Breaking the surface

I had a morning swim today. Up at 5AM and off to the Y. Lately I have been far from the first in the pool, usually opting to wait for a couple of the early quick swimmers to get out.

This morning entered the pool and saw this. Smooth water and no one else in the water.

In fact I did my 600 yard warmup by myself before Jason got in the pool. I don't mind sharing the pool, especially when it's Jason, Dave, Ann, Bob and Dan. It was a good swim this morning.

Happy Thanksgiving

Wanted to wish everyone a Happy Thanksgiving. I hope that you are able to spend a fun day with family and friends. There are so many things to be thank-ful for today I wouldn't know where to start.

This morning I am thank-ful for being able to run with my wife and friends at the Nakon Foundation Turkey Dash. This run is a 5k right in my back yard. I did my warmup by running to the event site and met everyone there. I haven't run a 5k in like forever since this was the year of going long.

Finish time: 19:21
Mile 1 6:15
Mile 2 6:27
MIle 3 6:04

I felt great and I am thankful for that. Now for the rest of the weekend I'll be thankful for those around me.

Look out turkey....Game On.

Two for Tuesday - Before and After

Back from my blogger break. Aimee and I were on vacation last week. Nothing like the beaches of Curacao to regenerate you mind and body. So with that I provide a before and after picture.....skin tone. Aimee is more protective of her skin but I laid out in the sun hoping to build a tan that could last part of the winter. I know it will be gone by the new year, but a guy can always dream.

Can someone say "Rock Lobster"? More photos to come from our trip.

Off Season

Wow, it's been a week since my last post. Partly because of work keeping me busy. Partly because it's the off season and I'm taking a well deserved break. You won't get anything out of me next week either due to travel plans.

I'll catch you on the flip-side.

Game On? Nah.......give it a well earned rest.

Family and Friends Friday – The Voices in My Head

I’m c-c-c-c-c-c-cold.

Brain: Who said that?

Toes: It’s us. Down here. We are very cold.

Brain: I’m sorry. But we needed to get in a bike ride and I am trying to avoid the trainer in the basement.

Chest: I’m fine.

Hands: Sure! You are the one hogging all the warm blood.

Chest: Hey….without the lungs and heart pumping O2 and blood around you would be NOTHING!

Brain: Calm down everyone. Who else is not happy with this bike ride?

Face: I’m f-f-f-f-f-freezing.

Crotch: Wind chill will do that too ya. I’m glad we put on bike shorts and the Firewall tights. It’s colder than a wizards balls in a brass jock strap.

Chest: I thought it was “Colder than a witch’s tit in a brass bra”?

Brain: Watch your language! This is a family blog.

Crotch: I’m just calling it like I feel it.

Legs: I’m doing well.

Feet: Of course. You are at least moving. Can you send some of the blood past the ankles?

Eyes: I wish you had put on the clear lense glasses. I’m watering up here. What’s the stuff in the headlight beam. That better not be snow.

Brain: That’s snow alright. Some of that great lake effect stuff coming off Lake Erie.

Toes: We are all cold down here. When will this end?

Brain: Winter just started so it may get warm again after March.

Toes: We mean this stupid bike ride.

Hands: We are starting to warm up. Actually pretty comfortable now.

Brain: The schedule called for 1:15 but I won’t let it go that long.

Face: Are we heading west again? This wind is strong.

Brain: West it is. I’m sorry we didn’t cover you enough face. You will be fine.

Face: C-c-c-c-an’t m-m-m-m-m-ove l-l-l-l-ips.

Brain: Okay let’s turn back, we’ve been out for about 30 minutes.

Eyes: That’s better with the wind at our back. I’m not watering now.

Butt: Great for you but now I get to freeze my…um….my….oh you know what I mean. I’m freezing off right now.

Brain: We will be back in about 20 minutes. I’ll take some shortcuts going home. Toes you hanging in there?

Brain: Toes?

Toe (small one left foot): The big guys are very cold. We better get home soon. Lo-o-o-o-o-osing consciousnessssssssssss.

Brain: Will someone remind me to use the toe warmers next time?

Chest: This has been a great ride.

Brain: You have to stick with me guys. I’m trying to avoid the trainer as long as possible. Even in the middle of winter we will be riding outdoors on the trails.

Hands: I think I speak for everyone that as long as we are bundled up we are in for the riding.

Brain: Good because I talked to Linda about riding at Findley State Park again this year.

Legs: Cool, those are great trails.

Chest: That gives the lungs a good workout.

Crotch: Just avoid the sudden bumps that kick the saddle into the “boys”.

Brain: I for one like riding like this. Bundled up, headlight and blinkie going. People in the warm cars wondering what the heck I’m doing out in weather like this.

Eyes: Does anyone know the temperature right now?

Butt: You should know! You’re the one who looked at the thermometer before we left.

Eyes: But I don’t know what it means smelly!

Butt: You take that back.

Brain: You two better pipe down. The temperature is 32F. Hey everyone. We made it back home. 50 minutes and 12.6 miles. Great ride.

Brain: So everyone out there in the Blog-o-Sphere…….what’s preventing you from going out and getting your Game On?

Sharing the Passion

Aimee got me back into running during 2000. We ran together while she learned how to run and increase her distances. Now she has three marathons under her belt, plus a half IM. For Christmas one year I got her this poster because we had ran together and also trained together for our first half IM.


Last night I ran with Aimee. Yeah, we usually run at different speeds but I really wanted to share the evening with her. It was an awesome run.

I really enjoy sharing the passion with Aimee. The passion of running, cycling, triathlon, marathon, cooking, traveling, gardening....enjoying life.

I hope you all have someone to share your passion with.

Game On.

What's Cookin' Wednesday - Chicken Barley Chili

Aimee and I have a "tradition" of making some Chicken Barley Chili for Halloween and eating it while handing out treats to the kids. This is a great altenative to regular chili.

1 cup QUAKER Medium Barley
One 14.5-ounce can diced tomatoes, undrained, chopped
One 8-ounce can tomato sauce
One 10-ounce can diced tomatoes with chilis
One 14-1/2-ounce can fat free chicken broth
4 cups water
1 tablespoon chili powder
1 teaspoon ground cumin
One 11-ounce can whole kernel mexi-corn
3 cups chopped, cooked chicken (about 1-1/2 pounds)

Preparation

1. Combine first 7 ingredients. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low; cover. Simmer 40 minutes, stirring occasionally. Add corn and cooked chicken; continue simmering 5 to 10 minutes or until chicken is heated through and barley is tender. Add additional water or chicken broth if chili becomes too thick upon standing.

2. Eleven 1-CUP SERVINGS

We love this recipe and make small changes here and there. The original recipe calls for beans but it's just fine without.

Enjoy.