"No Energy to Post"

And I just ran out of time after the princess arrived.

I ran the block today in the never ending snow and wind, and then went to the pool with my wetsuit and swam 4 kms. So I'm pretty happy with my training day.

If only we get decent weather tomorrow allowing me a long run I will be content. I sure hope so!

I wish to dedicate day 136 to my friend Francisco del Castillo. I'll never forget his supportive words when I was sick.

...so from another princess who obviously never spent time at Roos house...

"Being a princess isn't all it's cracked up to be.'---Princess Diana

....and on hope....

"The Grand essentials of happiness are: something to do, something to love, and something to hope for."___Allan K Chalmers

....and on friends

"A friend is one who believes in you when you have ceased to believe in yourself."---Anon

love

peter

"OOPS!"

Amost forgot to post. It's only 9:30 but I'm falling asleep despite having a little nap early this afternoon. Last night was rough for sleeping and I think it was because I did not have the humidifier set properly, a fact I didn't realize until this morning. Either that or because Colby kept kicking me in the ribs.

Anyway I rode comfortably for 2 hours and that was all for today. Based on the weather predictions I think I will only run the block tomorrow with a swim, and then do my long run on sunday when they promise warmer weather. Lets hope so.

No Elly, I'm not serious.
And Peter, I'd rather you crashed my truck than crashed you. Besides your efforts pale in comparisons to Michaels.....eh Mikey???

Go Habs Go.....go somewhere...you stink!

I wish to dedicate day 135 to my friend Nancy Walker, so quiet, so patient and so unassuming .....and a grandma to boot!!

...on the weather...

"Weather forecast for tonight: dark. Continued dark overnight, with widely scattered light by morning."---George Carlin

"No matter how rich you become, how famous or powerful, when you die the size of your funeral will still pretty much depend on the weather."---Michael Pritchard

Actually I don't know if that's true in my case. I think there are a lot of people out there who would brave the worst elements in order to see me dead...lol...

....and some times we need to make an effort to forget

“You are now at a crossroads. This is your opportunity to make the most important decision you will ever make. Forget your past. Who are you now? Who have you decided you really are now? Don't think about who you have been. Who are you now? Who have you decided to become? Make this decision consciously. Make it carefully. Make it powerfully."--- Anthony Robbins

“Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in, forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day, you shall begin it well and serenely..."---Ralph Waldo Emerson

love
peter

"For Sale!"

One beautiful country property complete with 500 feet of country driveway, and 500 feet of country snow!!

And I'm supposed to take al Gore seriously? Global warming my ass! If that's the case it's the whole globe except for where I live!

I took the whole day off primarily because of the weather, but I think it was a good day to rest anyway. I am pretty fidgety however and I feel like I gained 5 pounds...but probably not eh?

I wish to dedicate day 134 to Roos friend John the Porter, because after all he was a good wheel chair driver!

And on climate change....opinions are like assholes...everyone has one!

"We are upsetting the atmosphere upon which all life depends. In the late 80s when I began to take climate change seriously, we referred to global warming as a "slowmotion catastrophe" one we expected to kick in perhaps generations later. Instead, the signs of change have accelerated alarmingly."---David Suzuki

"Global warming is indeed a scam, perpetrated by scientists with vested interests, but in need of crash courses in geology, logic and the philosophy of science."---Martin Keeley

With all of the hysteria, all of the fear, all of the phony science, could it be that man-made global warming is the greatest hoax ever perpetrated on the American people? It sure sounds like it."---James Inhope

"The warnings about global warming have been extremely clear for a long time. We are facing a global climate crisis. It is deepening. We are entering a period of consequences."---Al Gore

...and the final word goes to the biggest asshole of them all...

"We simply must do everything we can in our power to slow down global warming before it is too late. The science is clear. The global warming debate is over."---Arnold Schwarzenegger

love
peter

"Enough Already!"

With this winter crap! I was hoping to do a long run tomorrow but unless it clears up a lot I will put it off for a day or two. I won't decide until tomorrow morning.

I had a decent ride today (2 hours) and also a half decent swim workout.(1500 metres)

It seems the rest of the day has been filled with blowing snow out of driveways or pulling stuck cars out. First Miguette this morning in Roos Edge, and then Mark this afternoon in his decidedly "fair weather" Monte Carlo. Actually I kind of like that part as it gives me some gratification, and also the justification for my 4 wheel drive truck and my little orange(4wd) tractor. Overall I don't really mind winter except for when I'm running, or when I get the freakin furnace oil bill. All you town dwellers who have the luxury of significantly cheaper natural gas heating, please count your blessings. I know my dear childern next door are loving their new oil furnace!!!

While I was cycling today the lady that works there on wednesdays bent my ear for some time on ironman training. She did one approximataly 4 years ago and after listenting to her experiences I am fairly comfortable that as this point in the game I am probably doing enough training. With the exception of the swimming that is. She also believes strongly in having a coach. She actually pays an on-line coach $120/month to devise her programs for her. I wish I could do something like that but I simply would not be comfortable enough to put my chances of success into someone elses hands. I would rather screw up on my own then at least i know who's fault it would be. I suppose it's a trust thing, or more likely a control thing. I think I will continue to muddle along by myself....besides....that seems like a lot of money to pay someone who you never even see face to face eh?

... a few other things...
1) I heard from Jon twice in the last few days via e-mail. One good one and one bad one, but at least he's still alive.
2)Thanks as always to Roo for her continued support and love for him.
3)Thanks Peter for the same and also please know that my fears for Jon are far outweighed by my pride in you!!
4)Check Elly's comment on the Angry post of a few days ago. It made me think and perhaps will you too.
5)Did everyone get the significance of the last quote on the Feeling Angry post?....without looking up Mark David Chapman that is?

I wish to dedicate day 133 to my grade 11 geography teacher, Mr David Stack....yes indeed his mother was my grade 6 teacher and he was also a pushover, but a hell of a nice guy.

So here's some other thoughts on control from some smarter people...

"The best day of your life is the one on which you decide your life is your own. No apologies or excuses. No one to lean on, rely on, or blame. The gift is yours - it is an amazing journey - and you alone are responsible for the quality of it. This is the day your life really begins."---Bob Moawad

"You have to decide what your highest priorities are and have the courage - pleasantly, smilingly, nonapologetically - to say 'no' to other things. And the way to do that is by having a bigger 'yes' burning inside. The enemy of the 'best' is often the 'good.'"---Stephen Covey

“Control your own destiny or someone else will."---Jack Welch

and on a totally different control....I came across this and had to share it just because I thought it was brilliant..

“I do not pretend that birth control is the only way in which population can be kept from increasing. There are others, which, one must suppose, opponents of birth control would prefer."---Bertrand Russell

love
peter

"Tough Workout!"

Ten hills in minus 14 degree weather! I got through it though and felt good for it. Fortunately there was no wind and the pavement was dry, so as long as there were no cars coming I had good traction. Speaking of which, approaching traffic is something I really have to focus on as they come over the top of the hill. Especially as the tendency is to run with your head down when you're working hard. But no one ran me over and I arrived safely back home. I'm wasted though. My legs have not been this sore yet.

For crosstraining I took the kids to the pit for an hour tonite. They rode down the hill, and I pulled them up. I don't think it did me any good....well maybe it was good for my head eh?

Funny thing...in all the Ironman training advice I have never seen a reference to hill training, and yet I think it is a critical running strategy. Almost all marathon programs include some kind of hill work. I think it builds a strong base. As such I will continue to do them until at least spring time when I will replace them with track repeats....again from my marathon training days. The track workouts will improve my running technique, which of course is important from an energy conservation perspective

Towards that same 'efficiency' end I am going to set up my old bike on a trainer in the basement to work specifically on one legged drills. The intent is to teach my legs how to pedal in circles. Tomorrow I will ride again and go to the pool afterwards.

Today I got some special advice from some special people. I strongly encourage you to read the comments on yesterdays post. I am inspired. It's amazing the reaction a little whining can get eh? Maybe I should do some more?? Just kidding. I will try to do better tomorrow

I wish to dedicate 132 to my friend Bonnie Jollymore. A lady who epitomizes the word "gentlewoman".

...so on gentleness...

“Nothing is so strong as gentleness, nothing so gentle as real strength."
St. Francis de Sales

...on quotations as advice....

“Quotations help us remember the simple yet profound truths that give life perspective and meaning. When it comes to life's most important lessons, we can all use gentle reminders."---Chriswell Freeman

....and just for Andrew because it so beautifully says what he was telling me today....

“Criticism, like rain, should be gentle enough to nourish a man's growth without destroying his roots."---Frank A. Clark

love
peter

"Feeling Angry"

Do you ever just get pissed off at the entire world, with no good reason? That's the way it's been for me today. I was going to go on a tirade about all the things, and all the people that made me mad today, but I stopped myself. But only because I realized it probably wasn't going to get me any sympathy, and also because it probably wouldn't make me feel any better. There is just the one thing I suppose that I need to get off my chest.

Why oh why did I wake up this morning, after a decent nights sleep, feeling like I just wanted to hide under the covers for the rest of my freakin life?? Somebody tell me! My rational mind tells me that I should be at peace as I truly have little worth worrying about, and yet I can't capture that elusive feeling. Why can't I just focus on my Ironman without feeling guilty about it, and say screw everything else!

The worst thing is that I'm quite sure that the anger negatively impacts my training, at least if todays workouts were any indication. It's hard enough to remain motivated through these dog days of winter without wasting energy on useless crap. I spent about a half hour of what I believe was useless time in the pool, and then another hour sitting on my bike doing more useless riding. Neither workout was focused or intense.

Tomorrow I will run hills, come hell or high water!

I went to the bookstore in London to get a particular novel I was after and while there I of course checked the triathlon section to see if there was anything new. While looking through a few publications I have not seen before I of course got annoyed by the same old complex bullshit. Then it occurred to me that again my attitude was just a by-product of my anger. I'm smart enough(I think) to take all that advice and make something useful out of it but my anger at the nonsense gets in the way.

I say I should be at peace but there must be something eh? There must be an underlying reason that I backslide like this. Something that I haven't faced yet. My own mortality maybe, I don't know...or maybe I do know but am just afraid to come face to face with it? What I know for sure is that I don't like it, and if I may feel sorry for myself for a minute, I think I deserve better

As I sit here and write this I can recapture some positve spirit, but I have no confidence it will survive the night. I do hope that this doesn't discourage anyone on my behalf as that's not my intent....just putting my insides on my outside where maybe they'll get some sunshine...

I suppose I just have to keep at it eh? The other option is not acceptable!

I wish to dedicate day 131 to my grade six teacher, Mrs Viola Stack, who never gave homework on the weekends. I think I spent a whole year in her class not being angry

...so on anger...

"The proud man hath no God; the envious man hath no neighbour; the angry man hath not himself."---Joseph Hall

"Anger blows out the lamp of the mind."---Robert G. Ingersoll

....and on peace....

"If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other."---Mother Teresa

"Imagine all the people living life in peace. You may say I'm a dreamer, but I'm not the only one. I hope someday you'll join us, and the world will be as one."---John Lennon

....and on anger again....

"I wasn't angry the night I shot him."--- Mark David Chapman

love
peter

"I Hate Snow!"

As promised I tried out my new wetsuit this morning and it felt good. I don't think it's any faster than my old one but it sure is more comfortable, and a lot easier to get on and off. I still have to have to ask a complete stranger to zip me up, but despite some funny looks it seems they always oblige.

After lunch I headed out on the road with the intention of doing a few hills, but in order to do so I had to head west into a very cold breeze. My face and my hands were frozen almost immediately and so I turned into the psych instead and did the block. I did a bunch of sprints between hydro posts and am satisfied with my effort.

Tomorrow I will swim again, (I need to keep at it) and then ride in the afternoon.

Late this afternoon Peter called and asked me if I wanted to go tobogganing with him and the kids. I said no thanks until Colby said, "Please grampa?" And that was it. We had a great time, and that's why I love snow!!

I wish to dedicate day 130 to Norman Miller who used to lend his horses to my dad when I was a kid, so that he could haul water to our house in the dead of winter.

"Snowmen fall from heaven... unassembled.---Anon

"There's one good thing about snow, it makes your lawn look as nice as your neighbor's."---Clyde Moore

"Love is a given, hatred is acquired."---Doug Horton

love
peter

"Water-Logged"

I spent over 2 hours in the pool today!

But before you start thinking I have a new resolve to work harder at my swimming, I have to tell you that the first 30 minutes were spent doing drills, and the next hour and a half playing with Colby. The second part was more fun, and perhaps even more beneficial to my training. I think we'll do it again.

Funny the things that go through your mind. While Colb and I were messing around, I tried to remember a similar time with one of my own childern and none came to mind....hmmmm?

A had a decent jog around the block today as well, and believe it or not my quads are still a bit sore from my Puebla experience. It is a good kind of sore now though. Tomorrow I will take my wetsuit to the pool. I'm a little nervous about it. I hope it swims like 5 hundred bucks!!!

So...things I'm grateful for today.

My son Peter
Indoor swimming pools
Books
Eyesight
Hearing
Speech
Socks
All wheel drive
Ice Cream
Flannel sheets
Milk
Raggae music
George Carlin
Toilet paper

I wish to dedicate day 129 to the memory of George Carlin, because no one ever made me laugh more, and he continues to do so

"It's a good idea to begin at the bottom in everything except in learning to swim."---Anon

“I went to a bookstore and asked the saleswoman, "Where's the self-help section?" She said if she told me, it would defeat the purpose”---George Carlin

"Well, me don't swim too tough so me don't go in the water too deep."---Bob Marley

"The very existence of flamethrowers proves that some time, somewhere, someone said to themselves, "You know, I want to set those people over there on fire, but I'm just not close enough to get the job done."---George Carlin

love
peter

"Home Sweet Home"

Things I'm grateful for today.

My home
My grandchildern
My marriage
My own bed
Water from the tap
My humidifier
My bike
Toilet paper
My health
My job
My childern
Yesterday
Today
Tomorrow
Snow

Got home late last night and as always it's good to be back.
Went downtown to ride this morning and at first my legs felt like lead. Two full days after my elevation run and I was starting to wonder if it was a mistake. After about a half hour though my legs loosened up and I had a pretty decent ride. I went 60 kms in 2 hours and 6 minutes riding the last portion of the Ironman course. And I'm especially grateful today for, Run For Your Life, the running store that lets me use their computrainer. The way this winter has been I would be totally screwed without them.

Tomorrow, back to running in the snow and definitely a swim as well.

I wish to dedicate day 128 to Rob Fairfield, the owner of Run For Your Life. A guy who just likes to help people.

“Home is the place where, when you have to go there, they have to take you in."---Robert Frost

"My home is not a place, it is people."---Lois McMaster Bujold

"The most important work you and I will ever do will be within the walls of our own homes."---Harold B. Lee

love
peter

"Still Sore"

I’m glad it’s a travel day as my legs are still sore from yesterday’s effort. I will be going to Puebla periodically over the next several months and as such will have the chance to test myself against the elevation again. I actually look forward to it.

I had dinner with my long time Canadian/American/Mexican friend Ron last night. We had a great time reminiscing about the old days at Presstran and also talked about our current lives and such. Ron made an observation about me that I considered a compliment although I know it is also a weakness. He told me that I never do anything in moderation. That I always want to take things to the limit quickly, instead of working up to my goals over time. I think the positive is obvious in that it implies enthusiasm and passion for what I take on, and yet it comes with the negative of poor planning and in turn sometimes makes execution more painful. Ron told me that any “normal” person when working out in a new environment would maybe consider running 5 or 10 km’s first time, instead of 25! Oh well…I know that ‘normal’ does not describe me now, or ever will it.

That attitude however is clearly a risk I take in my commitment to the Ironman this year, as I try to take every opportunity to charge forward aggressively. It’s probably best that I have a job as well, as it forces me to take time off and/or slow down occasionally. As it is, my body is not responding as fast as I wish it to. I have so many aches and pains I can’t count them all, and it seems like the gains in speed and endurance are so minimal. And yet….my mindless enthusiasm, and that hell bent attitude that Ron describes, tells me to hold out hope that things will ramp up once spring gets here, and I can test myself on a more regular basis. I’ve still not totally decided but I think I will probably do a lot of races this summer as part of my preparation. I think as long as I am careful to use them as ‘training’ races it will be good for my overall confidence and sense of readiness. As usual the expert advice about this decision is all over the place.

One thing that surprises me a little, in a very positive way, is the attitude of my co-workers in regards to my journey. Most of the people I work with keep very long hours and have very stressful challenges. Being sensitive to that, and being grateful for my own less demanding role, I am sometimes just a little reluctant to tell people of the level of importance, and level of priority I have chosen to give to my training. I worry that it will seem frivolous and selfish on my part, compared to the dedication of their chosen roles. Much to the contrary I have been delighted time and time again by the support and encouragement given me, both my peers and my bosses. This validation is very special to me, and somehow makes it Ok to admit that if I had to choose between having a job and training for this, I would choose the training. After all, very few people have lain on their deathbed and expressed a regret to have not spent more time at the office!

Like most people I assume, I sometimes question if I have my priorities right. But I never question who has the right to establish them for me. That is only me, and it is a responsibility I take seriously. I still am a long way from finalizing my deliberations.

Tomorrow I ride for the first time in 6 days and Saturday I intend on trying out the new wetsuit. (I’m going to hate getting it wet!!) It’s nice to know that I got that difficult run in yesterday, thereby precluding the need for another long one until later next week.

I wish to dedicate day 127 to friend and co-worker Salvatore Lauria, a man who always speaks gently, and can do so in “four” different languages!

“The key is not to prioritize your schedule, but to schedule your priorities”---Stephen Covey

“Living with the immediacy of death helps you sort out your priorities. It helps you to live a less trivial life.”---Sogyal Rinpoche

love
peter

"Don't Tell Anyone Please"

But I payed hookey from work this morning and went running instead. What an experience. This is the scene I had to enjoy as I ran down the Puebla to Atlixca toll road.



It is the active volcano Popocatépetl which last erupted in 1998 but still constantly spews smoke and gases. Aside from the scenery it was a great place to run as the road had wide paved shoulders on either side, and no freakin snow, besides what you can see on the mountain.

Of course it also had the reality of being more than 2000 metres above sea level and this was, to say the least, a humbling experience. Things went well for the first 5 k as it was generally just rolling hills but I quickly knew that it was going to be different from any run I have experienced before. Within 15 minute my heart rate was close to 150 where as back home it would not have even gone over 140 for at least 2 hours of running. By 7.5 k I had climbed another 150 metres and the toll was starting to tell. I considered turning around at this point but knowing I would not be happy with 15 k total decided to head down the far side of the hill at least for another 2.5k and then consider turning for home. Well of course I was now going very much downhill and as such my heart rate dropped way off and I started to feel comfortable again. So much so that I continued for another 5 k with a drop of 250 metres before I turned around. That's when the ugliness began. By 15k my heart rate was close to 160 and I was feeling faint. I had to walk and did so for an entire kilometer. The somehow I got going again and managed to crest the hill and head back to my starting point. By 23 kms I was in trouble again and ended up walking for 3 or 4 minutes before I managed to give it one last kick. I ended up with 25 k total in a time of 2 hours, 35 minutes and very, very tired! I understand the elevation thing now!

Remind me never to sign up for the Puebla Marathon as it is run on this same road

Anyway, I did it and am proud of myself. I am especially proud that I didn't steal the little burro that was tethered along side the road. Believe me I thought about it at about 20 kms.

Thanks again to my dear, dear friend Andrew who knew how important this was to me and made the necessary arrangement to make it happen. He drove me out there, drove the route with me, provided the water bottles and also took that cool picture.

And nowI am tired and should sleep well I hope. I'm even too tired to check my spelling Cory so have at it!!

I wish to dedicate day 126 to Haile Gebrselassie, who owns the marathon world record at 2 hours, 3 minutes and 59 seconds!!

"There is no telling how many miles you will have to run while chasing a dream."---Anon

"Nobody trips over mountains. It is the small pebble that causes you to stumble. Pass all the pebbles in your path and you will find you have crossed the mountain."---Anon

love
peter

"Life Long Learning"

I think one thing that I've improved on as the years progress is my ability to learn. It is most gratifying to learn from those that you yourself have taught. Today was one of those days as it was one filled with interaction with people who I have worked with for as long as twenty years and as little as 6 months. The gratification is 2 fold in that I'm glad they perhaps learned some things from me, but also because it indicates my own greater openess to learning. All in all, just a gratifying day.

I was fairly well rested this morning primarily because I slept reasonably well for a hotel night. I am most grateful to my friends at Autotek for arranging for a humidifier for my room....thanks Andrew!

I have decided not to run tonite as I am a little nervous after dark in a town I have not run in before. Instead, tomorrow morning Andrew will drive me to a safe place and leave me with a vehicle and water bottles and I will give it a try. I'll let you know how it goes....remember the elevation factor.

I know I've been on this theme for a few days but who can blame me, as I wish to dedicate day 125 to thoracic surgeon Dr Carroll, who 22 years ago saved our Michaels life! Somehow I wish to tell him that he did a good job!!

“It is not what we read, but what we remember that makes us learned. It is not what we intend but what we do that makes us useful. And, it is not a few faint wishes but a lifelong struggle that makes us valiant."---Henry Ward Beecher

love
peter

"Anything to Declare?"

Border Guy: Where are you going?
Me: To the airport, and then I’m flying to Mexico on business.

Border Guy: Itinerary please!
Me: Here you go.( I give him a paper copy)

Border Guy: What are you bringing into the country?
Me: Nothing!

Border Guy: Nothing? You’re leaving home for 4 days and you’re bringing nothing?
Me: Well yes, I’m bringing my clothes to wear.

Border Guy: Well that’s different isn’t it? What about work? Are you bringing anything for work.
Me: Nothing?

Border Guy: Nothing? You’re not bringing a laptop or anything?
Me: Well yes, I do have my laptop.

Border Guy: Well then why are you telling me nothing?? Do you always say nothing?? What do you usually declare? I’m trying to coach you through this buddy….Declare all goods acquired abroad! All Goods acquired abroad!

Of course by this time I’m thinking of several responses, including,

1)No you’re not trying to coach me, you’re being an idiot, and I recognize an idiot when I see one!

2)If I had acquired a broad I would have declared her!

3)Fuck off!

But of course I don’t say any of these things because I know it will only bring me grief, and because I am not anywhere near the idiot that he is. Besides he hates his job and hates his life and if he thinks that he’s gonna get his jollies by getting me to lip him off then I’m afraid he’s got the wrong guy. I have listened to his type way too often to let it get to me!

So, I’m on the plane to Mexico City where they can also be a bit stupid in regards to batteries and water bottles on airplanes, but they are totally complacent when it comes to immigration issues. Very few of the officers speak English and as such they don’t even try to question foreigners. As long as you have the paperwork filled out they are very much a rubber stamp function. It doesn’t even need to be legible. In Mexico City I will not rent a car as everyone recommends against it. It is indeed an incredibly crazy place for traffic, and yet I would like to try it some time anyway. Maybe when I’m not alone I’ll give it a shot. Today a driver will pick me up at the airport, but when I get to Puebla I will use a rental as it is a relatively sane city. I hate not having the independence of a car.

I brought my Ironman Training books with me again and tried once more to spend some time sorting it all out. But again it just overwhelmed me. Even within the same publication, with every bit of advice they give you they seem to add a disclaimer, or even a direct contradiction at some point.
Do this, unless this!
Do lots of this but not too much!
This is imperative unless you can’t do it, then don’t!

I think I need to sit down with someone experienced and really pick their brains. Today will be a no training day other then perhaps some stretching and light weights at the hotel. I hope to run the next couple of days as my friend Bernardo promised to show me where I can go. It will be strange to run in shorts. Wish me luck!

I wish to dedicate day 124 to Dr Cynthia Kenyan, who 22 years ago today delivered our son Michael!

"The love of one's country is a splendid thing. But why should love stop at the border?"--- Pablo Casals

"When I was crossing the border into Canada, they asked if I had any firearms with me. I said, "Well, what do you need?"--- Steven Wright

“The early North American Indian made a great mistake by not having an immigration bureau."---Anon

"Sunday Morning"

"Comin Down"

And there's nothin' short of dyin', half as lonesome as the sound, Of the sleepin' city sidewalks, Sunday mornin' comin' down.

Ok...it wasn't that bad but it really sucked. My whole body and my whole mind screamed "STOP" and so I did. It is just too stressfull trying to run in this crap. It's not about the cold, or the snow or the wind...it's just the footing and the motorists. I did 10 km and that was it. And unlike Kris Kristofferson's situation they're were no sidewalks!!

I wsh to dedicate day 123 to old Doc Lawrence who 22 years ago had the sense to send us to London for our Michaels delivery. We celebrated the anniversary of that occassion today.



Happy 22nd Mike...tomorrow!

“Sunday: A day given over by Americans to wishing that they themselves were dead and in Heaven, and that their neighbors were dead and in Hell."---Henry Louis Mencken

love
peter

"Winter Cycling"

I laugh at myself now as a I reflect back on my plan to ride outside all winter. I don't remember a recent winter with such a stretch of crappy weather as we've had. I would be very stressed if I didn't have an indoor option. Even though it's a bit tedious at least I get some workouts in. I spent a decent 2 1/2 hours on the trainer, and then swam 1500 metres. My new goggles were perfect but I left the wetsuit tryout until I get back from mexico. Overall a decent day.

Tomorrow I'm supposed to do a longer run, so I hope things change a lot overnite. It is still very unpleasant out there.

Unfortunately I don't have much time to blog as it's already 10:30 and these 2 just went home. Have I told you recently just how grateful I am for them, and grateful to their parents for sharing them with us. Thanks Mom and Dad.



That's about it for today. I would just share one of those good news/ bad news kind of moments that I had this morning, while still curled up in bed with my wife. She told me it seemed so much bigger and harder than before.... it took me a moment to realize she was talking about my left hamstring muscle.

I wish to dedicate day 122 to my friend the Rev Tom Baird...a very decent man!

"Grandchildren are the dots that connect the lines from generation to generation."---Lois Wyse

love
peter

"Nineteen"

A good number nineteen. A number somewhere between my age and my IQ. Also the number on my westuit. How do I look? Fast and sleek and athletic no doubt?



Actually it was very hard for my wife to even take the pictutre without dropping the camera because of her overpowering urge to rip the suit off and ravage my body!....or maybe she was just laughing? I don't know?


Anyway I also stopped at a swim specialty store and bought new corrective goggles for the low, low price of 25 bucks! I actually bougtht 2 pairs because they were so cheap and I liked them so much. The wetsuit unfortunately cost a little more.


Went for a jog around the block tonite as my only exercise of the day and it felt great. My knee is completely good, and even though I'm still coaxing my right achilles to loosen up, at least it's not getting any worse. But what about the the freakin cold! Holy cow eh? Im goin to Mexico!


Actually that should be interesting next week as I will be in Puebla which is at about 2200 metres above sea level, and I intend on running there for a couple of days. As a reference it is almost as high as Mexico City and compares to St Thomas at approximately 230 metres. They tell me that it will be a vey noticeable difference, but it should also be good for me. I'll let you know.


I don't think any of this training or expensive equipment however can give you the balls that this women has. If you have never heard of Julie Moss check it out!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRB1p89k7_I


And because I was reminded of him by my Canada post, I wish to dedicate day 121 to Terry Fox. Believe it or not he ran almost a full marathon a day for 143 days in a row, on one leg!!!....speaking of balls!


"Life shrinks or expands in proportion to one's courage."---Anais Nin

"If you lose hope, somehow you lose the vitality that keeps life moving, you lose that courage to be, that quality that helps you go on in spite of it all. And so today I still have a dream."---Martin Luther King jr.


love
peter

"Good Day"

Things went well today. I rode 60 kms in just over 2 hours and felt strong doing so. I'm sure it's because I ate a bigger breakfast than usual and because I took nourishment while riding. Yesterday I went to GNC and bought something called Endurox which is another powder that you mix with water. I actually had over 800 calories in one water bottle. Even though it is flavored stuff I didn't mind it at all. According to stuff I've read the most calories an average human can absorb in an hour is about 300. According to the machine I burned over 1300 in the 2 hour ride. If these numbers are anywhere near accurate I can understand clearly why it is imperative that you eat early and eat often when doing endurance stuff. No matter how much you eat, you are not going to be able to absorb it fast enough, and as such you still better do all you can. Slowly, very slowly I am beginning to make the psychological transition from considering food as baggage, to food as fuel.

Before I left the running store I picked up a couple of great bargains in running gear for Claudette. Typical of the woman, she will run in old junk before she will spend money on herself, and so I have to take care of her. Especially in this weather. They promise minus 22 for the next couple of mornings.

I also had a decent swim again. I think I was trying to do too much in the pool and that's why I was getting intimidated. Today I did 250, then 500 twice and then 250 again but hard, and finished off with 5 X 50 with my hand paddles and pull buoys. This last drill is basically a strengthening exercise. For the next little while I will keep the swim workouts in this area of 1500 to 200 metres and try to be more consistent. Lets see how it goes.

Funny thing today, this kid got in the pool beside me and althought it took me a few minutes to realize it, it was the same young man who I just met the other day on the computrainer. Of course he can swim faster than me as well, but I don't resent it. Nathan is a very polite and courteous young man who reminda me of my Adrian.

Big day tomorrow as I am going to check out wetsuits, and if I have time I will also stop in at a swim store that I located in Mississauga, to see if I can get a pair of goggles. Mine are perfectly fine yet, but I need a spare as I wear corrective ones which you can't just get anywhere. I actually bought a pair online which ended up being a big waste of money as I simply could not get them to fit right....they leak!

Here's a good one. On the Ironman Canada site I found a countdown timer for the race which I tried to add to my blog, but to no avail. Turns out I was glad it didn't work. I would have showed up at the race a week early if I used their clock!! I hope the rest of their event is a little better timed.

Thats it, with these exceptions.
Make sure you check Teresa's comment on yesterday post to find out why we live in Canada...thanks Teresa.
And Elly...what's freaky? The squirrel who chewed his own balls off, or the picture of me??

I wish to dedicate day 120 to my new friend Nathan. The kind of kid who epitomizes what's right with this world.

So on time...
“The only reason for time is so that everything doesn't happen at once."---Albert Einstein

and on calories...
"Too many people just eat to consume calories. Try dining for a change."--- John Walters

Dining? What the fuck is that?

And on time and calories...
"Time is an illusion. Lunchtime doubly so."---Douglas Adams

love
peter

"Oh Canada"

I just love being a Canadian. I don't know why our parents chose this option so may years ago but it worked out for me. Where else in the world can you get the variety in all things that are available to us, not the least of which is the weather. Where else in the world can you put a smile on your face before you go running and ensure that it is still there when you get back, on account of the fact that it froze there!! Yes Canada!!




I am very proud to have gotten my 10 hills in despite the minus 20 temperature. For my American friends that's minus 4, but no matter what scale you use it's freakin cold! Again fortunately there was very little wind which makes it quite an acceptable, even invigorating experience. I did however choose to do it with a little less intensity due to the cold, and of course the very poor footing. I know the frozen smile thing worked out because no one stopped and offered me a ride today. I must have at least appeared to be having fun.

You know speaking of Canada there are a surprising amount of very successful triathletes to have come out of this country over the years. Of particular note are Lori Bowden and Peter Reid, both of who have won Ironman Canada as well as Ironman Hawaii(Bowden twice inHawaii). Then of course there is Simon Whitfield of Olympic fame at the shorter distances. The international success of these and others is out of porportion to many other sports that generally favour warmer climate countries. I can only conclude that it's because triathlon is tough and so are Canadians eh???

On another note I spoke to a shop in Toronto today that claims to have a large selection of wetsuits by 3 different manufacturers and so I am probably going to check it out this friday. I was a little disappointed however that they don't have Quintana Roo models as I kind of had my heart set on one.

Oh well, in the immortal words of Mick Jagger, "You can't always get what you want. But if you try sometimes, well you might just find. You get what you need"....oh, small correction... co-written by Keith Richards I just read.

That's all folks.
I wish to dedicate day 119 to my long time co-worker, and life time friend Kathy Pennacchietti.

and even our national symbol is tough....

"The beaver, which has come to represent Canada as the eagle does the United States and the lion Britain, is a flat-tailed, slow-witted, toothy rodent known to bite off it's own testicles or to stand under its own falling trees."---June Callwood

love
peter

"Brain Working Again"

I had a much better day today. I ate early and ate often and I feel tons better. It's hard to believe but I still fear gaining weight. Even though it has stayed rock steady at 170 lbs for 6 months now, I still need to condition myself to believe that eating better will allow me to work harder and thereby gain fitness without weight.

I did an easy run around the block in ridiculous winter weather (a lady actually stopped and offered me a ride), but more importantly I also got a decent swim in. For some reason I have developed this reluctance to go to the pool which I never had in my previous life. I just have to battle through it over the next couple of months because come spring time I want the swimming to be good enough that I just need to maintain throughout the summer.

I'm not sure of the plan for tomorrow yet. I would like to do some hills but the people who are supposed to know are saying minus 20 for tomorrow morning. That in itself doesn't make it impossible but the chances are good that there will still not be any decent footing either. If that's the case doing hills is only asking for trouble and so I will wait until the morning to decide.

Today was a special day for me for a couple of reasons. Twenty four years ago today I started working for Magna, but of course that pales in comparison to the fact that 3 years ago today this princess was born!!


HAPPY BIRTHDAY KYLIE!!!

I wish to dedicate day 118 to Mr Frank Stronach, founder and chairman of Magna International, what I still believe is the best company in the world.

so on working for a living...
"The best way to appreciate your job is to imagine yourself without one."---Oscar Wilde

and on birthdays...
“And in the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years."---Abraham Lincoln

love
peter

"How Stupid"

You would think that I would know better by now but I guess not. I went riding today without enough calories beforehand and without taking anything with me. I was determined to ride for 3 hours, as I needed to reaffirm my commitment a little bit, and as such I kept going long after there was nothing in the tank. I was actually wobbly at the end, and it took me all day to recover. After eating like a pig all day I finally feel ok again. Live and learn. I'll try not to make that mistake again. I did keep my swimming commitment however....in the hot tub!!

I did make a new friend today. Nathan trashed me on the bike. (they have 2 machines that ride together) Unfortunately he had to leave to go to class...high school that is!!!

I did at least something right today though. I got comfirmation of my reservation for an RV park in Penticton....1.5 kms away from the race start. We will be able to walk down on race morning without any of the aggravtion of having to find a parking spot...woohoo!! But that's not the best part. I was also delighted to discover that the local Tim Hortons is just across the street from the park, thereby assuring that Claudette will go with me and probably even stay the whole time.

I wish to dedicate day 117 to my wife, just for sitting with me for a minute this morning. I hope she knows how much I cherished it. Somehow she always knows when I need her attention.

so on nutrition....

"When you see the golden arches, you are probably on your way to the pearly gates."---William Castelli, M.D

and I don't mind Timmys but I prefer. this...

"Only Irish coffee provides in a single glass all four essential food groups: alcohol, caffeine, sugar, and fat."---Alex Levine

love
peter

"Minus 17"

Great!
Sounds like a good day to go running!
No wind though and that makes all the difference. The difficult thing today was the lack of traction. That makes for sore muscles as you slip and slide around, and it's also frustrating. However if you don't overdo it it is actually good for you. It brings all those little muscles in your feet and legs into play. Kind of like running on the beach....yah right... except with no water, no sand and no sun!!

I feel a little bit better than yesterday, as I managed 25 kms without difficulty. The temperature softened up as the run wore on but the snow and ice were a challenge throughout. The left knee is hanging in ok, but the achilles is still a bit sore. I will know better tomorrow how that's going. I have worked hard to continue my stretching, and hopefully that will keep it under control.

I know this won't be a surprise to anyone but travelling to Mexico reminded me just how much the sunshine can affect your mood. It seems like we haven't seen it in southwestern Ontario for a month. Hopefully we will have a nice short winter. Can you tell that the days are getting noticeably longer? It always puzzled me why the coldest and warmest times of year seem to lag at least a month behind the shortest and longest days? Who knows the answer to that one?....without researching it!

I was also planning on going swimming today but more important things came up.




His first day ever at the skating rink. I am so grateful for these opportunities.
I will swim tomorrow....I promise!

I wish to dedicate day 116 to Roo's brother-in law Larry, who's name came up tonite, and as always in a positive way.

“I like these cold, gray winter days. Days like these let you savor a bad mood."---Bill Watterson

“So slippery that the fear's as bad as falling."---William Shakespeare

love
peter

"All Aboard"

"I'm going off the rails on a crazy train"

I have this Black Sabbath song on my ipod and yet every time it plays while I'm working out I skip past it. Sometimes Ozzy scares the shit out of me. Perhaps I'm afraid of ending up a drooling, drivelling idiot like he is? Or maybe it's just this song and the fears it brings to the surface of the craziness of trying to do this thing. I'm sure that I must seem like a real yo-yo at times with my up and down feelings about the whole thing but that's just the reality of it for me right now. Today I had the most discouraging workout since the beginning. I rode for 2 hours and had absolutely no energy and no strength. I truly don't understand why as I expected to feel great after a few days off. It must be nutrition, or rest, or just plain old age. I just don't know, but it scares me!

I hope tomorrow is a better day!

I wish to dedicate day 115 to my nephew Stephen Foster. I hope I spelled your name right buddy?

“A question that sometimes drives me hazy: am I or are the others crazy?”---Albert Einstein

"Some people never go crazy, What truly horrible lives they must live."---Charles Bukowski

And this one especially because I know son peter will appreciate it...

“I have a grip on reality, just not this particular one.”---Anon

love
peter

"Dont Sweat the Small Stuff"

First off, you need to know that I’m travelling today……

So Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff!

Yah but……why are those bastards at the airport allowed to steal my brand new, expensive Eveready coppertop AA batteries!!! Especially since they already passed through security successfully 2 previous times. I questioned how that made any sense, since like everyone else I needed batteries for my camera. That’s when it got really ridiculous…he was going to let me put them in my camera and then suddenly they would have been acceptable!! As if I was too stupid to figure out how to get them back out of the camera, and yet maybe smart enough to use them to turn my seat cushion into an explosive device!! Of course I already had batteries in the camera and as such couldn’t stuff 4 more into the space allotted, and thereby the lives of all those aboard continental flight 788 were spared. I know it’s small stuff, but the stupidity and the waste just pisses me off. Of course on second thought they probably aren’t wasted. Someone I’m sure will be using those batteries, just not me!

Then before getting on the plane they also steal my toothpaste, which has been in my computer bag for 6 months and has probably gone through screening and bag checks 25 times!! Whew again….security first! We wonder why our world is facing an economic crisis when there are hundreds of thousands of people doing completely non-value added nonsense like this all over the freakin globe! I know it’s small stuff but it pisses me off.

So ok relax. Get on the plane and spend some time with the book you brought. Something called “Start to Finish”, which is of course a guide to Ironman training. I bought it way back when I was first planning this thing back in 07 and I thought to spend some time with it to see what I could learn. You remember I’m sure my previous complaints about the lack of good basic, simple to follow, ironman training advice. Maybe this will be different. This book proposes a 26 week training schedule, and when I turn to the recommended workout for the very first day I read this.

“SWIM -3000 yard technique workout
200 freestyle
100 kick
200 freestyle
100 kick all with 20 secs rest
100 kicking on your stomach, arms at your side
5-10X…25 kick on left side, 25 kick on right side
5-10X50 S2S kicking drills
5-10…25 left arm, 25 right arm
5-10 X 50 CU
200 cheating CU swimming
100 choice easy

Just bizarre in my opinion, not to mention that there can’t be more than 10 pools left in the whole world measured in yards…and one of the authors is Canadian!
I know it’s small stuff but give me a break for crying out loud! How can anyone possibly understand that crapola let alone want to do it?

Oh well, just skip that part, relax and read on, and eventually I come to this. Tuesday of week 18…recovery week. “Key” bike ride goes like this.

Turbo AT Intervals
15-20 minutes easy
3X1 minute SLD
1 Minute both legs
7 minutes steady in aero-bars at 90-100 cadence
1 minute big gear standing at less than 70 rpm
1 minute fast spin
1 minute recovery
6 minutes steady in aero-bars at 90-100 cadence
1 minute big gear standing
1 minute fast spin
1 minute recovery
45 secs SLD
1:15 both legs
5 minutes steady in aero-bars at 90-100 cadence
1 minute big gear standing
1 minute fast spin
1 minute recovery
4 minutes steady in aero-bars at 90-100 cadence
1 minute big gear standing
1 minute fast spin
1 minute recovery
All at HR#3 mid to high and in aero-bars
10 minute ride…switch gear, cadence, speed or position every 30 secs, k
Cool down 10-15 minutes

Holy shit! Yah I’m serious, that’s what it said! I know it’s small stuff, but am I supposed to be able to remember this idiocy, or do I take the book along on my ride?

Ok..ok..forget it. Maybe they have some good advice on nutrition, so skip to the back of the book and I discover this advice about vitamins and minerals. “you should include the following supplements in your diet’…
Vitamin A
Vitamin C
Vitamin E
Zinc
Bioflavinoids
Grape seed extract
Pycogenol
Alpha lipoic acid
Beta-carotene

I know it’s small stuff but I give up. I need a new outlook otherwise it’s all small stuff and it’s all gonna stress me out. So at that very moment I decided to adopt Dave Scott’s Ironman training advice(he won Hawaii 5 times), and it goes like this…

“SWIM LOTS, BIKE LOTS, RUN LOTS”
.
Actually I’m even gonna modify that a little to “swim SOME, bike lots, run lots, eat lots”

And if I really tell the truth most of this didn’t really stress me out…with the exception of the battery bullshit. I actually smiled as I read some of the stuff in the book as I truly found it absurd, at least for a beginner like me. I chuckled out loud when I noticed the pre-race checklist at the end of the book included the item “bike”! And when I continued to browse I did find some reasonable ideas and thoughts on things such as weight training, nutrition, technical skills etc. I firmly intend on trying to keep it simple, but at the same time gradually try to apply a little more science into my regimen.

Then again there’s all that other small stuff that keeps cropping up. Like the fact that I got bumped to First Class again, or the fact that in my little travel bag I found 50-some US dollars and over 300 pesos that I forgot I had, or the fact that tonite when I get home I have to go with Colby to buy him new skates for the learn to skate program that Roo signed him up for, or the fact that next week I have to go shopping for a new wetsuit(I slipped that one in for you dear) or the little issue of the incredible amount of incredible people I have in my damn near perfect life.

Speaking of people in my life, I need to include a special tribute today to my big sister Cory, just for making me laugh. If I were in a confessing mood I may tell you that sometimes, just sometimes, I include statements in my web rants that are intended just to provoke her into a reaction. All you who know her will acknowledge that she can be a cantankerous, miserable, pontificating, opinionated, old bitch, but I also bet that all you who know her would not want to change her one little bit. When I grow up I want to be just like her. I got the pontificating part down already.

Which makes me ask myself…..how did someone as quiet and gentle as my Mom, birth such an incredible horde of brash, loudmouthed idiots, such as the bunch of people I call my family? Hmmm?

Maybe we’re all adopted?

I would also like to thank those special anonymous people who frequently send me notes offline. I often wish they would share more publicly as you would not believe the terrific inspiration I have received from several friends and family, but I also respect and appreciate that not everyone is as noisy as I am.

Some people think before they preach!

I wish to dedicate day 114 to Stan Trojek. The wonderful old gentleman upon who’s farm we now live. I wonder how he’s doing?

So on wasteful attitudes…

“Thoughtless risks are destructive of course, but perhaps even more wasteful is thoughtless caution which prompts inaction and promotes failure to seize opportunity”---Gary Ryan Blair

And on the perfect training regimen…

“Every year I went to the starting line feeling I had it all figured out. Every year I was wrong”---Mark Allen (6 time Hawaii Ironman winner)

And on airplanes and the like…

I went to the airport the other day and the stewardess told me to get on the plane. I said, “Fuck that, I’m getting in the plane. It’s much nicer inside”---George Carlin

Love
peter

"Hard Work"

This is a courtesy post only. I had a great day at work....I love mexico! There is still something very gratifying about those days when you feel like you made a difference.

It was also an incredible day in San Luis Potosi. About 25 degrees, not a cloud in the sky, no humidity, and not a breath of wind. It's just as well that I don't have my bike here or I would probably not have gone to work at all. I think in this kind of weather I could literally ride all day.

After I had dinner I have just been sitting listening to the hockey game on line, and sorry Leaf fans!!! 6-2 Habs!!

And now I'm going to bed because I have to get up early to travel tomorrow

I wish to dedicate day 113 to my friend Mark Whitten, one of the most genuine persons I have ever worked with.

"When your work speaks for itself, don't interrupt."---Henry J. Kaiser

love
peter

"Too Tired to Blog"

So in consideration of yesterdays long-windedness, I give you todays brevity. I slept very little last night and hope to play catch-up tonite.

I only wish to thank son peter for his humourous and poignant comments. He never did develop any skill at wrestling but he is developing a skill with words.

I wish to dedicate day 112 to my mexican triathlon buddy Bernardo Lopez, just because I enjoyed his company today.

....and I thought this one was really cool...

"If it takes a lot of words to say what you have in mind, give it more thought."---Dennis Roth

"I'm Leavin on a Jet Plane"

There’s something lonely about airports and about airplanes especially. At least for me. Right now I’m on the way to Mexico via Houston, Texas, and as I gaze out the window watching the last bits of colour drain away on the western horizon I ask myself why I do this? And even as I ask the question I know the answer, and it’s not one I’m necessarily proud of. I do it for the money and for the feelings of self worth that come with having a job. Kind of pathetic I suppose but I also believe I’m not alone. Not that I don’t enjoy my work and not that I’m ungrateful to a great employer. For some reason it just doesn’t seem as fulfilling as it was before. I know it doesn’t help to take late night or early morning flights like I do, but it allows me to get a workout in on travel day, while not cutting into my work commitments.

Even when I am home though I have this general sense of wanting/needing to feel safe and protected and sometimes I even crave a little isolation. I don’t often feel the urge to get out and go places and I don’t even really look forward to having visitors. I feel most at ease in the very room where I suffered the most, our bedroom at home. That part bothers me because it’s not me, or at least it never used to be me. For most of my adult life I have been outgoing and sociable, enjoying the company of people when possible.

And because it wasn’t always this way for me I suppose it makes sense to look back at my illness and question what changed. I don’t believe it is an excuse or a copout to consider whether, and if so how, that time and those circumstances affected me. I truly believe it was a life changing experience for me at a level deeper than the apparent, and I just want to truly understand it.

I don’t know if everyone knows this little story and in fact I have absolutely no memory of it myself, as for my sake and for the sake of her own sanity Claudette chose not to share it with me at the time. It ended up coming out later anyway. It was during the first moments when I regained some consciousness in the ICU and they had given me a small whiteboard to write on. They had this stupid tube stuck down my throat so I couldn’t talk. I wrote one word on the board.

DYING?? ...was all it said!

Although no recollection of that moment has ever come back to me, whenever I consider it I am again overwhelmed by the enormity of it. Somehow I can almost feel the emotion I must have experienced with the thought at that time, without the corresponding relief I would presumably have felt when I was assured that I wasn’t going anywhere soon. Maybe….just maybe… because they couldn’t assure me, or more likely because I didn’t believe them?

Anyway, whether it was related to that specific moment, or just to the overall experience of having faced my own mortality I know I have changed a lot as a person. I don’t think I’m a better person for it, and certainly I can’t pretend that I’m a happier person. If a close encounter with the grim reaper is supposed to be a life changing experience, right now I feel like I have only the questions it brings, without the answers.

Everyone expects that you will have a greater appreciation for all those wonderful things in your life, and while this certainly has some truth in it, it comes with the reminder that all those things are going to come to an end anyway…..sooner or later! I find myself wasting what I know is useless energy considering how long I may live, how much money I will need, how many years will I be able to be active and healthy, and maybe the most telling of all, how soon before my grandchildren are all grown up and don’t need me anymore? It will happen.

So to summarize…here’s my question. How do I take the appreciation I have for all of life’s goodness and turn it into happiness on a daily basis without the lingering, pestering worries about the fact that It will all end anyway, and how do I use this understanding to make the necessary changes in my life such that every moment, of every day I do what I truly want to do? I know the answer is there somewhere, just as I believe that my life changing experience has the potential to be the motivator to get me where I need to be. I just don’t want to wait until it truly is too late and I really am on my death bed regretting that I didn’t act sooner. Tough question for me….maybe easier for you?

By the way, for some reason I do remember writing one thing on the white board at some point. It was in response to some friendly aggravation that Elly was giving me. I struggled even formulating thoughts let alone writing them down and so I tried to abbreviate when possible. It took her a few moments to understand my 2 letter word…FU was all it said!. I still feel that way about some things that happened during that really crappy time, but never of course about Elly.

As my question relates to this whole Ironman thing I need to discover the answers before I head to Penticton. I don’t know if I told you or not but very early on in this journey I made a pledge that I would not come out of this thing asking the question that many people do after they have achieved a major undertaking…..now what?...or…is that all there is? I now believe that I will have this problem as well, if I don’t come to terms with my self-doubts beforehand.

So that’s it. Funny how my return to philosophizing comes with my return to travelling eh? I think it’s just because I find greater motivation to challenge myself when a little loneliness sets in. At home there are too many pleasant distractions that keep me occupied and I suppose ultimately keep from finding the true fulfillment that I believe, or at least hope is possible. Maybe I’ll keep travelling for a little while yet. After all, as they say, “no pain, no gain”.

And I promise a less intense, more uplifting post tomorrow…maybe with pictures or something?

As to the primary reason for this blog, my training, I give you this today. My old body does not like it very much right now. It feels tired and worn out. I ran 20 km’s today without any problem and yet it seems like every body part hurts. I now have some tenderness in my right achilles which shouldn’t surprise me at all. It is an age old problem for me, but regardless I don’t like it. My shoulders are also sore, and my knee is still scary. I also smashed my elbow on something while changing the battery in my truck yesterday and so it hurts as well. Of course I also concede that it could be all in my head. With the exception of the battery injury anyway. That one’s real! Poor Peter eh? The next 2 days will be only stretching and strengthening in the hotel gym and I will probably be raring to go again when I get home. Let’s hope so. I think I need more cross training ideas to help round out my fitness, and help keep me balanced and motivated. Peter, have you called the wrestling coach yet? I can’t wait to get out there and kick your fat puppy ass!!

Cory, for you. While I agree that it can be wasteful to expend energy remembering shitty things, or shitty people, I give you this original thought. “Sometimes we need to remember them briefly in order to forget them better”. Make sense? I kinda like the idea myself. Besides I can’t condemn anyone to hell, because I don’t believe in the place. Maybe they’ll just be in Purgatory for a long time …lol!!

Hey Roo, this’ll make you smile. I just gave the flight attendant a five minute lecture on her diet, particularly expounding on the virtues of protein, and of eating properly in the morning. I think I motivated her to change her habits. Woohoo!! Aren’t you proud of me?

I wish to dedicate day 111 to my high school wrestling coach, Gus Hostrawser, a man I originally feared, but ultimately respected . Believe it or not, despite all my whining about the priests and the nuns, there were some positive role models in my formative years.

"Death row is a state of mind."---Doris Ann Foster

“I am convinced that it is not the fear of death, of our lives ending that haunts our sleep so much, as the fear that as far as the world is concerned, we might as well never have lived.”---Harold Kushner

....and I really like this one...
"Death is not extinguishing the light; it is putting out the lamp because dawn has come."--- Rabindranath Tagore

but if George is right I should live for a long time yet...
“Death is caused by swallowing small amounts of saliva over a long period of time."---George
Carlin

love
peter

"And There's Still February"

January!!! Is it just me or is it tough to get motivated during these winter months? I rode and swam today but with little enthusiasm for either. Oh well...who really cares? As long as I keep plodding along it will probably all come together at some point. I'm pretty sure I'm not gonna get any sympathy anyway!

Elly is curious about my dedication? I remember my fathers comment when that particuar priest left this earth. It was, "the good ones always go first". If he only knew! Anyway, Elly knows quite well that the man died while sitting in that most curious of Catholic inventions: the confessional booth, and as such my reference to him 'being in the right place at the time'. But regardless of all that I sincerely hope he came to terms with his god before he took his last breath. But, I have no idea!

I wish to dedicate day 110 to Father Ken Farrell who I assume is dead now, but again I have no idea. I suspect that he did come to terms with his god.....There that should peak your interest!!

"Slow as Molasses in January"---Anon

love
peter

"Sympathy"

A little advice for all. If you currently use, and/or have ever used the name Rooyakkers as your family name, and if you would ever like a little sympathy, you need to know that you will have to go outside of the family. Fortunately I never look for or need sympathy, and so John and Cory can both stick there "advice" up their respective wazoos!! Just kidding guys....I like to hear from you as always, and actually respect the "too bad for you" responses. It just makes me more determined to conquer a problem that you say can't be conquered.Last night was actually a little bit better then the past several and I hope with discipline and creativity to continue making it better. I already have this high tech vaporizer going in the bed room, I haven't eaten since about 6 pm and I intend on trying to sleep by about 10-10:30.

My run went quite well again today. I did 2 blocks again(14.8 km's) and my knee felt super. Tomorrow I have time for only a short bike ride and a swim, and then tuesday I will run one more time in the morning before I head off to Mexico. I will make it a tougher workout.... probably hill

That's it because I need to read a little before I sleep.

And in my own effort at sympathy, I wish to dedicate day 109 to the Reverend Father Hawkins. I truly hope he had a chance to confess....after all he was in the right place at the time!!

“I'll tell you where to find sympathy. It's in the dictionary between shit and syphillis."---Anon

love
peter

"Sleep"

I would say that I have managed to adjust to virtually all of the challenges related to my treatment and many of them have even turned out to be the proverbial blessing in disguise. Even this saliva thing has some positives, but unfortunately, also, one very negative one. Extended periods of sleep have become a rarity. Many nights I wake up as much as twenty times, or at least it seems like that. Wake up, roll over, grab the water bottle, take a sip and roll back over. Only to repeat the process sometimes an hour later, sometimes a half hour later, or even sometimes 10 minutes later. I usually go right back to sleep, but I just can't imagine that the quality of sleep is very good. I can assure you that I never, ever, get out of bed feeling refreshed. I need to find solutions. Tonite I will try the vaporizer again, along with this disgusting dry mouth moisturizer crap. I think one mistake I have been making is eating too late in the evening and so I will try to avoid that as well. My throat gets a bit sore just from the eating procees itself, and so I figure that's not a good way to start out.

Training went not too bad today. I successfully completed the 90 km that was shortened by the flat the other day. I also think I found my cycling nutrition solution. It is a product called "Sustained Energy" made my Hammer Nutrition. It is powder that you mix with water and you can make it very concentrated. I had 750 calories in one bottle today and I could double that concentration if I wanted to. It does taste a little like All Bran mixed with Milk of Magnesia, but once down it seems to stay down well, without any reflux or stomach discomfort. That's the important thing. I learned of this stuff from my new buddy Ian Hayes who has done Ironman Canada, and answers all my questions.

On the dentist advice Elly, he gave me 2 things. First off he recommended a toothpaste called Prevident 5000....he says it's the best for dentally challenged people. (absurdly expensive as well of course) And he told me how to use a water pic correctly. He says " do not shoot the water up into your gums but rather just hold in between each tooth for 5 seconds, shooting the water directly from the outside to the inside. This creates a venuri effect which draws saliva, and the corresponding bacteria down from your gums, rather then forcing it up." Or so he says.

Tomorrow I run again...no idea yet on how far? The weather and the knee will decide.

I wish to dedicate day 108 to Ian Hayes who I will continue to depend on as an advisor.

"When I woke up this morning my wife asked me, 'Did you sleep well?' I said 'No, I made a few mistakes."---Steven Wright

Love
peter

"Because I Had To!"

The only reason I did my swim today!
As soon as I got in the pool I was both grateful and regretful that I had promised to swim 4 kms. I couldn't understand why my arms just didn't have any zip and then I suddenly realized my mistake. I did my pushups and chinups to exhaustion last evening not once considering how that was gonna make me feel in the pool today. What a mistake!
I was literally forced to do the distance in fits and starts, but I got it in.

One good thing at the pool today though. I ran into my old friend Rob the Dentist and I got some very good "free" advice about my dental care. More useful stuff than I have gotten from my own dentist, or the dental experts at the cancer clinic.

Tomorrow I will ride and try again to get my 90 km's in. I repaired my flat today and that was a learning experience. It took me about a half hour because I struggled to get the tire off and on the rim. I need to practice just in case it happens on race day. I should be able to do it in five minutes or less.

And that's it for today. I'm too lazy to think. But see below the wisdom of others.

I wish to dedicate day 107 to Rob the dentist, because he cared enough to try to help me.

so on being grateful...

“Life is hard. Then you die. Then they throw dirt in your face. Then the worms eat you. Be grateful it happens in that order."---David Gerrold

“Given the amount of unjust suffering and unhappiness in the world, I am deeply grateful for, sometimes even perplexed by, how much misery I have been spared."---Dennis Prager

and on being regretful...

"Regret for the things we did can be tempered by time; it is regret for the things we did not do that is inconsolable."---Sydney J. Harris

“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons."---Jim Rohn

and on making mistakes...

"Be not ashamed of mistakes and thus make them crimes."--- Confucius."

"Laughing at our mistakes can lengthen our own life. Laughing at someone else's can shorten it."---Cullen Hightower

love
peter

"Discretion"

"Is the better part of valour"

Or so I've heard. In my case I think it's maybe fear rather than discretion.... It was a tough decision today but I cut my run down to 2 blocks (14.8 kms). I wavered back and forth several times. Right up to the point I got back home for the second time I still considered going around one more time. I had started to feel a little pressure at about 45 minutes but it was nothing you would even call pain...just a nagging little discomfort. I considered which scenario would leave me the most frustrated later, feeling like I hadn't done enough, or feeling like I had hurt myself again? And that in the end made the decision clear. Sure enough I don't really have that nice kind of tired feeling I get after a good workout, but more importantly I know I can workout again tomorrow.....even though it is a little sore right now...

It was also not a great running day. There were too many stretches where I couldn't get any traction, and the wind was a bit nasty as well. I did however feel strong, and the second lap was actually a full minute faster than the first without any effort to make it so.

So since I've gotten a little complacent about the pool I need to commit to swimming 4 km tomorrow, and since I haven't done a lot of anything recently I ask you to hold me to it. I realize that I could of course lie to you tomorrow and you'd never know, but I would, and as such promise a truthful report. By the way, Quintana Roo also makes terrific wetsuits so I hope to save my pennies and check them out one of these days (I accept donations). Of course like all other triathlon specific gear I have to travel to Toronto to find anything.

I wish to dedicate day 106 to my friend Terri at the running store, who always tries to accommodate my biking needs.

"A sound discretion is not so much indicated by never making a mistake as by never repeating it."---Christian Nestell Bovee

"But where life is more terrible than death, it is then the truest valour to dare to live." ---Sir Thomas Browne

love
peter