Trying to toot my own horn, but likely failing

I was just perusing my training log and since I'm coming up on (close to) one year of regular exercise - at first running but then biking and later swimming - I thought it would be interesting to look at what I've accomplished in that time span. Speaking purely in terms of hours and miles/yards (later on in the year I'll list some performance accomplishments that I think are noteworthy...and I'm sure it's only me who thinks so)

Since January 1st, 2008

- I have swam 97,000 yards (just under 59 miles) averaging just over 2,000 yards/week (but that is only since July or so, which skews that stat a bit). That's the equivalent of 3880 laps in a "short course" pool (25 yards per length). That's a s***load of laps and it's a) not even that many for a triathlete and b) not even a half-year's worth.

- I have biked 1,334 miles, averaging just under 29/week. The bike miles will definitely have to increase in 2009.

- I ran 1,703 miles, averaging 35.5 per week. Haha, I think it's funny that I have run more than I biked in the past 11 months. Kind of sad. My average run has been 6.5 miles (paltry). Keep in mind, however that I rarely run more than 6 times per week and have taken (combined) several weeks off for injuries and/or down time. Not too bad.

I don't feel particularly beat up, but it does make me a little tired looking at all that. Funny, because relatively speaking it's not a very high amount of training. I'm sure, if things go according to plan, that 2009 will be more intense.

M & M

I discovered today that I really only listen to Eminem when I'm frustrated or angry. Unfortunately this realization didn't enlighten me as to why I'm currently frustrated and/or angry but at least now I know. Eminem used to be an anytime kind of music for me to listen to but that started changing towards the end of junior year and my musical tastes completely shifted senior year. I guess "Lose Yourself" is still a good pump up song but all the stuff of his that I used to listen to regularly has now pretty much been relegated to the "F*** the world" mood swings.

Ironman New Orleans 70.3 - April 5, 2009

No, it's not a full Ironman. I'm not ready for that kind of challenge. The 70.3 distance is much more realistic for me at this stage of my athletic "career."

It consists of a 1.2 mile swim (~1900m), 56 mile bike ride, and a 13.1 mile run. The swim is in Lake Ponchartrain (gross). The bike goes east from there on an out and back loop and the run takes you South towards downtown New Orleans finishing in Jackson square (pretty badass if you know the area).

A lot of effort will go into getting ready for this shebang, as I don't want to waste money (225 to register! yikes) and I want to really lay it all out there when I [hopefully] complete the race. I won't post any time goals for a while, but just know that they're ambitious. Which shouldn't be a surprise if you know me.

There are 2 slots for Ironman 70.3 World Championships available for 18-24 year olds. That'd be a fun prize, but I'm fairly sure that it's not very realistic, unfortunately.

Update

Role Models: go see it. That's all you need to know.

Not too much in my life that I would describe as 'eventful' right now. Work has been normal, albeit with more 'responsibility' so far than last year. I expected this, so it's nothing surprising. It's also one of the reasons I decided to do a second year.

New training program has been going on for 7 weeks now, with nothing special to report on it besides the fact that it's going pretty well. My AC mile has gone from 7:45ish to 7:00 or so. I'm up to 45 miles and by the end of next month will be up to 55. I'm not sure when I'll stop increasing my mileage, as I kind of want to see how my body reacts to 60, 70+ miles before I figure out where I'll just maintain for a bit. Should be fun.

I've been playing a fair amount of the new Guitar Hero: World Tour and it's definitely better than 3 (Legends of Rock). It's a little easier (so far) but definitely a better overall game. Gears of War 2 is also a better game; deeper story, better graphics, and more intuitive gameplay all add up to a very solid sequel.

Very exciting post, I know.

Halloween

Just got back from the "National Leadership Conference" (or something like that) in Talladega, AL. Just a bunch of training stuff for AmeriCorps and site coordinators. Nothing very exciting.

Went running tonight in one of the nicer neighborhoods in Charlotte (Dilworth) and was struck by the number of people driving around in vans to trick-or-treat. I get that these people probably come from some areas of town that aren't as safe and want their kids to have a great Halloween experience but can't you park and walk? Do you really have to van around with 10 kids (no exaggeration) packed into a minivan built for 5-7? The safety factor is not a priority, apparently. Primary objectives include: get lots of candy, get lots of candy.

Also, I hate the teenagers that don't even dress up but walk around to get candy. I always hated that growing up and it annoys me even more at my ripe old age of 23 (soon to be 24). At least put in some effort. I can also assure you that most people giving away candy hate that phenonemon. People are getting lazy these days. Driving from house to house and not even dressing up; we're going to all be fat soon.

I kissed a girl, and I LIKED it

Where would Katy Perry fall in the list of the best worst music I've ever enjoyed? Probably near the bottom, because she has a triumvirate of appeal: sick musician, attractive, and to top it all of she sings about making out with girls.

I just get the feeling that her most famous song, "I kissed a girl" would not be quite as popular or as well received if it were written from a different perspective. Let's see

I kissed a boy and I liked it - Keith Perry

This was never the way I planned
Not my intention
I got so brave, drink in hand
Lost my discretion
It's not what, I'm used to
Just wanna try you on
I'm curious for you
Caught my attention

I kissed a boy and I liked it
The taste of his cherry chapstick
I kissed a boy just to try it
I hope my other boyfriend don't mind it
It felt so wrong
It felt so right
Don't mean I'm in love tonight
I kissed a boy and I liked it
I liked it

No, I don't even know your name
It doesn't matter,
You're my experimental game
Just human nature,
It's not what,
Good boys do
Not how they should behave
My head gets so confused
Hard to obey

I kissed a boy and I liked it
The taste of his cherry chap stick
I kissed a boy just to try it
I hope Jack don't mind it
It felt so wrong
It felt so right
Don't mean I'm in love tonight
I kissed a boy and I liked it
I liked it,

Us men we are so magical
Soft skin, skin-toned lips, so kissable
Hard to resist so touchable
Too good to deny it
Ain't no big deal, it's innocent

I kissed a boy and I liked it
The taste of his cherry chap stick
I kissed a boy just to try it
I hope Dennis don't mind it
It felt so wrong
It felt so right
Don't mean I'm in love tonight
I kissed a boy and I liked it
I liked it

Not quite the same, eh?

Conspiracy???!?!

I'm fairly positive that this gas 'crisis' is a giant government conspiracy. To test the effects of a hypothetical situation where the US 'ran out' of gas the powers-that-be decided a good test run could be had in western North Carolina. My car's gas light came on last Wednesday and I haven't had the opportunity to fill it up since. There is no logical explanation for why there is no gas in this major southern city. No reason for it. You can cite the disturbed production in Texas but there is no reason for that to halt any other region from funneling some of their fuel into places that needed it just as much as they did. The lines for gas are insane at some of the stations. Serious traffic problems have resulted from these (literally) hundreds of cars waiting in line - in the lane of traffic - to fill up before the station closes. It's absolutely ridiculous.

On a side note, I'm going for the Rays this post-season. I don't think they'll make it too far but still, I'd rather root for a team from our division that isn't named the Red Sox than any other, so Rays it is.