"Anticipation"

It feels like Christmas Eve! One more sleep!

Elly, buy me some socks will ya?  I'll come and pick them up!

(swim 1250 metres, track run, weights)

There is no terror in the bang, only in the anticipation of it."---Alfred Hitchcock

Love

Peter

"Ten Down"

Twenty to go!  And in the middle of the twenty they will yank two teeth out of my head.  I admit to feeling a little overwhelmed.  I am nervous about the tooth extractions primarily because my jaw is always tender as it is, and my mouth does not open very far.  I'm pretty sure it's gonna hurt like hell for a while.

The daily travel and the 2 hours in my plastic cage are also starting to wear thin.

Compound that with all the uncertainty surrounding my work, and the stress of training, and this old man is kinda on the edge.

Throughout this I am trying not to be too much of a dink around my family and succeeding only moderately I'm afraid.

The temptation of course is to slack off on the training since it is really the only negotiable part of the current situation.  But I can't quite come to terms with that.  If I can only hold it together for another couple of weeks then I will definitely back off for 3 or 4 days prior to the Bay Race.

That's it!

Elly, I believe I have beaten donuts and ice cream at least temporarily, and what ever made you think they would have 100 % cotton socks at Winners??!!

Kathy, if I told you how much those bicycle saddles cost you would think me insane....if you don't already??

(computrainer 60 mins, weights)

Man has a limited biological capacity for change. When this capacity is overwhelmed, the capacity is in future shock."---Alvin Toffler

The individual has always had to struggle to keep from being overwhelmed by the tribe. If you try it, you will be lonely often, and sometimes frightened. But no price is too high to pay for the privilege of owning yourself."---Friedrich Nietzsche

Love

Peter

"Confessions of an Addict"

I once read a story about a guy who was addicted to classical music, or more specifically to buying rare recordings of classical music.  I guess he would sneak out of work in the afternoons and spend ridiculous amounts of money at obscure record shops around town.  I originally laughed it off, but once I read the man's personal reflections on his behaviour at the time I conceded that yes, indeed, he was addicted. To make the point I give you this definition.  Addiction is any habit with short term gratification and long term consequences. You can easily see based on that definition, how an insatiable need to collect music can be an addiction, particularly if you are pissing away your families money, and risking your job to satisfy it.  I remember being amazed at how much you could pay for a CD, especially one that had only orchestra music on it

So my question to you.

Can a man be addicted to bicycle saddles?  They say that the first step in recovery from addiction is admitting that one has a problem.  I'm trying to be honest with myself and my wife seems to think that as long as I'm not hiding my purchases it will probably not become a lifelong problem.  I think she's right, but she doesn't know how close I came to ordering another saddle from e-bay without telling her.  That is the reason for this current post.

You may recall the pretty blue saddle that I bought near the beginning of the year?  That one was no good at all, and I immediately went back to the one I have been using throughout the winter.  You may also recall the one I was testing early in February which I indeed since bought, and have been using for a couple of weeks now.  It was much better but had different problems (numbness again).  Despite that, I had decided that I would either make it work or go back to my ISM  (that was the funny looking short one that was numbness free).

BUT....then I went to the bike show and found "my" saddle!!!  Maybe?  I think?  Hopefully?

It seemed right.  not too wide....decent slot down the middle....not too much padding....pretty colour!

So I ordered one.  Once I receive it I promise I will show it to you.  But I absolutely swear on my mothers grave that this is the last one ever.

I AM NOT AN ADDICT!!!

(swim 1000 metres, run 7.3 kms)

"It's an addiction... and addiction is something I should know something about."---Keith Richards


"Secrecy, once accepted, becomes an addiction."---Edward Teller

"Feeling Pretty Good"

The day after long run day is always a little uncertain so today was a pleasant surprise.  I had enough energy to get my workouts in, and do my taxes.  It is now 3:30 pm and I am trying to decide between starting on the garage door openers, having something to eat, or having a nap.

All right I decided!  Too cold in the garage for my thin blood!  A yogurt bar to get me through to supper, and a nice nap with my book.  I'm reading one of the classics.  Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen.  Sounds very impressive doesn't it?  I admit to being a little disappointed.

Lastly for today please go back and read Old John's comment on yesterdays post.  When you read it please remember that I taught him everything he knows

(computrainer 30 kms, swim 1200 metres)

"Next to being shot at and missed, nothing is really quite as satisfying as an income tax refund."---F.J. Raymond

Love

Peter

"Decisions"

The weatherman promised poor conditions for running this morning and he did not disappoint.  The freaking wind was out of this world, and tomorrow's forecast, while different (less wind, but colder with snow) wasn't much more appealing.  I decided to totally skip this week.  I thought out my options for a Saturday and considered maybe doing my taxes (not fun) or perhaps installing my new garage door opener (much fun).  After procrastinating the decision for about an hour I got my stuff on and went running!

It was decidedly not fun!  I went into town knowing that was the only possible way I may get some decent miles in.  There is a nice little 2.5 km loop that has a bit of traffic on one section, and a bit of wind, but it was as good as it's gonna get.  I left the plan kind of open, not knowing exactly what it was gonna be like once I got going. I don't think I have ever tried a long run in 40-50 km winds.  What I figured out very quickly was that there was no way I was going to be able to make it back home from the loop since the winds picked up even more, and sections of the trip back would have been into the teeth of it.  So I ran in circles (well rectangles actually) until I hit 30 kms and then I did an E.T.  I phoned home!

I did have a nice moment at about 18 kms when my arthritic left hip really started to hurt.  For some reason it triggered an overwhelming sense of gratitude.... gratitude that my health problems are so minor.  Think about it as I did.  I am a 56 year old cancer survivor who's arthritis starts acting up after 18 kms of running.  Tell that problem to a real arthritis sufferer!

And overall I was happy with my run.  I ran 5:09 kms for a total time of 2:34:30.  Most importantly I did not slow down over the distance.  My second half was faster than my first.

Only 3 weeks til the first test of the season.  I declare us ready for the Around The Bay Road Race on Mar 25th.  It is really Roo's day, as for me it is a training run, and the opportunity to bond with my honey, but for her it is D-day.  Her goal for the 30 kms is 2 hours 30 minutes, or 5 min kms.  I would tell you that she will accomplish it with ease, but that would diminish the challenge both of the training, and of the race itself.  This race is one of the most difficult long distance events in North America primarily because of the hills over the last 10 kms.  Rather I would tell you that I am supremely confident that Claudette will finish comfortably under her goal time.

After I posted this I opened it back up again because I forgot something important.  I want to announce a special "Game On" hats off today to one Brian Burke, the GM of the Toronto Maple Leafs.  I admit that I don't really like the guy but I continue to gain huge respect for him. Today he took another giant leap forward!  It was during a press conference he was holding to announce the new coach of the leafs.  Understand that video of this conference would be seen by millions of sports fas across North America and other parts of the world.  He was acknowledging the rights of fans to boo their hockey team , their coach, or anything else they choose to boo.  As long as, and I quote, "their words are not racist, homophobic, or obscene".  You are the man Brain Burke!!  Hats off!!

(run, 30 kms 2:34:30)

"Gratitude is an art of painting an adversity into a lovely picture."---Kak Sri

"We can only be said to be alive in those moments when our hearts are conscious of our treasures."---Thornton Wilder

....and especially for my son Michael....

"In this world of sin and sorrow there is always something to be thankful for; as for me, I rejoice that I am not a Republican."---H.L. Mencken

Love
Peter

"Bike Show"

I love the Toronto Bicycle Show but  since it's a 2 hour drive it becomes hit or miss for me from year to year.  But this year since I was gonna be in Hamilton anyway (fancy that) I decided to make a point of going.  I was kind of annoyed when I got there this aft to find that parking was gonna be13 bucks!  Especially because I knew from the website that it was gonna cost me another 13 bucks to get into the show!  Imagine the nice surprise when I got to the window to pay and upon receiving my change found out I had only paid $8.  I was at the point of correcting the woman but then glanced down at the ticket and sure enough it said very clearly right on the top, ---$8.00.---  As I walked away I looked at it again and on the bottom of the ticket it said very clearly, ---"Children 6-12 & Seniors".---  She never even freakin asked me!!  She just looked at me, and gave me the seniors price!  Holy shit folks!!!

Anyway, I don't really care.  I enjoyed the show.  I bought a very nice pair of Livestrong shorts for half the retail price, and I lusted after some of the eye candy.  Here are a few examples of things I would buy if I didn't have grandchildren.

Pretty as they are, I'll keep my grandchildren.  They're even prettier!

(No workout)

"You're in pretty good shape for the shape you are in."---Dr Seuss

Love

Peter

"Mentally Tired"

Day seven of my Hamilton trips and it's already starting to get tedious.  When I got home at about 5 pm I got straight on the bike but simply could not find my motivation.  The sick thing is that I'm confident in my conditioning right now and my only worry in taking a few days off is that I'll gain weight!!  I know it's irrational, but when you have spent your entire adult life fighting that battle it seems like you can never let your guard down.  

A special hello to my honey tonite who's in Montreal at the "match de hockey". Maybe the Habs will win one in honor of her visit.  

(easy bike, 30 mins)

...I like this...

"As a single footstep will not make a path on the earth, so a single thought will not make a pathway in the mind. To make a deep physical path, we walk again and again. To make a deep mental path, we must think over and over the kind of thoughts we wish to dominate our lives."---Henry David Thoreau

Love

Peter