Joseph Sylvester Mosbrook was my fathers father. We called him Papa. He died when I was a teenager on Thanksgiving. I thought of him as a warm and happy spirit. He was a proud man and well respected. He was president of the Pinehurst Country Club and lived across the road from the 7th hole of Pinehurst #2, one of the best golf courses in the world.
Papa loved golf. He played late into his life. I am the only member of my family to not love the game.
I do respect golf and understand the passion my Dad, brother, uncles, Susie and Papa have for it. The game is a great challenge and you have to work hard at it to be good. The weather and course can have a strong effect on the game.
Golf is a sport that requires continual spending. From green fee's to lessons, to the never ending need for the next greatest piece of equipment that will make you drive further, putt better and shave one stroke from your score.
Golf is a lot like triathlon. Just slower. One day the Newspaper will have a section called Tri Monday.....
My Papa's middle name, Sylvester means happy New Year in German. He was born December 31, 1899 close to midnight. He was one of the last babies born in that century.
So what makes me think of my grandfather, Joe Mosbrook on his 107th birthday?
It is also the birthday of fellow IM candidate, CTC member, Heights resident, former Mad town resident, and blogger, Jodi.
Jodi is not 107 and is very much alive. Very much alive thanks to her bike helmet. She crashed recently and the helmet most likely saved her life. (WEAR YOUR HELMET!)
Capricorns are resilient and don't seem to let much slow them down. Papa was hit by lightning while golfing, and got right back on the course. Jodi has been piling on the bike mileage since her accident.
Anyhow, Happy Birthday Papa.
Happy Birthday Jodi.
Happy New Year Everyone.
IRONMAN 2007....Maybe I will take up golf next year.
Saturday, December 30, 2006
Sunday, December 24, 2006
Christmas Dreams of Zeus
Once known as the king of gods, Zeus is now regarded as mythology.
What would Zeus dream of on the night before Christmas? What would the supreme god look forward to on the day we celebrate the birth of Christ, the king of kings?
Zeus is not forgotten. We still hold the Olympic games. The games that were created in his honor. An event that brings the nations of the world together in peaceful competition.
Zeus's impact is still present in our modern world.
The Zeus I speak of this night before Christmas is a big black Labrador retriever. Zeus is ten now, but still a big puppy.
On Christmas morning Zeus gets to go for a run with his old running buddy. For Zeus there is nothing greater than that.
Every year I head over to my folks house before everyone else and take my old training partner out for a jog round Shaker lakes. He knows it's coming. He knows the sound of running cloths. He starts dancing about and making crazy wookie moans in anticipation. His big powerful tail starts churning like a machine. If you get in the way of Zeus's tail before a run, you will surely come away with a bruise. Zeus loves to run, and Christmas Morning he gets to run.
The first quarter mile he pulls in excitement. After that he settles into my pace and we just run with the occasional male dog pit stop.
Zeus and I would run together daily while I was in school. We trained for 3 marathons together. He later adapted to my little sister Susie's run style.
He doesn't have a running partner these day sans the occasional drop-in by Susie or I.
I know he misses it. He bellowed in anticipation this evening at dinner.
All Zeus wants this Christmas is to run.
Who could blame him?.
Hope you all have as Merry a Christmas as Zeus.
What would Zeus dream of on the night before Christmas? What would the supreme god look forward to on the day we celebrate the birth of Christ, the king of kings?
Zeus is not forgotten. We still hold the Olympic games. The games that were created in his honor. An event that brings the nations of the world together in peaceful competition.
Zeus's impact is still present in our modern world.
The Zeus I speak of this night before Christmas is a big black Labrador retriever. Zeus is ten now, but still a big puppy.
On Christmas morning Zeus gets to go for a run with his old running buddy. For Zeus there is nothing greater than that.
Every year I head over to my folks house before everyone else and take my old training partner out for a jog round Shaker lakes. He knows it's coming. He knows the sound of running cloths. He starts dancing about and making crazy wookie moans in anticipation. His big powerful tail starts churning like a machine. If you get in the way of Zeus's tail before a run, you will surely come away with a bruise. Zeus loves to run, and Christmas Morning he gets to run.
The first quarter mile he pulls in excitement. After that he settles into my pace and we just run with the occasional male dog pit stop.
Zeus and I would run together daily while I was in school. We trained for 3 marathons together. He later adapted to my little sister Susie's run style.
He doesn't have a running partner these day sans the occasional drop-in by Susie or I.
I know he misses it. He bellowed in anticipation this evening at dinner.
All Zeus wants this Christmas is to run.
Who could blame him?.
Hope you all have as Merry a Christmas as Zeus.
Saturday, December 23, 2006
Days off are good.
After my long run last Sunday, I was feeling beat up. I was tired, and I had pain in my foot. I couldn't wait for Friday.
Friday is my day of rest. No training on Fridays. That is the rule.
Last night was our Xmas party at work. This usually means lots of drinking. A few pint of Guinness, some chocolate covered fruit, a shifter of Bushmills 16 year whisky, and an odd shot that Addie made up for the house. For the most part the party remained tame.
I saw my friend Sean Patton. Sean has done Kona at least 4 times, and won the Cleveland Triathlon a number of times. Sean was one of the reasons I paid attention to the sport, but he had started to focus on marathon the past few years. Last night he said he was coming back to multisport. Welcome back.
This morning I work up and rode my bike to the pool. 3000 yards. That is a long swim for me. It went well. I used Jens(Collister) advice and broke the swim down into smaller pieces. Very good advice, Thanks. I also ran into new pool friend and Sr. CTC member Steve Hamilton. Steve is in his seventies and been doing triathlon for 20 yrs. A week after Ironman UK, Steve will be Starting his first IM in Louisville KY. Amazing!
I rode home intending to switch bikes and spend the day on the roads. After fighting the wind I decided to Watch "What it Takes" again and sit on the trainer.
After the movie I went into T2 and headed for the cemetery to run a few miles of hills.
As I cruised up Hampshire to finish the run I felt light and fast. I wasn't really very tired. I felt good. The foot felt good. The rest did me good.
By the way....Beta Blogger is annoying....I lost a really good post on Wednesday.
Friday, December 15, 2006
History
My first race was from wall to wall in the Fairfax elementary school gym during the 2nd grade.
I won. I beat the whole class. I was always quick and elusive as a kid. I had a big brother so I really knew how to turn on the jets, change direction and sprint. Survival skills are taught by siblings with very direct methods.
My brother also led me to swim team at the Y, and the city pool. He had a Bill Rogers warm up and a Motobecane touring bike. by the mid eighties my Uncle Bob was running Boston and winning age group awards in this new 3sport race called "Triathlon".
I ran track in the 7th grade. After experiencing knee pain, I looked to the coach for advice. He said"If you can't take the heat than get out of the kitchen." Completely unsatisfied with his response, I got the hell out of the kitchen.
Swim team ended when the coach threatened to flunk me in earth science if I didn't choose swim team over choir. My defiance to this threat began a very bad high school career.
I made my own choices. A lot of bad choices. If I could do it again. I would change a lot of choices. However I will never regret walking away from these coaches.
I liked riding. My friend Hung and I used to ride out to the Chagrin river to fish. I could never keep a bike for very long. Eventually I lost interest.
I began smoking in high school.
The only sport I ever took part in was a silly game called hacky sack. the goal was to keep a round bean bag from hitting the ground without using your hands. I became very good at this. I would play for hours in very active games. I built a lot of strength in my legs.
By 23 I wanted to quit smoking and adopt a healthier life style. After having been attacked violently twice in 3 months I also decided I needed to exorcise.
My first run was at 11:30 PM a quarter mile to the playground and back. Halfway I laid on my back, heart pounding and lungs reaching for whatever oxygen they could get. I was 23 and I was very out of shape.
I went out and bought some Air Nike cross training shoes Like Bo Jackson would use. I told a friend, Bruce that I had started running. Bruce was one of the top area runners. He told me he would pay my entry in an upcoming 5k at John Carrol University.
That Saturday, I raced. In a pouring rain with only one rest stop. I finished a race of 3.1 miles in 39 minutes. I didn't win, but I beat the race walker in the final 50 meters. After the race, we all went inside and ate fruit, drank water and watched all my friends get trophies.
I received a nice shirt.
This was the beginning of my life as a "runner".
My 1st 10k was the Revco Marathon and 10k. I remember while we waited for the race to begin the marathoners lined up for the start. When the gun sounded and Dire Straights "Heavy Fuel" started playing I imagined this incredible journey that this smaller group of runners was to under take. I imagined myself beginning my marathon.
Over the next 4 years I wandered a crooked path. At times I was so far from my 26.2 mile dream that I had nearly forgotten it.
Injuries and the constant lure of nicotine would keep me unfocused. I eventually came to a point in my life where I needed to regain my self.
In the fall of '97 I started training. As I began to build my base I suffered a very bad ankle sprain. I remember immediately wondering what would happen to my training. I was scared that I would revert to my bad habits.
Funny thing happened the night before. Sandy Alomar Jr hits a HR to send the Tribe to game 5 with the Yankees. Later that night, we win the series and go on to within 2 outs of winning the World Series.
Alomar had a season of dreams that year. He had suffered in his career from injury. Finally he was the hero we all wanted him to be. So many had given up on this injury riddled catcher. but he never stopped working for his dreams.
If I needed a sign, this was it.
I ran the turkey trot a month later. Got a marathon training book("Marathon Training" Joe Henderson) and started training with focus.
I joined the local Y for cross training. Stuck to the plan, and on May 3rd 1998 I completed the CVS Marathon. I cried at the finish line. It had been a long journey and was the first time that had felt I had finished what I started.
While training I had inadvertently trained for triathlon. The program director noticed this and encouraged me to try a tri.
Long story short, I fell in love with triathlon and the program director(Jen). We raced and trained often. She had an Ironman dream and I was with her through it all. We were engaged in Klagenfurt Austria two days before her first of two IM finishes.
After some time our relationship began to collapse. We both started to alienate the other and and soon the wedding was off.
The breakup along with my longtime Job as entertainment coordinator at Arabica ending left me spinning. I returned to school for Audio engineering and sporadically raced and trained.
After school, I became engaged once again to a women named Kim. Kim had been my first real love when we were young. Fairy tale-nightmare-parable.
This ended very badly. I was hurt and a mess. After 6 months of sitting in my sh*t I decided to move forward once again. on Thanksgiving of 2003 I began training for the Greater Cleveland Triathlon. A half IM distance race.
As I crossed the finish line I thought, " I have more". This begins my IM dream.
I won. I beat the whole class. I was always quick and elusive as a kid. I had a big brother so I really knew how to turn on the jets, change direction and sprint. Survival skills are taught by siblings with very direct methods.
My brother also led me to swim team at the Y, and the city pool. He had a Bill Rogers warm up and a Motobecane touring bike. by the mid eighties my Uncle Bob was running Boston and winning age group awards in this new 3sport race called "Triathlon".
I ran track in the 7th grade. After experiencing knee pain, I looked to the coach for advice. He said"If you can't take the heat than get out of the kitchen." Completely unsatisfied with his response, I got the hell out of the kitchen.
Swim team ended when the coach threatened to flunk me in earth science if I didn't choose swim team over choir. My defiance to this threat began a very bad high school career.
I made my own choices. A lot of bad choices. If I could do it again. I would change a lot of choices. However I will never regret walking away from these coaches.
I liked riding. My friend Hung and I used to ride out to the Chagrin river to fish. I could never keep a bike for very long. Eventually I lost interest.
I began smoking in high school.
The only sport I ever took part in was a silly game called hacky sack. the goal was to keep a round bean bag from hitting the ground without using your hands. I became very good at this. I would play for hours in very active games. I built a lot of strength in my legs.
By 23 I wanted to quit smoking and adopt a healthier life style. After having been attacked violently twice in 3 months I also decided I needed to exorcise.
My first run was at 11:30 PM a quarter mile to the playground and back. Halfway I laid on my back, heart pounding and lungs reaching for whatever oxygen they could get. I was 23 and I was very out of shape.
I went out and bought some Air Nike cross training shoes Like Bo Jackson would use. I told a friend, Bruce that I had started running. Bruce was one of the top area runners. He told me he would pay my entry in an upcoming 5k at John Carrol University.
That Saturday, I raced. In a pouring rain with only one rest stop. I finished a race of 3.1 miles in 39 minutes. I didn't win, but I beat the race walker in the final 50 meters. After the race, we all went inside and ate fruit, drank water and watched all my friends get trophies.
I received a nice shirt.
This was the beginning of my life as a "runner".
My 1st 10k was the Revco Marathon and 10k. I remember while we waited for the race to begin the marathoners lined up for the start. When the gun sounded and Dire Straights "Heavy Fuel" started playing I imagined this incredible journey that this smaller group of runners was to under take. I imagined myself beginning my marathon.
Over the next 4 years I wandered a crooked path. At times I was so far from my 26.2 mile dream that I had nearly forgotten it.
Injuries and the constant lure of nicotine would keep me unfocused. I eventually came to a point in my life where I needed to regain my self.
In the fall of '97 I started training. As I began to build my base I suffered a very bad ankle sprain. I remember immediately wondering what would happen to my training. I was scared that I would revert to my bad habits.
Funny thing happened the night before. Sandy Alomar Jr hits a HR to send the Tribe to game 5 with the Yankees. Later that night, we win the series and go on to within 2 outs of winning the World Series.
Alomar had a season of dreams that year. He had suffered in his career from injury. Finally he was the hero we all wanted him to be. So many had given up on this injury riddled catcher. but he never stopped working for his dreams.
If I needed a sign, this was it.
I ran the turkey trot a month later. Got a marathon training book("Marathon Training" Joe Henderson) and started training with focus.
I joined the local Y for cross training. Stuck to the plan, and on May 3rd 1998 I completed the CVS Marathon. I cried at the finish line. It had been a long journey and was the first time that had felt I had finished what I started.
While training I had inadvertently trained for triathlon. The program director noticed this and encouraged me to try a tri.
Long story short, I fell in love with triathlon and the program director(Jen). We raced and trained often. She had an Ironman dream and I was with her through it all. We were engaged in Klagenfurt Austria two days before her first of two IM finishes.
After some time our relationship began to collapse. We both started to alienate the other and and soon the wedding was off.
The breakup along with my longtime Job as entertainment coordinator at Arabica ending left me spinning. I returned to school for Audio engineering and sporadically raced and trained.
After school, I became engaged once again to a women named Kim. Kim had been my first real love when we were young. Fairy tale-nightmare-parable.
This ended very badly. I was hurt and a mess. After 6 months of sitting in my sh*t I decided to move forward once again. on Thanksgiving of 2003 I began training for the Greater Cleveland Triathlon. A half IM distance race.
As I crossed the finish line I thought, " I have more". This begins my IM dream.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
Why am I doing this?
I am feeling really motivated right now. My training is as I want it to be. My diet is going well and I enjoy it. My running may be at it's best place ever. I am progressing with my swimming. My bike and I have become cuddle buddies here in the apt. I have been riding to the pool and plan a long ride Saturday. The weather has been perfect(for December in Cleveland). I can see my Ironman goal. I have no questions about what I am doing. I am distracted by nothing.
This would be a good time for me to ask myself why. Why Ironman? Why Triathlon. Why have I become so obsessed with this dream? How will this change my life? What if I fail? How will I face injuries? At what cost is this dream worth? and many more questions. I plan to use a few posts to answer these questions. Some answers may surprise you some may surprise me.
However I answer, now would be the time. Once the training gets tough I may need to reflect on these answers. I don't want to question my goals during the tough training times.
Stay tuned....Next post...My history in multisport.(where have I come from)
This would be a good time for me to ask myself why. Why Ironman? Why Triathlon. Why have I become so obsessed with this dream? How will this change my life? What if I fail? How will I face injuries? At what cost is this dream worth? and many more questions. I plan to use a few posts to answer these questions. Some answers may surprise you some may surprise me.
However I answer, now would be the time. Once the training gets tough I may need to reflect on these answers. I don't want to question my goals during the tough training times.
Stay tuned....Next post...My history in multisport.(where have I come from)
Sunday, December 10, 2006
The Simple Life
I have always longed for simplicity. I have spent my life with a sincere desire to let go of needless things. I have always wanted to free myself of the dependence on things that cause harm to the universe around us. I want the vibrations of my soul to be a peaceful ripple throughout it's cause and effect existence.
I am a human, I am a boy, I am an Aquarius, I am a musician, a protester, an athlete. I love center stage. I have an enormous ego. I am a cookie monster. I am a cluts. I am a bully. I enjoy intoxication.
I am living a car free, vegan life right now. I am working to become the person that I see my self to be. I am doing all that I know to live a life that is righteous.
I often fail. I am often distracted by pleasures and conveniences that I hopefully regret and recognize as a limit to my becoming the ideal Charlie.
I don't mean regret in an ungrateful way....I just mean I hope I have learned something from that action. Sort of like playing hacky sack or chess.
My mother told me she just wanted for me to be happy.
On music the late new age guitar master Michael Hedges told me to simply live it.
On sport the philosophy of Dr George Sheehan taught me that when I run I should be playing.
Our culture seems to stray day by day further and further from a world of simplicity. Finding urban food sources that sell foods with simple ingredients is not very easy. Renewable energy sources seem to be almost non existent.
Like the delicate overtones that develop the tone of an instrument. Like the effortless calm of my bike on a perfect Sunday in December. I want to be in pure harmony with everything. This is when I am most natural. This is when life is beautiful.
No expectations and no imposing of my will and ego on the things around me.
I want to live simply. I simply want to live.
Peace
I am a human, I am a boy, I am an Aquarius, I am a musician, a protester, an athlete. I love center stage. I have an enormous ego. I am a cookie monster. I am a cluts. I am a bully. I enjoy intoxication.
I am living a car free, vegan life right now. I am working to become the person that I see my self to be. I am doing all that I know to live a life that is righteous.
I often fail. I am often distracted by pleasures and conveniences that I hopefully regret and recognize as a limit to my becoming the ideal Charlie.
I don't mean regret in an ungrateful way....I just mean I hope I have learned something from that action. Sort of like playing hacky sack or chess.
My mother told me she just wanted for me to be happy.
On music the late new age guitar master Michael Hedges told me to simply live it.
On sport the philosophy of Dr George Sheehan taught me that when I run I should be playing.
Our culture seems to stray day by day further and further from a world of simplicity. Finding urban food sources that sell foods with simple ingredients is not very easy. Renewable energy sources seem to be almost non existent.
Like the delicate overtones that develop the tone of an instrument. Like the effortless calm of my bike on a perfect Sunday in December. I want to be in pure harmony with everything. This is when I am most natural. This is when life is beautiful.
No expectations and no imposing of my will and ego on the things around me.
I want to live simply. I simply want to live.
Peace
Tuesday, December 05, 2006
Underdogs and long underwear
I have finally figured out how to use blogger. I have figured out how to create links and share more info.
First things first I have created and posted my race schedule for 2008. My "A" race is of course Ironman UK.
another highlight I am looking forward to is the Cleveland Half Marathon for the 30th running of the race. I am shooting for a 1:45. Long shot yes, but I believe I can run this distance in this time. I have been running well. My fitness is strong and my weight continues to drop. I am on pace to weigh 115 by may 20th...that's sick, just kidding. But seriously, I think I can, so I will give it my everything.
It was a fun weekend to sit on the bike trainer. Watching a Browns team that had everyone give up on them give everything they had, over come a two touchdown deficit with the backup QB, force overtime, and win a game that only they had thought they could win was so much fun.
I watched The UCLA Bruins shock the nation by upsetting USC. Now it is the Buckeyes and Gators for the National Championship. To bad Wisconsin doesn't get a shot, they had an amazing season. The big ten was tough......You gotta beat Michigan.
The last week of november was unreal. in the 60' s for 6 days. December came with a lot of wind and took out the power all over Coventry. Friday the whole street went to Lee road while the power company climbed poles. We all met with Dr. Unk. X-Mas Ale is sneaky.
Saturday the Temputares started to drop and now it is very cold. I stood at the bus stop for a long time this evening before and after my pool workout. I was so cold. For a moment I wished I could have been at home. But the strongest urge was to get my workout in.
Greatness is achieved by overcoming adversity, by reaching beyond our limits and always believing in ourselves.
The underdog wins, I swim, and we all could use some long underwear
First things first I have created and posted my race schedule for 2008. My "A" race is of course Ironman UK.
another highlight I am looking forward to is the Cleveland Half Marathon for the 30th running of the race. I am shooting for a 1:45. Long shot yes, but I believe I can run this distance in this time. I have been running well. My fitness is strong and my weight continues to drop. I am on pace to weigh 115 by may 20th...that's sick, just kidding. But seriously, I think I can, so I will give it my everything.
It was a fun weekend to sit on the bike trainer. Watching a Browns team that had everyone give up on them give everything they had, over come a two touchdown deficit with the backup QB, force overtime, and win a game that only they had thought they could win was so much fun.
I watched The UCLA Bruins shock the nation by upsetting USC. Now it is the Buckeyes and Gators for the National Championship. To bad Wisconsin doesn't get a shot, they had an amazing season. The big ten was tough......You gotta beat Michigan.
The last week of november was unreal. in the 60' s for 6 days. December came with a lot of wind and took out the power all over Coventry. Friday the whole street went to Lee road while the power company climbed poles. We all met with Dr. Unk. X-Mas Ale is sneaky.
Saturday the Temputares started to drop and now it is very cold. I stood at the bus stop for a long time this evening before and after my pool workout. I was so cold. For a moment I wished I could have been at home. But the strongest urge was to get my workout in.
Greatness is achieved by overcoming adversity, by reaching beyond our limits and always believing in ourselves.
The underdog wins, I swim, and we all could use some long underwear
Monday, November 27, 2006
Reunion
33 years ago I buckled my shoes and followed my brother to Fairfax elementary to begin 13 years of school in the Cleveland Heights system.
Many of the children I met that day stayed with me the whole way through. Some have died and some moved on while we were young. A small few I still see on a regular basis.
As we ascended to middle and then high school we were joined by others kids. By 1986 my class had grown to 1200 students.
In June of '86 our class had concluded our journey together. Some Started working, many went to college, some went into military service, some went to jail, and a few of us were asked to return for another year.
I was included in this group. I had attendance issues.
Fast forward 20 years.
Friday, while enjoying reggae at the Grog Shop, Mike whom I had seen a few months back at Matt's funeral, asked if I was coming to the 20 reunion.
Apparently you fall off the list by not making it to graduation. I do have my diploma and spent 13 years with these people. But I had not been invited.
Mike told me to go anyway. He was a class leader so I decided to go and not feel insulted or snubbed(thanks Mike).
Immediately I turned to my friend Maggie who witnessed the exchange and asked " wanna go?" to which she responded,"Hell Yes".
Saturday morning I ran into my closest friends from school. including my first kiss and broken heart. Carrie and I were close, and very much alike. We had different struggles in learning who we were. The things that brought us joy always seemed to be common for us. I remember visiting with her in Madison, WI. and playing guitar for hours at her co-op on Langdon. I remember feeling so complete and happy. Music was always our bridge, and it made me high.
While talking to Carrie, Becky, and Rebbecca. I had revealed that I was going for bike ride and that I had already run. Carrie asked, "Do you do triathlons?". "I do" I said. "I am signed up for an Ironman". Becky, and Rebbecca(she is also Becky, but this is her grown up name. I was Chuck, now I am Charlie) thought I was joking. But I think Carrie had no doubt. She saw the look in my eye and ran with the opportunity to turn the conversation into tri/talk. Carrie lives in Honolulu and loves triathlon. We both got all worked up. She was bummed to hear she missed the Du last week. The same shared joy we had with guitars was being revisited with triathlon.
That night I straightened my tye, found Maggie and headed to my 20th high school reunion with a 23 year old date. Ha Ha Ha. We both thought this very funny and maintained ambiguity as to the nature of our relationship.(We are friends) .
We arrived at the Embassy suites assuming after dinner cash bar. WRONG. $80 a head.
New wet suit, aerobars, and shifters. Sorry class of '86 we'll be in the lounge. maybe well bump into you.
I saw Hung and Gloria, and then we left.
I thought this was funny.
My reputation at Heights High was to almost make it to school, head across the street to the coffee shop, and eventually leave. I am glad my reunion followed that pattern.
It was good to see the people that I did see. I value what I received from this day.
My training for Ironman begins this weekend. My 1st time IM class is a really good group of people. We will train through the winter and starting in April we will all take our shot every month through November at Ironman.(or equal distance)
I believe the resolve in this group to be true. I believe next year at this time I can call Jody, Jack, Jennifer, Cat, Brooks, Tim, Pam, myself and others, Ironman.
The CTC long course group will be getting together to watch the kona race on the 9th. I look forward to seeing this years 1st time group reunite with there finisher shirts.
When the 2007 Ironman man class has a reunion I promise to get past the lounge...See you in 20.......
Many of the children I met that day stayed with me the whole way through. Some have died and some moved on while we were young. A small few I still see on a regular basis.
As we ascended to middle and then high school we were joined by others kids. By 1986 my class had grown to 1200 students.
In June of '86 our class had concluded our journey together. Some Started working, many went to college, some went into military service, some went to jail, and a few of us were asked to return for another year.
I was included in this group. I had attendance issues.
Fast forward 20 years.
Friday, while enjoying reggae at the Grog Shop, Mike whom I had seen a few months back at Matt's funeral, asked if I was coming to the 20 reunion.
Apparently you fall off the list by not making it to graduation. I do have my diploma and spent 13 years with these people. But I had not been invited.
Mike told me to go anyway. He was a class leader so I decided to go and not feel insulted or snubbed(thanks Mike).
Immediately I turned to my friend Maggie who witnessed the exchange and asked " wanna go?" to which she responded,"Hell Yes".
Saturday morning I ran into my closest friends from school. including my first kiss and broken heart. Carrie and I were close, and very much alike. We had different struggles in learning who we were. The things that brought us joy always seemed to be common for us. I remember visiting with her in Madison, WI. and playing guitar for hours at her co-op on Langdon. I remember feeling so complete and happy. Music was always our bridge, and it made me high.
While talking to Carrie, Becky, and Rebbecca. I had revealed that I was going for bike ride and that I had already run. Carrie asked, "Do you do triathlons?". "I do" I said. "I am signed up for an Ironman". Becky, and Rebbecca(she is also Becky, but this is her grown up name. I was Chuck, now I am Charlie) thought I was joking. But I think Carrie had no doubt. She saw the look in my eye and ran with the opportunity to turn the conversation into tri/talk. Carrie lives in Honolulu and loves triathlon. We both got all worked up. She was bummed to hear she missed the Du last week. The same shared joy we had with guitars was being revisited with triathlon.
That night I straightened my tye, found Maggie and headed to my 20th high school reunion with a 23 year old date. Ha Ha Ha. We both thought this very funny and maintained ambiguity as to the nature of our relationship.(We are friends) .
We arrived at the Embassy suites assuming after dinner cash bar. WRONG. $80 a head.
New wet suit, aerobars, and shifters. Sorry class of '86 we'll be in the lounge. maybe well bump into you.
I saw Hung and Gloria, and then we left.
I thought this was funny.
My reputation at Heights High was to almost make it to school, head across the street to the coffee shop, and eventually leave. I am glad my reunion followed that pattern.
It was good to see the people that I did see. I value what I received from this day.
My training for Ironman begins this weekend. My 1st time IM class is a really good group of people. We will train through the winter and starting in April we will all take our shot every month through November at Ironman.(or equal distance)
I believe the resolve in this group to be true. I believe next year at this time I can call Jody, Jack, Jennifer, Cat, Brooks, Tim, Pam, myself and others, Ironman.
The CTC long course group will be getting together to watch the kona race on the 9th. I look forward to seeing this years 1st time group reunite with there finisher shirts.
When the 2007 Ironman man class has a reunion I promise to get past the lounge...See you in 20.......
Thursday, November 23, 2006
Thanksgiving for every wrong move.
Today was a perfect fall day.
I had planned to ride downtown for the turkey trot. Instead I caught the bus. The alone time was good for me. Introspection was good.
I arrived at the convention center at 8:30, got my timing chip, stripped down to my shorts and
long sleeve CTC t-shirt, packed my pack, and started looking for a place to stash it.
I ran into the Collisters, then Martha Brennan, then the men's room.
Finally I took Matt and Jen's advice and left my belongings with volunteers.
I had that funny pre race focus. It is similar to my pre gig mood. My aloofness is in hyper drive. I am really distracted and feel like I can't hold a conversation with anyone. I am happy to see every one, I just can't make my self attentive.
I do a little warm up and find my place in the crowd of 3000.
While waiting for the gun I start chatting with a young member of CTC. He is spending next summer in Australia doing Marine training with 2008 IMFLA in the long term plans. I try to say prayers for the kids serving for our nations defense. I want to see that kid finish the Ironman.
The bell sounded and the crowd began to move forward. 45 seconds later we crossed the starting line. I started moving quickly through the crowd. About a 1/2 mile into the race I caught Jack. We stayed together the rest of the race. We really pushed each other to run hard and had a really strong 2nd 1/2. I got the feeling that neither of us had run that hard in a while.
Following the race Jack and I wish everyone a Happy day of thanks and head to the Caribou.
Coffee
Coffee
Coffee.
I like Coffee.
After Jack left I still had to produce a veggie dish for the Mosbrook feast on Coleridge.
All week I had different people including my mom telling me to make a string bean casserole. The ingredients are: sting beans, cream of mushroom soup, and french fried onions.
Today was a day off the diet as I had planned, but it didn't mean I had to cook non vegan food.
I decided to modify the recipe to fit my current diet. Here is the Recipe:
Vegan Thanksgiving string bean casserole:
Wax Beans, string beans, and Poll beans
Coconut milk
garlic
pepper
basil
mixed mushrooms
Olive Oil
Red and white onions
Red Wine Vinegar
Cook garlic, pepper and shrooms together in soucepan
add coconut milk and sweet basil let simmer
Slice onions into rings and saute in vinegar oil and water cover and simmer.
pre heat oven to 400
clean beans.
mix all into a casserole and bake for 40 minutes while mixing every 10 minutes.
Reviews were good.
The rest of dinner was great and it was really a nice evening with the family.
After getting home I turned on Spider man and rode the trainer for an hr.
Happy Thanksgiving
I had planned to ride downtown for the turkey trot. Instead I caught the bus. The alone time was good for me. Introspection was good.
I arrived at the convention center at 8:30, got my timing chip, stripped down to my shorts and
long sleeve CTC t-shirt, packed my pack, and started looking for a place to stash it.
I ran into the Collisters, then Martha Brennan, then the men's room.
Finally I took Matt and Jen's advice and left my belongings with volunteers.
I had that funny pre race focus. It is similar to my pre gig mood. My aloofness is in hyper drive. I am really distracted and feel like I can't hold a conversation with anyone. I am happy to see every one, I just can't make my self attentive.
I do a little warm up and find my place in the crowd of 3000.
While waiting for the gun I start chatting with a young member of CTC. He is spending next summer in Australia doing Marine training with 2008 IMFLA in the long term plans. I try to say prayers for the kids serving for our nations defense. I want to see that kid finish the Ironman.
The bell sounded and the crowd began to move forward. 45 seconds later we crossed the starting line. I started moving quickly through the crowd. About a 1/2 mile into the race I caught Jack. We stayed together the rest of the race. We really pushed each other to run hard and had a really strong 2nd 1/2. I got the feeling that neither of us had run that hard in a while.
Following the race Jack and I wish everyone a Happy day of thanks and head to the Caribou.
Coffee
Coffee
Coffee.
I like Coffee.
After Jack left I still had to produce a veggie dish for the Mosbrook feast on Coleridge.
All week I had different people including my mom telling me to make a string bean casserole. The ingredients are: sting beans, cream of mushroom soup, and french fried onions.
Today was a day off the diet as I had planned, but it didn't mean I had to cook non vegan food.
I decided to modify the recipe to fit my current diet. Here is the Recipe:
Vegan Thanksgiving string bean casserole:
Wax Beans, string beans, and Poll beans
Coconut milk
garlic
pepper
basil
mixed mushrooms
Olive Oil
Red and white onions
Red Wine Vinegar
Cook garlic, pepper and shrooms together in soucepan
add coconut milk and sweet basil let simmer
Slice onions into rings and saute in vinegar oil and water cover and simmer.
pre heat oven to 400
clean beans.
mix all into a casserole and bake for 40 minutes while mixing every 10 minutes.
Reviews were good.
The rest of dinner was great and it was really a nice evening with the family.
After getting home I turned on Spider man and rode the trainer for an hr.
Happy Thanksgiving
Sunday, November 19, 2006
A weekend of rest
I left work Friday with a plan to rest my tired bones.
I start my focused base building after Thanksgiving. The Turkey Trot is my kick off.
I started the weekend with a stop at the Co-op so I could stock up for a weekend of football, a little lebron time, a jog, and a volunteer gig at the final ctc fall duathlon. I dropped off my groceries and cought the 1st of 4 buses to Broadview Heights for the fall CTC meeting
While at the meeting Rob Reddy told me another CTC member Kurt Multer was doing UK next summer. Another American named Kelly Multer is registered, so the Red Menace should have a strong presence on an international stage. Very good news.
I told Matt that I would volunteer for the Du the next morning. He told me that they had more volunteers than participants and needed me to race. So of course I decided to race.
After the meeting a few of us headed to the Boneyard for food and beer/H2O. Who would'a thought I could eat vegan at a place called the boneyard.
Saturday, Jack picked me up 8 hrs after dropping me off and we headed south. The air was brisk but the wind was light. Another perfect fall morning in the valley.
My plan was to race easy. I set out slow. No chasing. I wasn't going to go hard. No HRM.
The problem was that once I warmed up I found my pace. I started moving up and was running 36 seconds per mile shy of 3rd place. I hit T1 6th of 8 participants.
We took off on our bikes maintaining run positions but I quickly reeled in the next rider and really started to hammer. Steady and strong. I hit T2 and took off running took 5 minutes off of my last time on this course. With race conditions being identical and my effort being easier I was very happy with my results. The new diet pays off.
Next stop was my couch, PC, and the2006 Big Ten Champion OSU Buckeyes. What a game. It lived up to its billing and made losses by the Cavs and Browns a little easier to swallow. During the fourth quarter I did a lifting workout. Go Bucks. This is the best team I have ever rooted for.
Throughout the weekend I also went on a shopping spree with the check from last weeks sound gig. I purchased shifters, carbon areo bars, stem, brakes and a full wetsuit. The waters of Sherborn Lake are a cool 65 degrees, so I will need sleeves. I am now a two wetsuit triathlete. I can't believe I found a clearance deal on a suit in my size. I know that if I wait a week the suit will be gone. I can expect a new Blue 70 wetsuit in time for Dec in Cleveland.
All that is left is a new fork and seat post and my bike will be ready for action.
Following the browns loss I went for a run of an hr. through the rain with a detour down some muddy trails. Very peaceful.
I definitely needed the weekend. Back to work for 3 days and then it's time for training and a long weekend.
GO BUCKS
Here is a song my old roommate Joe(Kirk Herbstreits Cousin) used to sing.
I don't give a damn 'bout
the whole state of Michigan
the whole state of Michigan
the whole state of Michigan
I don't give a damn 'bout
the whole state of Michigan
Couse I'm from O-HI-O
I start my focused base building after Thanksgiving. The Turkey Trot is my kick off.
I started the weekend with a stop at the Co-op so I could stock up for a weekend of football, a little lebron time, a jog, and a volunteer gig at the final ctc fall duathlon. I dropped off my groceries and cought the 1st of 4 buses to Broadview Heights for the fall CTC meeting
While at the meeting Rob Reddy told me another CTC member Kurt Multer was doing UK next summer. Another American named Kelly Multer is registered, so the Red Menace should have a strong presence on an international stage. Very good news.
I told Matt that I would volunteer for the Du the next morning. He told me that they had more volunteers than participants and needed me to race. So of course I decided to race.
After the meeting a few of us headed to the Boneyard for food and beer/H2O. Who would'a thought I could eat vegan at a place called the boneyard.
Saturday, Jack picked me up 8 hrs after dropping me off and we headed south. The air was brisk but the wind was light. Another perfect fall morning in the valley.
My plan was to race easy. I set out slow. No chasing. I wasn't going to go hard. No HRM.
The problem was that once I warmed up I found my pace. I started moving up and was running 36 seconds per mile shy of 3rd place. I hit T1 6th of 8 participants.
We took off on our bikes maintaining run positions but I quickly reeled in the next rider and really started to hammer. Steady and strong. I hit T2 and took off running took 5 minutes off of my last time on this course. With race conditions being identical and my effort being easier I was very happy with my results. The new diet pays off.
Next stop was my couch, PC, and the2006 Big Ten Champion OSU Buckeyes. What a game. It lived up to its billing and made losses by the Cavs and Browns a little easier to swallow. During the fourth quarter I did a lifting workout. Go Bucks. This is the best team I have ever rooted for.
Throughout the weekend I also went on a shopping spree with the check from last weeks sound gig. I purchased shifters, carbon areo bars, stem, brakes and a full wetsuit. The waters of Sherborn Lake are a cool 65 degrees, so I will need sleeves. I am now a two wetsuit triathlete. I can't believe I found a clearance deal on a suit in my size. I know that if I wait a week the suit will be gone. I can expect a new Blue 70 wetsuit in time for Dec in Cleveland.
All that is left is a new fork and seat post and my bike will be ready for action.
Following the browns loss I went for a run of an hr. through the rain with a detour down some muddy trails. Very peaceful.
I definitely needed the weekend. Back to work for 3 days and then it's time for training and a long weekend.
GO BUCKS
Here is a song my old roommate Joe(Kirk Herbstreits Cousin) used to sing.
I don't give a damn 'bout
the whole state of Michigan
the whole state of Michigan
the whole state of Michigan
I don't give a damn 'bout
the whole state of Michigan
Couse I'm from O-HI-O
Sunday, November 12, 2006
I didn't think it would happen today
Today was a planned 16hr production day. We did one yesterday. Long days with rare breaks. Go home refuel sleep and return.
I snuck a lifting workout in while watching southpark(Don't do this, it may cause a hernia when laughing during a rep). Other then that the only exercise I would get would be while climbing the ladder in and out of the lighting/sound loft at Karamu theatre.
I was brought in by the video production group I do jobs for to do audio. I reassemble my recording studio in a make shift control room and set up various mics throughout the theatre. I get one assistant whom I send into the the frontrow with a shotgun mic. After seeing the show 6 times the front row looses it's charm.
The show is called Gospel, Gospel, Gospel. It is about...Gospel music along with African American history and the civil rights movement. The show is really good and is produced by James Pickins(the older black doctor from "Grey's Anatomy").
Yesterday after the first show we broke bread. Everyone ate well. they ordered out to Boston Chicken. Beans, cornbread, corn, mashed potatoes, chicken. Nobody could tell me if the veggies were free of dead animals, their milk, or their eggs. I ate an orange a few green beans, and corn. The way I felt today I am sure it had pork and/butter through out. Fortunately I packed fruit and Cliff bars.
This morning we returned at 8am. Got set up and waited for our cues to begin single scene shots. All of the decision makers were disappearing into a series of meeting. At 10:30 Nick, our Production manager pokes his head in the door and informs me that the project was running over budget and we would settle for the footage we captured during the last two days work. We were to tear down and call it a day.
Sunday belongs to me. I thought I would work till 11pm again. We were done by 11 am.
I decided to watch football and clean the apt. After the Browns won, I headed out for a run.
I let my run wander down through University Circle.
The Circle is another running treat near me casa. The architecture, landscapeing, and campus feel make this area great for running.
Little Italy, the Geary building, Severance Hall, Wade Lagoon, Hessler and the garden center are highlights. Temples and churches line the treescape. I head back up the hill via the covered stairs on the south campus. Other runners are out as well as many people just walking.
I am lucky. I love running. Today I was able to run. I didn't think it would happen today.
The Browns winning kinda surprised me as well.
I snuck a lifting workout in while watching southpark(Don't do this, it may cause a hernia when laughing during a rep). Other then that the only exercise I would get would be while climbing the ladder in and out of the lighting/sound loft at Karamu theatre.
I was brought in by the video production group I do jobs for to do audio. I reassemble my recording studio in a make shift control room and set up various mics throughout the theatre. I get one assistant whom I send into the the frontrow with a shotgun mic. After seeing the show 6 times the front row looses it's charm.
The show is called Gospel, Gospel, Gospel. It is about...Gospel music along with African American history and the civil rights movement. The show is really good and is produced by James Pickins(the older black doctor from "Grey's Anatomy").
Yesterday after the first show we broke bread. Everyone ate well. they ordered out to Boston Chicken. Beans, cornbread, corn, mashed potatoes, chicken. Nobody could tell me if the veggies were free of dead animals, their milk, or their eggs. I ate an orange a few green beans, and corn. The way I felt today I am sure it had pork and/butter through out. Fortunately I packed fruit and Cliff bars.
This morning we returned at 8am. Got set up and waited for our cues to begin single scene shots. All of the decision makers were disappearing into a series of meeting. At 10:30 Nick, our Production manager pokes his head in the door and informs me that the project was running over budget and we would settle for the footage we captured during the last two days work. We were to tear down and call it a day.
Sunday belongs to me. I thought I would work till 11pm again. We were done by 11 am.
I decided to watch football and clean the apt. After the Browns won, I headed out for a run.
I let my run wander down through University Circle.
The Circle is another running treat near me casa. The architecture, landscapeing, and campus feel make this area great for running.
Little Italy, the Geary building, Severance Hall, Wade Lagoon, Hessler and the garden center are highlights. Temples and churches line the treescape. I head back up the hill via the covered stairs on the south campus. Other runners are out as well as many people just walking.
I am lucky. I love running. Today I was able to run. I didn't think it would happen today.
The Browns winning kinda surprised me as well.
Sunday, November 05, 2006
Thursday, November 02, 2006
Peace Action
I stood on the porch of the Quaker meeting house watching the light flurries build into a full blown winter snowstorm. Beneath the street light at the end of Magnolia, snow showers seemed to be crashing and flowing in every direction possible. The cold bare grass quickly faded into a blanket of snow.
I also was covered in snow. I was cold and I didn't think the others were going to show up. We did have an events committee meeting planned. Didn't we? Well in any event, I have furfilled my service to the peace movement today.
I started walking back across the Case campus toward Euclid to catch the bus back up the hill. The snow was heavy. It is November 2nd, and it's snowing. "Boy am I glad it is not raining" I thought. "When I get to the bus stop I am stopping at Star*ucks and getting a soy coco."
A SOY COCO! Yeah, soy. As abruptly as the change of season, I have changed my diet. For the past month I have been following a vegan diet.
The first two weeks I allowed a couple of meals that included chicken and fish. Since then I have been living on a diet that is animal free. I maintain a can of clams and a can of tuna in the cupboard. I am going to continue to eat clams as a treat from time to time.
Why Vegan?
A month ago I was talking to a CTC friend Brian during a bike ride. Brian was strongly considering a vegetarian diet. He was having issues with the meat industry and its lack of humanity. His concerns were very real and honest. I couldn't help but to agree with him. I couldn't help but to realize that my life style was built around convenience. My diet had no disaplin. I had completely lost all mindfulness to myself and the world around me. It was time to change.
I choose vegan because it forces me to investigate every thing that I eat. My current diet forces me to prepare most of my food from scratch. When I eat out, I ask questions.
I know what I am eating.
My new diet is consistant with my cause of peace. I believe killing is wrong. I believe in protecting life. I choose this diet to realize my ideal of peace and compassion.
My disaplin is in triathlon. My goal is Ironman. My diet has to be true to that goal.
How do I feel?
I am loosing weight and getting stronger. Hypoglycimia has not been an issue at all. I no longer have cravings for sweets. My conscience is clear. I am a bit gassy.
I am saving money, I am cooking often. raw fruit, veggies, nuts and seeds are great snack at any time.
I haveTommy's downstairs. The food co-op is close. It is easy to eat at work. Being vegan is not hard.
I am very happy with my new path.
I am on the board for Cleveland Peace Action, but if I do not act in peace with every step than I can not expect the rest of the world to act in peace. My work toward the goal of peace is for not if my life is not a peaceful one. This begins with my diet.
Peace
I also was covered in snow. I was cold and I didn't think the others were going to show up. We did have an events committee meeting planned. Didn't we? Well in any event, I have furfilled my service to the peace movement today.
I started walking back across the Case campus toward Euclid to catch the bus back up the hill. The snow was heavy. It is November 2nd, and it's snowing. "Boy am I glad it is not raining" I thought. "When I get to the bus stop I am stopping at Star*ucks and getting a soy coco."
A SOY COCO! Yeah, soy. As abruptly as the change of season, I have changed my diet. For the past month I have been following a vegan diet.
The first two weeks I allowed a couple of meals that included chicken and fish. Since then I have been living on a diet that is animal free. I maintain a can of clams and a can of tuna in the cupboard. I am going to continue to eat clams as a treat from time to time.
Why Vegan?
A month ago I was talking to a CTC friend Brian during a bike ride. Brian was strongly considering a vegetarian diet. He was having issues with the meat industry and its lack of humanity. His concerns were very real and honest. I couldn't help but to agree with him. I couldn't help but to realize that my life style was built around convenience. My diet had no disaplin. I had completely lost all mindfulness to myself and the world around me. It was time to change.
I choose vegan because it forces me to investigate every thing that I eat. My current diet forces me to prepare most of my food from scratch. When I eat out, I ask questions.
I know what I am eating.
My new diet is consistant with my cause of peace. I believe killing is wrong. I believe in protecting life. I choose this diet to realize my ideal of peace and compassion.
My disaplin is in triathlon. My goal is Ironman. My diet has to be true to that goal.
How do I feel?
I am loosing weight and getting stronger. Hypoglycimia has not been an issue at all. I no longer have cravings for sweets. My conscience is clear. I am a bit gassy.
I am saving money, I am cooking often. raw fruit, veggies, nuts and seeds are great snack at any time.
I haveTommy's downstairs. The food co-op is close. It is easy to eat at work. Being vegan is not hard.
I am very happy with my new path.
I am on the board for Cleveland Peace Action, but if I do not act in peace with every step than I can not expect the rest of the world to act in peace. My work toward the goal of peace is for not if my life is not a peaceful one. This begins with my diet.
Peace
Friday, October 27, 2006
Running with the Dead
No, not that dead. I am talking about one of my favorite local run routes.
Lake view cemetery is a few hundred feet to the north of my Coventry Road Apt. The entrance is at the top of Mayfield hill above Little Italy in Cleveland.
I usually take this run on Wednesday because I have day hours available before my bar shift later in the evening.
This past Wed. I headed down Hampshire and made a right into burial site of some many great Clevelander's like Rockefeller, President Garfield, Inventors Garret Morgan and Charles Brush, lawman Elliot Ness, and poet/friend Dan Thompson. Dan died from Leukemia 3 years ago.
Lake view cemetery is a few hundred feet to the north of my Coventry Road Apt. The entrance is at the top of Mayfield hill above Little Italy in Cleveland.
I usually take this run on Wednesday because I have day hours available before my bar shift later in the evening.
This past Wed. I headed down Hampshire and made a right into burial site of some many great Clevelander's like Rockefeller, President Garfield, Inventors Garret Morgan and Charles Brush, lawman Elliot Ness, and poet/friend Dan Thompson. Dan died from Leukemia 3 years ago.
Lakeview is a Vitorian landscaped masterpiece that I imagineto be like the gardens around Sherbourn Castle(IMUK Marathon rt). This time of year really brings out its best. The Variety in trees are all changing on independent schedules. The contrast in color is brilliant. Like an impressionist painting stretched into a panorama above an amazing collection of gothic monuments dedicated to the memories of the industrial giants that built Cleveland a century ago,
The hills through out Lakeview make the run one of the toughest workouts of my week. Built against the first foothill of the Alleghenies. The climb from the wadechapel to the Garfield Memorial is one that will boost your heart rate thru the trees.
My favorite markers include: My friend Matt's new grave that is still with out a stone. I Stop to make sure the flowers atop him are standing straight.
I also make a point to stop by former Cleveland Indian Ray Chapmens site. The stone is decorated with old balls and caps along with a bat or two. It is one of the only graves to not be swept clean of its offerings every month. Chapman died after being struck by a pitch during the 1920 World Sreies run.
On the Superior end is a tree with hundreds of shoes hanging from each branch by the laces that have been tied together. I don't know the signicance of the shoe tree, but I always imagine the shoes are remembrances of young people that have died to violence in the nearby East Cleveland neighbor hoods.
The 285 Acre graveyard is divided by a ravine that has been damed to protect the city downstream. At the east end of the dam is one of the great views of the Cleveland skyline as well as, of course Lake Erie.
I have seen Deer, Coyote, and many a bird with many a feather.
The cemetery is well staffed with security and I awlays feel safe running through it.
If anyone ever wants to join me, let me know. Lakeview is a true history lesson. I know the grounds well.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
Old Grey
Old Grey is a 1984 Nishiki royal 7 speed road bike. She was pulled from my friend Tommy's basement a year and half ago. Headed for the trash, I took her home, cleaned her up, gave her a tune up, and put her to work.
Tommy originally bought her in Japan while in the Navy. Rode her all over. Back then she was fast. A good racing bike. After the Navy, Tommy came back to the states and all but retired her to the basement.
The years have been good to her. she was stiff and her wheels needed straightening. The brakes needed adjusting. I gave her handle bars some new tape. And She wears new tires and tubes for her rims. Her grey steel frame is solid and comfortable and she flies down the bumpy roads of Cleveland.
Old grey immediately became my commuting bike. Equipped with a lock and lights, she is the workhorse in my stable. Most of her trips are shorter than 10 miles. She makes a lot of them. Weekly mileage often rivals that of the bike I train/race on.
The bike I train and race on is the Giant I have written about in earlier posts. While"The Little Giant" gets his(not sure how I know the gender, I just know) upgrade(which is going very smoothly I might ad), Old Grey got the call.
Training Day!
As a commuter bike her Idea of a training ride is to the pool or to meet Sheila for a run. Sometimes she will coax me into pushing her hard to or from work. But that hasn't happened much since the two of us crashed. Her front wheel was badly bent and she was given a month off while I acquired a new wheel for her. Since then we have been cautious and planned work outs are not her duty.
Today was a gorges fall day in Northeast Ohio. The air was crisp and the sky was blue with a light breeze. I wore long tights, a long sleeve technical mock turtle, a wind vest, stocking cap, running shoes(her peddles are flat....good for short trips), riding gloves, my Oakley's, and of course a helmet.
We headed first to the bank to make a deposit. Next we headed thru University Circle and out MLK to the lake. Feeling warmed up, Old Grey carried me up into Bratinal and east along Lakeshore BLVD. The waves of lake Erie and the mid autumn sky were a beautiful backdrop, and deserved a moment of slow riding to soak in the season. We headed south at 185th and climbed back into the heights thru the Euclid Creek metro park beneath the most amazing canopy of color as the leaves are in the midst of their metamorphosis. Continuing south on Belvoir to Shaker we rounded out the 26 mile ride thru Shaker Lakes and back to Coventry.
As the ride grew longer, that old bike became smoother, faster and stronger. She climbed steadily with power. She descended bravely. On the flats she cruised, ticking along as evenly as a politician distributing promises at election time.
She has no quit and part of me thinks she wants a piece of the Ironman.
As I watch the Mets/Cards battle for the right to play Detroit in the world series, I am in constant awe of Julio Franco still playing at 48 while contributing to a team tied 2 to 2 in the National League Championship Series. I listen to Jerry Garcia in the final few years of his life rockin harder than ever. I think of Ironman legend Bill Bell completing the IM many times into his eighties.
How old is to old?. I don't know. I never paid much attention to age. Old pants, old guitar, old race shirt. old shoes....it's funny when I get new running shoes, they are so clean and springy. I know within 3 months they are gonna be beat, worn, stinky, and grey. But like a cute puppy they all become old dogs, while always remaining the puppy in our minds. We continue to pull those shoes on run after run until they can't run anymore. We don't ever address it 'till we complain of pain, and other runners start questioning the date of our last shoe purchase.
Old Grey is not the newest of bicycles. But the grey is just paint. Beneath the paint she is made of steel. She loves to roll. She is not ready to quit. And She is going to carry me thru a good part of the journey.
After my 25/6 mile brick*, I have every confidence in my "other bike". Old Grey still has a lot of miles to give. She ain't done yet.
*Brick=bike ride followed by a run/termed derived from Pink Floyd lyric "just another brick in the wall")
Tommy originally bought her in Japan while in the Navy. Rode her all over. Back then she was fast. A good racing bike. After the Navy, Tommy came back to the states and all but retired her to the basement.
The years have been good to her. she was stiff and her wheels needed straightening. The brakes needed adjusting. I gave her handle bars some new tape. And She wears new tires and tubes for her rims. Her grey steel frame is solid and comfortable and she flies down the bumpy roads of Cleveland.
Old grey immediately became my commuting bike. Equipped with a lock and lights, she is the workhorse in my stable. Most of her trips are shorter than 10 miles. She makes a lot of them. Weekly mileage often rivals that of the bike I train/race on.
The bike I train and race on is the Giant I have written about in earlier posts. While"The Little Giant" gets his(not sure how I know the gender, I just know) upgrade(which is going very smoothly I might ad), Old Grey got the call.
Training Day!
As a commuter bike her Idea of a training ride is to the pool or to meet Sheila for a run. Sometimes she will coax me into pushing her hard to or from work. But that hasn't happened much since the two of us crashed. Her front wheel was badly bent and she was given a month off while I acquired a new wheel for her. Since then we have been cautious and planned work outs are not her duty.
Today was a gorges fall day in Northeast Ohio. The air was crisp and the sky was blue with a light breeze. I wore long tights, a long sleeve technical mock turtle, a wind vest, stocking cap, running shoes(her peddles are flat....good for short trips), riding gloves, my Oakley's, and of course a helmet.
We headed first to the bank to make a deposit. Next we headed thru University Circle and out MLK to the lake. Feeling warmed up, Old Grey carried me up into Bratinal and east along Lakeshore BLVD. The waves of lake Erie and the mid autumn sky were a beautiful backdrop, and deserved a moment of slow riding to soak in the season. We headed south at 185th and climbed back into the heights thru the Euclid Creek metro park beneath the most amazing canopy of color as the leaves are in the midst of their metamorphosis. Continuing south on Belvoir to Shaker we rounded out the 26 mile ride thru Shaker Lakes and back to Coventry.
As the ride grew longer, that old bike became smoother, faster and stronger. She climbed steadily with power. She descended bravely. On the flats she cruised, ticking along as evenly as a politician distributing promises at election time.
She has no quit and part of me thinks she wants a piece of the Ironman.
As I watch the Mets/Cards battle for the right to play Detroit in the world series, I am in constant awe of Julio Franco still playing at 48 while contributing to a team tied 2 to 2 in the National League Championship Series. I listen to Jerry Garcia in the final few years of his life rockin harder than ever. I think of Ironman legend Bill Bell completing the IM many times into his eighties.
How old is to old?. I don't know. I never paid much attention to age. Old pants, old guitar, old race shirt. old shoes....it's funny when I get new running shoes, they are so clean and springy. I know within 3 months they are gonna be beat, worn, stinky, and grey. But like a cute puppy they all become old dogs, while always remaining the puppy in our minds. We continue to pull those shoes on run after run until they can't run anymore. We don't ever address it 'till we complain of pain, and other runners start questioning the date of our last shoe purchase.
Old Grey is not the newest of bicycles. But the grey is just paint. Beneath the paint she is made of steel. She loves to roll. She is not ready to quit. And She is going to carry me thru a good part of the journey.
After my 25/6 mile brick*, I have every confidence in my "other bike". Old Grey still has a lot of miles to give. She ain't done yet.
*Brick=bike ride followed by a run/termed derived from Pink Floyd lyric "just another brick in the wall")
Saturday, October 14, 2006
Back to basics..............
As I rebuild my bike and prepare for my Ironman training, I realize that during this off season it is not just important to strip the bike of problems and replace them. This off season is a time for me to take a total inventory of all that I am, remove anything that will not help me achieve my goals and replace them with what I need to become an Ironman.
As the old components come off my bike, I realize how much garbage gets in the way of the bikes ability to function properly. I consider the same of myself and look for ways to exchange bad habits for strengths.
Nutrition: This is easy, I have no excuse for not eating well. I know how. I have good foods available to me from good sources. My daily Blueberry muffin/coffee breakfast is gone. I have replaced it with bananas, apples, oranges, yogurt, energy bars, water, and half the coffee. Variety is key.
Chicken/turkey, cheese, sauce, and bread(Subs) are not meals. Neither is pizza. Jolly ranchers and cookies may be great race food but they will not make me into an Ironman. Vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, whole grains and fish. This is now my path. Ironman does not head out for pizza before bed. If I want to be an Ironman I will stop at the co-op or market and buy good foods. Eating cheap food on Coventry is like pouring pop into my derailur. Neither the bike or I will function properly If I keep adding garbage into the works.
Swimming: I am not a fast swimmer in freestyle. I swam breast stroke on swimteam as a kid. I used it during my first season in triathlon. It is my comfort zone, but it is not energy or space efficiant for triathlon. Jen used to teach me good technique for the front crawl, but I remain slow. I feel unbalanced in my stroke mechanics and drag my body thru the water.
I want to enter the Ironman waters of Sherborn Lake with absolute confidence in my swimming. I do not want to waist energy. I want the swim to be a relaxed warm up for the bike.
I have been offered a free swim lesson by a teacher. I will most likely continue beyond the free lesson and pay for more lessons along with joining a masters group. I have been reluctant to join a group because I hated swim team as a kid. Time to get over it.
Stretching/lifting/core strength: takes 30 minutes three times a week. The gym is my apt. No excuses for not doing this session. In two weeks of steady sessions I already notice my body getting stronger and the benefits transferring to my running.
Loneliness: This one is tough, because I know I am cared about by many people in a genuine way.
I am friendly with all of the neighbors. I have Zac, Nichole, Becca, Addie, Brendon, and the rest of the AJ Roccos Crowd. Coventry treats me like royalty and continues to embrace me with love. The Cleveland Triathlon Club gives me contact with many who share my passion. Jack, Jodi, Jennifer and Cathleen are also heading into Ironman for the first time next year. Jen, Andrew, Payton, and Matt have been to the IM mountain. All have offered support along the way. My family's love and support is always present.
But triathlon is a lonely sport. It is a sport of self focus. Hours and hours for months and months as miles and meters roll by. I am on my own.
I am a single man with a goal of Ironman. I have little to offer in terms of time at this point in my life. Romance is remote and I am OK with that.
I have no regret or past resentments towards Jen for the time she spent training. I actually look back at being an IM spouse with great appreciation. Sharing her journey was an enriching part of who I am today. But I know the commitment to Ironman is huge and being the partner to an athlete trying to become an Ironman is also a huge commitment. I can't expect that from anyone.
I love to be loved and loneliness is an inherent part of the journey. But loneliness is self defeating and selfish. I have no need for loneliness. Loneliness will not make me an Ironman.
During this time, I must draw from my spirituality to overcome loneliness. I know I am never alone. I know I have alot of people that will be there with me thru out the journey, finish or fail, I am never alone.
I am the most important and irreplaceable piece of equipment I have. Just as I take care of my bike and gear I must care for my body, mind and spirit. Anything I do during my training is coming with me to the UK. It is up to me to make the right choices. I must rebuild my foundation to support an Ironman. Right now I must get back to basics....
As I rebuild my bike and prepare for my Ironman training, I realize that during this off season it is not just important to strip the bike of problems and replace them. This off season is a time for me to take a total inventory of all that I am, remove anything that will not help me achieve my goals and replace them with what I need to become an Ironman.
As the old components come off my bike, I realize how much garbage gets in the way of the bikes ability to function properly. I consider the same of myself and look for ways to exchange bad habits for strengths.
Nutrition: This is easy, I have no excuse for not eating well. I know how. I have good foods available to me from good sources. My daily Blueberry muffin/coffee breakfast is gone. I have replaced it with bananas, apples, oranges, yogurt, energy bars, water, and half the coffee. Variety is key.
Chicken/turkey, cheese, sauce, and bread(Subs) are not meals. Neither is pizza. Jolly ranchers and cookies may be great race food but they will not make me into an Ironman. Vegetables, fruit, nuts, seeds, whole grains and fish. This is now my path. Ironman does not head out for pizza before bed. If I want to be an Ironman I will stop at the co-op or market and buy good foods. Eating cheap food on Coventry is like pouring pop into my derailur. Neither the bike or I will function properly If I keep adding garbage into the works.
Swimming: I am not a fast swimmer in freestyle. I swam breast stroke on swimteam as a kid. I used it during my first season in triathlon. It is my comfort zone, but it is not energy or space efficiant for triathlon. Jen used to teach me good technique for the front crawl, but I remain slow. I feel unbalanced in my stroke mechanics and drag my body thru the water.
I want to enter the Ironman waters of Sherborn Lake with absolute confidence in my swimming. I do not want to waist energy. I want the swim to be a relaxed warm up for the bike.
I have been offered a free swim lesson by a teacher. I will most likely continue beyond the free lesson and pay for more lessons along with joining a masters group. I have been reluctant to join a group because I hated swim team as a kid. Time to get over it.
Stretching/lifting/core strength: takes 30 minutes three times a week. The gym is my apt. No excuses for not doing this session. In two weeks of steady sessions I already notice my body getting stronger and the benefits transferring to my running.
Loneliness: This one is tough, because I know I am cared about by many people in a genuine way.
I am friendly with all of the neighbors. I have Zac, Nichole, Becca, Addie, Brendon, and the rest of the AJ Roccos Crowd. Coventry treats me like royalty and continues to embrace me with love. The Cleveland Triathlon Club gives me contact with many who share my passion. Jack, Jodi, Jennifer and Cathleen are also heading into Ironman for the first time next year. Jen, Andrew, Payton, and Matt have been to the IM mountain. All have offered support along the way. My family's love and support is always present.
But triathlon is a lonely sport. It is a sport of self focus. Hours and hours for months and months as miles and meters roll by. I am on my own.
I am a single man with a goal of Ironman. I have little to offer in terms of time at this point in my life. Romance is remote and I am OK with that.
I have no regret or past resentments towards Jen for the time she spent training. I actually look back at being an IM spouse with great appreciation. Sharing her journey was an enriching part of who I am today. But I know the commitment to Ironman is huge and being the partner to an athlete trying to become an Ironman is also a huge commitment. I can't expect that from anyone.
I love to be loved and loneliness is an inherent part of the journey. But loneliness is self defeating and selfish. I have no need for loneliness. Loneliness will not make me an Ironman.
During this time, I must draw from my spirituality to overcome loneliness. I know I am never alone. I know I have alot of people that will be there with me thru out the journey, finish or fail, I am never alone.
I am the most important and irreplaceable piece of equipment I have. Just as I take care of my bike and gear I must care for my body, mind and spirit. Anything I do during my training is coming with me to the UK. It is up to me to make the right choices. I must rebuild my foundation to support an Ironman. Right now I must get back to basics....
Sunday, October 08, 2006
Bound to cover just a little more ground...
Friday night I made the decision not to run in the Towpath Marathon or 1/2 marathon.
I made the choice not to spend my money on a finisher medal. I chose a day of solitude in exchange for the time spent with all of my friends yesterday and friday.
I love the towpath. The course is beautiful. The Cuyahoga Valley fall display of change is amazing. One last long race for the year.
The reasons to run this race are countless. I had tapered and maintained a pre race diet all week just in case I wanted to race. Prepared for spontaneity, I sat this one out.
In my little apartment I have a pegboard that hangs above my bike. From the board hangs a collection of finisher medals and the two age group awards I won years back. Beneath my hanging trophies are my bike tools. Like bookends on both sides of my bike are small shelves with bike components, shoes, paddles, goggles, rags, lube for both my bike and myself, sunglasses, tubes, sunscreen, and so on.
The choice not to run a marathon today was a choice to add to the lower half of my pegboard. Had I run I would have spent $65 on entry. The medal would hang beside the others. Instead I spent my money on tools.
I am rebuilding my bike. I have a Giant OCR from 2001. The frame is lite and compact. The components reliable but old and heavy. I have decided to stick with the bike for Ironman.
However it's time for a make over. Time to lighten the load and prep my ride. So currently the bike is completely dismantled except for the bottom bracket. I borrowed a BB tool from Cain Park Cycles, but it didn't quite fit. So off to Bike Nashbar I go for a BBT and a chainwhip.
Anyhow, Sunday arrives and I am itching for a long run. So following a waisted 3-1/2 hours with the Browns, I fill my fuelbelt with some sports drink sample from Cliff, grab some Jelly Belly Sport Beans(time to experiment with new race food). Load an '85 Dead show my friend Jason just gave me onto a minidisc. Strap on my heart rate monitor. Pull on some shorts,socks, shoes, and a tshirt and wrap sunglasses around my face.
I headed over to my old playground at shaker lakes and doan brook for a 2hr run
The Grateful Dead shows make good training partners. My introduction to endurance sports was dancing allnight and playing hackysack at amphitheatres across the country.
The show for this run opened with "Dancing in the Streets", as my shoes hit the pavement on Lancashire.
Later in the run I found myself laughing outloud amongst a crowded trail as the audience chants "let Phil sing" for the bass player. The band gives in and Phil Lesh sings an awkward "Tom Thumb Blues" by Dylan. As I head off road late in the run, the drummers create a tribal beat taking me deeper into the woods off northpark.
When I emerge from the woods I am starting to feel the distance in my legs and the drummers have cleared out for an atonal non-rhythmic space jam. I am feeling tired and weary. The chill of sunset is moving in. Floating thru space and chaos I just want to be done with this run.... I eat the remainder of my Jelly Beans, Jerry plays a firmiliar theme and the band follows into a song called "The Wheel".
"Wheel is turning and you can't slow down
You can't let go and you can't hold on
You can't go back and you can't stand still
If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will
Won't you try just a little bit harder?
Couldn't you try just a little bit more?
Won't you try just a little bit harder?
Couldn't you try just a little bit more?
Round round run around
Gotta get back where you belong
Little bit harder, just a little bit more
Little bit farther than you than you've gone before
Small wheel turn by the fire and rod
Big wheel turn by the grace of God
Everytime that wheel turn round
bound to cover just a little more ground"
-Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter
My legs and resolve come together. My heart rate monitor begins screaming as the band launches into "Truckin".
The last mile my heart rate was pounding 25 BPM faster than it had for the previous 110 minutes. I fell a few minutes short of the 2hrs planned.
Was it the the jelly beans, the dead or both?.
I didn't run a marathon this weekend. I ran a dead show. Long Slow Distance. What a trip.
My marathon is 11 months from now..."Bound to cover just a little more ground".
Friday night I made the decision not to run in the Towpath Marathon or 1/2 marathon.
I made the choice not to spend my money on a finisher medal. I chose a day of solitude in exchange for the time spent with all of my friends yesterday and friday.
I love the towpath. The course is beautiful. The Cuyahoga Valley fall display of change is amazing. One last long race for the year.
The reasons to run this race are countless. I had tapered and maintained a pre race diet all week just in case I wanted to race. Prepared for spontaneity, I sat this one out.
In my little apartment I have a pegboard that hangs above my bike. From the board hangs a collection of finisher medals and the two age group awards I won years back. Beneath my hanging trophies are my bike tools. Like bookends on both sides of my bike are small shelves with bike components, shoes, paddles, goggles, rags, lube for both my bike and myself, sunglasses, tubes, sunscreen, and so on.
The choice not to run a marathon today was a choice to add to the lower half of my pegboard. Had I run I would have spent $65 on entry. The medal would hang beside the others. Instead I spent my money on tools.
I am rebuilding my bike. I have a Giant OCR from 2001. The frame is lite and compact. The components reliable but old and heavy. I have decided to stick with the bike for Ironman.
However it's time for a make over. Time to lighten the load and prep my ride. So currently the bike is completely dismantled except for the bottom bracket. I borrowed a BB tool from Cain Park Cycles, but it didn't quite fit. So off to Bike Nashbar I go for a BBT and a chainwhip.
Anyhow, Sunday arrives and I am itching for a long run. So following a waisted 3-1/2 hours with the Browns, I fill my fuelbelt with some sports drink sample from Cliff, grab some Jelly Belly Sport Beans(time to experiment with new race food). Load an '85 Dead show my friend Jason just gave me onto a minidisc. Strap on my heart rate monitor. Pull on some shorts,socks, shoes, and a tshirt and wrap sunglasses around my face.
I headed over to my old playground at shaker lakes and doan brook for a 2hr run
The Grateful Dead shows make good training partners. My introduction to endurance sports was dancing allnight and playing hackysack at amphitheatres across the country.
The show for this run opened with "Dancing in the Streets", as my shoes hit the pavement on Lancashire.
Later in the run I found myself laughing outloud amongst a crowded trail as the audience chants "let Phil sing" for the bass player. The band gives in and Phil Lesh sings an awkward "Tom Thumb Blues" by Dylan. As I head off road late in the run, the drummers create a tribal beat taking me deeper into the woods off northpark.
When I emerge from the woods I am starting to feel the distance in my legs and the drummers have cleared out for an atonal non-rhythmic space jam. I am feeling tired and weary. The chill of sunset is moving in. Floating thru space and chaos I just want to be done with this run.... I eat the remainder of my Jelly Beans, Jerry plays a firmiliar theme and the band follows into a song called "The Wheel".
"Wheel is turning and you can't slow down
You can't let go and you can't hold on
You can't go back and you can't stand still
If the thunder don't get you then the lightning will
Won't you try just a little bit harder?
Couldn't you try just a little bit more?
Won't you try just a little bit harder?
Couldn't you try just a little bit more?
Round round run around
Gotta get back where you belong
Little bit harder, just a little bit more
Little bit farther than you than you've gone before
Small wheel turn by the fire and rod
Big wheel turn by the grace of God
Everytime that wheel turn round
bound to cover just a little more ground"
-Jerry Garcia and Robert Hunter
My legs and resolve come together. My heart rate monitor begins screaming as the band launches into "Truckin".
The last mile my heart rate was pounding 25 BPM faster than it had for the previous 110 minutes. I fell a few minutes short of the 2hrs planned.
Was it the the jelly beans, the dead or both?.
I didn't run a marathon this weekend. I ran a dead show. Long Slow Distance. What a trip.
My marathon is 11 months from now..."Bound to cover just a little more ground".
Saturday, September 23, 2006
IM registered..................
It is done. I am registered to start the Ironman UK on August 19, 2007.
I was surfing the other night before bed and noticed that the IMUK site had been updated and showed the '07 date with new graphics while I was searching for info. They had yet to make any announcements about next years race, and I was nervous to find out when the application started. I did not want to get shut out again.
I sat up most of the night and got poor sleep. I was very anxious to get word about the race entry.
At 4:30am I got up checked again....Nothing new. I went to work.
When I got home at 4pm the site had announced registration began on Monday.
Will this race sell out so quickly as they had in Lake Placid and Wisconsin?. I check my email.
"Ironman UK pre registration" is the headline. I was being given the ability to sign up early because
of a form I filled out a week ago.
of a form I filled out a week ago.So at midnight I signed up.
I am headed to Sherbourn Castle next August to race the Ironman(140 miles triathlon)
Let the journey officially begin
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Fall apon me...........
I love this time of year, I began running 15 years ago as summer took its final bows.
My first race was the ROTC 5k at John Carrol University. Late September running is when I got hooked.
I love the cool warm that is only early fall. The changing of leaves. Tree by tree they join in on what will soon be a symphony of color.
I set out this evening with 30 minutes planned. As I got warmed up my feet just kept taking wrong turns toward Shaker Lakes and down trails purposly leading me further from home without any plan. I just wanted to run. No training to do. No milage to log. I just wanted to run. I just wanted to enjoy the last days of summer.
30 minutes turned to 75 minutes.
Today was the first run of the year that held no intention.
Today I ran just to run.
Sunday, September 17, 2006
2006 in summary-2007 on towards Ironman
A week after my final race of 2006 seems like an appropriate time to begin my blog. I spent this season feeling strong, being knocked to the ground, being absolute about my future and left wondering where I am going.
My races were :
Spring Classic 13.1-Training day- little cold. Feeling heavy, time to give up General tso's Chicken.
Cleveland Marathon-Rain, Sunshine, Wind. Finish under 5. Sheila(My running partner who has recently moved to Denver for school) did her 1st 26.2. I did my 6th
Maumee Bay-Zac, Nichole ( my crew...My friends)and I camped. Great park. Windy bike course. I felt good.
Bay Days 5 mile-Steamy July 4th. Planned bike ride to the race was scraped due to thunder and rain. a new CTC(Cleveland Tri Club) friend Jody drove- Decent race. Got a good ride in later in the day.
Ashtabula- I love this race. I had a personal best on this course. Haven't PR'd much lately. Met more CTC folks.
Cleveland Triathlon- I volunteered for this one. What a blast. I plan to schedule 1 volunteer gig every season now.
The Fairport Harbor Lighthouse Triathlon- Sheila's 1st. I had a good race. My mom called as I cleaned up my gear to tell me that a close childhood friend named Matt Kirman had passed away.
Greater Cleveland Triathlon 1/2-The course was lengthened and moved due to flooding. I PR. Great day. I hitched a ride once again with Jody. She wins hardware!
Greatlakes escape-Allergies, No sleep, swim cancelled, strong winds. I love this sport. It is so unpredictable. Spent the race chasing Jody...She is so fast in transition....and she is a good athlete. Zac, Nichole, Max(Z and N's dog) and I camp at the park. Had pre race Irish food in port Clinton while watching OSU stomp Texas. Zac got tested for DUI after swerving to miss a muskrat. No problem. He wasn't drunk. We got an escort back to camp.
IM Wisconsin registration- I treated this as a race. I was prepared. but I made an online entry error and got shut out. Very disappointing.
Also, I crashed my bike in a rainstorm while riding to work in late August. Little skin and soreness.
So now my plan is to sign up for an Ironman race for next summer and start living like an Ironman.
More Sleep, better diet, ride, ride, ride, swim and run.
Zac and Nichol want to come with. UK 8/21/07 looks best. The race takes place within a castle grounds. camping is available on site. and airfare is reasonable.
Nice France 6/17/07 will cost much more and is early in the season. It is the south of France on the Med. Lots of Triathlon history.
FLA 11/05/07- Local. other Cleveland Tri Club members. Late in season. Jen(my former fiance) did this one. FLA does not excite me.
Anyhow I am holding out for Ironman UK to open registration.
Untill then...Peace
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