Caught

Wow what an amazing summer. I wasn't sure i would pull it off. But if this rotten cold is the worst thing to come of a busy summer, then i'll take it. achoo.

pulled off a sub 2 hour half marathon, despite minimal running training,

completed my first PMC, twas awesome.

completed my first Rugged Maniac mud run. an absolute blast.

found time to golf with my hacker friends

put the boats in the water for a wee bit of kayaking

hiked with BLT, always a good time no matter the weather.

even tried my hand at frisbee golf for the first time in decades.

All in all incredible.

I post this as i watch the first snow of the season in late october melt off the deck.

Wonder what the winter holds.

suggestions?

Back in the Saddle Again

Famous words sung by cowboy singer Gene Autry!

Well the Covered Bridges Half Marathon in Vermont is behind me. Great weekend with lots of new friends and a very special old friend. Surprising result too, kept my time under 2 hours. I wasn't really sure what to expect given my training routine this year. Still not back to my PR of 1:53, but I was younger then. Race felt great, but then my stomach started cramping. Not fun. Got to figure this out hydration nutrition thing out.

Now time to get serious about training for the Pan Mass Challenge. So after a light day on Monday following the race, I hit the road bright and early Tuesday morning. I feel so far behind the training schedule. Rode again today, but the schedule suggests alot of riding.

And then there is the fundraising.... so far to go. Thanks to all who have given. I really appreciate your support.

to quote Bruno Mars --- Today i don't feel like doing anything.

My PMC Fundraising appeal

Here's my story... To donate online visit

http://www.pmc.org/profile/TS0227

WHY I RIDE ...

I have, as many have, lost loved ones to cancer or been close to those whose lives are deeply affected by cancer. My first encounters with cancer were when first my grandfather and then my grandmother died each from multiple cancers. Each experienced rapid declines and little treatment options. My grandfather died before I reached grade school and my grandmother died shortly after I graduated college. That was well over twenty years ago. The advances in cancer research have been amazing in part because of efforts like the PMC to supply them with substantial funding. Had the doctors then had half the tools they have now to treat, and at times cure cancer, my grandparents would have lived to know me and I would have gotten to know them an awful lot better.

Now I am fortunate to have a great life with lots of gifts including an incredible family, a comfortable home, a fulfilling job, my health and the time and energy to enjoy them all. I know for many, including some of my friends that are living and fighting with cancer, that each day is a gift. I feel to respect them I should appreciate all that I have and use it to help beat cancer.

This is first stab at "My Story". In short, this is a great cause and a great event, I love riding my bike and I love a challenge. While riding 192 miles with 5000 other bikers is certainly a challenge, my biggest challenge is to overcome my fear of asking people for help. Definitely not something I am good at. A good friend has suggested that give it a try, so here I am. Please help me raise money.

I'm a proud supporter of the PMC because it is leading a charge to beat cancer. In fact, last year 100% of rider-raised revenue went directly to support the Jimmy Fund and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute's tireless commitment to finding a cure.

Thats it for now. And Thanks for taking the time to read this. Come train with me. If you know someone affected by cancer, who I should ride "for" send me an email and I'll add their name to my story. I'll ride for them, and I'll ride for you.

For Buck Settles, For Elvie Settles, For Sheila, For Frank, For Jay, For David and others

Spring Training (not exactly day 1)

Thought maybe i would keep a log of my training for folks to follow if they wanted to make sure I would actually get all the way to Provincetown and complete the Pan Massachusetts Challenge. It won't be alot of verbage unless I feel the need to rant.

I have actually been very surprised by the support that people have expressed all ready. $4200 is alot of money (in my book).

I guess it might not be a bad idea to put the story that i have in my pmd profile here just for the heck of it. i'll do that separately.

Here in the end of April, I am actually cross training for a half marathon and beginning my initial training for the PMC Sturbridge to Provincetown Route (192 miles over 2 days.) So today with cool temps, i hope to put 12 miles on my running shoes.

Stay tuned it will be an exciting summer.

Heart rate monitor

Who out there uses a heart rate monitor to train? Does it really work? And if so how did it help? Would you recommend a particular monitor? Or is it just another gadget?

Been Awhile

Okay so its been awhile. Been busy. If you are reading this because you knew to scan my FB profile picture. Yeah. Really cool technology. Thoughts?

Not going to get any lighter. In summary work is good. Home is great. Weather today clear and cold. Healthy. Pets are cute and happy. Vacation is coming up. Yeah.

Plans

Covered Bridge Half Marathon in June, must start training outside. A treadmill just won't get 'er dun.

Pan Mass Challenge in August. 192 miles on a bike in two days. Yikes!!! Fundraising commitment $4,200 to help cure cancer!!! Please, please, please go to www.pmc.org look me up and sponsor me.

Then in September Rugged Maniac 5K Obstacle Course in Rhode Island with lots of friends and coworkers. Join us.

Also some hiking and golf thrown in for good measure. Can you say cross training?

That's it for know

On Wisconsin, on Wisconsin, fight fight fight fight!!! (BHS Fight Song)

How is it possible

We were in Ewing, New Jersey this weekend and stayed at a Courtyard by Marriot. It was a long drive and required a bottle of water and a soda or two. Before we checked out, i was tidying up the car and thought i would take the bottle and can inside to have them recycled. I asked the woman at the front desk if they recycled. I didn't even think that the answer would be anything other than yes.

But ack. she said no unfortunately they do not. I took my cans and bottle to recycle at home said that i couldn't believe it. This hotel was immediately next door to what i thought was a NJ Dept of Envir Protection office. In this day and age i am still amazed that a chain of hotels the size of marriots doesn't do the seemingly easy task of recycling. I imagine they have the opportunity to recycle hundreds of pounds of cans and bottles each year. They have vending machines for guests. Guests bring their own beverages. I know as we were early arrivals and the cleaning staff were still cleaning rooms from the night before, that i saw at least one case of beer bottles in the hall. Now i know that these probably just went into the trash.

The hotel was so proud to be smoke free, as it had signs everywhere that reminded you of the fact. Hey thats great. But why not be proud of recycling too.

Some efforts could be done sooooo easily.