tony was late so I did the first loop without him. He had to submit an order for his business. so what's more important cycling in the morning or doing work in the morning? cycling of course! So I did 25 miles with an ave of 18.6 mph.

So I spoke with J, my once fiance, she told me there was no reason to get married since 1. I have a brain tumor, 2. I have cancer, 3. I get lyphomas, and 4. I have no money. And here I thot love and good looks was enough! Only two life threatening issues what wrong with that?

Numbers

Since I work for an investment firm numbers are a big part of my job. What's the annualized return of your composite portfolio compared to its benchmark? The return of an individual account for a given month? All numbers. Along with that are the financials of the firm. How much did we spend verse how much did we earn? Profit? Loss?

So this week began our financial audit, ugh! Today two auditors will be with me for the next 3 days. Double Ugh! Perhaps the worse part of the audit is that I have to entertain them during lunch, since we provide a working lunch. So I may or may not be able to slip out for a swim at lunch.

Also because of the audit, I have to get up earlier than normal to get my run in, 5 am. Another number. It was a beautiful day, nice breeze about 7 knots and a great sunrise at 6:43 am. Number. One of those morning your glad you you didn't miss by sleeping in. Even the whiperwills were happy today with their chant "WHIPRRRRRWIL!"

My run started slow with my normal hamstring ache but it worked out at about the two mile mark (number) where I picked up my water bottle (yup I'm back to running with a bottle of endurance since its getting warmer in the morning). It seems it takes 2 miles to loosen up. Numbers?

My run took me to the trail thru the woods along the river but I didn't see any wild life. As I ran thru the woods I wondered about the Panther. A few months back I came accross a Panther on the trail. She went one way I went another. I heard on the news that a Panther was killed crossing the Highway 41 road near my house and I wondered if that was her.

So my 7 miles took me 58 minutes. Not fast but relaxing for a busy numbers day.








Happy Birthday







Today is Kermit the Frog's birthday! Happy Birthday Kermie!

Reflecting back on this weaks training, it has been just that weak! Goals and goal setting re-evaluation time for me. I need to get serious with my training plan. So the goals for this weak are as follows:

Bike: 3 x 25 miles plus 1 lsd of 50 miles total 125 miles

Run: 3 x 7 miles plus one lsd of 14 miles total 35 miles

Swim 3 x 3k yards plus 1 lsd 6k yards total 15k yards

Weights Twice

Pilates Twice

So this weaks schedule looks like:

AM Lunch Time Afterwork
Mon: Bike 25 Swim 3k Weights
Tues: Run 7 Swim 3k Pilates
Wed: Bike 25 Run 7 Weights
Thurs Run 7 Swim 3k Pilates
Fri: Bike 25 Swim LSD
Sat Run LSD
Sun Bike Lsd

Numbers for Last weak:

Bike: 100 miles
Run: 15 miles
Swim: 3k yards
Weights: none
Pilates: None





Phriday Phun

Today's high is to be in the low 80's with very low (for Florida) humidity since the cold front went thru last nite. The temp was 68* when I left the house for my ride this morning. The birds were singing, I could hear a whiperwill off in the distance. I had to chase a bunny out of the garage since he was waiting for me to open the door so he could hop, hop, then run into the garage. So it is a beautiful day and why can't I have a beautiful ride?

I started out in the small ring to get warmed up for the first two miles spinning at 85 bpm. Then I met Tony who had already done one loop so he was warmed up. I changed to the big ring trying to maintain 80 bpm and my right leg started aching! ugh whats with this? It finally worked its way out when we got to the straight-a-way but no blistering spee. The fastest I could maintain on the straight-a-way was 26.8 but it was my first pass. Maybe to much cinco de mayo last nite?

Well the ride ended to soon since I had to go to work...20 miles at an ave 18.6 mph. Swim at lunch today.

When I got to the office and walked from the parking garage to the building my leg cramped! ugh..it felt like a lake of sodium but I drank my fluids and I'm sure after last nite I've had enough salt!

This weekend looks like some work around the house and a long run on Sat 14 miles and a LSD ride on Sunday perhaps 60 miles. Hopefully I'll get to the beach Sunday afternoon for some open water swimming. The water temp is 80*.

Phriday question...


Any body know anything about interferon treatments? I'm told they last 1 year? Starting with 5 weeks of iv threapy then self injections for 1 year.

Insanity 

Cinco de Mayo

Today is Cinco de Mayo, which isn't so much a big deal here in the States as it is in Mexico. With Florida's large Mexican and Chicano population we are more aware of it and celebrate...Well any excuse to drink Corona! Cinco de Mayo celebrates the Mexican Army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla hence the now famous Mexican battle cry "Battalla de Puebla"! Here's a quick Mexican history lesson.

After the Mexican loss of the Mexican-American War 1846-48 (Remember the Alamo!) Mexico was literally bankrupt and suspended payment of it's foreign debt for two years to England, Spain and France. None of those countries wanted to allow Mexico to miss a payment so they each sent troops to collect the debt by any means possible. Eventually Spain and England gave up but Nappy, Napoleon III, in response to Americas Monroe Doctrine stayed occupying Mexico!

Finally in 1862 the French army made its move but General Ignacio Zaragoza led 5,000 Mestizo and Zapotec Indians and beat the French in the Battle of Puebla on the 5th of May or Cinco de Mayo! So it's not their independence day which is Sept 10, 1810...52 years earlier...but kicked France's a$$ day. Which is a good reason to celebrate!

So I'm going to a Cinco de Mayo Party tonight! Whohoo! Maybe I can find a dance partner! Anybody do the somba?

On a better note, I ran today only 4 miles but inspite of the humidity it was a good run...In 41 minutes. I was hoping to swim at lunch but they say lightening and thunder storms ....outside pools in FL..so no swim.

Random Thots Wednesday

Health News

I'm feeling much better today,I slept in late again so that extra hour sleep seemed to help. I have a headache, just a little nausea, and oh yea two dizzy spells. I was able to ride 15 miles today with an ave speed of 17.6. The docs still don't know what's going on with my brain tumor. I'm set to see an eye doc for the blurry vision.

Cingular Customer (I Don't) Care Department

I had to call Cingular (lowering the bar) regarding our office Treo's..we are having trouble accessing the voicemail via the programmed voicemail key. It needs to be reprogrammed by Cingular via an over-the-air signal... After talking to no less the nine people in 2 hours I'm convinced the Cingular doesn't care. I've been hung up on, transferred without warning, gotten people that have no clue... CUSTOMERS I DON"T CARE so don't call again. BTW It still doesn't work! Cingular, lowering the bar!

Seen on the Road






Twice now I've seen the local Mercedes Benz dealer's "Courtesy Car" except its a Dodge Caravan...What's with that? Not even a Mercedes SUV! Hey if I had a Mercedes S600 I'd want a loaner car not some one to drive me to work in a Dodge van.

Update

Do you ever have that blah feeling? My cold lingers and so I haven't been able to train as I would like which also brings on the blahs. My daughter came for the weekend (why is it when people think your going to die they feel the need to visit?) so even though I didn't feel good I pushed my self to do things with her. We spent some of the time playing tourist. Such as Friday night I packed a picnic dinner and we went to the beach for sunset. I must say it was a beautiful sunset (see pic above).

But I just feel blah...blah... I slept in today hoping the extra hour sleep would help. But nope... blah...so I have a call in to my oncologist to have blood drawn to make sure everything is in balance. Ugh. I'm going at lunch so no swim today... blah.

So my plan is to run tonight after work!

Fitness vs.Illness

Why do I feel sick today? I was awake at 2:30 am with a sore throat and headache. I've felt this cold coming on. It started after I got home from New Jersey on Monday night. The stracthy throat feeling. Then the achy joint feeling. The question is did I get it from over training? Contray to popular opinion there is a fine line between fintess and illness.

So I've had some good runs and rides. Tuesday even though I was tired I was able to run 7 miles. Perhaps I should have done less and then I wouldn't be sick? Yesterday I rode in the rain, did that cause me to be worse? NAH... I didn't run today and I feel guilty and sick. But it was all I could do to get out of bed to get to work on time let alone run at 5:30 after not sleeping.

So what should I do run/ride/swim thru a cold? Take some time off and drink orange juice? Maybe some chicken soup? I hate being sick like this!

Random Thots Wednesday

Would you believe these two guys are riding in an open metal bed truck going 70 mph? This pic was taken on Interstate 75 last nite on my way home. It is against the law in Florida for animals to ride in the back of a pick-up but not humans. I guess Mexicans are expendable. I can't tell you how many times these truck have what they call here in Florida "roll overs" and the guys in the back are killed. Is it any wonder?



Scratch my back with a lightening bolt,
Thunder rolls like a bass drum note.
Heaven only knows who's in command.

Bare foot children in the rain.....
Jimmy Buffet


The thunder rolled last night into this morning with heavy heavy rain. Southwest Florida got 2 inches but my rain gauge said 2.5! So it was riding in the rain today. Boy is my rear end wet.... it comes off the tire and up my back ugh... so much for going fast today only 18 mph ugh! So I only did 15 miles today..am I forgiven for not doing 25?


I saw two more dead snakes...I wonder why they come out in the rain? To wash or or get a drink?

I think I'd like to do the Top Gun Tri in Aug... BTW check out the video on their website.

May be I could buy a new bike...I'm getting a bonus this week so LBS whata got on sale...Litespeed Blade?

It was Justin's first birthday on Sunday. Here's a pic of him getting ready for breakfast.

He's Back!

I'm back from my New Jersey trip. It was great seeing my grandchildren but I didn't get any training done. So today's run I was expecting to be great but...hey it wasn't!I struggled for the first 2 miles. My legs felt like lead, but then it got better and I got my 7 miles done.

OH BTW....

My oncologist, Florida Cancer Specialist, called regarding my Friday appointment. It's a standing appointment that I have for my treatment for my melanoma. The "person" said "We would like to move your appointment because when we made a calander change and your appointment didn't get blended in". I asked what does that mean..blended in? Your blender didn't work? I was to thick I couldn't get mixed in? HUH? That rates right up there with my Brain Surgeon, Dr. Lusk, he said my brain tumor was "weird"...as in strange, odd or you just don't know?

Going Home

New Jersey here I come! Tonight I leave for NJ to visit with Eric, Katy, Max and Justin. David is in from Rome as well and all for Justin's first birthday on Saturday! Woohoo!

Since you can't come let me tell you a few things I like about the Garden State:

1. Fresh veggies in the summer...Tomatoes, corn, peaches, etc... you can't beat the fresh veggies and fruit. Alas I'll have to come back in July.

2. Good Food!...none of this chain resturtants like Carabba's, Roy's or PF Changs. No you've got the real homemade in the kitchen not sent frozen from the plant, restaurants. Talk about good pizza, chinese, mexican, french, etc. Good food. Real food.

3. Normal people...not these rich siliconed fake people of Florida.

4. Spring weather...I'm tired of 80* every day, I'm looking forward to some nice cool spring weather...maybe even some rain!


So look out Jersey here I come!

Random Thoughts Wednesday

I'm trying something new. I seem to have a few ideas, or thoughts that are not enough for a post of their own. You know those ideas that you get but never go any where. It might help to get started on them if I have them written down. So I'll call it RandomThoughts Wednesday. Here's this weaks random thoughts:

Supreme Pontiff aka Pope Wanted

Must be baptized believer, able to speak and read Latin, look good in a dress and funny hat. Free housing including, retirement plan out of this world. Promotion to Saint possible.

OK, Ok take the sign down... Pope Found!!! (Did I get passed over again?)



So the American liberal press is not happy. Just tune into MSNBC Chris Matthews... (writer shouting) HEY CHRIS, YOUR CATHOLIC, WHAT DID YOU EXPECT? A POPE THAT IS IN FAVOR OF GAY PREISTS, ABORTION, DIVORCE AND TURNING ST. PETERS INTO A MOSQUE? DID YOU WANT A NON-BELIEVER TO BE POPE? MAYBE JESSIE JACKSON? AL SHARPTON? PERHAPS OSMA? WHERE DID YOU FIND THESE FAILED LIBERAL CATHOLICS TO GO ON YOUR SHOW....OH JIMMY CARTER RECOMMEDED THEM...CARTER'S A BAPTIST WHAT DOES HE KNOW!




Lance is Retiring

It seems that Lance heard about Tony and my record 29.8 mph on the Straight-A-Way last week and has recognized the threat we pose to his future. Therefore while the getting out is good, Lance is gone.

Tyler Hamilton GUILTY of cheating

It seems in spite of Tyler's protest he was found guilt of blood doping. Was this after the broken clavicle and he was able to finish the Tour or was it during the Tour last year? Does he return his Olympic gold metal and not appear on the Wheaties box? In a time of AIDS, STDs, etc why would someone shoot some one else's blood into their veins?

Going Away

I'm going to New Jersey Thursday night for my gandsons 1st birthday and also see his parents.
While I'm there I'm going to meet with a brain surgeon about my brain tumor.

Tumors

Speaking of Tumors, did I mention that the tumor that was removed from my back last July is growing back? I decided to leave it alone...


Things to Think About

Today was a run day, however my RIO's headset is broken. Apparently I sweat so much I short out the headset. So I had to think....what do you think about when you run?

1. I see two birds, a hawk and a mocking bird, fighting..so I think about: Why do thy call it a dog fightwhen two birds are in flight and fighting? why not call it a bird fight? If dogs flew what would you call their fights...I'm glad cows don't fly!

2. I see a dead black snake approxiamtely 2 ft long in the road...so I think about: Why did you sun yourself in the middle of the road? Remember that dead opossium from the other day?..I wonder what was eating him because now he's just bones...

3. At the 2 mile mark my left calf hurts...I think: Hey my calf never hurt before. Is it clipless pedals on the bike? Maybe I should stop. Naaaaa. Maybe I need more salt...take a drink of PowerBar Endurance and that will help...

4. As I enter the trail thru the woods and cross the wooden bridge over a small stream...I think: Ewu..... that smells like a stinky fart! EWUUUU that smells bad. I'm glad my house isn't next to this stream. I wonder if I'll see the panther today?...or the bobcat?...

5. As I come out of the woods at the 5 mile mark, I see another runner coming towards me....I think: Hey another runner, good pace but his shirt isn't wet so he just started, he's going to run along with me...nope he's behind me...drafting?...he's passing me...should I pick up the pace...what's my pace? no way my GPS stopped....I think the GPS needs new batteries...does the smoke alarms at home need new batteries? I'll run behind him...he's pulling away. He just started I'm sure...he's not wet like me...

6. As the runner ahead of me turns into the tennis courts, I think: See I told you he's not a distance runner, he's stopping...but where did he come from? He's not even wet...doesn't he sweat? How does that work? no sweat?

7. Half mile from the finish, I think: Hey I feel pretty good this morning. Maybe it was the yogurt smoothie with strawberries and whey protein that helped...Run faster now..there is the finish tape...look there's the tv cameras...OLN TV...the crowd is roaring...faster...I can see the clock...I'm going to qualify for Kona..faster... sprint....I raise my hands to break... opps it was just a training run...well it's good to practice pretending to breaking the tape just in case!..

So goes another 7 mile training run without music... What do you think about?

Stopped for Speeding

Cyclists Stopped for Speeding

Estero, FL.

Two avid cyclists while riding thru Pelican Sound Golf and River Club Monday morning were stopped by the community's security patrol for going to fast on bicycles! security reported the two were exceeding the bicycle speed limit, what ever it is, and they were going to fast for the area. The posted speed for the community is predominantly 25 mph and a few roads are posted at 15 mph. There are no posted signs prohibiting bicycling in the community.

The pair dressed in cycling garb and riding high performance bicycles, were grilled by Captain Sounder of the Pelican Sound Security Patrol to determine if the two cyclists were community residents. The pair had no identification and refused to give their names. The pair remain nameless at this point.

While no tickets were issed by Captian Sounder, all though an infraction report was filed and an ongoing investivation was initated.

The Straight-A-Way

Every bike ride needs one! A section of road where you can go flat out. Where you can test your ability to really haul a$$. The daily course that Tony and I take has just that, a section of our ride that we travel twice in our ride. We call it the Straight-A-Way!

The Straight-A-Way is a one mile section of road that was abandoned when our community was built. One the one side or the road, usually our left hand side unless we go the opposite way than usual, is our community's golf course. A long par five hole and a long par three hole. The opposite side in a fence that divides our community from our neighboring community. They have it fence to keep out the rift-raft from the other community. Their homes are only $2 million and up!

So our goal on the Straight-A-Way has been to get to 30 mph. Usually I pull Tony for the first 3/4 of a mile then he passes me at which time I jump on his wheel to get pulled along the finial 1/4 mile. Today the first pass was a sign of things to come. The wind was right, it was a nice cool morning with low humidity and since we were making a first pass we don't push but we did see 27 mph! Could thirty be far behind?

We never discuss the Straight-A-Way until after the ride. It's just understood that we are going to try for 30. The mile before includes a right turn then around a circle followed by another right turn, up a small hill and on to the Straight-A-Way. Along the circle Tony will pass so I can be pulled and have a brief rest. Then as we turn and go up the hill I stand in the saddle to pass Tony, grab a quick sip of drink and we are off. But none of this is discussed or mentioned, we just know what to do each doing his part.

As we approached the second pass I thought this might be the day...look out Lance. Thirty miles per hour seems fast on a bike. We took the circle and the small hill as usual. Often as we turn onto the Straight-A-Way there are people walking in the road or jogging and or some occasions a golf course maintenance worker on a golf cart or gas cart. People like to walk 3 and 4 abreast on the Straight-A-Way even though on the left side there is a nice wide sidewalk, but that's another story.
Today on this the second pass there is no one. The road is empty, another good sign no dodge'em, no dogs on long leashes, no recreational bikers talking on cell phone going so slow you think they are going to fall over. No the Straight-a-Way is empty. Today is the day!!!!

I decide to keep it in the big ring and not drop to a smaller cog but just try to keep my cadence up then at 100 bpm change gears to a smaller cog. I watch my 'puter 22...then 23...80 bpm...84... I can see the end of the Straight-A-Way which ends with a 90* left turn.... 26.. 26.8 Tony is ready top pass...he is along side 90 bpm...I change gears and try to pick up some speed to get on his wheel... 27....28.... I can see the end...push 29.8! Push harder...but no it's done....29.8 mph...not there yet! ugh you mean we got do this all over again?

Well it was a nice 25 mile ride inspite of the fact we didn't hit 30 but then there is always Monday....Sunday we escape the community to do a long slow ride.

Beautiful Day in the Hood

It's a beatiful day here...



It was 64* this morning for my run, but once again I felt like crap! Hey I went to bed early after fixing myself a good dinner of grilled boneless pork chop, buttered noodles, steamed carrots and a tossed mixed green salad and one and only one glass of chardonay. I can cook!

Once again I didn't want to get out of bed. Is it depression? What do I have to be depressed about? melonoma/cancer or is it growing lypoma's like it's nothing, or is it a brain tumor or perhaps all of the above?

I went for my run anyway but was just a little late this morning, at the two mile mark I had trouble with my pace so I slowed down a bit and finished my 7 miles at a 9 min pace, ugh!

Well I live in paradise and like my mother said, before she lost her mind, you've always got your health! I think I'll go to the beach tonight to troll for sharks. I love open water swimming on the way home from work!

Distance Swim

Coming this weekend is a local favorite race the 8th Annual 24 mile Tampa Bay Marathon Swim Here's a brief except from their press relase:

CLEARWATER, FL--Another world-class field of marathon swimming stars will assemble for the Tampa Bay Marathon Swim on Saturday, April 16. The 24 mile swim race starts at 7:30am from the Sunshine Skyway at the Holiday Inn Sunspree Resort (800 227 8045) and ends at Ben T. Davis Beach on the Courtney Campbell Causeway. The race course covers the entire length of Tampa Bay and is held each year to celebrate Earth Day and the revitalization of Florida's largest estuary.

Since this event was first staged in 1998, it has drawn competitors from across the United States, Great Britain, Dominican Republic, Guatamala, Germany, India, Canada, and the Cayman Islands. A record fifty-seven participants have entered this year's event, either as soloists or as relay swimmers. Here are the twenty individual swimmers and the ten relay teams that will compete for honors:

I'm sure all of you want to do this race with me next year!

Windy Day

This mornings ride turned into a battle against the wind. There is a small cold front going through just north of Naples. This caused a slight breeze according to the weatherman, yea 18 knots! On the first loop I was able to do 16mph into the wind and 23 mph with the wind! It seemed like more into the wind than not...


As we started our second loop, Tony noticed his son was still waiting for the 6:10 am bus. At 7:30 the bus still hadn't arrived...It broke down and a replacement bus was on the way. So Tony had to drop out to take Chris to school soooo the second loop was alone into the wind! Not fun....



Flowers 

My flowers in the yard.

Sunset

Sunset 

I suppose everyone has one of those days. You know were you don't want to get out of bed. I didn't sleep well last nite, so when the TV went off and the coffee pot alarm sounded saying the coffee is ready, I wanted to go back to sleep.

In the words of Garfield, Why can't morning come later in the day? 5:30 am comes early! But I do have everything timed so I can get my training in so I pushed myself.... maybe I shouldn't but I did. Yea I know listen to your body so when it tells you to rest take a day off. But what about pushing yourself to new limits?

So it was a run day, I started out slower than usual but then it happened...right after a 1/2 mile, I turned the corner and there is another runner! Guy about my age not as good looking as me and runner is going my way. He doesn't say hi or wave or nothing...so I just follwed along behind him, nice pace. We are running in line and like a cyclist I'm drafting him...can you do that? Now we are running at an 8:10 pace. Surely he knows I'm there.

As we run along I see the usual people I say hi to in the morning. The shower girl taking her two large dogs for a walk..shower girl because she looks like she just got out of the shower threw on sweats and out the door with the dogs. The skinny lady and her husband...man is she thin...weird thin too, the walker ladies, the weights guy (he carries weights) and Chris in his red Vette going to work...but the runner doesn't acknowledge anyone...

So now at my 1 mile mark, I'm still behind the runner, macho kicks! Oh no in I've got pass him... I pick up the pace..hey he picks up the pace...now according to Timex Bodylinx 7:45. so we run along a little more, me just slightly behind but now to his side now.... I know he knows I'm there...he can hear me breathing... ok..my 2 mile mark...I started out to fast but that's what happens with mucho....did I tell you I'm tired, I didn't sleep well last nite?

Now it's time to pass the runner and look him square in the face and make him say HI! Increase pace to overtake and ....he stops! Dead stops... I go by and continue on to the end of the cul de sac we are on knowing he is watching me run by him so I have to maintain my pace because I'm going to turn around at the circle and run by runner again!

As I turn around and start back now my pace is causing pain... I look down the street and runner is gone! Vanished...poof gone!

So as I slow down my pace and run my final 5 miles I contemplate runner. who is he? where did he go? why didn't he say Hi or get off my a$$? HUH?

Did I mention I was tired? Now I'm really tired! I can't wait for sunset so I can go to bed!

Neat Car -btw right hand drive Rolls  I thought all the rich people in Naples went home. I saw this neat looking Rolls when I walked to the Post Office.

Missing Man Formation

Sunday's ride was the missing man formation






No not that missing man formation flown by F-16s, the Sunday bike ride was missing a man, Tony! I started out on my usual route expecting to find Tony alone the way. I even went to his house when I didn't meet up with him alogn the way, but no Tony. So I back tracked to the start of my route doing it over again and goin past my house one more time. Again no Tony. So I started my usual route that goes by Tony's house yet again. No Tony.

As I pasted his house the garage door was down and there were no signs of life at 7:30 am. So I just did my normal bike ride alone. I passed the joggers and walkers. Avoided a weaving biker who couldn't ride in a straight line becuase he was going to slow. I saw the road kill on the side of the road but no Tony.

I stopped at 30 miles only becuase I was bored riding alone around the same loops that we do every day. I had forgoten my cell phone (yea I know I promised to always take a cell phone) so I didn't escape the local compound.


So today, there on the very beginning of my daily 25 mile ride was Tony! He was out yesterday riding but couldn't find me. He even went the opposite way on our route but couldn't find me. He saw the same joggers and runners, even the same road kill but he could find me! The missing man formation of bike riding.


The Missing Man 


THIS WEAK IN REVIEW

Run: Tues 6 thurs 6 Sat 8 Total 20 miles
Bike Mon 25 Wed 25 Fri 25 Sun 30 Total 105
Swim NADA
Walk Sun 3 miles

Not great but it was something!

Who's In for $20?

Someone (jon) sent this Popapalooza 2005 brack pool. Who's in for $20?

Here Lies a Moron

I was thinking about what I don't want written on my tombstone....Here Lies a Mornon! What made me think about this is a book I'm reading "Deep Survival: Who Lives. Who Dies. and Why" by Laurence Gonzales.

In Gonzales chapter "Danger Zones", he uses Lambs Slide on the east side of Longs Peak in Colorado's Rock Mountain National Park as an example of a Danger Zone.



"Since the epic 1871 uncontrolled descent of Lambs Slide by the Reverend Elkannah Lamb, the accident has been repeated continually with results varying greatly from injury to death"

You see from below Lamb's Slide doesn't appear treacherous, it's not, UNTIL you're fully committed about one third of the way up. A perceived easy hike gets steeper and steeper until.... The accident results is so common it's called "Lost Footing. Couldn't Self-Arrest. Fell to Death or LFCSAFTD".

It's made me more aware of the Danger Zones I put my self in from time to time. Open water swim with no buddy. Riding long distances away from home with no identification or cell phone or even money. No one knowing where I went or even if I went. It's creating my own Danger Zones.

So since I don't want my tombstone to read "Here Lies a Moron" I'm going to work on not creating my own Danger Zones.

Timing

Timing 

It's all about timing.... Yesterday and today I've noticed a slight change. The tourist season which runs in Naples from Jan 15 to April 15 closed early this year. A lot of our "snowbirds" went home early for Easter. Remember it's all about timing...Easter was early this year, March 27, they change it every year unlike Christmas, it is always Dec. 25th. I'm always confused about the timing of Easter but never Christmas.

So since Easter was early, a lot of the snowbirds went home early. This means the traffic jams due to the snowbirds going to breakfast and tee times when I'm driving to work, or the snowbirds going to the early bird dinner specials before dark when I'm driving home has lessened. The timing of their departure has left the roads with less traffic.

But enter timing.... Yesterday I noticed a change in timing! The Naples City Fathers changed the timing of the traffic lights. Since snowbird season is over, the lights are now on a summer timing schedule. You know summer? Summer is when no one is in Naples due to the heat and humidity, except us poor working people. Therefore in the summer there is no traffic at all.

But it's not summer! It's April and there are a few tourist, rich people and other non-working people. People who went home for Easter and came back on their private jets, or came via the airlines, or, God forbid, drove back. So the timing of the timing change was the WRONG TIME!

This morning it took me three, take the time to count them, one, two, three light changes to get thru the intersection. The timing is messed up! And not just one intersection but 4! It has never happened like this until yesterday and now today. The timing of the lights is short...two or three cars can get thru....TIMING!

So next year, please change the timing of Easter rather than the timing of the lights!

Health Update

Inquiring minds want to know.....

So I went to the brain surgeon yesterday. Even with calling ahead to check on the waiting time in the waiting room I still had to wait 90 minutes to see him.

The answer is...well we don't know what it is.

THE GOOD NEWS

1. we are pretty sure it's not growing... but we will check again in 3 months.

2. we are pretty sure it is not an AVM all though it looks like an AVM but with the MRA it doesn't have a blood supply...so no AVM..we think.

3. we are pretty sure it is a cyst but it doesn't have a regular shape, actually it looks like a collection of holes in the brain kinda like an AVM, it doesn't appear to have fluid in it....just a hole

4. we are pretty sure it is not pushing on any sections of the brain...but it might be.

5. we are pretty sure it is not cancer, it didn't "light-up" on the pet scan but it could still be a slow growing giloma or the beginning of a melanoma...we will test again in 3 months.

6. we are pretty sure it's been there a long time perhaps all your life, but we are not sure.

So let me get this straight, it's not cancer, not an avm, not a tumor, it could be a cyst but it doesn't have fluid or shape.... right! It's just weird!

THE BAD NEWS

1. we think you should just leave it alone and watch it. we will test again in 3 months.

2. biopsy would be bad news since it doesn't have a regular shape and is in a hard to work on area of the brain.

3. removal would probly be impossile because it has no regular shape and brain tissue would be removed as well.

4. it might be the beginning of a giloma or melanoma...we will test in 3 months.

But what about the headaches, dizzy spells, ringing in the ears, stiff neck, etc...

we don't think it is coming from this.... so let's see a neurologist. It's just weird.

So April 18th another doctor.

Olivia Orchid

Orchids 

This morning I counted the blooms on Olivia Orchid. She has 40 blooms all total! I bought her last year from Publix, the local Florida grocery store. She has bloomed 4 times since I rescued her, of course she gets fed and watered every week to ten days. I guess I'm a little nuts naming my plants.

Well today is the big day! WHOHOO! I see my doctor to get some answers to my questions. I still am trying to get an understanding of this brain tumor. What does it mean going forward? Do I need surgery since they have told me it is in a dangerous spot? Why do I have blurry vision, headaches, stiff neck, whistling in my ears, and get confused from time to time? Questions.... What about exercise and bumping my head? Roller coasters? Fast cars?

Today was a bike day. While I usually meet Tony after I have warmed up, he once again was no where to be found! He over slept!!!! UGH! I guess with the time change and he's getting older...8 years younger than the Oldman.

Tony appeared coming the opposite way on the straight away like a fighter pilot coming out of the sun.

Today:

Bike 28 miles, ave speed 18.6
Swim tonight..Maybe.

Doctors update... the doctors office called to say the brain surgeon is in brain surgery...and of course running late! My 1:40 appointment is now scheduled for 4:15! They want a 6:45. I think I need a different doctor since my appointment last week was canceled to today and now pushed back. Wait! Next they will call to cancel totally!

St. Anthony's

Well I spoke via telephone, since I'm having a hard time seeing straight while I drive or work or ride my bike and have had a headache off and on since my last MRI, with my brain surgeon. He doesn't want me to do St. Anthony's. I'm not surprised since I just got over my last surgery to remove a tumor (3rd surgery) from my back.... BTW I have a new one growing on the site of second surgery.

So what should I do. I paid my monies... other than swimming I've been training ok... Should I say he$$ with it I'm doing it anyway?

Needless to say I'm bummed out.... having cancer & brain tumors at the same time sucks!

Weekend Update

This weekend saw a weather change. What started out on Friday night with high humid and clear skies gave way to rain on Saturday morn and windy cold weather on Sunday.

If you don't like Florida weather, just wait a few minutes it will change.

Saturday I had scheduled a brick...20 mile ride 10 mile run. When I got up Saturday morning, it was raining lightly with thunder off in the distance, like cannon fire on a distant battlefield. So I decided to for get the ride and just run. Of course I left all of my "electronics" at home with the exception of the Heart Rate Monitor.

At the two mile mark the heavens opened with a clash of lightening and thunder! I found my self running thru a Florida car wash. It wasn't one of those warm summer rains.
No it was a cold drenching down pour. I just kind of plodded along with my head down to protect my eyes forms the stinging rain. At the four mile mark, I felt I had enough punishment for the day and went back tot he house. So best laid plans goes out the window...Total run 4.5 miles...

Sunday was a cold and windy morning. With the time change it was even harder to get out of bed. I went to met up with Tony after my 5 mile warm up, but no Tony. His bike was in front of his house, the garage door was open, but no Tony. He went inside to wait for me and fell asleep! So I rode 30 miles in the windy cold air by myself. No fun!

RAT PATROL UPDATE

I found another dead rat in the trap...He was starting to smell..This was Saturday. Then Sunday I found another dead rat.... UGH. I put screens on the ends of the downspouts. I've heard them inside the gutters. I also plugged two spots that I though they might be coming in with foam. I didn't hear anything last night.

WEAKLY TOTALS

run 16 miles
bike 75 miles
swim - nada

Start of the Week

Monday started off cold again. Even colder than yesterday. 53* and it was dark at 6:30. Ugh. Even so Tony jumped in today and we did our 25 mile loop. When I finished my fingers were numb and the hot shower felt real good. Since I have to walk to the bank at lunch time there will be no swimming.

Headaches, Rats and other stuff

I've been trying to keep up my regular training schedule this week but everything has been against me. Mondays schedule 25 mile ride was shortened due to a down pour. Now I don't mind riding in the rain but the rain was stinging me like bees stings as hit it my skin. The golf course lightening alarm went off indicated in should head for cover. Can you get struck by lightening on a bike with rubber tires? So I cut the ride short since Tony didn't show up. 15 miles in the he pouring rain is enough.

Tuesdays run while hot and humid was some what uneventful. I did 5 miles. While crossing the street at the turn around point a car came danerously close to me. Since I run in the street usually against traffic this is the one point where I am going with traffic. I had my Rio playing loud so I didn't hear or see him coming. After he went by, he had to stop at the circles stop sign then a landscaping truck was blocking his path. I was able to get along side of him and scare him by thumping on his car.

Tuesday was also the MRI day. I had to go to the NASA office for an MRI of my brain with contrast but unlike the MRI's I've had done at Radiology Regional, this time they didn't start an IV but shot the dye straight into a vein in my arm. For some reason I've now had a headache on the left side of my head...that is where the tuor is located... Some times it hurts worse than others but the pain is still there.

Wednesday another ride day started bad. I went into the garage to pump up Roo's tires when I heard a strange noise. Thump, thump, thump in the garage's attic. I have rats invading the attic and have set traps so I thought I caught a rat or perhaps a squirrel. It was on the hatch for the pull down stairs. so I had to get the half dead RAT out of the attic, reset the trap...get cleaned up then ride..so I was only able to do 15 again! UGH

Wednesday was also a brain EEG day! So after work I went back to NASA for a brain wave test. The tech put little thingies on my head and two on my arms to measure brain activity and heart rate. She showed me the nice squigglie lines it made..so my brain works even with a large tumor! I celebrated the fact that my brain was working by having a pizza! No beer...whats with that?

Thursday was a run day and inspite of waking up with my headache I though if I ran it would go away. So I took a bottle water and ran 7 miles. I felt pretty good and have a 8:30 pace. But when I got done I still had the headache! I attended a meeting until 9:00 pm about the growth in our community. We have 30 new homes sold every week. There has been permits issued for 10 million square feet of commercial real estate to be build, including a mixed use mall!

Friday was a ride day. Feeling pretty good I met up with Tony after a 5 mile warm up. We rode 25 mile together at a 18.6 mph pace. Tony said I was going to fast so he let me pull most of the time.

So now as I write this my headache is back. I think it was the dye they used. UGH!

I'm thinking about doing a brick tomorrow. That is a ride and a run. I'm thinking about riding 25 miles then running ten. Let's see how I feel especially since I have to Rat proof the house to keep the rats out!