No Crab Peaple. Still Hillary.

I think for me, it is Obama.
Candy!Candy! Candy!

Barakillary, Brocoli

I am exited about the debate this evening. I am still completely undecided.
I will most likely vote democrat unless Woody Harrelson runs as an independent.
This is the first debate since early January I will be able to see. I don't have cable and the sports bars wont turn up the volume. So because it takes place 5 miles from my door, it will be on free TV. Yeah free TV!

I want to like one of these two candidates.
Right now I look at Obama and see this perfect Orwellian android barking out one word sound bites. "Change", "Hope", "Candy".

I am worried he will rip off his costume and crab people will emerge.

Hillary is like an ex girl friend. Once in a while you look at her and you think of how fond you were of her back in '92. Then she does something that reminds you of the vengeful angry breakup. It scares you. You wonder why you agreed to have lunch.

I will let you know what I think after the debate.

Long Distance runner, what you standing there for?

We were 1:20 minutes into our first long run on the Rite aid 26.2 schedule. Nichole is training for the full, and I am following her training plan with the intension of running the 1/2 marathon in late may. This worked well for me last year. But at this moment we were at a stand still. We were face to face with the biggest dog of the pack.

I first saw her silhouetted against the sky standing in a line of trees. We crossed over the road and continued until she came charging from the top of the hill. We stopped and turned to her and held our ground.

I have written about the pack in the past. Usually they harass me on my bike for encroaching on their territory. I don't blame them. People are scary animals.
Last week the pack was featured in a local paper for their brazen attitudes and elusiveness. The story talked about the city's inability to catch the dogs. The dogs are fearful of us unless we fear them. So we took our chances and stood her down. The theory worked. We continued our run. I railed on about how cool it was that this family of dogs was returning to a life free from human dependence.

Nichole asked,"Do we really need wild packs of dogs running around the city?".

I thought it a good question and realized the new wild dog population might be a little dangerous. I didn't suggest it again.

We finished the run of 12 miles in two hours. It is nice to get back to long runs. I really love the feeling. I also enjoyed the soy cocoa and pad Thai after we were finished.

This morning we had a swim workout that was tough. During the final set my arms were burning. I wondered if I was not on pace with my fellow CTC swimmers. I finished and listened to every one else reflecting on how hard the work out was. I felt better.

Training is moving along at a steady pace.

One last dog note: I am considering renting a house on the west side with Zac and Nichole. It is across the street from a very good natural foods market with a vegan deli. It is also a quarter mile from the Rocky River metro park. The house has a yard. Zac has Max(the chocolate lab) and some one should be around often. I am considering adopting a dog if this happens.

I am contagous.

I have been tagged by TriguyJT.
John, thank you....Just what I always wanted.

The rules are as follows:
# Link to the person who tagged you
# Post the rules on your blog.
# Share seven random and/or weird facts about yourself on your blog.
# Tag seven random people at the end of your post, and include links to their blogs.
# Leave a comment on their blogs so that they know they have been tagged.

1. I was a boy scout. I missed Eagle Scout by one merit badge. I dropped out after a fight I started between two Boy Scout troops. It was ugly. This was the last time I raised my fists.

2. My first job was at an Audio/Video store. I was twelve. It was across the Street from where I live now (Old Big Fun). My freind Jeno and I got referred by a man named Tom who was drinking coffee in Tommy's restaurant. I worked for Tom as a landscaper over five years starting at 25. I now live above Tommy's.

3. My favorite person who is my age is my sister Susie. I also am fond of her daughter and her daughters cousin and her cousins mom and her moms brother and her brothers parents. That is a group of many ages.

4. I think I am becoming a good swimmer.

5. I am a huge Baseball nerd. I am the guy that sits at the corner of the bar (I don't have cable) and watches baseball without blinking. I am the guy that can be in a heated conversation while knowing the pitch count. I absorb stats and think I would be a good play by play guy. I very often hear the announcers echoing me. Play by play was my dads first radio gig. He did it for Army football games. It Kept him out of Korea.

6. As a kid my hero's were Brian Sipe and Keith Richards. They weren't always pretty but man, they had soul. These guys were magicians. They had a swagger and a relaxed confidence that I admired.

7. I value objectivity. My dad gave me this. It has helped me toward the goal of not raising my fists.

Ok, I am gonna pick on the vegans, IMKY crowd and One CTC member.

So,
Veg, Crystal, Krissi, Craig, Spokan Al Steve,Vegan Heart Doc
You have all been tagged.

Living as a monk

"I am not motivated by financial reward to do well" was my first thought.

We have all been surrounded by thoughts and discussions on the future president. This question finds it's way into every part of our life. Our tri-club forum has been entertaining one through the weekend and it has continued through this hour.

The questions before us are so important. I think we all know this. We all have so much at stake. The future is so uncertain.

I have been grouped with the left in this discussion. I have been told I believe certain ideals because I felt a specific way about a different issue.

Mostly I have been cast as somebody that has his hand out and is unwilling to work. I am an advocate of slack! I want to teach Americans to sit on their couch and eat corndogs. I want us to collect welfare checks and make the rich bleed every cent until I am satisfied things are even.

In a response to a rant I said"wealth and poverty have little to do with hard work".
This was not received very well by some of my right wing friends.
My point was that hard work is no promise of wealth. great finanial wealth only finds a few of us. In the US it finds many of us while many US workers still live in poverty. In many third world nations a great majority live in poverty despite their greatest efforts.
On the reverse of course we have those that work the least and enjoy the most. I could take a shot at GW here but instead I will stick with the Paris Hilton example.

This was misinterpreted as me saying that hard work lacked importance. Somebody made a statement declaring that money was what motivated people to work hard.

I felt sad at this thought. I thought to myself, I do what I do well because I want to do everything well. I want to swim, bike, run, sing, strum, eat, live, and be well.

I want to be the person I want us all to be. I work hard because my coworkers are counting on me. I work hard because I am involved in the act of doing.

If I needed money to work hard, I would not be an Ironman. I know of nobody in triathlon who is in it for the money. Yet we all work hard for the sport. As a musician, I may get lucky one day. Someone may buy a song, and I will be able to invest a bit. But that is not what makes me sing.

It is hard for me to imagine Sister Madonna Buder or Chrissie Wellington not being hard workers despite not earning lots of dough. Sometimes I think we have completely lost touch with what is important in this world. I worry that the hardest workers are often overlooked and taken for granted. If we fail to make lots of money for our efforts, does it mean we did not do our best? Does it mean that our work lacks importance?

I guess I try to live as a monk. I live simply. I do my chores and earn my keep. I train and practice. I contemplate. I write. I am not getting rich this way, but I am proud of my work.
I know I have put forth my best.

Chili Bowl- Beans are good for your Heart!

Today was all about heart. Two days past valentines, but today I was searching for my heart. The 5k is all about heart. Seems like a good spot to start.
First race of the season and time for a gut check. For Ironman, what you have inside your heart plays a huge roll not only in your race, but in your ability to maintain the training for 9 months.

My goal today was to push my effort and reach deep. I wanted to see what was in my heart.

Tracie picked me up at 8 and we headed downtown to Tower City. The sun was shining and the wind was light, but the mercury was at 19 degree's. Todays challenge would be the cold air.
Once we arrived, we met up with a bunch of CTC folks, hit registration, and "took care of business".

We headed out to the start, I warmed up a little, found my spot and the starting bell sounded.
I moved myself through the crowd. I focused on picking off other runners one by one. I did this and never had a moment of weakness that lasted for more then a few seconds. My hands were very cold at the first mile , but that soon passed. The veterans bridge was a tough task, but manageable. As I came up the final hill to the finish, I dug in, shouted encouragement to another CTC runner and we crossed the finish at 24:03. Not bad. We shook hands and I staggered about till I regained my senses.

After turning in my chip, I headed back to the finish to see the others finish. We all ate chili, clapped for the winners and headed home.

One race in the books for 2008. I am Happy with the effort and result.

My persistent butt pain was of little thought. Since I adjusted my bike cleats, the pain has been lessening. This has been a great event lately.

After Tracie dropped me back off on Coventry, I had some coffee and got ready to ride through Kona. 90 minute trainer ride while watching the Ironman World Championship.
As I watched the parade of age groupers finish, I was getting really pumped up. I watched the smiles and joy as athletes danced down the finish chute. I began to really crave the Louisville finish. Then came the moment Mia Richter rolled over the finish.

Mia is sometimes known in these blog circles as Veg*Triathlete's hard core trainer. She rolled over the finish in tribute to John Blais. John is an Ironman and died from ALS (Lou Gherigs disease) last year.
As I took this scene in, I broke into tears. Not the kind of tears this production normally produces. These tears were deep felt. I was having an emotional breakdown while pounding away on my trainer.
My thoughts immediately raced to my friend Jack. Jack works for ATT and was a long time roadie for the Allman Brothers Band. He was the first person Zac and I would serve every day for the past few years. We are very fond of Jack.
A few months ago Jack began to change habits. He quit smoking and drinking coffee. He stopped getting pastry and quickly began to loose weight. A LOT of weight. The last time I spoke with him he could barely speak.

A couple of weeks ago he checked himself into the hospital. He needed to figure out what was wrong with him.
Last Saurday He married his long time girl friend Lori.
Tuesday we were told he had been diagnosed with ALS.

This scene with Mia touched off my personal feelings about Jack and his illness. I finished my workout emotionally stripped and exhausted. My biggest concern is for Jacks suffering, but I also just felt said about the prospect of loosing a friend.

Something changed for me during this workout. The goal of finishing and taking the time to savor the finish became a goal of savoring the entire process. The Challenge of overcoming any and all adversity became my focus and drive. I found my heart. Two days after valentines day and 4 hrs past the 5k designed to uncover my lost passion, I found it.

I headed back out for more coffee. I ran into Brendon(My neighbor who is training for Lake Placid). I was so fired up about Ironman. We talked nonstopwithoutbreathingfortwohoursabout Ironman. I became hungry and tired so I went to the market and then home.

During dinner I watched a hockey movie. In a final scene, announcer Al Michaels say's during the USA's win over the heavily favored Soviet team 28 years ago this week,

"Do you believe in miracle's? YES!"

I say, The miracle is now. LIVE IT!
For Johnny Blais, rolling over the finish at Kona was how he wanted to live it.
For Jack, marrying his love is how he chooses to live it.
For me I must live it with all the same passion. Now is all I have. It is all I will ever have.
I won't let a moment slip by. I want to savor every bit of it.
With all my heart.

BTW- the photo is of Mickey Hart of the grateful Dead. Today was all about Hart.

Primary Madness

First up, let me clarify my political leanings. I am not as liberal as you may think. Obviously I am not very conservative. I consider myself a political progressive. Rather than to continue with the nonsensical seesaw of our bipartisan political system I believe we must all look deep within for new solutions. The current political parties are so tied to retaining power, that they have lost touch with what they supposedly stand for.

Early in the primary race I had declared myself middle of the road(Middle of Coventry Rd.). I stood somewhere between Dennis Kucinich and Ron Paul. Their loyalty to the constitution was what set them apart. The primary roll of the president is to uphold the Constitution. I feel our current "decider" has lost sight of this responsibility.

February 12th is of course the birthday of Abraham Lincoln. So in his honor I would like to make public my hopes for the Republican presidential ticket for 2008.

I would like to see John McCain nominated, and Bob Dole to be his running mate.

Why?
Because It would be hysterical. it would be like watching Jack Lemon and Walter Mathau. These guys wouldn't take any guff! I think they might actually get down to business. At least when they weren't arguing over toast, or napping.

Some of you might look at these two mature men and think, "will they live for four more years.?"
I did think this one through.
Enter, Madam President Pelosi.

A Low Key Birthday

I have to say the weekend offered plenty of celebration. I spent time talking to so many folks. So many took some time out of their life to shoot me a message or a phone call. The events I attended included friends old and new. the best contact I had was from my niece Sarah calling from Chicago to tell me that when you turn 40, you become "The Man". She is 8. My sister Susie and I laughed.

The gig last night.
First off, I have to say thanks to Zac and Nichole for picking me up in the middle of a good lake Erie snow storm. John the drummer got sick while dealing with a breakdown on I480 Saturday night after another gig. We made a late decision to have me go solo. With the weather being so bad, we figured it was not worth letting him grow more ill. So he stayed back to rest.

As we made our way through blinding snow, I got a call informing me we were starting early. I was first on. So I arrived, got set up, relaxed for a minute and started the show after being given a kind intro. The crowd was sparse but mighty.
The performance was a magical one for me. I felt I was able to become my songs. Everything clicked. My voice was strong, my guitar danced with me. the crowd fed me so much good energy. The whole thing felt amazing.
The green room included a vegan spread. Having played early I was free to relax and party all night with my music friends. By 12:30 I was home.

This morning we/Cleveland woke to a bit more snow. I stood at the bus stop and watched police cars slide all over the road. The bus rolled forward unfazed by the extreme weather.

Following work, I responded to many messages and eventually went to the Winking Lizard for a beer, cheese less pizza and a win for the CAVS.
As I watched basketball, I sat with an old friend from my Telarc days. The place of my college internship was celebrating Grammy success today with their 55th award. Once again I am reminded of the amazingly talented people I have come to know over the past 40 years. Congrats to all of my mentors.
Telarc won for a tribute to Coltrane's "A Love Supreme". But I will leave you with a little thing Louis Armstrong made famous.

I see trees of green, red roses too
I see them bloom for me and you
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

I see skies of blue and clouds of white
The bright blessed day, the dark sacred night
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world

The colours of the rainbow, so pretty in the sky
Are also on the faces of people going by
I see friends shakin' hands, sayin' "How do you do?"
They're really saying "I love you"

I hear babies cryin', I watch them grow
They'll learn much more than I'll ever know
And I think to myself, what a wonderful world
Yes, I think to myself, what a wonderful world

40

It is a new age group. I'm a New Age guy. As a folksinger I should be hitting my stride.

The show went well. I am listening to my personal recording of it right now. It sounds very good. I will most likely make it down loadable.

It occurred to me while watching my friends Mifune play, I have so many talented friends. The CTC party last night also brought this into focus. Thank you all for the opportunity to know you.

Any how, About that sleep thing, good Night.

Busy busy busy.

This week has been a busy one. I have been meeting new people and seeing many friends. Tonight was the CTC winter party. I had a good time, I was feeling very social. I really enjoyed having a chance to chat with most of you. I was a little bummed after I left that I didn't get to talk to a few of you. The Jameson started pouring, so it was probably best to remove me from the situation. I get a little wild with my whiskey.
Training has suffered a little this week due to the lack of available time , but not to much. I have been working at balancing my tasks. Music, work, triathlon, social/family and nutition have received proper attention this week. Sleep has not. I am running a bit low on the REM opportunities. This can not continue. I must sleep properly in order to maintain balance with the rest of my life. Training demands sleep.
One thing I have to address in regards to sleep is coffee. Not an easy task. This morning I over read the 2 JT's discussing their struggles with coffee. I am weak in this area. I love coffee.

Last year I cut intake to 12 oz per day. My life was transformed. My training improved. my focus was unlike I had ever remembered it. It's funny. I always wonder how people are able to stay so focused. My mind is some times like that of a squirrel. It is all over the place. Now feed a squirrel 64 oz of coffee a day. The results are insane. I also loose sleep.......speaking of sleep, that's what I must do now.

Tonight is the Beachland Show. Hope to see some of you.
Be well,

2nd half notes

• TP Rocks.
• Coke (High Frutose corn syrup) may cause baldness. Between Stewie, Charlie Brown, James Carville and the toupee wearing Bill Frist, we can only asume that Underdog sheds alot.
• Uh oh, perfection is being challenged....Clock management.......
• Chad Johnson. This modern day Icky Woods, does more to disrespect the memory of Paul Brown then does Mike Brown and Art Modell.....No Modell is worse than Ocho Cinco
• Unbelievable play by Manning and Tyree....Wow!
• What do NEOhio natives Paul Brown and Don Shula have that Belichick does not? Perfection.
• The triple crown can't happen.
• Congrats Archie.
• I think Bill was smiling during the Chris Myers interview post game...That is the way he smiles, is it not?
• Returneth the curse?
• Sorry Veg.
  

Super bowl 1st half notes

Running is better than the pregame show. I chose to run.

• I like: Hank the horse. I am training, how could I not be inspired. I need a dalmatian.
• The drug dealer telling parents to take care of their stash. It is about time somebody addresses America's drug problem on this level. Pharmaceuticals are dangerous!
  
• I like Justin Timberlake much more since he met Andy Sandberg.
• The Pats have waisted opportunities....That Stuff comes back to haunt you.
• The Giants D is playing tough, I wouldn't be surprised to see Brady knocked out.
• '48 Browns. '72 Fish. '08 Pats?
  

One more thought from the mind of Ironyman: If the Patriots win, the victory parade will occur during an election come Super Tuesday. If Red Sox fan skips an election for a parade, patriotism looses.

Well anyhow, Go Giants! Beat Bill. And then go tell Yankee Fan that you Play in New Jersey.

I seem to have misplaced my left shoe

I jumped off my bike and began my transition. Tights, t shirt, jacket, hat, shoe......? Hmmm? where is my left shoe. Let me tell ya, bricks work best when you prepare your transition ahead of time. finally I found the missing Minzuno beneath my swim bag. It is so important to take care of these things.

As a triathlete and a musician, misplacing or forgetting anything can be the difference between success and failure. Goggles, patch cables, tubes and strings. These things are so important. They may seem like small items, but when I need them, their value is huge.

Well, once I had my shoe tied and my gloves pull on, I headed out for the run portion of my groundhog day brick. Everything was covered in an icy glaze which caused me to consider bagging the run. I stuck with it however because it was the best my legs have felt in a week. In my Mp3 player I had dialed in Nick Drake. Between the music of choice and the frosty lite fog, I was feeling quite detached. Fortunately the ice forced me to pay careful attention to every step. At one point I slid about 6 feet down a hill. The focus required for the run kept my mind from slipping to deeply into the detachment I was feeling. This is one reason I love running so much. This is one reason I love guitar. I am able to focus on the moment.

Training through the winter is really hard on me. I am sure we all start to live out our own "Groundhog Day" As the trainer rides, treadmills/snow storm runs, and tough commutes to the pool all begin to run together. The training is easy, but getting started takes so much personal coaxing. I never trained consistently during Capricorn and Aquarius until I began IM training. Needless to say my mood is often blue.
Inspiration is sometimes hiding beneath my swim bag. Some times I come home and flop in my chair. I check my email and surf. After a long day I am tired and I just want a break. I want to train, but I just can't pull my self up to do the work. Trying to find the motivation feels as hopeless as finding my running shoe. I search and search. Eventually I lift my swim bag and there it is. My shoe. My inspiration. I pull on my glass slipper and the magic begins. I am transformed from slouch to runner. I press play and hit the street. I run and feel my body moving forward. I feel the change taking form. As Groundhog Day seems to repeat itself day after day, I am getting stronger and stronger. I can begin to visualize myself becoming an Ironman once again. I can imagine facing the big training yet to come with a solid base and strong conviction formed as I willed myself to train when I wasn't always into it.

Sometimes things get misplaced. Sometimes we can't find the things we need. The things that will get us from February 2nd to Ironman seem to be no where. We dig and comb, searching for for the missing ingredient. It is funny where you find things. Picking up my swim bag revealed my running shoe. It also revealed my dream and determination to achieve my dream.

Internet dating for the triathlete

For those of you that have not been following along, let me bring you up to speed.
Last week as the temperatures hung around nothing and the cabin fever of winter training started to really settle in, I decided to broaden my social circle and give internet dating a spin. I first felt a little weird about it. But I knew that many of my friends in triathlon I met through CTC or blogging. That has turned out well, so why not try this?.

First off, if you are looking for juicy date details, you will not find it here. I think that is a betrayal of confidence. So I will not write about other people in regards to this experiance.

For any of you that has never explored the online singles scene, the whole process begins much the same way our blog world begins. We create a personal profile.The profile of course asks questions that perspective partners may find important.

Well I figured it would be fun to fill out my singles profile here.
Tell me what you think. I am trying to refine it. I would of course like to make a good impression.

Age: still 39
City: Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Seeking: women 28-42 within 10 miles of Cleveland( no car)
Relationships: Never Married/ engaged twice
Ethnicity/Race: Caucasian/IMKY
Have Kid's: None
Want kids: Not obsessed with the idea. I will cross that bridge when I get to it.
Religion: Don't ask.
Zodiac: Aquarious/monkey
Types of excircise: Swim, Bike, run, weights, yoga
How many workouts per week: 10-16 work outs for 14-20 hrs
Body type: Ok this is where it gets tough to answer. They offer up some basic types for you, but you can only pick one. So here are the body types and thoughts on each one.

1. Slender: not for about 19 years.
2. Athletic and toned: I am very fit, but of course I am no Arnold Schwarzenegger. My legs, buff. Up top, not so much.
3. About Average: What does that mean? For an American? For a 40 year old(I am really 39. but for rants sake, I am 40) American male? No I am not average, I am an Ironman!
4. A few extra pounds: Really? Maybe? I think my mom's and the gyms scale lie. Do you really think I am carrying a few extra pounds? Oh no. Hills in Kentucky. Must loose weight. Must loose weight. Argggg. Why do I obsess over the gut. Why do want to eat so much cereal?.....Next.
5. Heavy set: Compared to all of my training buddy's. Sometimes I am with other triathletes and I feel like a line backer.
6. Stocky: No

Diet: Vegan
Eyes: Blue
Hair: Dark blonde
Body art: M-dot ink, right calf
Best feature: My voice

Favorite things: I enjoy waking to coffee and a bagel followed by a 4 hr brick with 90 degree temperatures, 4200 yards at dusk, and a 45 minute run in sub zero windchills with my face covered in vasoline.

What I look for in a partner: RUNNNNN! I am training for Ironman. I am a musician I am obsessed with training and practicing my guitar. Saturdays begin and end with workouts sandwiching a rehearsal and cereal....Why do I want so much cereal.....Runnnn. This is no life, do not try to have an emotionally charged relationship with me. I am focused on fourth street live.

Balance

I have been obsessed with balance since I took my first steps as a bi-ped. As a musician I seek tonal balance. As an artist I seek it in color, value, and space. My athlete looks for it within my training. As a swimmer, cyclist, and runner my physical balance is a must. Nutritional balance can not be sacrificed. My body, mind, and spirit must be balanced.

Sometime balance is missing and I crash. Sometimes my checkbook looks like a drunk navigating his way down Coventry at 3am. My social life suffers greatly due to my commitments and goals. I find it hard to offer myself without restriction and limit. I am kind of busy.
Sometimes my mood leans to far toward the dark. Sometimes I am little to excited. It is wonderful to be happy, but sometimes you need time to reflect, mourn and cry.

Our economy is out of balance. We have so much wealth shared amongst so few. The rest of us suffer uncertainty and many suffer dire poverty. Our output of waste is ridiculously out of whack. You think history would have taught us something by now. Our world needs balance!As I near the midpoint of my life(That is assuming I live to 80) I seek balance. The more I learn, the less I know. As my fitness increases, I realize how limited I am. The wisdom age has granted me is equaled by the foolishness of this confidence.

I know the only way to grasp the present is to let go of the past. The only way to prepare for the future is by focusing on the now. The point that is central to my world begins within me. I must remain centered in order to reach outside of myself. The world around me can not regain balance until I am able.

Finding balance as an athlete/musician/worker/uncle/friend/brother/son is often a struggle. Some areas go ignored from time to time. I apologies for that. I try. It is not easy. I am always amazed by those that handle this so well. They are rare masters. I am not. But it remains my central goal.

Anyhow, stay balanced, were all depending on it.

Everything is as it should be.

I am taking steps to address key issues in my life that I find lacking. I have been bitching about it a little to much lately. It has become time for me to leave my comfort zone and do what I don't feel comfortable doing. My life is so rich in so many ways, yet something goes unresolved. As January in Cleveland leaves you longing for the sun. My life longs for companionship. So I have decided to start dating.

Tom Waits said "You don't meet nice girls in coffee shops". I know what kind of decisions I make in bars. Well, that rules out work.
During races, The last thing I want to do is tip toe up to the prettiest girl in Lycra and ask for her number.
How the heck would that work?!
"Excuse me sir, I know you have a lot of body marking to do, but could I borrow your sharpee as I jot down this womans phone number?." I also just think it inappropriate. Nerves are already raised a bit. So in short, I have few chances to meet new women.

It really is time I start thinking along these lines again. My mom has been pressing the issue. I am really well past the hurt of my past. Many people I know have healthy relationships. I am once again healthy. So look out ladies, I'm on the prowl.

So you might be thinking,"where are you gonna find a date?. Where are you going to find somebody to have your coffee with?. In a city that seems like it has ten times more men than women, where are you going to meet a single woman?."

Well many of the friendships I have made over the past few years began right here in cyber space. It only makes sense. I ask myself where is everyone?. Now ask your self where are you right now? You are on the net. It is so obvious, but it just seems a little weird. So why not try. I am a little weird.

So I have put myself out there on one of those dating sites. My intentions are as obvious as my intension to race is while pulling on a wet suit.(Metaphor/pun completely unintentional, but I left it because it made me laugh)The point is, if you don't state what you want, nobody but you will ever know. So I have been seeing another site. Sorry blog land. I am glad I have you all to talk to about this stuff.

Anyhow, the early results are good. I have a plan for the coming week with a women. The best part is that whether or not a romantic click happens, I already know that this women is somebody in town I would like to talk with anyway. Not surprisingly, given the chance to review a personal profile and look for similar interests, you more than likely will meet somebody you have met or on the verge of meeting. Kinda funny how that works.

____________________

As I talk about romance and dating, I can't help but to take the cheap opportunity to remind you of my upcoming CD release party at AJ Rocco's on Valentines day. No worries about my prowling that night, I will be singin'.

The Beachland gig on the 10th will include the premier of my newest group. John Kuegler, the drummer is really excited. He is very talented, while possessing simular points of view as mine. He seems to be taking the lead. This is good.

____________________

For my 40th birthday, Nichole, Zac and I were descussing going down to Akron and having dinner at Chrissie Hind of The Pretenders, new Vegan restaurant named VegeTerranean.

____________________

Training continues. I got new shoes last week. Everything is as it should be.

________________

Anyhow, I am of to the dating site.

1991

It was early January and I had returned to Cleveland after a stay in Chicago. We were going to war, and I was prime meat for a draft. The economy was not real healthy and I had discoverd that my roommate had lied about the rent. I had been paying 3/4. So I came home.

As GHW Bush's deadline for Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait closed in, I became more and more nervous about our future. I had never known war. For me Vietnam was where my friend Hung had come here from. He told me the stories of that war from the perspective of a child. But I don't remember it while it was happening.

I wasn't sure what to do with the energy this anticipation was creating. I was kind of freaked out, so I sought out friends my age. Everyone was feeling the same way. We were not sure wheather we agreed with the objectives and means of "Desert Storm". We did know that we were scared.

A few of us decided to head down to public square to see if anything was up. For some reason we stopped at the Case radio station WRUW and went on the air. We played a tune and then the DJ asked what we were doing about the war. I didn't really know, so I said we gonna go downtown and look for more folks trying to cope with the confusion of the moment.

Anyhow, we got downtown and met up with a handful of people that had heard us on the radio. We all sat out in front of the Sohio building and rapped with one another like a peer counseling group. We hung out till early morning(6:30am) grabbed a meal together and crashed at some apt. on the corner of Ford and Hessler. We slept thru the day and headed back down around 7PM. As we approached the square, the news had broke that the war had begun.

A great sense of urgency swept over us. We felt that we had to do something. Anything. We were now at war. The soldiers were our friends and family. Two of the group were headed to Iraq within six months. The rest of us didn't know when we might be called upon to go to war. The fear was selfish, but it was real. We all agreed that we needed to work it out together, and that we all needed to work it out as a country. So we ratted ourselves out.

We stopped at the WKYC studio and told the front desk that people were gathering at the soldiers and sailors monument.

This is when the story gets goofy. We had no plan. We were making it up as we went. I was given a blank check to ad-lib to the media on behalf of 20 other people.
When a reporter from the station TriguyJT works for asked what we were protesting, I responded, We are not protesting, we are praying for peace."
"How long will this last?" She inquired.
"Until there is peace." I announced.
The reporter looked back to the camera and said, "You heard it. They are staying until the war is over!".
My jaw dropped. What had I just done?!

Within twenty minutes VW buses and Volvos were dropping off food, tents, water, blankets and socks. We also got word that Mayor Mike White and Counsel President Jay Westbrook supported us and had promised a squad car to watch over us.

We were stuck. We began to create a plan. The first resolution we made was to remain neutral politically. We knew that we could not end a war in Iraq, but we were determined to end it in Cleveland, Ohio!

We were a motley group camped in tentville. Some had gone and some had joined along. Vets from the Vietnam war had joined us. They found peace in being able to share their own feelings about the war. We had come to realize that what we had started was important. We were making a difference with our simple request for peace. Peace was happening.

Anyhow, after three weeks of remaining neutral and doing more listening than talking we needed an outlet. We took a break to go watch the Superbowl. We all picked teams and rooted for our picks. We trash talked, we fretted, and we gloated. We acted like a bunch of 20somethings watching football. I picked the Giants. They won. Scott Norwood was the goat for the Bills.

We left the bar feeling that the game and obnoxious behavior had been really healthy. We had harmless competitive fun. We could return to our mission more relaxed, having exhausted the little boy in us all.
I had always loved sports as a kid but had turned my back on much of it as a teenager. Football was my last enjoyment in the world of athletics. But in 1991, Bill Belichick was rapidly ripping the heart from our Cleveland Browns. My love was fading.

While letting go of all of that crazy energy, sport became important to me once again. I understood why we value sport as a society. I could finally once again respect sport. Within' 7 months I had become a runner. I had finally found peace.
Peace is not something we can demand, peace is something that we are or we are not.
My little sister once told me that you got to let a little steam out or the pot'll blow.
So whether I am hammering away on the trainer or watching a game, I am letting out a little more steam. It helps to cool me down, relax me, and find peace.

Well, in 2008 I root again for the Giants. Not because I am unpatriotic, just out of nostalgia. In 1991 I rooted for the Giants to beat the Bills. In 2008 I am rooting for the Giants to beat Bill.

Peace Hippies!

Seriously, in honor of Dr. King.

Please, consider peace for just this moment.
Repeat
Repeat
Repeat
Repeat
Repeat

Friday............

Friday is my toughest day of the week. I am usually one of the first Clevelanders to arrive downtown every Friday morning. It is my day to open the cafe to the needs of the workforce as they all wrap up another week. My first costumer's are either with ATandT, lawyers prepping for an early meeting, or nurses enjoying a Friday after work beer or ten. Because we are a coffee shop with a full bar, we attract many third shifters.

Business is often busy and I commonly work a nine hour shift. Needless to say, I get tired. I like to train after work and into the early evening, but sometimes motivation is hard to locate as my batteries wear down.

During the summer, I often take Fridays entirely off from training as I rest up for big weekends on the bike and recover from the Thursday long run. Races tapers always include an off day on Friday.

During these months I train most Fridays. I especially like a Friday swim with solo lanes often available.
Today however I decided not to swim. I had the energy for the swim, but I just wasn't up to the commute. It was cold and I didn't want to absorb the mental fatigue of the bus trip.

Instead I did a trainer/strength workout. It was awesome! It was just what I needed mentally.

The flexibility in adjusting workouts based on what I think will provide the best results is tough. I don't want to chump out of a workout, but I also want to get the most out of it.

I know that I must use my energy and resources with care. If I used the remainder of my strength enduring a bus stop wait in the cold, then it may effect my swim adversely. where as I may get more out of doing a good workout in my living room. That was the choice I made today. I think it worked out well.

________________________

While watching our idiotic congress waisting time dealing with the steroid issue/OJ in court again/ Michal Vick/ Marion Jones/Moss/ Pacman/ Clemons not knowing when to shut up/ and all the other things big time sports offer us, it was nice to see two things this week.

One was the decision 5 of 6 OSU Juniors made to forgo the NFL one more year and return for their senior seasons. 6'8" 313 pound OT Alex Boone said he was not yet ready as a player or as an adult. They all want to finish what they started and get that National Championship. In contrast to last years exodus to the NFL this is really refreshing. This will be a team I will want to root for. Hope it works out better than it did for The team that returned to Ann Arbor for the same goal this past year....

The other news roud here has Bbops school, Cleveland State University mens basketball team continuing with the success all of the NEOOhio teams have enjoyed this past year. Last night the CSU Vikings beat #12 Butler....Congrats.

Patrick

After reading B Bop and Veg's post about the early adventures that planted the seed to go longer, I have decided to post my story.

I originally wanted to post this in November following a hike through the same park of my original journey. The same lake that Jodi mentions in her post today is a 1/2 mile from the house I grew up in. It is also the location of my formative years as an endurance athlete.

My story begins in 1973 in my backyard. We were playing beside the garage behind a small pine. The sun was out, and we were growing tired of our toys. Patrick suggested that we go to Shaker Lakes. We knew we were not allowed to go, but we did anyhow. My little sister protested. We told her not to tell anyone and left on our great adventure. We were five and we were on our way to a life time of journey's.

I don't remember much about the hike. It has been 35 years and I have traveled around that lake thousands of times since then as a runner, while fishing, cycling, I might have indulged in a left handed cigarette or two, all though I don't remember for sure. I made out with a girl on my 16th birthday by the old boathouse. I have rafted and swam on the lower lake. I will be running around this same path in an hour. But that day was my first.

As we headed back toward home we saw my parents car moving slowly along our route. Patrick and I ran into some bushes to hide. My mom and Susie however spotted us as our blonde hair shown brightly in the afternoon sun. We were both grounded for two weeks. My mom was not happy about our decision to venture off on our own.

As the years past, Patrick was sent to the local Catholic School and I the public place of learning. We spent little time together because of this but always remained friends.

We both continued to seek adventure. As an adult, Pat hiked the pacific crest and the Applelation trails. His fondness for nature led him to study natural medicine and move west to Oregon and later to Montana.

As a nurse, he cared for my grandmother before she died. The last I saw of Pat he was raising money for Cystic fibrosis research with one of his hikes. He was one of the kindest souls I ever knew.

A couple of years ago I saw his brother. I asked how Pat was.

Michael said He had been missing for two years and they feared the worst.....The last sign of him was his abandoned car in Montana. He had hit a deer and no other clue was left. The theory was that he had become distraught having hit the deer and disappeared into the mountains.

I always had hope that He was OK. He knew how to survive. Maybe he just decided to "drop out".

This past fall while watching the tribe win against the yanks, I sat with Pats sister Jean. I asked if he had contacted her and if any news had surfaced about his where abouts. Jean could not support my optimism. She felt confident that he had died in the mountains and that he was gone.
We talked about it for a while. I soon began to believe she was right. If he was to contact anyone, I think it would have been Jeanie. Little sisters know.

As I type, I find it hard not to feel deep sadness over Patrick's disappearance.
The fear that provoked my little sister to tell my mom that we snuck off into the woods, had become very real 30 years later. My partner in that early adventure is now gone. A blond haired blue eyed five year old is gone. His journey is now unknown. Patrick is lost.

From lower lake to the big sky, Patrick always had a taste for hiking. I believe what he really wanted was to be able to vanish into his own world. His family had struggles that mine never had. Sometimes I wonder if that first hike was his first attempt to escape a world that caused him so much pain. I hope he has found peace. I hope he is now a part of the nature he loved so deeply.

The adventures that we travel teach us so much. The bonds and friendships that develop as we follow our paths are our true reward. This is what brings me back to race again and again. This is why I have crossed the ocean with Jen, Zac, and Nichole. There are so many of you that I have sought out at the finish line to thank.
Thank you for the journey. Thank you for the race. Thank you for being a friend.
So long Pat...

Michigan seems like a dream to me now

Training is coming along nicely. I finally feel as though I am putting in consistent work outs that I look forward to. The weather and pool hours have been cooperative the past few days. Mostly however I am hungry to train.
I have a new long run partner in the neighborhood. This is so important for me to have new runners to run with. They get excited for marathon training. It motivates me. This spring Nichole wants to do the full 26.2 and Sureet(sp?) wants to do a half. I still need to pick a race.

I also have a rehearsal planned for Saturday with a drummer and a bass player. The gigs are starting to mount. Details are still pending for a few, but I am going to be a busy triathlete/folksinger this spring.
The two recent additions are big.
First: is a CD release party at Rocco's on Valentines day.
Second is my debut on the Beachland Ballroom stage. I have played the small room, but not the Ballroom. This will happen on Feb.10(the eve of my 40th birthday). This will be a good show to witness a midlife crises.

On the thought of the impending 40, I have decided not to do the BT50k. I have two reasons for this.
One is the obvious: "does not fit into IM training plan".
The other: has to do with the new age group. I do not want to be 40 prematurely. I am still in my 30's for a month.

The only races I have signed up for are Steelhead 70.3 and IMKY. August seems so far away. I feel I have plenty of time to do some solid base work. This year my biggest training goal is to peak for both of those races instead of for the shamrock or chili bowl as I did last season.