But wait, there's more!!

Just when I thought my Tri season was over I decided to do one last race. I tried to get into IMAZ, but no luck. So I am going to do the Soma Half IM in Tempe on 10/26. Jen and I did this race last year and it was REALLY hot. I remember finishing that race thinking "well, at least the full Ironman won't be this hot" and it was... So when I tell myself that there's no way it could be 97 degrees 2 years in a row I catch myself knocking on the nearest piece of wood. It's kind of nice to have the fitness to decide to jump into a half IM 4 weeks prior. I think it will work well. Scott has me running a lot right now as I build a base for Marathon training leading up to Rock N Roll marathon in January. My bike fitness seems to be hanging in there and the swim is feeling pretty good right now. So why not race?


On the job front, still not very busy. Should start to pick up again next week. I've been continuing my search outside Intel and have stumbled upon some interesting leads. I'll update ya'll on those later if they workout. Keep your fingers crossed!


Jeep update - I LOVE this vehicle! It has changed my life. I am a much happier person now that I own a Jeep again. I can't explain it... But there's definitely a connection there. It's strange because it is probably one of the slowest and clumsiest vehicles I've ever owned, but I always look forward to driving it! I got some new shoes for it yesterday. After taking it in the sand a couple of weeks ago I was unhappy with the lack of traction with the stock tires. So I found some mud terrain tires that are stock on the Rubicon version and swapped them out. Once I sell the stock wheels/tires on Craig's list I should just about break even. Let the wheel' in began!
My next post should include pictures of REALLY big fish! This Sunday is the big Tuna trip. Weather looks perfect...


P.S. I was just proof reading this entry before I posted it and I realized how strange I am. What a weird mix of topics. Not sure how I got this way... Wait until I post my list of top 10 favorite songs to do trainer intervals too. I'll give you a hint, it contains music from Crosby Stills & Nash, Disturbed, Lil Wayne, Johnny Cash, and the Greatful Dead.

Post Sabbatical

Two weeks back at work and it's not so bad. Work has been really slow though. It's been a busy two weeks outside of work. Last weekend we were at the beach camping, fishing, and crabbing with the Perkins'. Had a beach fire and hung out, good times. Last Sunday we jumped into the Pints to Pasta 10k at the last minute. The first 2 miles felt great, then my legs reminded me that I was only 2 weeks off of IMCA and 5:30 pace was unacceptable. So I watched Rob and Chris V quickly pull away as I suffered the last 4 miles. But this is the only time of the year that drinking beer before 10am is ok. The result is usually a nap from noon to 4, but it's worth it, the beer is free after all.

This last weekend was a tough but fun Mt. bike ride up at Browns Camp. I only had a couple notable wrecks this time, but I feel like I've been in a car accedient. I am sore in the strangest places. I'm sure part of it is getting old. Overall it was a lot of fun though. Other then that not a lot new. Starting to pick the training back up to a sustainable level. It's nice to get be back on a routine even if it is reletively light.

So what's next? Thinking about doing the Run Like Hell half marathon at the end of October. The main focus starting next month will be the Rock 'n Roll marathon in AZ on Jan. 11th. I hope to qualify for Boston and check that off the list. Right now it's looking like the next triathlon won't be until next April when we do the California Half Ironman. I am bummed that the season is over, but on the other hand I'm not craving to race one right now. The running races seem to be enough, and I hope to try my hand at Cyclo-cross soon while I still have the bike fitness.

In other news - Rob P. and I will be heading to the coast on Sept. 28th to fly fish for Tuna. It is supposed to be very intense. Check out the video on Rob's website: http://www.perkwire.com/oceanfishing.html. It should be interesting since to date the biggest fish I've caught on a fly rode is about 6 inchs long and these tuna are usually about 2-3ft long. Should be cool.

Finish Video

Here's my finish line video from IMCA....

Sabbatical Summary

So I've been trying to think of the best way to summarize my sabbatical. I've come up with a couple ways to quantify it. Pictures and numbers. The numbers are the best way to wrap up the training I was able to do. The pictures below are from my many adventures over the last 8 weeks. It sucks to come back, but at the same time it was a great opportunity that most people never get. This is what I keep telling myself today anyway. So far it's working OK...

So here's sabbatical by the numbers:

Training:

Miles Swam - 39

Mile Biked - 1057

Miles Ran - 236

Amount spent at Starbucks - $226

Miles put on the Jeep - 3014 (mostly to and from Starbucks)

Pictures:

#1 - Murphy on one of our many adventures together...

#2 - Training in Penticton the month before the race with Scott. One of the few places I could live other then Portland

#3 - Chris V in Canada the day before the race. Chris is great to have around when you need to lighten things up.

#4 - The best post race meal to date! The Rusty burger (2 patties, double cheese, double bacon).

#5 - What better way to commemorate a shitty race then by getting a tattoo of it, and no it's not on my ass (but in hind sight...)

#6 - The hardtop hoist project. Much more time consuming then first planned, but well worth it!