Not so much a brick...

but more of a block...of ice that is. Yesterday I went out for the first real brick of the season, and it just happened to be a balmy 37 degrees, with 8mph winds. I was feeling kinda hard-core for doing it, not seeing anyone else out on the roads running, riding, walking...or doing anything for that matter. As I pondered this while thawing in the post-exercise shower, it occurred to me that I may have been less hard-core, and more idiot. Come on, spring!

Thankfully, I can report that I'm feeling all my extremities again (even if Mendy refuses to feel some of them)! I was planning on running today, but may just take a rest (or core/weights) day. Probably ride tomorrow, and run Sunday. Then back to the wretched pool.

Have a great weekend, all. And have a great race, Mendy!!

Cinque

Tag, I'm it. I don't know who I would tag in return, so I'll just tell you all a few nuggets about me. As such, no need to post the rules I suppose.

1) I was born in South Africa. I left when I was about 3 years old. No, I didn't swim across; I enjoyed the luxury of a transport ship with my family. I haven't been back since, mainly out of fear for being detained for conscription into the military and the ridiculous cost of travel there. I hope to return, but will have no idea where I'm going unless I return with either my brother, father, or somehow locate an uncle that may still live there.

2) I have/had a heart murmur. It doesn't seem to have affected my athletic ability much, but who knows? The last physical I had in 2006, the Doc mentioned that he still heard it. Oh well, I guess I'll keep going until it does something wacky.

3) I came very very close to dying as a child from a major intestinal infection. I didn't gain any weight from about 6 to 14 months old, if I recall what my dad has told me accurately. Apparently I didn't sleep through the night until this was cured, and the first night I did my parents hovered over me all night making sure I was still alive.

4) I enjoy classical music. Seriously! While I listen to mostly rock (classic and modern hard alternative), I will sometimes pop in some Mozart, Beethoven, Tchaikovsky, or others, and really enjoy it.

5) In the Navy, I was a bomb disposal diver and parachutist. I used to hunt sea mines underwater with a handheld sonar and a big chunk of C4. I was trained in search, identification, and neutralization of all other weapons systems (from hand grenades, to IEDs, to nuclear weapons), but my main focus was underwater disablement/disposal operations. And yes, I can't discuss most of it in much detail. :-)

I did a 4.3 mile recovery run today. The legs felt stiff, which I suppose is expected given Thursday and Friday's runs. Still, the time/pace wasn't too shabby. No PR, and not even close, but a solid run. One thing I'm noticing about winter running: way more laundry produced! I rarely get away with using stuff twice, probably due to how much I sweat when running (gross, huh?), and I can't wash out tights, base layers, and long sleeve running tops in the shower like I could with shorts and a tank in the warmer months. Stupid winter!

We got our Christmas tree tonight, but that will be saved for another post. Hope you all had a great weekend!

I surrender!

Okay, I get it! It's autumn!! Geez, do we have to usher in the frigid temps already?

So, it's clearly fall here in the upstate these days. I've been hitting the weights of late, but looking semi-longingly to the sunny (albeit frosty at 55-60 deg temp) afternoons, thinking about days of lunchtime brick workouts, hard runs, and generaly sweaty exercise of a few weeks ago. The problem is, I am currently quite satiated with these thoughts, with no real desire or motivation to train with the remote intensity of the summer. Visions of Breyers ice cream and dark imported ale dance in my head, displacing the running pace and average MPH goals of yore.

And I've gained about 8 lbs since the season ended...about 3 weeks ago! What? Yeah, becoming a blimpy lardy butt on you guys. Well, not too bad, since I am lifting. I did shoulders today, and man I looked good! LMAO Okay, I could tell I've been active, and I'm still sub-200 lbs, but I gotta get some cardio going soon.

Oh, and the anniversary weekend was great; thanks for all the well wishes! Days like those make me think Mendy will put up with me for a few more years. Unfortunately, the days after resemble the day after Christmas (Boxing Day for the frozen crazy canucks), where you wonder what all the hype was about, and can't wait until next year.

Okay, I kid a bit. In truth, the anniversary days (both Friday and Saturday saw celebration) gave me a chance to show Mendy how much I love her. I probably didn't do a good enough job, but I'll keep trying. Hopefully she'll provide me a few more anniversaries to show a better effort.

Sorry I've stayed behind on the comments and blogging. Man, work has been rough lately!