Decisions....Decisions....

So I spent last week milling over two additional possibilities for a new bike...

I decided to look at the LOOK 675 after dinner with John and Aimee last week.  John says his LOOK is the best thing he has ever ridden...and would look to buy another.

Researching the bike found great one-liners like...

"...add this bike to your list of neck tweakers"

"...the 675 turns heads due to the dedicated and integrated stem, which provides the bike with sultry yet aggressive profile that make the bike scream 'unique'..."

"The LOOK 675 was as exciting to ride as it is to ogle."

"....handles like it's on rails!"

"...it's a lot of panache for the money!"

I did think this was a super fun bike to ride!  The integrated stem makes it look super aggressive and it does handle really well, but it's also very comfy!  I could do without the Ultegra component group it's outfitted with, but beyond that...I really liked it!  Better yet, this pic is of the 2013 model, and the 2014 comes in a "lite" version.  Shaves a couple 300 grams of frame weight!  LOOKs are made in Nevers, France and still manufactures their TOP of the line 695 aerolight frames in France...but all the lower end models are still made in Asia.  Not good or bad for me, just the facts.  Total weight comes in at a hefty 16 lbs.!

Also in the mix is the Colnago M10.  The M10 is the first complete monocoque carbon frame that Colnago has put on the market.  Research found these great one-liners to explain this stable pony:

"...underneath that spanking paint job beats the heart of an Italian thoroughbred."

"It's pin-sharp handling lets you throw it into descents and around hairpins with total confidence."

"...the M10 just surges when you put power to the pedal..."

"Being responsive and stiff yet comfortable and confident makes it a truly desirable road race machine."

This is the bike that feels like I could ride into my 60's...yet it isn't the upright style bike that screams...."I'm headed out for ice cream"!   I'm not so sure I like the "white" bikes these days...but there seems to be a lot of them?  The positives are that this bike comes with Campy Chorus already on it!  All the Colnago frames are made in Asia except for their flagship C59...but brought back to the plant in Italy for the paint job!

All in all, I like both of these bikes, and they are a little less pricey than the Pinarello Paris, which I'd have to buy the frame and outfit to my wants.

"Give a man a fish and feed him for a day.  Teach a man to fish and feed him for a lifetime.  Teach a man to bike and he will realize that fishing is stupid and boring."
                                                                                                    Desmond Tutu

TTFN...

Basketball is OVER! Time to Train Again!

First of all I need to thank Beth Ruschau for putting up with me during the Columbus Half Marathon last fall.  It was great to have a friend to suffer with...and I had a great run.  So Kudos...and here's some pics!

Today has been all about bike research.  I went and test rode about 6 different bikes last Friday night with Jim and now I'm more confused than ever.  I thought I might be at that age that it was time to purchase the "comfort model road bike"...so I did my "bike fit" and got myself mentally prepared to ride a little more upright...

I HATED IT! 

I don't know what turning 60 is gonna feel like...but I felt like I was ready to pedal on down to the local ice cream shop for the evening...standing up on the pedals didn't seem to make me feel any faster either?  I ended up riding the shop owner's Pinarello Dogma and that wasn't probably the best idea!?  Now I just want to spend more money than what I was prepared for!  (Ya all know that a condo in Florida is ALL I have in mind for spending large amounts of money on!  I need this Condo before Hayden is old enough to want to go to Disney!)  So today it was back to the internet for more bike research.  I'm now considering the Pinarello Paris and maybe the Look 695?  I found a Look dealer in Columbus...and it just so happens that it's the same guy I had build my Lemond for me 18 years ago...is that a little crazy or what?  Wish me luck...I'll send pics later this week and let you guys help me choose!

Until then...TTFN!  (Gotta start practicing my POOH)

Update on my life - the good, the bad and the very good :)

Wow!  It’s been years since I logged into this blog and I had no idea Natalie was posting (until basketball started last year!)  Anyway maybe I’ll start posting….

Laura and I have experienced some very high and low points over the past year.  Exactly one year ago today we discovered she wouldn't have a teaching job with River Valley any longer.  Then on Mother’s day 2013 we discovered she was pregnant!  Obviously we were ecstatic, scared, terrified, happy, joyful, blessed and all the above…  Hayden is now 3 months old and is an awesome baby!  He is very good natured (like his father) and loves his “mummy.”  In case anyone was wondering he refers to Natalie as his “Mee-Maw.”

Obviously our “training” has taken a backseat to our pint sized top priority (although he's growing REALLY fast).  Since Hayden’s birth we've also experienced a frozen (broken) pipe in our house.  We are finally moved back in and undergone significant renovations.  We have a brand new kitchen and an open concept lower level (it’s awesome!). 

Laura won't openly advertise it but she is definitely getting antsy to start training again.  She has a “BOB” stroller and will be walking and running with Hayden a lot (when the weather cooperates).  As the weather turns she’ll be able to get on the bike so see if she’s available to go on a ride with ya J

In January, 2013 I suffered a left knee injury that subsequently initiated my withdraw from IM Texas.  This was obviously disappointing but there was nothing I could do about it.  I couldn't run more than 2 miles at any given time without significant pain.. After waiting 9 months (for the magic bullet) I decided to go under the knife and get it fixed.  It’s been 5 months and I’m still feeling the effects from surgery.  This is VERY frustrating because I didn't anticipate a recovery longer than 3 or 4 months.  I was able to get a 3 mile walk / jog in last week which felt awesome!  I also began swimming again last week and can really tell a reduction of swelling / inflammation in my knee!  It’s been crazy how these 4 swim sessions have expedited my recovery.  Today was my first day back in lane 1 and it about killed me.  Very little rest on the last set of 8 x 100’s @1:45.  I've included my workout summary for the past couple weeks.  I’m trying to hold back and ease my way back into everything but I struggle with the phrase “in moderation.”  I’m generally all-in or nothing at all.  I don’t know what I’m training for but I've definitely got some type of motivation.

                 S1           S2          B1                  B2            B3          R1             R2        Brick        Strength
3/31/14                                20mi-18.8                                                                  20min 2mi    XX

4/6/14    1900yd   2200yd  21mi-19         15mi-17                   3.1mi                    15min-2mi    XX   

4/13/14  2400yd   2600yd  35min-12mi  17mi-18.2  15mi-17.4                                                  X

Strength training is another important activity I really focused on over the past year.  Nothing crazy but 30-45 minutes of cardio based strength training.  I can tell my endurance has increased with this training in addition to strength.  Hopefully this will help with injury prevention and turn me into a better swimmer, biker and runner!  I recommend it to everyone that doesn't have a routine strength program.  It also helps when you have a personal trainer J

Happy training to everyone!  Enjoy the warm weather over the next 4 days!

Let The Taper Begin!

Ran 12 miles this morning!  It was slower than death...as the saying goes... but it's done!  Generally I'm a little antsy during a Half- Iron or Ironman taper...but with half-marathon in the near future I'm just happy as a bee in a bonnett and ready to run just a little less!

Want to give a SHOUT OUT to Ann Kurtenbach for completing IM Lake Tahoe!  I heard it was an interesting experience?  Snow falling on the eve of the race and temps in the 30's at the start of the race!  CRAZY People!

Basketball conditioning can officially start next week...and I am more than ready to get this gig going!  I'm excited about the upcoming season and expect that there will be a lot of challenges and I intend to accept and overcome them all !  (Talk to me next week and you might get a different response...keep in mind I'm on a 12-mile runner's "high"...or I'm just lacking oxygen to my brain...one or the other?)

Hope everyone is doing well!  Randy...get your ARSE out there and Run!

"If you're going to be a champion, you must be willing to pay a greater price."
                                                                                                 Bud Wilkinson

Geez Louise!

I can't believe its been 2 weeks since I've been on here!  I can tell basketball is creeping into my schedule because the days are filled with "to-do's"!

Running has been going pretty well, but I've also noticed that the busier I'm getting my cycling has suffered.  Tuesday and Thursday mornings are almost completely unproductive.  All I do is sleep before I go do whatever I need to do on my agenda that day!  Not good...

We signed up for the inauguaral "Finish on the Fifty" 4 miler in November.  I guess you get to finish on the 50 yard line at the Shoe.  Sounds like fun?  Molly was the instigater...and now Jimmy and Randy and Aimee are doing it too!  I'm gonna do this instead of the early morning Turkey day run!  I always enjoy sleeping in on that day...eating... and sleeping again!

With not much to report...I'll leave you with a quote:

"There are three kinds of men:  the ones that learn by reading, the few who learn by observation.  the rest of them have to pee on the electric fence themselves."
                                                                                       Will Rogers

Ohhh My...Jim's New Harley!

Just a bit about my training...it was a rest and recovery week, but I still did an 8 miler on Saturday!  It felt great...until Sunday afternoon when my calves were screaming..."What the H..!**LL?"  Nothing I didn't expect though!

Went home to Bryan this weekend to watch Rob "pull his truck" at the Williams County Fair...and exchange some cash for Jim's newly purchased Harley.  Now...when we say "new", I mean "new" to Jim.  It's a 2007 Screaming Eagle V-Rod...with lots of horse power...from what I'm told?

We know that Rob can't handle having anything "standard" from the factory...so this bike has an upgraded exhaust package with some additional "chip" that adds horsepower to the bike?  The tail of the bike has also been modified with a new light package and shorter length to show off the gargantuan back tire...which is bigger than the tire on the FIT...(probably not a surprise to some of you?) There's also a "custom" flip out license plate holder with LED.  C'mon guys, REALLY?  I'm not sure what that tiny little "sissy bar" on the back is for...because the foot pegs are so high in the rear, my leg wouldn't even bend that much to sit on the tiny rear end?  Not to mention that my "rear-end" isn't tiny enough to sit there?  All in all it's nice eye candy!

Hope everyone had a great weekend!

On A Roll: Week 3

What a great week of weather for training!  I hit some "firsts" this week...well, "firsts" for me in quite a long time...

I ran 10 miles total (a 6 miler and a 4 miler) in 3 days...and 17 miles for the week over 3 days of running total.  Considering I don't run any more than 3 days a week at this point (and have absolutely no plans to do so!) I was pretty happy with that.  That's more running than I've done all year! For all you youngsters who want to giggle at that...talk to me when you're 48 years old!  Recovery is a bitch when you're old!  All that running...I ate like a horse, and didn't lose a pound!  More effects of aging...dang it!

I have included a picture of Jim's Harley Davidson.  He is currently in a rush to sell and has it priced accordingly at $7000.  The stats are below:

1999 FXDWG Dyna Wide Glide
88 Cubic Inches
1450cc
10,660 miles

It has all of the extra's...if you want the specifics, call Jim at:  614-327-9993

Until another day:

"If you don't have time to do it right, when will you have time to do it over?"
                                                                                                             John Wooden