A new post!!

Wow, it has been a busy two weeks!  I have been getting all of my shots updated before I start the clinical portion of my schooling, so I am now (according to the health center) immune to everything.  Along with giving blood (take the off-season opportunity to save a life!) I had at least 6 other needles stuck in me, I completely lost count.  Talk about feeling like a pin cushion!  I would get one done, have a fever for a day, feel better, then get another done.  But, that is all behind me now and I am ready for next semester!  Does it seem strange that I am paying to have needles stuck in me, so that I can pay more to go to class?

Also, since this semester is winding down I have three more papers to write and 4 tests within a two week time frame, some of which are cumulative final exams.  Yeah, the “Stress” box in my workout log is getting checked a lot.  The papers are coming along slowly, and I have been taking breaks from the studying by getting out and doing my workouts, so I have definitely been productive at two areas of my life.  Of course, that means I have not really spent the time I should in other areas, but that is only temporary.

I updated the Season 1 page with the SC Half-Iron and Marine Corps Marathon write-ups, and added a small season 1 recap.  I also added a bit to my season two page, notably that I won’t really know what my race schedule will be like until December 1 when it is posted online.

Off-season training is going very well.  I am holding an easy heart rate through all of my training, allowing for nearly complete recovery between workouts, and have been meeting my time goals.  I got to try a set of aero wheels out courtesy of Brian at Outspokin’, and while they are great wheels (Bontrager Aeolus) I really don’t feel like my power output on the bike right now warrants the upgrade.  When I am able to hold 20 while climbing light hills seated I will consider them, but for now I mostly only notice the difference on moderate downhills where it feels as if I had a high-end turbo installed.

Trip Report – Marine Corps Marathon

Long time coming, but I have been busy.  Fair warning, this one’s a little different, but it deserved it.

This was my first trip up to Washington DC, ever.  The city (what I saw of it) was beautiful and inspiring.  Wherever I was in the city, it seemed like there was a constant pull towards Constitution, Independence, and Pennsylvania Avenues.  It was as if every monument was set in such a way that it honored it’s recipients, and in the background showed the heart of the nation which allowed these individuals to succeed and in turn add to this country’s greatness. 

The tributes to the heroes who helped forge this nation were visible everywhere.  Of course there were the monuments to great leaders and founding fathers, Lincoln and Jefferson memorials; and revered (or despised, depending on your view at the moment) buildings belonging to current leaders and policy makers.  Despite the capacity to idealize and idolize or demonize individuals, I felt like the entire city remained aware of the very real sacrifices of individuals.  Seeing the Washington monument and the statue of the Marines (and a Navy corpsman) raising the flag at Iwo Jima was inspiring; but when I saw Arlington, the real sacrifice made to protect the rights and ideals our country stands for, it made all the monuments and honors seem woefully inadequate.

Of course, anybody who loves this country, or has been to Washington, or who really stands and allows themselves to be moved by the National Anthem knows the feeling I am describing. 

And I ran a little bit.

Back in the swing of things

Sorry I have been uncharacteristically absent recently.  I guess I was really taking that two week rest and recover period seriously!  Things have been going well, and thanks to everybody who has been asking about how my hip is doing.  It is MUCH better, thanks!  Anyways, this is a really hectic time with school, and I am about to go get turned into a pin cushion (gotta love immunizations) so I will post the DC trip report and a real update soon.