Sometimes things just work out...

So I'm looking at all the dates of rides, and runs, and races coming up and I actually realized the the Earth ride is actually the weekend before the Kettleman! This is great news. This means I can go and do a 70 mile ride on a 9/18 and then compete in a duathlon on 9/26. I actually am excited that I can do both of these events.

Song in My Head installment...???

I have to put this song up because sometimes the only way to get the song OUT of my head is to post it, and I've had this one floating around up there for weeks. Dream Theater's cover of Iron Maiden's 1983 "To Tame a land" from the Piece of Mind album. After hearing this cover, I realized I've never read any of the "Dune" books by Frank Herbert. This song is based off of Herbert's epic sci-fi saga.

That's enough of this crap!!!!

I'VE HAD IT! Enough of this taking it easy crap! I've been on "light" workouts for almost a month now trying to re-hab my hamstring. I'd say I'm about 80-85% right now. I don't have much "pain" any more, just "discomfort". I haven't run in almost a month either. At least I have been able to ride, not hard, but ride.

As of right now, that all changes. On a bike, my legs have felt weak. My average speeds haven't changed much (except for yesterday with that nasty wind I was riding into), but they haven't gotten any better. That needs to change. Vigorous walking over my lunch time will start again TODAY. Running hopefully again in the next couple weeks or so. I'm going to try to post a little more again, if for no other reason, as a vain attempt to keep my head in the game.

The Dog is coming baby - and hell's coming with him!

I'm shelving myself

I'm back from a long weekend with the family. To my dismay, four days of light workouts (1 of which was no workout), soaking in a hot tub, and for the most part taking it easy, did absolutely nothing to better my hamstring. I am officially putting myself "on the shelf" until this stupid injury can work itself out. With any luck, it will feel better by Sunday so I can just pick up and keep going with my duo training. I am SUPREMELY PISSED OFF that I won't be able to finish my preliminary training in it's entirety. I will still perform the mock race in 3 weeks to get a feel for what my time will be and I will still compete in the actual race in September. I just can't ignore the fact any longer that my leg isn't getting any better by continuing on like this. The best my leg has felt was this past Saturday (when I had a rest day). I also consulted with a guy I know that is currently employed as a sports therapist for Penn State University, and he would concur with the rest I diagnosing for myself. I can only pray for a speedy recovery.

Off to the Keewenaw

Heading out tomorrow morning for a nice long weekend in the Keewenaw peninsula of Michigan's Upper Peninsula. A lot of history up there in the copper mining boom of the late 1800's into the early 1900's. It's also were my great grandparents emigrated to from Finland and Sweden.

It also has some KILLER singletrack. I always like to get a shop t-shirt from the LBS of places that I visit. So as I was trying to locate the LBS in Houghton, I stumbled upon some interesting sites for trails and races. I'll leave you with some links and a video to keep you occupied until my return (like you have nothing better to do).

The Bike Shop - Houghton, Michigan

Keewenaw Trails

Copper Harbor Fat Tire Festival

Keewenaw Chain Drive Festival

Miner's Revenge Mountain Bike Race

Here's a video from the Miner's Revenge course

Song in My Head - Installment #13

"South Bound Traveler" - Al di Meola / Kiss my Axe (1991)



See what Al has in front of him in this video? It's a music stand. You put music on there when you're reading it. Holy Sh%&! A musician that can read music? What is this world coming to?