Calling

While I was standing out at Craig's game, JD gave me a ring. I gave him the news that the C had probably told K, I was not going to ride in the Tour de Tucson. The decision of not riding in Tucson in November hurt when it was made but became reality when I said the words to JD. I remember Red in Shawshank Redemption as he was heading South to see his friend Andy, " I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a free man can feel, a free man at the start of a long journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the border. I hope to see my friend, and shake his hand. I hope the Pacific is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope."

I remember all our rides this last summer and last fall. I remember the fun and good times our families had together. Those are good times that I hold close, making the decision not to go even harder. JD - I appreciate the call sorry for not being able to ride. I'll miss sitting behind your skinny, fine tuned tires, rolling down those free miles at 30+ MPH.

Tito, get me a tissue; Jermaine, stop teasing. I'm out...

Slowing

Not much to write about the last few weeks - just running, riding, watching football and soccer, going to church activities, and working. The plan to maintain the gains has been at work for the last two weeks. I have ran twice a week for the last three weeks. It feels painful enough and I get a good work out. The riding has come down as well. The frequency is off only slightly but the miles are down significantly. I have only been averaging about 60 miles per week. I only need to average 35 a week to hit 5K for the year. The legs feel good and the weight is stable. The key has been eating less and staying active. Let's see how disciplined I am during the holidays.

Some interesting news from the pro tour, Ivan Basso place third in the Japan Cup. Another former TdF contender is making his comeback. I have always like Basso and it is good to see that he is back on the bike and riding for Liquigas. I will have to get LG stuff to add to the hat I have. It is going to be an interesting 2009 Pro Cycling season with the stacked Astana with Contador, Armstrong, Leipheimer, and Kloden, the return of Basso, several new teams, and all the normal cycling destinations with the usual fun.

Final game notes - Craig had his final football game on Saturday. He carried the ball 3 times for 43 yards. He was slipping tackles, sliding through holes, and running away from people. I just wish he had more carries. He had a good game and a good season. As we were walking off the field, I look down at him and he is holding back the tears. I asked him what was wrong. He was sad that it was over, even though it was tough and painful, he still wanted to keep playing. I knew exactly what he meant and how he felt. I had been there. I just put my arm around him and gave him a hug. Thanks Craig for the memories and for loving footbal as much as I do.

The primary colors went for a ride on Saturday morning. Cassie dressed in blue, OB12OLD in yellow, and I was in my usual red. Cassie was motivated and rode hard. Pa was making a recovery ride from a back strain and pneumonia. I just sat back on enjoyed the fun.

Chihuahua

I am an avid velonews.com reader. It is were I get all of my pro cycling news. Here is a picture from the site as it covered the Vuelta Chihuahua.

Can you say a Chihuahua from Chihuahua, Chihuahua? Now that's a lot of Chi and huahua!

Diversity

It has been a good week for exercise but the cold is starting to creep in, making it hard to remain motivated to stay riding outdoors. So I started to run a bit. I bought some new shoes, supporting Livestrong. I hit the ground on Tuesday with a 1.35 mile run with Craig. He pulled me along the entire time and dropped me as we got back to the house. I didn't time it. I just wanted to see if I could run. It felt good but on Wednesday, my legs were sore. Thursday was a bit more running but just a shy longer at 1.5 miles. It was much easier and I felt better on Friday than I did on Wednesday. What I like was I was able to get a decent work out in but for less time. If I keep at it, I might be able to run with the C.

I did get on the bike for over four hours this week as well for over 72 miles. All told it was five days of exercise between biking and running. I will try to mix it up more this next week as I try to get some pounds off in these next few months.

Craig had a good game on Saturday with some tough inside running. They didn't give him the ball as much this week as he carried 6 times for 18 yards - no long runs this week just the tough between the tackles running. He was 1 for 2 on short yardage. The second attempt there was no blocking as he was met by the linebacker right in the hole at the line of scrimmage. He is starting to see the field better. He gets through the hole and you can see him looking for daylight as he moves forward. Now we just got to work on him hitting the hole harder.

This will be a busy week with quite a few church commitments....it'll be all good.

Sidetracked

The week started off with sun and ended with rain. For riding, it was not a good week at all. I got on the bike on Monday and rode 16 miles, ending on a high note of getting up Coral Creek in 9 minutes - besting my time up the hill by 4 seconds. The difference was this was into a nasty wind. The effort felt extreme and I had hoped for a better time but the weather was not cooperating. I was surprised at only improving by 4 seconds. I had an interesting experience on the bottom of the small climb - doubt. As I started, my mind wandered as I pushed myself to my lactate threshold. I thought to myself, "with all this pain and wind, do you really think you can get up this hill faster than last summer?" I had a choice, give up and explain away the reason for not trying due to the weather. Or, I could put my head down and try. I went back and forth for a few moments as I standing on the pedals pushing up the first part of the grade. Rather than give up, I decide to see what I could do - to give it my all and to see if it was good enough. I rationalized that since I had ridden more miles, weighed less, and had better gearing, I had a good chance of succeeding so I should push on. I always finds these types of experiences in life when doubt enters in very interesting. They come at different times and in different circumstances and usually ending in a rationalization for either triumph or failure without trying. The lesson I take away is much like a quote many have heard that says you cannot make the shot if you don't take the shot. It is in the taking of the shot where learning occurs.

Those were my only miles for the week. On Tuesday, my throat starting getting sore and by Wednesday I had the flu. I trudged through work on Thursday and by Friday I was starting to feel better. Rather than try my luck on a Saturday morning ride in rain and wind, I opted for more stable weather indoors in a warm bed.

We headed out to Craig's game in Portland. The weather broke for his game with only a slight breeze. The team played well as did Craig. He had 9 carries for 31 yards. He continues to be the short yardage back. He went 4 for 5 on short yardage carries getting the first down. The one he did not make it on was a 4th and 5. He got 4 1/2 yards but not the five but the beauty was in the trying. He could see the marker and accelerated towards it, getting hit by several defenders as he reached out, trying to get the ball across the line. On another carry, he got past the line, side stepped a backer, took a hit by the safety who clamped on to him, a backer came over to help, then another defender, and another, and another, and finally then going down. Six tough yards that brought cheers from the team and crowd. On another carry, once through the line, he saw a gap between the backers and sprinted between them only to find the safety filling the gap. Whap! You could hear the contact. Both went down and bounced right back up - a good hit on a good run. On a carry before the half, from the five, he got to the end zone but the line judge could not see the ball crossing the end line to call the touchdown before he was pushed back. If there had been replay, the call would have been overturned. It was a good day on the field for Craig and it was fun to watch.

This week marks my final push to meet the second of my two goals from the beginning of the year - to get my weight down. I am stuck at 205 and want to get under 200. In order to do that, I am going to start a core workout session with some running twice a week. As the weather has turned to typical fall Oregon weather, more indoor time will be necessary to make this happen. Only 500 more miles to 5K....