Training for a training camp?

WTF!

Yes, that's what I said.
I've been off the bike since October and last night, it showed. I went to a bike night... 2 hours of spinning and running. I am tired and sore today.
The past few weeks I've been finishing up my work project and closed the field office last Friday. Big sigh of relief.
I just started a training program so I can survive my upcoming vacation to southern Spain for a training camp. I just think it sounds weird that I'm training for a training camp (http://www.stronglikebulltraining.com/) but if I don't do this now, I'll be off the back and likely end up in the sag wagon.
I haven't raced since IM Canada '08 and I hope to do some races and a half IM this coming summer.
It's good to be home...sort of. My house has been neglected for the past 17 months and I have a lot of little repairs and replacements to deal with. I just bought a new dishwasher


and got an estimate on kitchen counter tops. Ouch.


Oh yeah, and there is some dry wall mudding and taping that needs to be done too. I also need to get on the trails for some cross country skiing. Holy crap I gotta lot to do.
Christmas shopping?
I'm a dead man.

It's early, dark, cold and I'm hungry

A winter storm blew in yesterday.
I'm up and out early to walk to the coffeehouse/cafe after the streets were plowed and before the cars.




I just love comfort food this time of year.


This was what blew up to my back door.

An old familiar trail becomes new again

We went out to our usual trails for our Sunday run but it was far from the usual.
The fresh snow coming down gave it a fresh new look. Delicious sugar coated frosting covered everything in the woods and the trail was soft and quiet.
Perfect.
Lets Go.


Heading into the woods.


Deeper into the forest.


Made it to our destination. The overlook to the beaver pond.

I truly love the early season snowfalls for the fresh new look they add to the landscape.
More please.

Catching my breath

It's been a busy couple of months up here in da nort country.
I hung up my bike last weekend. Good decision.
It's been raining, sleeting and just started snowing today.
My work project is supposed to end in about 3 weeks. Then it's on to another adventure in the great outdoors.
See you there.

A day out in the office

Coat and tie not required.


Trumpeter Swan in beaver pond


Black Bear


Timber Wolf


Black-eyed susan


late summer bloom

Activia yogurt, not for me

I bought Activia by default. The grocery store was out of my usual Stonyfield organic yogurt so I picked up a quart of Activia.
Next day...one emergency squat in the woods for an episode of explosive diarrhea.
Then 3 days of constipation.
Then 3 more days of pushing way to hard for very little results.

I'm back to my usual yogurt now and things are getting better.

Consider this a public service announcement.

Some other people have had similar results.

Dawning of another day

My work project has finally become a bit less intense so I've been able to enjoy some evening bike rides and exploring new routes out into the countryside. Oh sure, I still get up at the crack of dark like most of you and the morning sunrise is a welcome sight. I do like these long summer days.


A stormy morning


Quack Quack


ribbit ribbit


tracks to somewhere

Good morning, good afternoon

Yes, I get up early. Before sunrise. No, not to train like most dedicated athletes, but to get to work. I'd love to have my mornings free to enjoy the summer sunrise and bask in the tranquil waters of the lake. But no. So I take a picture and head to the field office for the 6 AM meeting.



On Sunday, my one day off, I managed to get out for a long ride. Then I strapped on the feed bag and topped off my tank. I went outside and pulled up at the lakeside with a lounge chair, began reading and fell asleep.
My trusty dog woke me up to let me know we had visitors.



Summer is good.

Up Nort colors

Summer is in full bloom in da Nort Country.









Have a lovely day.

It's later...much later

Hi, I'm back. I last left you with "more later."
Well it's way past that now. It's SUMMER for crysake.

The biking in Italy brief is that I got delayed 5 extra days because of Eyjafjallajokull spewing an ash cloud over Europe. No big deal for me. I had good people to cover my work duties back in the USA so I hopped a train to Florence for a few days and then back to Bologna for a couple extra days. I did have travel insurance so I'm covered for the extra wine, meals and...er...uh, expenses.

I've been back on my project/work since April 25 and it's been full on 12-14 hour days and just barely enough time to bike or run before dark. Thank goodness for long daylight hours.

So here's a few more photos of Italy and one of my running partner.


David in Florence


Outskirts of Florence


Neptune's Fountain, Bologna


bologna, Bologna


Old canal in Bologna


Yum


A swim and a run and a swim and run and...

Italy on a bike

Vineyards and the Adriatic Sea.


Biked up through the castle Gradara.


Biked my way up from the valley.


San Marino. Yes, I biked to the top.


Florence, Italy

more later.

Italy photos teaser

Here's a few photos from Italy.


Chocolate filled pastries. OH MY GOODINESS!


Coffee is art, art is coffee.


Start of the Selle Italia Gran Fondo.


Feed station on the Gran Fondo. That's a tub of Nutella.


Pizza the way I like it.


Biked through a few castles.


Biked up to San Marino and castle. One hour of climbing.


I'm very tired and need some rest. More later.