P90X

Yikes! I'm 8 weeks into a new career. A starry-eyed graduate out to conquer the world. I'm really trying to stay balanced.... My bike commuting has dropped off a bit due to some weird hours (I am in manufacturing supporting 3 work shifts) but I'm still getting out a couple times a week.

P90X is all the rage here and I got sucked in. I'm borrowing my manager's copy (pathetic, right?) until I muster the resolve to open my wallet. But it looks legit and I have friends that have gotten great results. After two days, I think the biggest benefit is that I've had Tony (the P90X trainer) sit on my shoulder when I'm trying to justify having another Mountain Dew or skipping the workout. The motto 'just push play' really is powerful... going on autopilot is a beautiful thing.

I've squeezed in the workouts after putting the kids to bed around 9:00pm. Seems to be working out.

Feral dogs, friendly people

We've been out in our new home on the banks of the Mississippi for two weeks now. I am happy as a clam. Commuting into work on my bike on great roads with little traffic. I've noticed something interesting here that is the polar opposite of what I found in Ohio. In Columbus (and thanks to the mayor and E. Gordon Gee they are working on this) people did not take kindly to cyclists. I saw the bird finger and got yelled at plenty of times. But the dogs were tame and I never had a problem.

Here in Missouri, the opposite is true. When I get passed by a farmer out here I almost always get a friendly wave. But the dogs are terrible!!! And they seem to always be sitting at the top of hills, just waiting for a cyclist that has just exerted all his/her energy on the hill. I'm getting a great workout that way. Anyway, its worse on foot (I've been running with a big rock in my hand) but they still like to give chase on the bike.

But I'll take nasty dogs over nasty drivers any day.

Curse you and die, Mike!

I have never been more sore in all my life. And that is saying something because I've done plenty of rigorous athletic activity off the bench will little or no training. But I'm am absolutely fried and that is after maintaining a respectable run/bike regimen.

This guy Mike, who I thought was my friend, had me come over do a CrossFit workout on Tuesday. Like I said, I thought we were friends but he proceeded to take me through 17 minutes of hell (he busted it out in 13). It consisted of 5 sets of 21 thrusters (a squat and shoulder lift combined) and 21 double under jump roping. The name of the game in CrossFit is speed. Everyone does the same workout. I couldn't believe the workout I got in 17 minutes but I believe it now! I'm not a puker but I was seriously feeling the urges. I thought the mascot was over the top but 'Pukie' (pictured above) is the perfect symbol of this workout ideology.

I'm 48 hours removed and I'm limping around the house scrambling for the Icy Hot and begging my wife for a massage. He made me a believer. CrossFit is the best bang for your workout I've ever come across.

You've gotta be kidding me!

Take a good look at this kid. Doesn't this shot remind you of your 7th grade track meet? Kid looks like he couldn't beat his way out of a wet paper bag (as my dad used to say). Guess again. His name is Alistair Brownlee from Leeds, GBR and he's 21 years old.

That smile on his face? That would be because he just finished the 10k in the 2009 ITU World Championship Series in Madrid Spain in 30:30 mins with a total time of 1:51:27.

That is just wrong.

Two great options. I'm torn

I am wrapping up my master's degree in two weeks. I will have a paycheck and a bit more time on my hands (I hope). I have two options for an end-of-summer event. I seriously need some help with this one:

Option 1: The Heart of America Marathon in Columbia, MO on Labor Day. A small race, small entry fee and nice venue. I've never ran a marathon and really want to.

Option 2: This one is way more work, way more money but way more rewarding. It is the Pelotonia Bike Tour for Cancer Research in Columbus, OH at the end of August. Lance is riding. It would be 100 or 180 miles and I would have to raise between $1500 and $2000 dollars. I hate fundraisng. But it is a great cause and... did I mention Lance was riding? Judas!

I just can't decide. I think I might regret biting off more than I can chew with the Pelotonia with starting a new job but it is definitely the more epic of the two options. My sweet wife says she'll support either one and that makes it even harder. Usually she is in integral part of these kinds of decisions.

No such thing as a perfect workout

I'm kind of a workout snob. The conditions have to be just right for me to do it. It can't be too hot or too cold. I have to have ample time to stretch and shower. I have to have the appropriate clothes and playlist. I have to have eaten the right things beforehand...

And then it dawned on me: there is no such thing as a perfect workout. I have lost countless workouts because I am so picky about workout conditions. I could be stronger and faster if I wasn't such a pansy.

Today my plan was to run home from school instead of taking the bus. Why? Because I thought it would be nice weather. Turns out, weather.com deceived me again and it was a nice downpour at about 2:00pm when it was time to run.

It was tempting to wait for the bus... but I didn't. I squinted and sloshed through the puddles. I was soaking wet when I got home but I felt like a champ.

So no more perfect workout condition demands from me. I'm going to fit them in where I can and just get over myself.

Romans 10:15 How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!

What you see here is my foot. Ok, so its not as beautiful as Paul said it would be. But pay no attention to that kankle of mine. Is this not the coolest cycling sock you have ever seen?

My family and I are moving to Missouri in June. And I've been complaining to some of my class mates about how I'm going to miss "The Jesus Tri" which is 10 minutes from our new home because I have to be in Ohio for graduation ceremonies.

Well, leave it up to my good buddy Andrew to make everything better... he went and dug these gems up from heaven knows where so I wouldn't feel so bad about not participating in this heavenly event.

I wore them out on a 40k TT today and I swear they made me faster. And I totally would have helped a stranger with a flat tire had I seen one. Thanks, Andrew!