What's the poop?

Dog poop, that is.

I can tell it's springtime when I can see all the dog poop in the yard...
and I get to bike and run outdoors. Finally.
I'm deep deep deep into the ironman training and it's going fairly well. 2-a-days are now normal and even a 3-per now and then. I still have some minor aches in my genetically inferior knees and falling arch, but since I've re-tooled my running technique, the aches are manageable and usually short-lived. I really enjoy my runs with my dog too.
She has a new boyfriend. An Airedale named Eddy. Eddy is a rescue dog and for the past 3 weeks, he's fallen in love with my little Pitchka. Their first week was a bit edgey but now they play and wrestle like puppies. Eddy belongs to a friend and we get together for a run or walk a couple times a week and turn the dogs loose at the off-leash dog park. Good times for all.


Eddy at the dog park.

Y'all have a good weekend. I'm gonne scoop poop.

Since you asked

Wow, thanks for all the comments on my last posts about Italy training camp. It sounds like a few of you are interested in a few finer details about the trip so I'll indulge you here.

First off, I heard about this training opportunity last fall of 2007 and after attending an informational meeting, I paid a deposit to secure a spot and commit myself to scheduling the dates.
I signed up through my coaches company at SCS Multisport (check their website for more photos of the trip) who have a 3 year agreement with Cycleventures for the triathlete training aspects of this Italy training camp. Since I booked the early bird in US dollars, the cost of the trip was very reasonable. Here's the easy breakdown from the Cycleventures website:
Price with air*
· Round-trip Minneapolis/Italy
· $2997 early bird, deposit by October 30 [the price for 2009 will likely differ]
· $3195 after October 30
· $475 single supplement
* Airline taxes and fuel surcharges additional

You can bring your own bike but you'll pay about $80-90 each way to the airlines. I opted to rent a bike (most of us did) that came from a local bike shop, Teknobike Store, and it was waiting at the hotel for me when I got there. This added about $230 to the trip plus a small bike insurance payment. I recommend doing it this way. The bikes are real nice all-carbon road bikes with computers and flat-fix kits included.
Hotel Perla also has a sag wagon service. This came in handy when my coach shifted his derailleur into his spokes and snapped the derailleur off. Our bike guide whipped out his cell phone and within 40 minutes, a new bike was delivered to our location and we finished our ride. Yeah, we were treated like real professional bikers.
Bring your own bottles, pedals and shoes and even your saddle for a real comfy fit. I strongly discourage bringing your tri-bike because of the group ride dynamics and the hills/mountains. I didn't see one tri-bike on the roads the entire time. Not even on the weekends when we saw hundreds of other bikers, clubs, and teams out for their group rides.

Now that the dollar is so weak (about 1.5 to a Euro) that's where I felt a mild wince when it came to shopping and just buying other stuff.
I have to mention that the trip cost included 3 meals a day at Hotel Perla and all the wine we cared to drink at dinner. The hotel has a small bar for any other beer or cocktails. Hotel Perla is a "Bike Hotel" so there are a couple extra services included with your stay. There is a secure bike storage and mechanic facility will tools and bottled water. Mini ham and cheese sandwiches and bananas are available to take along for your rides and there are some small packaged cookie items at breakfast you can also take for your rides. Or you can make your own sandwich with Nutella (chocolate) and honey (my favorite). There is also a free laundry service for your bike/training clothes.
This laundry service is the best thing since Nutella sandwiches. When I checked in, I was given a mesh bag with my room number on it. After our ride/training session, I'd put my sweaty clothes in the mesh bag, drop it off at the front desk and by the time we were done with dinner, I'd pick up my clean clothes. If I didn't pick them up, they'd be hanging on my room door when I woke up the next morning fresh and clean. A little damp sometimes but nothing a short hanging in my room wouldn't take care of. I only needed 2 sets of biking/training clothes.
They have Internet service so you can bring your laptop with hard wire plug-ins and stay connected with everyone back home. My coach used his skype to talk to home and I got to touch base with friends and goad them while they were at work and I was drinking my nightcap.
So I'm guessing I'll see some of you there next spring.

We were given a special visit to a bike shop/museum owned by a friend of Ernesto (the hotel owner).


This is Greg LeMond's 1990 Tour de France bike.


1980 Colnago built for the Pope. Notice the GOLD PLATED chain stay and fork.
Only a few of these were made as gifts for the Pope and a couple other dignitaries. None of them were for sale. This bike was found in a farm house, covered in dust and was barely ever ridden. This bike is priceless. Beyond monetary value.
I don't need to kiss the Popes ring, I got to hold his bike
*angels singing*.

Più circa Italia

More about Italy as requested by IronMin,

The flight from Chicago to Munich was really nice. My coach called the new A300 jet Ikea Airlines because it was quite comfortable and each seat has it's own video screen with a choice of several movies, TV, radio, etc.
I usually sleep quite well on long flights but I was surrounded by 3 kids (babies) who were kinda crabby and did not sleep as their mom's wished they would. Oh well.
We then took a short flight to Bologna, Italy and flying over the alps was spectacular. Once in Bologna, we were greeted at the airport by our host, Karl, and the owner of the hotel, Ernesto, where we'd be staying. Then we had a nice motor coach ride to Riccione. The peach and pear trees were in blossom and the grass was green and lush. Most of the fields were just beginning to be worked and the rich smells of the earth and blossoming trees made a grand palate for the senses.

We arrived at Hotel Perla in Riccione and my first impression was a good one.

200 feet from the beach and a good view of the Adriatic Sea.

First we were told to drop our bags in our room and then come into the dining room for a lunch. Meals in Italy are events to savor. I had to put aside my American habit of quick munch and run and settle into Italian style.

It was great.


Lunches were a buffet of fresh local greens, vegetables, fruits, fresh breads, and baked pasta dishes. OH MY GOD it was tasty and our dining host, Rosa, was the best. She always made sure we had water, frizante or natural (bubbly or flat) and was more attentive than my grandmother at holiday dinners.

After lunch, our first group ride was a short 25 miles out in the country to get used to our bikes and flush the jet lag out.

I'd been awake for over 20 hours by this time. It felt so good to get wind in my ears and breathe in Italy. Ah yes, it was grand.

Each day brought new light, sights, food, wine, and a deep appreciation for life, health and the ability to experience this.

Most days went like this:
Wake at 7-ish and go for a run on the beach.
Breakfast was from 8 to 9.
Gather for group ride at 9.
Ride for 2 to 4 hours.
Lunch
Nap, walk, read, shop, be a tourist, take pictures etc.
Then maybe an afternoon swim or a track workout.

Dinner was family style at 7:30 and included the greens, veggies, fruits, breads buffet followed by a starter of soup, pasta, or risotto. That was followed by a main course of fish, meat, or pasta/vegetarian of your choice and all the wine we cared to drink. No kidding. If the wine bottle was empty, Rosa would replace it with a new one. My God, I felt like royalty.



Dessert was gillato, custard, ice cream, cake. take your pick.

All the food and wine was from local sources and 90% of what we consumed was organic.

Yeah, I think I'll go back...soon.