Exhale.

I was very uptight this morning. I was not very tuned in to what I was doing. I apologized to the owner of the building I work in for my lack of focus.
He said, "What's her name?".
My reply, "Mom".
My worry was deep. She was having surgery to replace both of her knees. She has been living in pain for a while now. She was not happy. She did not want to live her days any longer this way. It is the 21'st century and she had a choice to change her life. All she had to do was make a commitment to surgery and rehab.
She made the choice. at 8:30 I began holding my breath for the next 5 hrs. Surgery scares the hell out of me. I was worried. She is not young.
At 3:30 my dad called to say.....She is awake and everything went well.....relief.
At 4 I left work on my bike and headed to Lerner tower at University Hospitals to see my mom.
As I entered the room, I softly said "mom?"
I expected moaning and delirious morphine induced psychobabble.
"Hi Charlie", she replied.
She was alert and normal.
We chatted for a bit, I fed her with a spoon(roll reversal), and I made sure she was comfortable.
My mom is my best friend. I was scared shit less.
She is ok and her quality of life will improve because she was willing to make a huge commitment. We have a lot in common. New knee's and Ironman. This summer my mom and I are both working towards very big goals. For a time this morning my fear was that I would be working toward my goal with out my mom. I am very, very grateful that she is well.

Anyhow, I left for the pool and learned that they were closing early. Oh well, at least I get to swim some today. I haven't been able to swim since last Wednesday.

Memorial Day Brick

Memorial day has traditionally been a brick workout for me. 27/6 miles of bike and run. That is my plan today.
This year the brick takes on more meaning. When I think of brick, I think of a kid from the Coventry neighborhood named Chris Brickle. We call him Brick.
I met Brick back in Jan '01. He was 15 and had all the direction of a 15 year old hanging out on Coventry.
He has grown into adulthood as a punk rock, ladies man, mechanic, and now US Marine. He works as a gunner in Iraq.
I am close friends with Brick's sister, Micky. She called me recently to tell me he was coming home for a month.
Last Saturday we all welcomed him home. We were all very relieved to see him. Yet we know he will return to Iraq at the end of June.
Brick is 21 today and has a lot more direction.
Stay safe Brick....Thank you.

Cleveland Heights police officer Jason West was shot and killed a few nights ago while on duty.
He seemed like one of the decent cops when he walked the beat 'round here.
Thank you.
___________________________________________

Let them in, Peter
They are very tired
Give them couches where the angels sleep
And light those fires

Let them wake whole again
To brand new dawns
Fired by the sun not wartime's
Bloody guns

May their peace be deep
Remember where the broken bodies lie
God knows how young they were
To have to die
God knows how young they were
To have to die

So give them things they like
Let them make some noise
Give dance hall bands not golden harps
To these our boys

And let them love, Peter
For they've had no time
They should have trees and bird songs
And hills to climb

The taste of summer in a ripened pear
And girls sweet as meadow wind
With flowing hair

And tell them how they are missed
But say not to fear
It's gonna be alright
With us down here

Let them in, Peter

-Words by John Gorka

Tagged. for 7 random things about my self

Veg Triathlete has tagged me for 7 random things about myself
So here goes.

7. 7 was my Jersey no. in little league. We were the Giants, I played Shortstop. our record was 13-1-1....Glory Days

6. I live less that a mile and a half between the hospital where I was born and the house that I grew up in.

5. I was homeless for a summer ('88) in Madison Wi. I had a great time. We would play street music all the time. Sleep on porches of friends or on the beach. Go on the dead tour. We really had a blast.

4. The nigtly news makes me cry often.

3. I prefer the Rolling Stones to the Beatles.

2. I was a Boy Scout.

1. I am enjoying one of the best years of my life while training for Ironman.


I will now tag BBop, Craig, and Janet...

Your it.

Rite Aid Cleveland Half Marathon Race Report

I treated this race as a an "A" race. I spent the past week really relaxing and allowing myself to get healthy. I was ready to go. I woke at 5AM. I started the coffee. I ate some cereal and fruit. I took a shower and waited for my ride. At 6:15 my ride arrived. We got downtown by 6:30 and I met up with Dane. Dropped my stuff off with the CTC tent. Headed to the port o lets and waited in line. The line was to long for the time left, so we headed to the start.

I was feeling a bit rushed and anxious to get lined up with my pace group (3:30). That did not happen. The horn sounded, and we were off.......Kind'a. The clock was ticking and we waited 2 minutes to cross the start. Not to bad.
The first 2 miles were slow. Jack(center of photo) and Mirana caught up to me and we started chasing down pace groups. I stuck with Jack through the first four miles before I started rolling off 7:30s

Along the way we passed RW editor and the 1968 Boston winner, Amby Burfoot. Friday during the expo I went to a speaker session of his. He was quizing us and rewarding good answers with lifesaver mints which he claimed would help us during the race. I let him know I had my mint on board, chatted for a moment and pushed forward. It does something for the condidence to pass a Boston winner.

Just past the halfway point I realized that I was on target and getting faster. I also realized that my inability to use the lu was going to be my doom if I didn't deal with it. Luck was on my side as a port a john was being vacated as I approached it. I got in, took care of business, and jumped back into the race.
I had lost 2 and a half minutes. It was time to get busy.
I caught Jack quickly, and soon caught up to Craig(left side of photo). By mile 9 I was with the 3:40 group. I squeezed out a powergel and kicked it up a notch.
My HR had been steady at 161BPM. Now it read 60?..81?...172...54.........forget it. I decided to ignore it and chase more runners down.
I thought I saw E-Speed and DaisyDuc ahead of me. I decided to try to catch 'em. As I ran up behind them I said "hello CTC"......It wasn't them. Oh well, I still had moved further up in the race and was on closing in on my goal.
At mile 11 I heard Dr Jod(formerly known as Jodi) yell my name from the side of the road. That gave me a nice pick me up and a smile. I ran over the bridge, passed the Jake, said hello to Lou and turned into the last mile....
During the final mile I began to feel the effects of chasing all day...If I could maintain a 7:45 I could finish with my goal of 1:45.
I was tired and my mind was beginning to wander. I thought for a moment that the wheels were coming off.
Screw that.
I set this goal in December and worked hard for it. A late start and potty stop hadn't kept me from m goal. This race was almost mine and it was time to focus and run.
I ran it in 7:46.
My chip time,
1:45.01

Goal accomplished!

At the finish I ran into a lot of friends. Jack, Craig, Cathrine and I got some coffee, And we headed back to the finish line to wait for Dane.
Dane(pictured) went out with the 4:40 group. At 4:30 I found a good spot to see her finish and waited. At 4:36(chip time) she cruised in. She looked fresh and happy.
I was proud of her. She rocked. Dane is now a Marathoner.
I had a great day. I am going to sleep now.

Also, big congrats to DaisyDuc and her Boston Qualifying time.

Pre race thoughts, a look back.

Now in it's 30 running,The Cleveland Marathon/Half and 10k holds a lot of history for myself and many other area runners. Let me take you through my biggest memories of this race.

1993- My first 10k. The start was at 21st and Euclid, in front of CSU. The Marathon began 20 minutes ahead of the 10k to allow the race to thin out enough for the elite runners to pass the slower marathoners without any congestion.
As we waited and watched the marathoners line up, the announcers voice began to raise. Dire Straits "Heavy Fuel" roared from the speakers, the gun sounded, and a few thousand runners took off on a 26.2 mile journey. My imagination soared. I wanted to run a marathon one day. My dream seed had been planted.
My 10k barely registers in the ol' memory bank. The desire to go longer however was born. I also bought the Live Dire Straits CD and continue to use that song to get pumped up for a run.

1998-My first 26.2. I worked as hard as I have ever worked for anything. 4:41.39. At the finishe I smiled, cried, beamed with pride, and hurt. I was changed. From that moment on I had a belief in myself and a knowledge that with work anything could be possible.
While training for this race I cross trained with the bike and swimming.

1999-PR 3:53. Carried a 3:30 pace before 18.....Bam! The wall. Still PR'd. '99 holds all of my best races. 'cept for 70.3.

2002-I ran a relay with Jen. She had us on a 3hr pace. I fell apart. finishing in 4:05. My confidence was shot. This was my first long effort since my '01 heat injury at the Columbus Half. If the sun shined, I melted.

2005- My return to long course. Ran the half in 1 :54. My confidence was reborn. Half IM dreams became serious plans.

2006- Personal worst. Overweight and beaten by the wind I came ploding in at 4:54.
The real Joy was in mentoring Sheila as a 1st time marathoner. She crossed the line in 4:10 or so.

2007-Back to the half so that I don't interupt IM training. My goal time is 1:45.
I coached Dane this year, and will be waiting for her finish after my race.

I just ran for 12 minutes and feel great. I did some pickups and ate lunch. My clothes are laid out. I am ready to go.

You can track my race by following the link http://www.doitsports.com/results/MSG-signup.tcl?sub_event_id=194589
My Bib# is 5549

Hope everyone has a great race and achieves their goals.

Holy Bolonia?

Not really. Not much holy 'bout bolonia.

However I did notice my countdown was at 95 days. I lost track of time.

I rode into work with the bike to work crowd. It was great. we had a large presence and I felt so safe tucked in amongst other cyclist. Very mellow easy ride. Not the stress fest that is my normal ride to work.
We ended up at Rocco's for Coffee and Bagels.
Well, I was also at work. I set up the bike food, and got to work.

After work I went for a run. I was pushing the HR. I wanted to take advantage of the heat and add pickups in the sun.
Midway into the run I remembered how important fluid intake is. I was frothing at the mouth and my hamstrings were tight.
I mostly backed off.

I rode to the pool and swam free and easy for 40 minutes. Steve took a look at my stroke and let me know that it had really improved.
That was good for the confidence.

I decided yesterday to go on a two week midwest tour following my fall marathon. I have a new CD ready, and I need to go sell it. I am not a big fan of the road life, but I have to to it. I will keep you posted. I try not to make major decisions during a taper, as I am mostly crazy.

Taper time

This is the first real taper week for me since I started training. I look forward to feeling fresh and ready come Sunday.

Here is my schedule for the week:
Monday-Off...Cavs game
Tuesday- 30 minute run/Commute to pool/ 2000 yrds, lots of drills,
Wednesday-30 minute run-Commute to work
Thursday-Commute to pool-2000 yrds, Drills, Main:Fast 50s w/long recovery
Friday-Off
Sat-1 milerun, stretch, EASY ride.
Sunday- run 13.1 miles fast, Goal, 1:40-1:45
Monday-chill

As for the diet I tend to go heavy on protein the first half of a taper week. I just made a tofu salad with a scoop of hemp seed. I know now how good hemp and Dill go together. Really tasty. Go little proteins and heal what I have hurt.
Come Thursday I switch back to heavier carb intake.

Friday I shave the skull. It is time. Yesterday while at my folks, my mom questioned why I wore spikes of hair....
Helmet head.
I haven't decided on the ol' leg shave yet.
Not sure if it is time.


Anyhow, I am off to watch the Cavs...

Road Rage?

Today while riding to work I felt a car buzz me very closely. I let out the standard "F_CK YOU!".

As I rode to the stop light I noticed my to close for comfort friend was in idle close enough to the curb to park. I squeezed around her and gave my "GIVE ME SOME ROOM HERE" glare.

The women driving the car was screaming at me through her sun roof. She let me know that I should not be in the road.

I yelled "I have every right to the road".

She continued to scream. I could not understand her.

I shouted, "Do you want to kill me?".

She yelled back, "YES!".

I pulled my bike toward the center of the lane and mumbled "Now it is my lane, deal with me".

The light changed and she pulled into the next lane and sped away.

I can be a punk sometimes. I wish that I had not contributed to this womens rage with my anger. I wish that I did not feed the rage inside myself, as it hurts me most.

I have known to many people who have been hurt by cars while on their bikes lately. I get upset by drivers that have no regard for others on the road.
I need to find a more peaceful approach to these situations. I feel badly that another rider further up the road may have been put in danger partly due to my behavior.
I need to be more mindful of my reactions to jerks.
Later in the ride a got a flat. It really didn't bother me. I just fixed it and continued on my way.

Next week is bike safety week in Cleveland. It is also ride to work week. AJ Rocco's is the destination cafe. If you ride to work, you get free coffee and bagels.
Please however watch your temper.

May 4th

On May 4th in NEOhio our memories always return to Kent.
What happened on the KSU campus 37 years ago touched so many people in very direct ways.

My freind Jennifer's Cousin, Allison Kraus was one of the 4 Dead. Jennifer recently gave birth to a daughter and named her Allison.

My friend and fellow folk singer Jim Snively was working as a policeman in portage county at the time. Jim recounts the fear and confusion of the National guardsmen.Most of whom were the same age as the students.

My father covered the trial for NBC. While interviewing jurors it was revealed that jury intimidation had acured. His report forced a new trial.

I was asked to perform origianal music in '97, '98, and Y2k at the commemoration. This was always a huge honor.
In '98 I had run the Cleveland Marathon(my first) the day before. I was in a world of hurt. When I arrived at the stage, I was excited to find a ramp to the stage. The stage had to be wheel chair accessible to accommodate the main speaker Ron Kovic (Tom Cruise's character from Born on the 4th of July). Later in the program, Kovic declared we all march across campus to demand something or other from the KSU President. Kent is hilly with a million stairs. With each painful step I had to search for gratitude that I had legs.

In 2000 I performed just prior to Crosby, Stills, and Nash.....WOW. That was a trip.

BBop wrote that he was headed over to Kent today. Maybe he will give an account of the days happenings. I know Cindy Sheehan will be speaking. The May4th Task force will also be ringing the bell 32 times this year to remember the students killed at VT last month.

I don't know if we will ever know what happened at Kent. Was it an act of panic in the midst of chaos? or had an order to fire been given?.
All we really know is that four students were killed. Descent had become deadly. The ongoing American struggle for freedom took a step backwards. Fear had won.

We can no longer be afraid.
Peace

Something Clever

Not really, I've got nothin' today.

I will just give you a basic update.

The training is going well in all areas. When I swim, I do what I am told. On the bike I ride at every opportunity. In my run training I just finished the final long run (3hrs) before The Cleveland half. I have a 90 minute planned for Sunday and a 60 minute the following week.

I have been very fortunate with my overall health, only suffering a couple of flus in mid Feb and mid march. I turned my ankle after on big snow. I babied it and recovered easily. I have had a little hamstring nag for a while, but it doesn't progress at all.

The diet goes without struggle. Vegan works very well for me.

One cup of coffee a day has done wonders for me. Regular sleep and greater focus are the first benefit. I am sure my kidneys are happier.

I am trying early morning runs midweek. So far so good. I will miss staying up late for "King of the Hill". That show cracks me up.

I have been on a few dates lately with the same person. That has been good. I have really become a hermit this winter. It is nice to share a connection with somebody. It has been a while.

All of my race entries are paid. I have ordered my race jersey, shorts, and long sleeve Jersey from CTC. I have plane fair in the bank. Zac, Nichole and I are getting ready to book. Just waiting for prices to drop a bit more.

Tribe is in 1st place, the Cavs move on to the semi finals, and the Browns have me excited.

Things in Cleveland are good. I have no complaints.

Well, I do have one thing that really bothers me.
So, I am off to another Peace Action Meeting.

Be well.