This is a blog I've been meaning to write for a couple of weeks.
I met Wes (as some of you will know) the other Monday (well beginning of October actually). It was great of him to take some time out and meet me for breakfast before his work day - I was visiting Atlanta for a few days at the start of my holiday. It's kind of special meeting up with fellow bloggers in this increasingly smaller world of ours so I was grateful to be having a bagel with one so far away from my home.
Now you may recall I met and managed a couple of runs with Wes earlier in the year on another ATL stop. Wes looked much the same, maybe a couple of pounds lighter - one thing he did have though was what I call (and I've heard it before) "the thousand yard stare". Now I've seen this before and recognise in myself that I've possessed this thing myself. However my circumstance was different... mine came about when I was home on R&R from Iraq and later when I got home for good. I've seen it on others in similar circumstance and indeed on friends who have been far away in totally different circumstance - for example of friend of mine went teaching for nearly a year in Ghana. Similar can be said for those who are suffering or recovering from life threatening illness... Living a life out of the norm and coming back to "society", I believe, usually induces the 1000 yard stare.
It's a state of being (in my mind) where you are in your environment but can't quite comprehend it all. You contemplate your own purpose in life and you begin to see life from a different view. Usually I think someone who has the 1000 yard stare will be different after but somehow the same and possibly a better person from this period of contemplation. Wes had this look of deep contemplation. Of someone who was still on a journey.
His posts following our meeting have certainly been some of his best, honest, soul searching and thought provoking.
I am beginning to understand the journey which is that which takes you towards your first ironman.
Wes is nearly at his journey's end - he races this Sunday. Or maybe it's just the beginning of a new journey..... one thing I feel is for sure - finish or not (and the only reason I think not is if he has some form of bad luck/ mechanical yuk which one cannot count for)... one thing for sure, Wes will have made the ironman journey (in my mind).......... there's no doubt he has already been through a life changing experience. I just wish him luck and success for his ultimate goal this Sunday...... TO THE FINISH LINE WES, TO THE FINISH LINE
GOOD LUCK!
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Errr hello
Yes people I am still here!
Having/ had a bit of a crazy October!
Had a fab holiday in Atlanta and Vegas at the beginning of the month... WHAT to say about Vegas - well I couldn't write enough that's for sure.
I went wanting not to like it
I was surprised by the amount of building work going on in the strip
I was amazed by some of the hotels... WOW! doesn't quite grab it - especially the Ballagio fountains!
We managed to get some tickets to see Bett Midler in her reopening night.. BLINKIN AMAZING!
I didn't loose any money at the casino - I didn't win any either... although i did have fun on the blackjack table (I did like the free booze!)
I am still astounded by the Grand Canyon - heli trip is the way to see it for sure!
I left having loved the place
..... I will return I'm sure!
Have been back home nearly two weeks and catching up with work - it's been hectic....
AND THEN THERE's this little trip I got planned for next week...
All I'm going to say is
A-L-O-H-A!
Yes yours truly is off to Hawaii for a few days (like 19hours travel each way for a three day work conference... OH MY!)
BUT don't worry I haven't forgotten about the tri-thing.. I have some plans forming for next season already....
and in between I'm going to enter my local half marathon which is in early Feb.. YEAH.. the training starts in earnest when I get back... (and I will do a live blog weigh in.. GULP!)
ON another note entirely...... I've lost a fellow blogger... their page has like disappeared - it's weird when that happens ....
Right I'm off to think about packing my grass skirt etc!
Having/ had a bit of a crazy October!
Had a fab holiday in Atlanta and Vegas at the beginning of the month... WHAT to say about Vegas - well I couldn't write enough that's for sure.
I went wanting not to like it
I was surprised by the amount of building work going on in the strip
I was amazed by some of the hotels... WOW! doesn't quite grab it - especially the Ballagio fountains!
We managed to get some tickets to see Bett Midler in her reopening night.. BLINKIN AMAZING!
I didn't loose any money at the casino - I didn't win any either... although i did have fun on the blackjack table (I did like the free booze!)
I am still astounded by the Grand Canyon - heli trip is the way to see it for sure!
I left having loved the place
..... I will return I'm sure!
Have been back home nearly two weeks and catching up with work - it's been hectic....
AND THEN THERE's this little trip I got planned for next week...
All I'm going to say is
A-L-O-H-A!
Yes yours truly is off to Hawaii for a few days (like 19hours travel each way for a three day work conference... OH MY!)
BUT don't worry I haven't forgotten about the tri-thing.. I have some plans forming for next season already....
and in between I'm going to enter my local half marathon which is in early Feb.. YEAH.. the training starts in earnest when I get back... (and I will do a live blog weigh in.. GULP!)
ON another note entirely...... I've lost a fellow blogger... their page has like disappeared - it's weird when that happens ....
Right I'm off to think about packing my grass skirt etc!
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
What to say.....
There are times when I think about blogging and there's so much to just say!
So many funny things that happen... then I have Soooooo many things that it gets too much to blog and so I don't.
This weekend was no exception, unless you're talking about blogging about tri-training in which case having too much to say would be the exact opposite.
I did no training so that is easy.. oh wait I did go swimming... how could I forget when i went to a public pool (OH MY! Couldn't make it to my club pool - but the local one in Bracknell was surprisingly good, warm and clean!)... still yes I did do that (virtual pat on the pack.. I thank you).... but that was it.
Nothing else
Nothing nadda...
Zip!
Nul. Nil points! etc
I was going to bike on Saturday morning but it was FOGGY.. (what was that about?)... anyhow not wanting to ruin my life just yet (I don't trust the drivers around here in the little country lanes) I bailed and went for the swim option instead... not quite the same as a 2-3hour ride.
Saturday lunch I had to actually go to work (rude) and head down to the lovely Isle of Wight (not so rude and did make up for it a bit)... {edit: I think I want to go back there again and now have it on my list of a place to bike around}.... it looked nice and it's a smaller island then the one I currently live on!! LOL! So work function ensured Sat night then had to get up early to drive/ferry/drive back home.... was then toast from excess guiness and flaked on the sofa!
So Monday came and I decided to turn over a new leaf...
I've decided over the next few weeks I ought to have a "weekly challenge" to keep me motivated whilst I decide on next season!
Yes Monday's are great for that aren't they (ie starting something new)!! So this week is "do some form of exercise Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs" before I fly out on Friday, then "more on Sat Sun"... I want to break this current habit of doing next to nothing.
Perhaps before setting this challenge I should have looked at my work schedule as I had to get up at 5am for a red-eye flight on Monday!!! Ooops! Still I prep'd well and packed my kit in the boot of my car before adventuring towards Heathrow Terminal 5 (the new one for those not in the know). That was an experience of bright lights which my eyes had hardly woken up to my the time I got there at 6:15!! I blinked blindly as the lights drew me in like heading to a UFO on an old rerun of xFiles.
Having landed at about 7:15pm I did the right thing on the way back and headed up the M4 (rather then another route) which would make me route home passing the gym door - thus have no excuse to not pop in.
My Monday challenge was successful! I tried 10mins of rowing (not done that in a few years) before embarking on a 5min easy, 5 interval (30s:30s), 5 east, 5 interval, 5 easy on the dreadmill then trying for some stability work.. and this is when "revenge of the airline sandwich" nearly became public viewing for other gym goers... eugh!
Not yet done I headed for the pool, almost 9pm and still going (although not strong)... was a bit pooped so decided to have 30mins of play time in the pool, some drills etc... including a go at flip turns... I managed three before the water went up my nose causing that ice-cream like pain! Oh!
Tuesday challenge day has not been so successful as I only managed press-ups this morning. I'm still counting this though (I am being soft on myself I know).
Sorry about the dull blog... you'll have to understand that the highlight of my day has been new guttering being installed!! LOL!
Before I go just want to say a public CONGRATULATIONS to WES who I know most of you know who ACED his HIM race at the weekend...
OH OH and one more thing... anyone out there done New Orleans HIM or Austria HIM as I am actually contemplating these two (I have vowed NEVER to do a HIM again when I don't get silverware.. .it may be a waste of metal for some but I'd prefer that to a crappy t-shirt that shrinks in the wash the first time you wash it any time!)... how I get to New Orleans is a good question but given it's so early in the season I'm contemplating it as I'll have to actually start my training cycle kinda soon!
OH OH OH and one more thing.. I HAVE spyed a very VERY exciting race for November... a "CANICROSS"... a 5k race with a dog! Should be a hoot (or disaster!), have already asked my Dad if the dog is free that day!!
Any suggestions for next week (other then don't blow too much whilst at Vegas!.. yes folks I'm going there on Tuesday to find Elvis for one)!?
OH OH OH OH ... AND ... if you don't read warriorwomen's blog you ought just visit it today and read about the "Brompton World Championships"... I'm sure the dull weather we've had must have had something to do with this crazy idea!
So many funny things that happen... then I have Soooooo many things that it gets too much to blog and so I don't.
This weekend was no exception, unless you're talking about blogging about tri-training in which case having too much to say would be the exact opposite.
I did no training so that is easy.. oh wait I did go swimming... how could I forget when i went to a public pool (OH MY! Couldn't make it to my club pool - but the local one in Bracknell was surprisingly good, warm and clean!)... still yes I did do that (virtual pat on the pack.. I thank you).... but that was it.
Nothing else
Nothing nadda...
Zip!
Nul. Nil points! etc
I was going to bike on Saturday morning but it was FOGGY.. (what was that about?)... anyhow not wanting to ruin my life just yet (I don't trust the drivers around here in the little country lanes) I bailed and went for the swim option instead... not quite the same as a 2-3hour ride.
Saturday lunch I had to actually go to work (rude) and head down to the lovely Isle of Wight (not so rude and did make up for it a bit)... {edit: I think I want to go back there again and now have it on my list of a place to bike around}.... it looked nice and it's a smaller island then the one I currently live on!! LOL! So work function ensured Sat night then had to get up early to drive/ferry/drive back home.... was then toast from excess guiness and flaked on the sofa!
So Monday came and I decided to turn over a new leaf...
I've decided over the next few weeks I ought to have a "weekly challenge" to keep me motivated whilst I decide on next season!
Yes Monday's are great for that aren't they (ie starting something new)!! So this week is "do some form of exercise Mon, Tues, Weds, Thurs" before I fly out on Friday, then "more on Sat Sun"... I want to break this current habit of doing next to nothing.
Perhaps before setting this challenge I should have looked at my work schedule as I had to get up at 5am for a red-eye flight on Monday!!! Ooops! Still I prep'd well and packed my kit in the boot of my car before adventuring towards Heathrow Terminal 5 (the new one for those not in the know). That was an experience of bright lights which my eyes had hardly woken up to my the time I got there at 6:15!! I blinked blindly as the lights drew me in like heading to a UFO on an old rerun of xFiles.
Having landed at about 7:15pm I did the right thing on the way back and headed up the M4 (rather then another route) which would make me route home passing the gym door - thus have no excuse to not pop in.
My Monday challenge was successful! I tried 10mins of rowing (not done that in a few years) before embarking on a 5min easy, 5 interval (30s:30s), 5 east, 5 interval, 5 easy on the dreadmill then trying for some stability work.. and this is when "revenge of the airline sandwich" nearly became public viewing for other gym goers... eugh!
Not yet done I headed for the pool, almost 9pm and still going (although not strong)... was a bit pooped so decided to have 30mins of play time in the pool, some drills etc... including a go at flip turns... I managed three before the water went up my nose causing that ice-cream like pain! Oh!
Tuesday challenge day has not been so successful as I only managed press-ups this morning. I'm still counting this though (I am being soft on myself I know).
Sorry about the dull blog... you'll have to understand that the highlight of my day has been new guttering being installed!! LOL!
Before I go just want to say a public CONGRATULATIONS to WES who I know most of you know who ACED his HIM race at the weekend...
OH OH and one more thing... anyone out there done New Orleans HIM or Austria HIM as I am actually contemplating these two (I have vowed NEVER to do a HIM again when I don't get silverware.. .it may be a waste of metal for some but I'd prefer that to a crappy t-shirt that shrinks in the wash the first time you wash it any time!)... how I get to New Orleans is a good question but given it's so early in the season I'm contemplating it as I'll have to actually start my training cycle kinda soon!
OH OH OH and one more thing.. I HAVE spyed a very VERY exciting race for November... a "CANICROSS"... a 5k race with a dog! Should be a hoot (or disaster!), have already asked my Dad if the dog is free that day!!
Any suggestions for next week (other then don't blow too much whilst at Vegas!.. yes folks I'm going there on Tuesday to find Elvis for one)!?
OH OH OH OH ... AND ... if you don't read warriorwomen's blog you ought just visit it today and read about the "Brompton World Championships"... I'm sure the dull weather we've had must have had something to do with this crazy idea!
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