"I'm a-dancin' with my se-elf"

I'm out of gas! The tank is empty! I'm running on fumes! My batteries are low! The cupboard is bare! The stocks are depleted! The shelf is empty. I'm at low tide! I'm all used up!

And yet..."I'm a-dancin with my se-elf"

I knew this morning when I got up that it was not going to be a day of records. My body told me so, and I knew it intellectually based on my workouts the last few days. And yet, as I was puttering around this morning getting ready to head out on my bike, I found myself doing a little pirouette to whatever music was playing in my ears.

But I am very tired both physically and mentally. That's going to be my biggest challenge in the next few months; accepting that just plain brute force won't work. There needs to be time for rest and recovery such that the workouts are effective over time. Every workout is supposed to have a reason and quite frankly I dont think todays bike ride had much value other than an opportunity to enjoy the fall scenery. I would have been better off to go for a 30 minute spin instead of the 50k that I did. I struggle to rest for a couple of reasons. First off I worry about the clock ticking away. I'm down to 10 months of training, and I know how far I have to go in that relatively short period. I also know that subconsciously(actually it can't be subconscious if I know it eh?) I worry about burning calories as crazy as that may seem. That's becasue my entire adult life I have seen food as the enemy....something to be religiously rationed if not to turn to fat. I have to start seeing food as "fuel" that will allow me to work harder and sustain longer workouts. I'm working on this one.

I actually went to the pool tonite for a 1/2 hour as well and had a good session just working on my stroke. I was so tired I had no choice but to "think" about what I was doing instead of just smashing water about. I really have to work on my arm strength, even though I could have beaten most of those 10 year old girls on the swim team.....in an arm wrestle maybe! They literally swim twice as freakin fast as me.

Anyway...in the interest of rest I am going to keep it short tonite. Hill running tomorrow.

But first an entry to the old "if you can't beat em join em" category. I must tell you that while riding I listened to 2 different versions of the same song...namely Baba-O'Riley. Yes of course this is the incredible Who song more commonly known as Teenage Wasteland. Today I also listened to Pearl Jams cover of the song....and yes....it was very, very cool! I can understand why they are considered such a powerful concert band.


And...."If I had the chance, I'd ask the world to dance"

And so I ask you all....I dare you all.... to get up off your chair or couch or bed or whatever and do just one pirouette, to whatever music plays in your head. Just one pirouette!


"Happiness, cannot be pursued; it must ensue, and it only does so as the unintended side-effect of one's personal dedication to a cause greater than oneself." -- Victor Frankl


I dedicate day 30 to my friend Burt who is battling prostate cancer and will undoubtedly win, as he is much, much, more stubborn than me.



love peter