I think I see springtime

I work outdoors.
I like my job.

Breaking the Ice

A.K.A. Springtime.

Up here in da nort country, it's been a long winter but spring is beginning to look more likely.
The roads remain quite gritty from all the sanding that took place the past many months so my bike is still indoors on the trainer until after a few good rain storms wash away the accumulated filth.
Running outside and adding plyometrics outdoors has been good. Although, I'm getting many puzzled looks from passing drivers and church goers as I do forward hops and burpees along the sidewalk in front of St. Peters. I have my religion, they have thiers.

Early signs of spring...

Ice melt on the river.

The old outhouse no longer covered by snow.

The Bald eagles have returned to their nest.

Ducks, geese, and gulls where the lake ice has receded.

Get outside.

More pics from biking in Spain

Pictures say it best.


These bulls are perched on hilltops throughout the area


Happy to be in Spain


The house we stayed in


The pool and courtyard at La Nava


John Hirsch and John Hirsch




The start of the climb up to Pico de Veleta


La Nava from the olive grove






The climb to Zafarraya








The climb to El Torcal


Good local wine for dinner




Old almond plantation house


The Sanctuary




Parting shot. The end of the ride on the last day near Trabuco, Spain

If you'd like to do this training camp, go to www.stronglikebulltraining.com.
Maybe I'll see you there next year.

Biking in Espana

I just got back from 10 days in southern Spain near Malaga and Granada.
I biked my legs off and my lungs are shredded.
Nice early season training with some roadies from the east coast and they kicked my ass.
Most days were in the 50's and 60's. Perfect training weather.
The highlight of the trip was riding to the top of Europe. Europe's highest road, the Pico de Veleta. Category 1's and a section of Hors Categorie (HC)or Uncategorized (17% grade). 16 miles and 6,000 feet elevation gain. Part of the Vuelta a Espana.
Sure it was hard but so worth it.

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.