A.M.

"You awake?"

"Hey, Body... you awake??"

"Ughh. Now. What do you want?"

"Nothing, I mean it's been a while since we've talked and all."

"Omigod Mind are you kidding me? It's 4:00 in the morning. You couldn't wait 30 minutes?"

"I just miss talking. Hasn't been a whole lot to talk about lately I know, but still... I miss it."

"Zzzz.."

"Body!!"

"Wha-uh... yeah OK, yeah you miss talking. What do you want to talk about?"

"Don't you miss it too?"

"What?"

"Talking!"

"Oh, um, I don't know. I guess."

"Hey there's a 5K on Monday. Let's run it."

"Ha, no."

"Come on, we've never done a 5K."

"No it'll be bad. I'm not fast at all yet."

"So what, it'll be a good place to start the year. The last race this season is a 5K too so it'll give us a time to beat."

"No you don't understand, it's going to be like train wreck with bodies bad. It's going to be really bad."

"Come on, it'll be OK. Even if it's bad."

Inarticulate and disaproving sounds

"I promise I'll stop talking now....??"

"All right fine I'll do it."

'She's a maniac, maaniac on the flo-oor... and she's dancin' like she's never danced befo-ore...'

"Hey, um, Body...can you get the alarm?"

"Ugh."

Reclaiming

OK I made it. Today was morning one back at the consistent wee hour workouts, and I gotta say it's confirmed: getting up earlier is certainly better than trying to fit things in during the day. It's always so nice to be able to think and get the day planned without trying to do 87 other things all at the same time - definitely something I'm looking forward to as the case from now on.

You know, it's really funny because I kind of feel like I'm starting all over, but not. Like I'm on one of those going back in time shows where the main character has 'been there' - 'done that' - say high school or something - and now has the chance to apply what's been learned in life since then to the old situations. As for me, I guess in a nutshell I have to say this morning I gathered that getting up before God is still not fun. In fact, I don't know that it'll ever be fun, but talk about the huge sense of pride I had in remembering OK, just get on the bus...the first ten minutes of everything suck and then it's all good... just all these little mantras I came up with when I had no experience at all.

While running this morning it felt pretty good to look back at the person I was then with admiration, knowing at the time I just never gave myself enough credit for all the hard things I pushed my way through. That's a cool feeling to say the least, and it'll be interesting to see what else I discounted about myself back then only to appreciate now. I guess that's full circle maybe...

Well that said, as far as the rest of the day goes I'm psyched my run is done because now I can just walk around the river and maybe listen to an audiobook or something while eating my lunch at normal people pace, which is much better than trying to finish it in the five minutes I'd have left after running. That'll be about it for relaxing though because after school I'm tutoring some kids, then rushing to pick Laura and Michael up to then go home and make dinner, then clean everyone up for Michael's Kindergarten graduation, and after the ceremony maybe get some celebratory ice cream like we did when Laura graduated last year...all before heading home for bath and story time.

And yeah that's a good day I think. For sure a pretty good day.

Resetting

All right it's official. There's no way around this until summer, and even then I think I'm still going to have to get up at omg o'clock or stuff just isn't going to get done.

Seriously, it's like time isn't mine at all after 7:00 a.m., and I'm going to have to start looking at it like I have absolutely no say over the rest of the day if I'm ever going to get my training moving on a consistent basis here. Ugh. Apparent and audible frustration.

I've really been trying to make it all work in normal people time, but without fail stuff always comes up during the day to knock my training down a rung on the priority ladder. Important stuff, kids' stuff, work stuff, not I gotta watch 'House' stuff mind you, and I'm cool with that. I totally prefer that, but it doesn't change the fact that WIBA is like six weeks away, Steelhead is 11 weeks away and thus, I have some freaking work to do.

See, I got out of the habit of getting up early with the onset of the offseason - big mistake. Life was super busy of course, I stayed up way too late to accommodate, got training in over lunch and wherever else I could fit it in, and didn't sweat it, but now I do believe I've officially used up all my flexibility points. I can't keep this schedule anymore though or my season is really going to suck, so it's time to go back to the good ol' days.

You guys remember the good ol' days? The 3:30 alarm clock? The wind sprints on the track in the dead of winter at 4 a.m. immediately before going in to swim 3000 yards? All in five feet of snow and sleet, up hill both ways? Yeah, well I was a nutjob then. Not to mention Ironman isn't on my to do list again anytime soon, so no, I won't be getting up at 3:30 friends, but I am going to get up at 4:30 to try to knock this stuff out regularly. I'm not seeing the gains I want to see and that's a direct result of my hit and miss training so far. Coach Dan has been patient, but I know he's stretching his face in his hands every time he sees I've cut a workout short or have just plain missed it entirely. SO Coach Dan, don't stretch your face anymore, I'm gonna get my butt out of bed and get on the bus from here on out.

Tri season is here.

CYA Fail

God I just love when ignorant people get schooled. Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you a premium, Grade A submission for the Fail Blog. Be sure to watch the whole video...


"If you don't know what appeasement means don't use the word. It's giving away things to the enemy, not talking to the enemy."

What a Ride...

Wow, busy times!

Hopefully I'll get the pictures downloaded this weekend for the river clean-up I organized for my school this past week. We teamed up with our local EnviroCorps and WHAT a blast it was. We had about 40 kids and several teachers/volunteers come out to both canoe and walk alongside the river banks to pick up trash and pull garlic mustard, an invasive weed that chokes out the native plants. Altogether we collected 540 pounds of trash, including not one, but two bikes from the river (adult mountain and road), one bike frame, two truck tires, a metal folding chair, and countless other pieces of trash and recyclables.

By far the most unbelievable thing I saw however, was a Canadian Goose sitting on top of her nest smack in the middle of the river and under the bridge where the storm debris had collected. It was probably about four feet above the water atop a bunch of the debris, two feet across, and the wall facing me was built up against a motor oil bottle. Let me tell you what, standing up in that canoe against the current, then navigating across all the fallen tree branches and other debris to get to the bottle, then replacing it with a rock a la Indiana Jones all the while hoping the hissing mother goose wouldn't eat my face off ranked right up there with the Ironman starting line as far as adrenaline rushes go. Holy freaking cow. Afterwards, I was informed by the student in my canoe that I was totally the coolest teacher in the school, hehe.

SO, it's been busy times around here to say the least. The next three weeks or so will be more of the same, and then it should slow down a bit. Until then though, it's Saturday soccer cyclone mornings for Laura and Michael, tutoring kids after school so they can finish up their credits, translating end of the year conferences for non-English speaking parents, grading final projects and essays, redesigning my curriculum, Kindergarten graduation preparation, getting up extra early for training, and trying not to pass out right next to the kids after story time.

Whew, what a ride...

WIBA: 2008 Nearing Capacity!

Well guys, we're up to over 30 riders joining us so for for the annual Wisconsin Brick Adventure this year, so if you'd like to be included in the festivities, please sign up soon!

This year we have to offer limited seating for the clinics and dinners in order to avoid the scramble my partner in crime and I encountered last year in trying to get all the unexpected folks situated at the restaurants, etc. Feel free to pop out for the day to swim, bike and run, but please do register if you'd like to also participate in the free clinics and related coolness. Please also let me know if you'd like a WIBA:2008 t-shirt (this year they're made out of performance material!) and I'll make them available at bracelet pick up.

Speaking of that... bracelet pick-up will be at Zoned 4 Fitness in Madison, WI on Friday evening just before the Power clinic. Please be sure to attend and bring a photo ID, as you'll need this bracelet in order to be included in the reservations for dinner both Friday and Saturday night, as well as to get into the rest of the clinics. There are about 20 spots left, so please click here for both information on the weekend and to register now.

Thanks!

Photoshop of Horrors

Well it's been a while since we've checked in with the magazine retouching industry, so have a peek at this site James just sent me, and scroll over each photo to see the before images. Be sure to set down all hot beverages beforehand however, lest you startle.

Not even perfection is perfect, but it's so easy to forget that when we're immersed in afters...

Click to enlarge.

GYGO! #46

What does six show guests plus the end of the school year equal? A super late to the plate GYGO! #46. But, better late than never, right?

As mentioned, this week we have several folks on the show, first up is ultra runner extraordinaire Tim Englund. Find out how one of the elites got into the sport that boggles the minds of so many, and what keeps him coming back for more. You might even find yourself so charmed by his tales and eloquent delivery that you sign yourself up for a nice, relaxing 50-miler sometime soon!

Also on tap, Drymax Sports honcho Gus Blythe awards our top two Challenge winners, Jeff Wrigley and Steve Stenzel for their fantastically done videos, and as always we have the ever-charming Tri-Boomer, now LIVE with the news. Towards the end of the show Coach Dan from Vision Quest Coaching gives us all the lowdown on that ever elusive 4th discipline, nutrition, and if you're anything like me, the Tri-Life Lesson might just provide some just in time perspective. Stick around for a few spectacular screw ups after the credits too! Click here to tune in now...

On Habits

I'm learning that habits, good or bad, are pretty powerful things. They're so powerful in fact, I've recently come to admit that some of mine have involved behaviors I didn't even enjoy, but simply felt compelled to repeat regardless of knowing I'd just feel like crap in the end. From oversleeping to letting people regularly waste my time, my actions and interactions weren't benefiting me at all, and I only felt regret and anger with myself for allowing them to continue. Problem was, however, I didn't know how to make myself stop.

I spent a lot of time and energy trying to find the big cause... that subconscious, psychological need now manifesting itself as said habits, but you know what? I finally just woke up and realized they were all just simple practiced actions, and like all animals, I'd been trained.

I did some reading up on habits then and learned they take about two weeks to form, which, when looking at it from another perspective, includes breaking a habit as well. For example, if you want to break your habit of oversleeping in the morning, you just make a new habit of waking up early (my mom invited me to call her at whatever o'clock, as she wanted to wake up earlier too). After the new habit is established, give it another two weeks to reinforce and cement. From there on out, as long as you don't create any new habits over top of the one you've just created, you're set.

Do you know how simple my life got as a result of this??

By breaking it down into a two-week interval instead of looking at it as this overwhelming force upon my life, change has become much easier to manage. Now I can wake up earlier in order to have more time in the day, I can tell people who interrupt me that I'm busy and invite them to come back later, I can catch up on email on Sunday nights, and read a chapter of my book du jour everyday. Whatever it is I want to do or undo is entirely DOABLE if I just take it two weeks at a time.

And well, I can certainly do that.

Here's Your Sign

HOW cute is this little guy!? Yeah I couldn't resist, he was right there close to the fence and I had to get off my bike and pet him.

So apparently there was a sign, I've since been told after just about sending myself to Jesus in the middle of my Amish country ride this past Sunday. A sign was supposed to be posted... didn't I see the sign for God's sake??

Not the nice big orange WARNING placard mind you, nor the one that said -- whilst enveloped in flashing lights -- something to the effect of "high voltage" or "keep away". No no, didn't I see the little white disintegrating warning label pasted on the fence?

Uhh, yeah the answer is no. I'm afraid I saw no such ...sign.

Now being that I grew up in the city, I, of course, had no idea farm fences were "hot-wired", e.g. coursing with electricity to keep the farm animals away from them. In fact, for the last three years I've ridden my bike past all manner of cattle and horses and such all the while thinking, wow, just that little bit of wire keeps them in there huh? They're so well-behaved... Guh. Well, for the rest of you oh-so naive, city reared but born again country boys and girls like me out there, here's your PSA in big capital letters: Why no, NO IT DOESN'T.

So, what can we learn from my shocking little story here, hmm? How about this: no matter how cute the baby beasts of burden may be, take my advice and don't stick your arm through the wires unless you categorically spanked your opponents at the game of Operation as a kid, because oh yes my friends, the actual zap when you touch the sides really does buzz like that.

Evotri's Contest #3 Hits Inside Tri Magazine!

Oh, well how cool is this!? The new June issue of Inside Triathlon Magazine (the May issue is pictured here) will be running an article on Team Evotri! The issue hits the stands next week, and will include all the details for our third contest this season. Be sure to check it out, as well as the bonus article currently featured on their web site!

We really hit the jackpot with the two newest team members, Tri-Cajun and TriSaraTops, which makes this third contest all the more exciting. Check out the articles for all the details on how to become our next addition!

Our Lady of Propane

They say never talk about religion or politics in mixed company, but I figure I've broken several sacred bloggy rules already, so what the hell. Have a seat.

Hilary Clinton is making me insane. She's here in town again, this time cruising to the gas pumps with sheet metal workers touting the woes of having to choose between feeding their kids and driving to work. Please. Yes, gas is ridiculous here now, pushing about $4.00 a gallon, but in Europe they're paying something like $9.00 a gallon! To talk in Depression-eque Roosevelt speak in an attempt to make everyone feel like she's Hillary H. Christ here to save our eternal consumer souls is appalling.

What's worse is the plan she and McCain are carrying underarm as they try to gallop in on their proverbial white horses - suspending the gas tax for the summer. Did they not take high school math and econ like I did? Seriously, this grandiose gesture of theirs is going to save the typical American family on average a whopping $32 over the course of the three months.

Not only that, but slashing the tax so abruptly and then putting it right back is only going to cause a temporary spike in the demand for gas - e.g. - more profits for the oil companies, not less. These companies were never going to see that tax in the first place, as it's meant for the highway trust fund (which supports road and bridge maintenance), so what do the refineries care?? Especially under McCain who has no intention of making anyone pay back the $9 billion the fund would be out. Ugh. Talk about your Robin Hood in reverse.

Hillary does plan to hike the tax on oil companies' profits in order to reimburse the fund, but you know what, this doesn't fix anything even if she does manage to get it through all those good ol' boys on Capital Hill. Plainly, this is a quick fix fight that doesn't need to happen. Supply, demand, lifting taxes, imposing taxes, none of this speaks to the core problem that we simply need to switch to renewable energy instead of depending on foreign oil or drilling for more. There are so many imperative reasons for this, the least of which is the skyrocketing price of filling up the H2 for the week.

Until we address the cause, we only postpone the cure. Though hey, being sick in this country does seem to turn quite a profit for the powers that be, but oh man is that another post...

THROUGH TH3 WALL: A New Era

I've been thinking for a few days now about how to best describe the way my year seems to be going – how I've had this personal struggle between going with the flow and fighting myself to fit everything in all at once – and I think it's really just time to pick a side already.

It's clear things have been different since Ironman, and even though I've proven I can do it all - by God, tell me I can't, and damn if I don't - I must admit when attempting to do so I don't think I do any of it as well as I could in the end. It's expensive both physically and mentally to keep the kind of pace necessary to cram everything I want to do and be into a day, not to mention the added stress of not only trying to get it all done, but get it all done well.

For the past few years I've tried to keep things spinning, which as I mentioned is definitely possible, but I've come to accept it's much more difficult, not to mention unnecessary, to try to do it all at the same time. I've found insisting on the latter only produces acceptable results at best across the board, and even then not for very long. So what's the point exactly, especially when there's a much more economical way to spend my life?

Since Ironman I've learned beyond the shadow of a doubt my time is best spent focusing on one thing at a time. For example, I try to go all out during the holidays. Everyone comes to our house for Thanksgiving Dinner and for Christmas, and I like to make special things and fancy homemade presents. Shortly thereafter there's Laura's birthday and swimming lessons, and then Michael's birthday and soccer, and around May all the family related special events seem to slow down.

Now I certainly can get the 10 hours worth of base training in and pick out my races and scramble to make it all work from December to April, but why scramble? Why not wait until May when said things slow down, and then let triathlon fill some of the extra space and time my life finally has for it? I don't know why I've tried to force it all for so long. No doubt this is an old lesson for some and likely an outrageous suggestion for others, but know I'm not suggesting completely turning off training. I'm all for staying fit and being healthy as a lifestyle, but at some point there has to be a decision made about what is top priority, which of course, is different for everyone.

For me, from November to April the priority regarding training is simply staying fit and being healthy, it's not to build my base per se, or work on my speed, or do anything obsessively the way I used to believe I should. The fact of the matter is I just need to admit I have too much else going on during these months to add it to the mix.

Fortunately, I've managed to keep things in perspective for the most part this year by not allowing triathlon to steamroll over the rest of my life as it has in the past, and it seems the only thing left to do is to stop feeling even remotely guilty about it. The holidays were a hit, I've cheered louder and consoled better at swimming and soccer, and I've made one hell of a Jedi Master of Ceremonies. Everything has been better since I've stopped spreading myself so thinly, and I can only imagine the trend will continue this summer for tri season. At the very least I'm sure looking forward to finding out.

The Party Recap!

(Right: The training remote pinata and light saber stick James made for the third Jedi trial. Click to enlarge the coolness.)

All right, without further ado I present the recap of the Jedi Knight Training Academy Trials, a.k.a. Michael's 6th birthday party.

The day started out incredibly frigid as young Padawans Laura and Michael used the force at their respective soccer games to score, prevent scoring, and keep warm. Laura's team won their game and Michael's team lost, but afterwards there was only one thing on the minds of the children, getting back in the warm car to head for home and ready themselves for the Jedi proving grounds.

Soon little Padawan friends started arriving, and the trials began. After they lined up from shortest to tallest, they were called down one by one to practice honing the Force, e.g. keeping the ova-orb on the spoon as they crossed a beam over hot lava. Older Padawan helped younger Padawan by lending their Force focus, as you'll note here in the picture.

The younger sister of one of the Padawan tries her skills at the first Jedi Knight trial.

Then it was onto the speed and reflex trial, Carbonite Freeze Tag (an idea I saw on another blog during my research). The instant each Padawan was tagged he or she had to freeze like Han Solo trapped in Carbonite, and when Laura was it everyone moaned because they knew they were so gonna get caught, ha!

Michael, Laura, and some of the other Padawan showing off their focused, frozen in carbonite poses.

The final trial was practicing the Force with the Jedi training remote pinata and light saber that James made. Each Padawan had three lasers to field (e.g. three hits), and ironically that was the perfect number because on the last kid's turn it finally broke and dumped out all the toys and candy.

Michael getting in a good few whacks, well on his way to becoming a Jedi Knight.

When all the trials were completed, everyone came inside and had Millennium Falcon cake, TIE Fighter cookies, ice cream and lemonade, and then gathered around Michael as he opened his presents.

Coveted Star Wars Transformers. Could there BE a better marriage of toys for Michael??

The closing ceremonies included an awards presentation where each newly minted Jedi was given their Jedi Academy Certificate of Completion, which James made and had signed by Yoda, of course. They were further honored with a goody bag full of the candy/toys they'd collected from the pinata, a Star Wars figurine, and their very own bubble sword light saber. To celebrate their accomplishments, they all returned to the back yard to spar with each other ... and to blow really big bubbles.

Thus concluded the Jedi Training Academy Trials, and we look forward to what's in store for next year!

Welcome to the Family

Wow what a busy weekend! Lots to report, but before we get to all that I'd like to introduce you to the newest members of our family: Skipper (left) and Wicket.

Laura has been wanting a puppy in a major way, so we decided to get the responsibility ball rolling with a guinea pig. Sunday (which, yes, was my birthday. Thank you to everyone who called, especially all the way from AUSTRAILIA, and sent notes!) I suggested we go to the pet store to finally pick one out. Well, they had two in the habitat up for adoption, and how can you separate brothers, you know? Not to mention they were the same age as some of the younger guinea pigs for sale, and at $5.00 each plus a 40% discount on the accessories, it was just meant to be.

Skipper is Laura's, and of course Wicket is Michael's. They're both pretty friendly and make the most adorable cooey/squeaky noises. Unfortunately, I discovered I'm way allergic to them both, but I don't care. How can you not pet these little dudes?

So, welcome to the family guys. I'm sure there will be lots of adventures we'll be sharing with everyone throughout the summer.

More on the rest of the weekend in a bit!

Jedi Training Academy

Man I found these "lightsabers" at the Family Dollar store yesterday for a buck each! They came in a bunch of different colors and are filled with bubbles. The huge wand inside catches the light in the sun and makes it actually seem to glow, too perfect!

OK, tomorrow is the big day and I'm psyched. This birthday party is going to go down in history as the coolest birthday party ever had by a 6-year-old. Prepare yourselves.

First, Millennium Falcon status report: last night I made the cakes that will tonight become the ship, I also made the centers of the TIE Fighter cookies and will finish those up this evening too. All must be done tonight because tomorrow at 8:15 AM Laura has a soccer game, at 10:00 AM Michael has a soccer game, and at 2:30 PM several would-be Jedi Knights will be at my door ready to prove themselves worthy.

They will use the force to balance an egg in a spoon while crossing a beam over hot lava (a red tablecloth). They will even use the lightsaber stick James made last night to spar with the training remote pinata he's also making, and ultimately, they will be awarded a goodie bag with their Jedi Knight certificates and their very own lightsaber for the closing ceremonies. How impossibly cool does all that sound?

Holy cow I think I'm more excited than even Michael. Happy Friday guys, pics to come!