2007

Overall this has been a great year for me and my family.

We really have nothing to complain about. I've given this last blog on the year a little more thought, but then I remembered that no reads this dumb blog of mine.

OK, here it is...

This year I changed jobs in January, realized I hated my new job, and somehow got my old job back. Thus learning a lesson in patience, contentment, and ambition. It worked out for the best.

We went to a few weddings, birthday parties, anniversaries, and traveled a bit as a family. This includes our Cancun trip we took without our little guy who was only 8 months old! Nicole promised to not call home more than once a day to check in, when it was all said and done I think she tripled that. We learned a lesson there too. Cancun is much more fun when acting like a reckless 20 something not a 1st time parent. I think after the 2nd day she was ready to come home....

Nonetheless, we did some how make it out to Mr Frogs one night. I don't even know this guy!!!

I made a new friend, training partner, and fellow fan of McLovin. I've found for me there is no better motivator than some friendly competition.

So now as we enter 2008, things are getting smaller; such as our house, our bank account, and my window of opportunity for long training days.

2008 tri goals...

I'd like loose a few more lbs, but I'd also like to keep my Clydesdale status.

I'd like to come in under 5:30 in a half Ironman Distance Tri.

hummm.. what else... you know what??? who cares?? I think the best thing is that I stay healthy and hopefully tri's will stay fun, right now I'm really loving the energy is gives me. I don't think I'm a slave to it yet, it could happen in the near future.

Overall a good year and I'm looking forward to what 2008 can dish out.... Have a great New Year, go nuts!!!

It feels like I could go outside with a bikini thong on right now. Puff Daddy

Its all about me..

Sunday morning everyone is still sleeping, its too cold to do anything outside, and my coffee is just too good right now. Isn’t it funny how sometimes coffee just tastes like a Porterhouse cooked just the way you like it, and other times its just something to stimulate your mind and ease the caffeine headaches???

Do I need a nickname? As I surf through the blog world I see that everyone has nicknames. My last name has been my call letters for years, (its has also been modified into derogatory comments) but what if someone wants to stalk my family and me? Call me naive but until a Trojan horse arrives on my lawn and we’re berated with harassing phone calls which I sometimes enjoy, its not going to worry me..

Training? Despite the occasional acts of gluttony I’ve experienced this December training is going better than expected. Gearing up for the marathon has kept me out of trouble, long runs are still torture but I’ve fallen in love with the soreness in my legs that follows. My Javelin hasn’t seen the light of day since Thanksgiving but I’ve made the stationary bike part of my plan. Of course my workout plan is only in my head and I’m sure if I were to tell someone who really knows how to train they would kindly let me know that what I’m doing is all wrong.

Well, the kiddo is waking up and I’m going to let momma sleep a bit longer so I’m going to cut it short. Its not like anyone cares since no one reads my stupid ramblings… Happy Sunday to all…







I found there was only one way to look thin, hang out with fat people. Rodney Dangerfield

I got tagged

I'm not too sure what that means Jane, but I'll play along... 5 things that people don't know about me.

1. I can play Backgammon for hours at a time.

2. I think Mike Jones is a marketing genius

3. I love CiCi's Pizza....

4. I have 2 Fantasy Football teams this year and they both suck.

Superbad 7-6

Hometown Heros 1-12

5. I won a dance contest on a cruise a few years ago for doing the "robot"

People blame me because these water mains break, but I ask you, if the water mains didn't break, would it be my responsibility to fix them then? Marion Berry

Marathon countdown 27 days??

27 days?? WTF!!! I'm beginning to think I made a mistake, maybe my eyes are bigger than my tummy kind of thing... At 220lbs do I have any business running 26 mi., 385 yds at one time? Nevertheless, I'm committed, Jan 13th I'll be out there and I'll do it and no complaining... When I see these guys and gals who not only run the marathon but do it will all the grace and form of a ballet dancer, I turn green with envy. Its so impressive to see a body so well conditioned to not only run the distance but hold a constant pace and finish as strong as they started... I applaud all runners and especially those who lap me. Has anyone seen this? Does anyone read this stupid blog of mine?? Too bad this movie wont be showing before the Houston Marathon, maybe it would motivate me to run/train harder for something I don't enjoy without swimming or running, http://www.marathonmovie.com/home.html....


So along with Marathon Training and Daddy duties, I was able to tackle the mess we call a garage. Someone explain to me how it is possible to accumulate so much cr@p in a short amount of time. A little over a year ago we were able to fit both cars comfortably in the garage, today one car. A year from now at the rate were going we'll be lucky to walk thru the conglomerate of stuff known as a garage. Anyway, I spent a cold morning sorting, organizing, and riding our garage of junk. I had a friend who showed up to help me out, but he just sat there and watched me work, then I caught him digging thru the trash so I asked him to leave...


Now for the good news... Friday, we got out best Christmas gift for the the year... My wife had her 18 week ultrasound which made me the happiest man alive! ANOTHER BOY!!! With all the technology today were told were having a healthy baby with a 4 chambered heart, a developed spine, and a growing body... As we look forward to having 2 boys only 18 months different in age and double the dirty diapers we can also celebrate the gift of life this Christmas... We can also celebrate the over opinionated elders we have in our family that see entirely too much meaning in a name. I still like McLovin...
What's in a name? that which we call a rose
By any other name would smell as sweet;
Romeo and Juliet Act II, Scene 2

Christmas List...

I was asked to provide a Christmas list, a serious list... I figure I'd share...

Cookies (soft)
Hot wings

Rolex watch
white t-shirts
Cycling socks

Air freshener
Framed picture of wife and kid
Skittles
SLR McLaren
Hair Spray
Dress Socks
backgammon board

Lap Band Procedure
Arm warmers for cycling or running

Think I missed anything??? Its not too much, is it??

Poor Me...

I havent felt well since the Chili Cheese Nacho's at the Texans game last Sunday....

Also, lacking inspiration, could it be caused by the nachos????

Sugar Land Lakes at Williams Ranch 30K

I don't know what too say about this one... Needless to say its was not my best performance that's for sure. My intentions were to have a good time on this run for a couple reasons. 1st off my brother was in town from Austin, 2nd one of my wife's good friends was running in it also, 3rd (most important) I HATE running anything longer than 13 miles.... I also got to meet a fellow blogger (Jane) who had a great run, and finished before my brother... Nice Job... I ran the first hour with my Bro and Friend thinking I could change gears and get right back into my normal pace... WRONG... oh well... I learned something new... Also, learned not to schedule a Texans game right after a 30K... I was hungry and ate everything in site...



Now, I don't want to throw anyone under the bus, but I have to let people know that I'm not afraid to black male if needed.. I have some knowledge of pre-race needs that a certain person might be a bit embarrassed about. So, Santa better be good to me this year..... or else....









Speaking of Santa we had some strange activity at our house Saturday night... The dogs wouldn't sit still, the electricity was flickering on and off, and Nicole's cooking was really good for a change... hahaha... I walked outside only to find a run away elf....















He was going house to house unplugging Christmas lights and lighting dog poop on fire then placing it on random doorsteps.. Nicole and I promptly confronted him, he said he's a Special Operations Elf sent to Lake Jackson on special orders from Santa.





At first he seemed harmless except for the belly protruding from his shirt, but the more we questioned him the more combative he became. In the picture below he was demonstrating some ancient form of Ju-Jit-Su. It didn't take long to realize this was just another drunk elf that was exiled from the North Pole for sipping on the sauce...



So, I distracted him then Nicole grabbed the drunk elf.. It took him a few minutes, but he settled down so we didn't have to call the cops... Were good people (we think), so we let him stay the night to sleep it off... In the morning when we got up he was gone, his bed was made, there were fresh cookies in the kitchen and my freaking wallet was gone....

















If you spot this elf, beware he should be considered armed and dangerous.....


“If your parents never had children, chances are you won’t either.”
Dick Cavett

You know your a Triathlete when:

This is old but it seems every time I read it I can relate a little more...

You know you're a triathlete when:

you have a lifetime supply of water bottles, safety pins, and t-shirts.

you have trouble keeping lunch under 2000 calories.

you usually wake up at 4:00 in the morning but don't get to work until way after 9:00.

you have a $4000 bike strapped on top of your $2000 car.

you're always wet .... sweat, pool, lake, sea water, shower, bath, or rain.

your car has at least one energy bar wrapper and water bottle on the floor

your kids idea of playing is a race and awards ceremony.

you depart in morning with swim bag, bike, and running shoes in case you can get away at lunch for a workout.

you take triathlon junkets instead of vacations

you have far more shoes than your wife

your kitchen cupboards are organized into "protein", "carbs" and "etc"

you bring bottled water to a party so that you're properly hydrated for the next morning's long run.

everyone else at the party also brought their own bottled water because you don't have a social life outside of triathlon.

Oh yeah, and they all showed up by 7pm and left by 10pm.

your 8 year old comes home with the school record for the mile and says, he took it out in a nice pace he could hold.....everyone else died.

you ask your wife, girlfriend, or sister for leg shaving advice.

you mention a race and somebody responds "running or biking" and you are again forced to explain....

you wear your bathing suit under your work clothes to make a fast transition from work to swim on your lunch hour.

you name your two new puppies Kona and Hawi

your spouse wants dinner out and a movie, so you agree, but fall asleep during the previews.

you show up at the neighbourhood pool on your bike in a Speedo and embarrass your teenage daughters.

you've spent more on bikes in the last 10 years than you have on clothes for the past 50

somebody hands you a cup of water and you have to restrain yourself from pouring it over your head.

you forget that talking about daily LSD and speed weirds some people out.

you feel like you took the day off because all you did was swim 3000 yards.

Cars pass you on the road when you're driving and you either drop back to get out of draft zone or speed up to attack!

your bed-time reading on your night stand consists of a pile of: DeSoto catalogs; InsideTri; Triathlete, VeloNews, USMA Swim, etc.

you haven't bought work clothes in two years, yet you own bike shorts made by every manufacturer under the sun and can recite the merits of CoolMax, Supplex, etc. in your sleep!

you know you could make a killing at Jeopardy if only the categories were: - Past winners of Hawaii Ironman - Legs shaving techniques - 40-30-30 diet - Aerodynamics racing wheels - Gastrointestinal problems and long runs - How to justify a 4000$ bike

When asked, how old you are you answer 35-39.

Your training is more limited by available time then how far you can run.

Nobody believes you when you say 'Never again'.

You take part in the corporate challenge to improve your base speed.

In the summer your legs are smoother then your girlfriend's.

You need a picture for a job application and you only have race pictures.

You use running T-shirts to clean your bike.

You think there are only two seasons during the year, racing and off.

when you see some lady watering her flowers and ask her if you can borrow the hose for a minute so you can fill up your water bottles.

You clean your bike more often than your car

When asked to mow the lawn in 90 degree heat, you say that its too hot to do that (and you mean it) and then an hour later you go on a century ride because its so nice out.

you mow your legs more often than your lawn.

You tell your co-workers that you are going to "do a long brick" on Saturday and just expect that they know what you are talking about.

You are convinced that if you rest more than one day, your muscles will a trophy, your ultra-fit body will turn into a pile of goo and everyone in your age group will beat you.

Nothing really...

So... I'm up at 5am on Sunday morning, I don't know why. In the past I suffered from insomnia due to anxiety, usual stuff, changing jobs, new baby, moving out of state, selling a house, tax audit (oops)... However right now I'm content with everything for once in my life.

Only two weeks until we find out if were having a boy or a girl, I'm pumped. It's an emotional event, so much fun. From that point on were able to identify with the unborn, call him/her by name, paint the room, get clothes, fun stuff... Jonah for a boy Sadie for a girl... I wanted McLovin for a boy, and Prudence for a girl.. She wasn't having that... once again I lose... :)

Yesterday I got the Christmas lights put up Clark Griswold style, well, I did it in protest. My wife is the Christmas light Nazi, "no lights for you!!" she's out of control... Pictures to follow... Along with kilowatt per hour breakdowns... Were setting electricity consumption records this year.

I cant believe this, I forgot about the Ironman Special on NBC yesterday.. WTF... I've been all over it like a fat kid on a cupcake, reminders on outlook, emailing myself, tied a string around my finger.... damn.. will there be a repeat??? I looked, but I couldn't find anything...

Who am I kidding?? No one is reading this... more coffee...

Went to a birthday party for a 3 year old yesterday. Until I became a father, I didn't understand, didn't care, whats the point?? Got to see my college friends again, always so great to see everyone and how they have grown. In college I was always surrounded by lots of people, I lived in the fraternity house, I was active in uh.... fraternity stuff, alcohol consumption mostly, hence the ugly tattoos... I blame cheap beer and Jägermeister for my misguided adolescence... I really enjoy seeing how we all grew up and started making better decisions. I sincerely hope we can all keep in touch.

Oh, interesting news.... actually, its dumb... I presented to my wife a great idea, its dumb, she thinks, I'm dumb.. but funny to me.. I'm going to be rocking a mo-hawk at the Lonestar Triathlon. I've never had one, and I figure its an easy fix so if I don't do it now I never will... I told you, its dumb... I'll hawk-it Thursday night after work and "fix" it Sunday night when we get home.. Although it would be funny to show up to my dorky engineer work environment with a mo-hawk.... uuuhhhh Nah, I'm at least 20 years younger than the next youngest in my office, so I get no respect already, this would only compound the matter.. but it would be funny... :)

OK enough babbling.. Happy NFL Sunday... May all the games with money on them meet the spread..

More coffee!!!



The laws in this city are clearly racist. All laws are racist. The law of gravity is racist.
Marion Berry

This week....

This blog stuff can be difficult. I want to sound interesting, but the truth is I'm not as fun as I used to be. My life pretty much revolves about work and family or family and work, whatever... Triathlon training is the preventative measure I take so I don't become my parents. I'm not ready to be simple, ordinary, "normal"... As few as 5 years ago I was into all kinds of stuff, that would have been an interesting blog worth reading. Now all I have is my tattoos to remind me of those days. Even though I'd like to have them removed they do represent something, I don't know what exactly what, but they do mean something.







On Wednesday nights (my easy training day) I play softball for the Hometown Heroes in the local Lake Jackson Beer League. I'm 10 years older than most of the guys, but somehow I fall right into place with them. They are me, I am them, we are one... only kidding, that's weird.. What I mean is that we all grew up in the same small town, went to the same schools, and did all the same things I did 10 years ago... Its fun to look and listen to them talk about the local community college, girls, weekend activities, and bad decisions. Does anyone remember those years of discovering alcohol and life... What a blast... Who am I kidding no one is reading this thing...

I signed up for the Sugar Land Lakes of Williams Ranch 30K next weekend‏, should be a good warm up for the Marathon..



Enough of that mess... I'm done with my half day of work today, and since I'm in town I'll hit up Memorial park for 12 miles before I head home... Everyone have a good weekend...





I went to see my doctor. "Doctor, every morning when I get up and look in the mirror, I feel like throwing up. What's wrong with me?" He said "I don't know but your eyesight is perfect." Rodney Dangerfield

Conjunctivitis

AHHH.. I got crap in my eye and it wont go away!!!! So, being the domesticated redneck that I am I look up everything on-line, as does 90% of the American population I'm sure... I came across this...

Causes of Pinkeye
Pinkeye can be caused by many of the bacteria and viruses responsible for colds and other infections, — including ear infections, sinus infections, and sore throats — and by the same types of bacteria that cause the sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) chlamydia and gonorrhea.
How gross is that??? I essentially have "VD" in my eye!!! Unbeknownced (is that a word?) to me my eye apparently has a bit of a problem and will be receiving STD preventative training as soon as the moxifloxacin hydrochloride ophthalmic solution runs its course. Blah Blah Blah... How will that talk go?

Me: OK look here Eye, you need to wrap it up
Eye: give me my privacy!
Me: no, because when you get VD it makes people think I'm smoking crack because my eyes look like their bleeding.
Eye: I think we need space.
Me: Space? Space? Your stuck to my head, your like a freaking parasite! and you want space..
Eye: its not you, (long pause) its me!!!

Cut to commercial...

This could be a good thing. I'm forced to stay out of the pool (where I probably contracted the eye STD) and really start focusing on my long runs. I have 7 weeks to the marathon, I'll do a long run of 12 miles this week and add a couple miles to it every week. If I just had 2 more hours a day, training would be easy. From the time I get up at 4ish everything is a race. I race to get to the gym to get in a short work out. I race to get to the office... After work I'm racing home to beat the traffic... Oh, I'm complaining now... and no one wants to hear whining excuses, but then no one reads this stupid blog about my eye VD anyway...

Until yesterday the word salacious was not part of my vocabulary.

Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving was great! The food was great, the people were great, and the nap on a fully belly rocked!!!

I ran the Turkey Trot to justify my gluttony. Due to my knee injury I hadn't been running all that hard, I've been concentrating more on my swimming, biking and strength training. Previous to yesterday my PR had been 53:31 for a 10K, but that was in Austin and had some pretty good hills to go with it. None-the-less... I ran a 48:34... I was pumped more about the fact that I had no pain in my knee than about the new PR. Seeing that I can only focus on goals, I'll shoot for a sub 45:00 min the next race. That might be a stretch, but still doable..

Looking back on Thanksgiving pictures I found this one from last year. I was every bit of 250lbs. I was rocking the fat pants w/ the elastic in the waist band hidden by my fat belt. I was the Arab American version of Fat Bastard... Get in my belly!!!

This is me today, just as ugly only thinner, happier, and no more fat pants!!! but I'm still screaming.. Get in my belly!!!!

It's a bit chilly out today so, I'm off to the gym.. I know, I'm talking to myself because no one in there right mind would read this far. However I don't care, here's another dumb quote.

"If we don't succeed, we run the risk of failure." - Dan Quayle

Bling Bling

Sorry, its been 7 days since my last pitiful post about the Techno Viking (but really if you haven't seen it do a search on youtube its hysterical). Then again no one reads these things anyway so it doesn't really matter. OK maybe a few people do read, the "Tri Commune" in Houston will do Maverick flyby occasionally...

Maverick, you just did an incredibly brave thing. What you should have done was land your plane! you don't own that plane, the tax payers do! Son, your ego is writing checks your body can't cash. You've been busted, you lost your qualifications as section leader three times, put in hack twice by me, with a history of high speed passes over five air control towers, and one admiral's daughter!

Penny Benjaman was her name... Anyhow, enough Top Gun...

Last week I was able to take a mini vacation to the beautifully overcast Southern California. What an amazing place to live.

Unfortunately, we all know the cost of housing there. It takes a lot of bling to enjoy that weather all year...

I was able to get in a few good runs while I was there. It's refreshing to run without a stopwatch or clocking the distance. I was running in a Forrest Gump fashion, running just to run and enjoy my surroundings.

Memorial Park is nice, Rice University is a good running/training place as well. However If I had a view like this with perfect weather and NO bugs, I'd be much more inclined to get out there and put in some miles.

Some days training seems like its just habit or I feel an obligation to the financial commitments I've made to this lifestyle. Other days I cant wait for the feeling after a hard workout. When you meet your goal for a run, or knock out an awesome 3000 yd swim, or your legs are dead from going all out the last few miles of a long bike, that's the good stuff. Other times the training is the only normal part of the day on those days when work sucks, traffic blows, or you get a letter from the IRS informing you that you screwed up royally on your Turbo Tax last year.. oops..

So, As I run a turkey trot tomorrow, I'll be thankful for my health and lifestyle that gets me out of bed before everyone else to take a 2 hr run, then to stop at the Surfin' Donuts and bring a little warm breakfast to those that slept in.

Now, I probably wont ever drive $300K "Lambo" on the Pacific Coast Highway. But I do have a lot to be thankful for this year, and in the years to come....
However, if this kid can develop some speed off that 3 point stance and can turn it into a 7 figure salary. I'll settle for a big house with pool and early retirement... Maybe a used Ferrari too... :)

Even though no one reads this far, I'll still end in a quote... Happy Thanksgiving!!

“I would like to live forever, because we should not live forever, because if we were ever supposed to live forever, then we would live forever, but we cannot live forever, which is why I would not live forever.”[Miss Alabama 1994]

Techno Viking

Lexapro wouldn't do a thing for this guy he has all the confidence in the world!!!

Just wanted to add some comic relief.... :)

I dont get it!!!

No soap box here, just somethings that I don't understand. Smoking!!!! Who does this anymore?? Could it be the fact that I've concerned myself with my health and achieving new Pr's for every aspect of life? Smoking doesn't fit into my plan nor does it interest me? Honestly, its a pretty common thing these days to see the lack of popularity of those that smoke. The dangers are well known and we are inundated with all the negatives on a daily basis.

OK, so I know that no one reads these things, but I still wont get too personal with it. I work for one of these huge construction companies that does work all over the world. These days the safety factor can make or break a budget. In the old days there was a formula that basically came to one death per million dollars spent on construction. In today's world safety is scrutinized so that the chances of a finger prick is minimized by taking time to inform and educate the labor force on the importance of job site safety so everyone can get home safely.

My next point, in order for any company to be successful its imperative that only the best are hired and trained to enforce the policies of a company. 20 years ago the title "safety man" didn't exist, if it did it was a token job given to someone that was injured on the job. Unfortunately there was no training at the time and it was a job that required only observations and paperwork after an accident has taken place. In today's construction world college degrees and years or experience are required to become a "safety man," a light duty injury wouldn't qualify someone for this position. These "safety people" are required to inform and lecture almost like a clergyman to a congregation. The one major point that I has been beaten into me since I started digging ditches when I was 18 years old, is that safety on the job is as important as safety at home. The techniques are the same thus should the policies even at home.

Now, with all that said. Why do I walk out of the gym every morning and get hit in the face with a fast ball of cigarette smoke!!! And who's smoking these cigarettes, take a guess??? The same people who lecture me about my personal safety...

As Triathletes we can all appreciate the feeling we get after a good workout. Our endorphins are going crazy, blood is pumping, and were on top of the world. The last thing we want to do is walk through a wall of smoke built by a group of people that are "qualified" in personal safety and health....

Honestly, I don't care if people smoke, and I don't care about the tobacco companies. I could careless about smokers getting cancer, they know the dangers. I'm just annoyed by morons with ego's and the do as I say not as I do policy. Smoke all you want, just please go down wind. Just as I don't want to smell your fart I don't want to smell your smoke!!!

"Smoking kills. If you're killed, you've lost a very important part of your life." - Brooke Shields, during an interview to become spokesperson for a federal anti-smoking campaign.

Maybe it was a soap box after all....

Stop looking at me Swan!

OK please ignore the title. I know nobody reads these things, but I feel a bad quote from a silly movie is in order.

This past week has been good and bad for my training. About a month ago I started sticking with some swim workouts I got online, and from some other reading material. Its true, I would never have believed this! but if there is a smart person that is willing to pass on good information it will benefit me.. What an amazing concept! I should listen to others more often. All that time when I was out playing games and not studying my parents told me I needed to study and not act like a moron. I THOUGHT they were kidding!!!! Then I find out that most people finish college in like 4 or maybe even 5 years.. Humm, Here I was thinking there were all gifted! Why didn't someone tell me that good advice is truly that, good advice!!! Now I know!! Thanks a lot Mom.. Long story short, Next year Clydesdale's beware!!! If you see what appears to be a sinking elephant, don't worry its only me.

And somehow that was the good! The bad is a reality that I'm possible too big and goofy for the long course races. It has now been a month since the half, I'm still limited to running about 3 miles before the pain in my knee sets in. The time is counting down to get back into running before the marathon. I'll give it a few more weeks then I'll consider the half marathon, if its not better by December, I'll post my bib on Craigslist.. Reality is starting to set in that I'm not the 21 year old that I see in the mirror. Not that I really want be him anymore... :) (I'm not 21 in that pic, but its the oldest one I have)

This little guy is forcing me to grow up and feel like an adult. I know that doesn't mean that I cant be athletic, and compete in Tri's, but it does tell me that I need to use a bit more thought when it comes to planning my workouts and my seasons. So I can make it to the next season without injury...

I see that most people close with a deep quote that requires some thought to process, but since no one reads these, I'll quote Tupac

“I don't mean to sound sleazy but tease me I don't want it if it's that easy.”

I'm not sure that what means, might require some self interpretation???

Later,

Mike