H2Audio Waterproof case for iPod Shuffle

I bought one of these....Well it was for the 2nd Generation iPod Shuffle. This picture is for the 3rd Generation iPod Shuffle. Since I get bored swimming laps or in the gulf swimming buoys I thought this might help. It is from a company called H2O Audio that make all kinds of waterproof cases for iPods including a case for the iPod for scuba divers..... why would you need to answer the phone at 100ft below the surface? I'm just saying...

H2O Audio are really nice people. I tried several times to order the case online but couldn't get their site to work. After calling their order line I had a great guy (can't rememebr his name but I think it was Phil) helped me and solve the problem...free shipping and it was here in just a few days.

I used it last Thursday for the first time and again today and I must say it is great! Why did I do this sooner? Now I can listen to Louis Armstrong, Dean MArtin, and Queen while sewimming.

Joe FrielBlog: Seasonal Summary

As you know by now (well maybe not) I’m a fan of Joe Friel. He has written the TrainingBible, has some great things on his website TrainingBible.com and has a great blog. While for those of us in Florida the season is not over, this is a good time to reflect on the upcoming final Tri's and the next year's races. Follow the linky Joe Friel's Blog: Seasonal Summary or here is a copy and paste of his post.

Seasonal Summary

Success in sport is just like success in any other aspect of your life. One of the requirements is careful planning. Deciding where you want to go in the future begins with knowing where you have been in the past. Recognizing trends and evaluating what you’ve been doing are both important steps on the path to racing better next year. This process can be accomplished in several ways. Talking with your coach or a trusted training partner is probably the best way. But lacking such people in your sporting life you can still accomplish the same end by answering some key questions. Here are some I often use. Your answers can lead in many different directions. Ultimately, the reason for such an exercise is to give you more focus when it comes to training and racing. It may even help you to decide why it is you devote so much of your life to training.

Here are five questions to answer at the end of your race season and before starting to prepare for the coming season:

1. What was the high point of your season? Why does this stand out for you? Was it what you thought it would be at the start of the season?

2. What was your greatest disappointment? Why did this happen? Is there anything you could have done to have avoided it?

3. Looking back, do you think you trained as wisely and as hard as you could have trained?

4. What is the one thing you most need to work on for next season in order to perform better?

5. What would you most like to accomplish next season? Is it a good stretch and yet within your reach if you do things right?

Tour de France Party Friday

Friday nite our cycling group The Estero Flatlanders had a fund raiser for the Naples Shelter for Abused Women. It was held at a new wine bar in the Coconut Point Mall called The Grape!

Here is Tony 171 - famous for his ride across Florida 171 miles but that title will change short (more in another post). He's a Brit you can tell because of the accent.

There was plenty of food and wine so the Flatlanders of course had a good time!

Even Preacher Todd and his wife were able to join us.

Also in attendance were a few rowdy folk - Pat and Pat and Matt

British Mark brought along his girl friend. You can tell he's a Brit too!

Some of our long lost cyclist were in attendance - Richard and Joanna and Pam

The important thing is money was raise for a good cause while everyone had fun.

Window View

Once again it might rain

Posted via email from oldman's posterous

Tour de France Party

Hey any excuse to party! Everyone is welcome.

The Curse of Ziegfried the Tumbless

OK I know I did the race. I crossed the finishing line. I didn't dream this or imagine it. However no results posted on the Naples Fitness Challenge Website for me. You see I suffer from the Curse of Ziegfried the Thumbless.

Ziegfried was a Viking who offended the King and thus was cursed by said King, sentenced to have his thumbs cut off. Do you know how hard it is to work with out thumbs? Thumbs are used for almost everyting we do. Test this by trying to pick up a cup of coffee without your thumb.

Now this curse was passed down the family line via my father's family (my mothers family are American indian). It affects everything in life such as when you buy something a part missing or broken, the new car will be a lemon, and usually whatever it is it will break at the WRONG time! If it wasn't for bad luck I wouldn't have luck.


So that brings us to the email from the Naples Fitness Challenge Race Director, Linda Gregory:

Thank you very much for participating in The 23rd Annual Fitness Challenge Triathlon.

I hope you had a great time.

We did have some timing issue with one wire on the transition area being cut by biking shoes and the finish timing device being unplugged accidental on the beach by spectators.

So some athletes will not have finish time listed. The FINISH TIME AFFECTED were from 1 hour 23 minutes to 1 hour 32 minutes this can be fixed and we can get your time listed in our final results. Thank you for your patience.

O well there it is again, The Curse of Ziegfreid the Thumbless

Naples Fitness Challenge

This Sunday bright and early is the Naples Fitness Challenge. I went today at lunch with my friend Jack to pick up my race packet. To my surprise there was a water bottle along with a tee- shirt. Who would have thot that would be in the packet (OK I'll wear the shirt once or twice but trash the water bottle).

So this is the first time in along time that I haven't been recovering from surgery or on some kind of doctor's restriction so hopefully I'll do well! I've been doing open water swimming with Jack, who is training for Ironman Kona (yes I'm jealous) so my weakest sport has become strong I hope!

Update on Monday with pics.

Wiggins Pass Swim

My friend Jack WON (lucky bastard) a slot for Kona Ironman, however in order to valid the slot he must complete another Ironman race, either a half or full Ironman. Of course Jack is doing a half this summer. So he has been swimming in the Gulf to get ready. Jack invited me to swim along. so today I met Jack at the parking lot of Wiggins Pass State Park in Naples at 7:15 for a quick swim.

The water was a cool 84* with slight rollers so we stared out into the current with the rollers to our back left and it was a tough 1/4 mile swim...into the current. I had forgotten to sight so I started out by swimming in a circle. I realized the error of my direction, stopped, regrouped and started over again. I then sighted every 50 strokes only to find Jack puling away from me!

The turn around found us going with the current so it was a very easy relaxing swim back to the start, kinda like swimming down hill! The only problem... I have a salty water taste in my mouth.

Tonight will be quick 5 mile run!

Livestrong Army Video

Here is a video I thot everyone would like to see.

Back...Again

OK I know it has been a long time away again. I can tell your from personal experience that Melanoma is no fun! I think it affects every aspect of your life specially your head! But then having a brain tumor I have an excuse! I am weekly checking my body for another tumor and have a few "spots" I'm watching even though my doc says they are nothing to worry about. I see my dermatologist next month so we shall see.... but no surgery until after St. Anthony's Tri April 26.

I've been training but not as regular as I should. I seem to get to a certain point then have another surgery and fall back. So now that I have been CANCER FREE for 3 MONTHS I am going to get on track. (Also I am just getting to the end of the medical bills). I've been swimming trying to get back into a training groove.

I've registered for the Naples Fitness Challenge and will be doing the Beach Bum 5k this weakend. I'm looking at doing the 8 race series Publix Family Fitness Triathlon Series but maybe I need a sponsor.

The weak in review

Mon - Wed - Fri = 25 mile morning bike ave speed 20.1
Tues - Thurs = 6 mile run ave pace - slow
Thurs = 30 min swim
Sat = golf
Sun = 45 mile bike with Badass Flatlanders (got dropped of course)

Most of the Stitches ....

well not all the stitches came out just some of the stitches. I now have a large adhesive bandage to keep the incision site closed plus a few stitches. The doc says I can't exercise until Monday when hopefully the rest of the stitches come out.

today was a run day but shortened to 3 miles as I have the appointment with the doc.

Stitches Come Out ....

My stitches come out on Thursday morning....and I can't wait. My Surgeon says I can start to exercise again! Plus they itch! UGH!

Here is a quick hit on the weak in review:

Training:

• Monday - run day 4 miles
• Tuesday - run day 6 miles
• Wednesday - bike 25 miles
• Thursday - Run 6 miles
• Friday - Bike 25 miles
• Saturday - Run - stood in garage and watched the rain
• Sunday - Bike 42 miles

totals:

• Run 16 miles
• Bike 92 miles
• Swim NADA
• Waits NADA

No swimming or waits due to stitches. I can't wait for the Doc to give me clearance to start exercising again!

ON another note, I'm signing up for the Naples Half Marathon, Jan 18, 2009. It is one of my favorite races and you get to see how the poor people live in Naples - homes started at $5 mil! Who's in? Plus great pasta party the nite before!

Federal Bail Out Program Application

Click to Enlarge

As the Big 3 go to Washington today, here is the Application for the Federal Bail Out Program via Carpe Diem, just in case you don't get yours in the mail. My Home Watch business is applying for $10 bill. I think that's enough to get us thru December.

Surgery Today

Not my tumor - but this is what they look like

Today was the day for my wide excision surgery on my latest tumor. This one was on the small of my back or lower lumbar. The first surgery removed some of the tumor two weeks ago but the surgeon did not remove all the "bad" cells...or so the pathologist said in his report. So today was another surgery to remove more of me. About the size of a Popeye Biscuit.

Dr. Lipnick - my surgeon

After the surgery Dr. Lipnick told me no strenuous exercise like golf that involves twisting or straining the lower back. Of course I told him I run, bike and swim. He said running and biking is OK! Hey that's good.No swimming, hey that's bad.

So, I'm back at work - just a little sore. Next stop the Oncologist after we get the next pathologist report in TWO WEEKS - why so long?

So I ran 2 quick miles this morning before surgery - no swimming for at least 2 weeks! ugh. But the Naples Half Marathon is coming in January so let's concentrate on that race!

St. Anthony's

Today the registration opened for St. Anthony's Triathlon. Tony and I agreed train together and do the race. So today was the day that the registration opened! It took trying all morning until finally! finally! At 12:30 I got to register, finally. HEY I'M IN FOR ST. ANTHONY'S! It's an Olympic distance race... 1.5 k swim, 40 k bike and a 10 k run. (that's 0.932 mile swim, 24.85 miles bike and 6.21 miles run for those metrically challenged).

But hey I'm in and I'm excited....until Tony calls to tell me that he decided NOT TO DO THE RACE! ugh!


O well I'm in! Who else is with me? Who's in?

Thanksgiving Day Turkey Trot

It was a cold morning for the 13th Annual Gobble Gobble 4 Miler - Turkey Trot, 52*! But the Bad Ass Flatlanders rode the 20 miles down to the Venetian Village in Naples do the race then ride back. I on the other hand chose to take the car!


Here are some of the gang before the race!

After the race was the usual bagels but also Pumpkin Pie!

Monday Weakend Highlights

Boys and girls, there were few highlights this weakend! But here are a quick list of a few...

• Friday evening went to Mr. Bill's thank you "party" - a politician friend who was elected as Councilman for Burrito Springs.
• Saturday - slept in late 10 am - well I did get up at 5:30 but it was blowing and cold outside, to cold to ride, so I went back to bed.
• Sunday - rode with the Bad Ass Coffee Flatlanders - while I didn't get dropped at the airport, I did see that Nurse Mark was missing so I went to look for him. Never did find him. Rode 45 miles, he last 15 by myself. Ave speed 20.1 mph.
• Sunday night - had a great fire in the outdoor fireplace!
• Monday - ran with Tony rather than our usual Monday ride, Tony had an early appointment and we are doing the Gobble - Gobble Run on Turkey Day.

This week promises to be fun! Again a quick hit list:

• Getting ready for the kids who are coming Friday for the weakend
• Decorating for Christmas - prior to my birthday!
• Doing the Gobble Gobble Run on Thursday
  

A quick health update, again a quick hit list:

• The one of the recent biopsy on my back came back positive!
  
• I have surgery on Dec. 2.
• My boss wants me back at work right away!
  
• I have a tooth ache.
  
• The dentist wants clearance from my brain surgeon before doing anything. So it will wait until after my surgery.
  

Cold, Colder, COLDEST

The weakend started out pretty good with the usual Saturday morning ride with the Bad Ass Coffee ride. the temp cooled off to a nice 60* at ride time. While I did get dropped off the A ride, the B ride ended up being pretty fast. English Richard, came back to check on Joanna in the B group and ended up pulling the entire route! He was like a machine pulling at 23 to 25 mph. It was great until I had to pull along the Mall Road....

After the ride, 42 miles, I did a quick 3 mile run. My calf muscles felt like they were going to cramp. Go figure.

Sunday was cold with a heavy (sailing term) wind form the Northeast! The temp as 52* but with the wind it felt colder. (We need a reef in the mainsail and a working jib). The A group started out at 22 mph INTO THE WIND and sure enough, I got dropped before the University hill climb.

Monday was the COLDEST. It was 45*! Tony did a no show but the Million Dollar Doctor, Steve had his new winter riding kit! Wow, best $500 he ever spent! We did the normal Monday ride for 25 miles.

Finaly Friday - Wolf Dog

I have written about the problem we are having with Coyote's in the Wiley Coyote Eats Cat post. But now there is a new problem Wolf-dog's! A wolf-dog is just that, part wolf and part dog. Wednesday, Lee County Animal Services caught a wolf-dog, placed it inside their van in a cage. The animal broke the steel cage and then the hinge on the van window to escape!

So now the hunt is on to find the wolf-dog. The local media is doing live shots in and around the area of the siting of the wolf-dog. But wait, for there's more....watch the upper left of the live shot as the wolf-dog makes a cameo appearance!




This week ends with my Friday ride... I was joined by Tony, Dr. Steve and a first time on the weekday ride Jen! Just a quick 25 miles.

Now swimming this weakend---ugh! but Saturday & Sunday with the Bad Ass Coffee riders.

To My Bank...

Dear Sirs,
In view of what seems to be happening
internationally with banks at the moment,
I was wondering if you could advise me.

If one of my checks is returned marked
"insufficient funds," how do I know
whether that refers to me or ... to you.?