The new baby has arrived

Friday was the day. At 12:35 pm (right before lunch) the new baby showed up. Monday back to the doctor for a check up, that would be a new paintjob. I am posting a picture of the "new baby" in it's original stripped down version and when I get it back from the doctor I will post that one too. I am doing a complete build up on this frame. I have one sticking point, the compact cranks vs. the standard cranks. I hope I can make this decision quick. I really want to get out and ride!

Signs of spring

As I was going out for what I call my "long run" around the lake, I really took the time to take it all in. A weeks ago there was 2 feet of snow freshly fallen and now there is nothing but slop. Sign of spring :)

I noticed the small of the lake, the melting of the lake with the "out of their mind" ice fisherman still out there. Note again...Sign of spring :)

I rounded the corner and the small of warm blacktop roasting in the sun hit me. I love that smell. Sign of spring :)

The fresh air blowing on my too warmly dressed self realizing that I WAY overdressed for this run. There were kids playing outside with shorts. Sign of spring :)

This coming weekend and week for that matter we are going to experince the warmest days of the year so far. Calling for the high 50's! Wednesday I will be bringing the bike to work that day for a lunchtime ride if it doesn't rain. Sign of spring :)

Knowing that a lot of outside stuff will start happening on a regular basis just gets me ready to bike and run outside for the sheer enjoyment of it. Training will be a secondary benefit at least for now.

swim report 3.2.07

Today my goal was to do sets of 500 of varying intensity. I ended up doing 9 sets of 500 yards for a total of 4500 yards in one hour!!

Now before this sounds too much of a chest pounding accomplishment, it isn't. I used flippers for the entire set so i could consentrate on the stroke instead of the kick. I still look at it as 4500 yards or 180 laps. I am not too exhausted either.

Now witgh this new found swim experience and the new and improved run performance in the afternoon, i had an idea. Why not have a sprint tri that starts at say 11am or later. I can be in peak performance state (well at least fully awake and stretched out) unlike those 7am start times. Race directors give it some thought.....you might have a few more participants?

swim report 3.2.07

Today my goal was to do sets of 500 of varying intensity. I ended up doing 9 sets of 500 yards for a total of 4500 yards in one hour!!

Now before this sounds too much of a chest pounding accomplishment, it isn't. I used flippers for the entire set so i could consentrate on the stroke instead of the kick. I still look at it as 4500 yards or 180 laps. I am not too exhausted either.

Now witgh this new found swim experience and the new and improved run performance in the afternoon, i had an idea. Why not have a sprint tri that starts at say 11am or later. I can be in peak performance state (well at least fully awake and stretched out) unlike those 7am start times. Race directors give it some thought.....you might have a few more participants?

Change of plan on the new ride.... :)

Well after suffering the disappointing loss of the Discovery Team TDF TT bike earlier this week a new option came into my lap Friday....literally! I had heard that there was a shortage of Trek TTX bikes in the US and they are going to be hard to get. It seems that everybody wants them. The Discovery Team and the Timex Tri team will be using them too. So my dream of a shiny new TTX was gone :(

Well Friday I had heard that there was a size L TTX floating around the test lab. I ride a L so I figured I would check on it to see what it was all about. It was being tested for paint cracking at the seams. I inspected the frame and I saw no obvious paint cracks but they can't sell it as a new bike so that is where I step in. It will be 3 weeks till I get to take it home but it will be worth the wait. I might get it repainted to my color choice of Metallic yellow with the accents of Metallic Blue and White decals to match my other ride the Trek 2200. Match up the Hed 3 rims on this TTx and watch out course records, i am gonna fly!

Here it is......you can drool now (JWM)minus the Hed 3's