Almost gone

Things in Philly have been going pretty routine lately. I run a few times a week, I lift a few times a week, I swim a couple of times a week, and this past week I even rode which I haven't done much of in the last 2 months. I'm healthy and happy so I can't really ask for much more. There's been alot of things happening around me that make me realize how special that is. The Elite dog, Magnus, can't walk anymore and is in his last few weeks with us I'm afraid. He's really old but will never be forgotten at Elite. How many other dogs have a bike named after them!?!? Along with that, my mom is having surgery today, nothing serious but it's still surgery and that's always a little nervewracking for everyone involved. My friend in Houston, John, his dad is not doing very well in Virginia. Luckily he has been able to visit him recently.

On the brighter side of things, I got my entry comped into 2 CGI Racing triathlons for this summer. I'll be doing the New Jersey State Triathlon and the Northeast MD Triathlon. The second one is tentative because it's the weekend after my 1/2 ironman so we'll see how I feel.

Later
D

The Turkey is done...

Thanksgiving was good. I went to Baltimore and ate with some of my cousins that live there. It was good to see some family I hadn't seen in a while. I also got to see Becky, Fitz, and Sophie (the GREAT Dane) who were driving through back to N.C. They were my first visitors from out of town to Philly so I hope I did ok showing them around.

Training is going well. I'm contemplating doing the Umstead Trail Marathon instead of the 1/2 marathon in March. We'll see how the next couple of weeks of running go. I'm up to about 30 miles this week. I'm starting to get that "feel" for running again. Finding my old speed will be tough after doing so much plodding around training for Ironman. I swam last night for the first time since I got out of the water in Penticton (3+ months ago!!). It was with a master's group here in the city which should really help my biggest weakness. We swam 3100 yds which for me is really good. It didn't seem that long swimming with other people and having someone tell me what to do. I got some really good coaching already in that first practice.

That's it for now.

So, what's new

So far living in Philadelphia is going better than I had expected. I've met some very cool people and I haven't had to drive my car at all!!! I walk everywhere, which means I will be in desperate need of a real winter coat before long. My job as Director of Operations for Elite Bicycles is going very well too. It's pretty crazy and I stay real busy. I guess that comes with working for a very small company. I feel like I contribute to the overall success of the company which is something that was lacking in my previous jobs.

On the training side, things are moving along slowly. I've decided to focus on my running this winter. Partly due to wanting to and the fact that thy gym I joined is still finishing their new pool and winter daylight hours and temps make riding not so favorable. I'm going to key on the Caeser Rodney 1/2 Marathon on 3/11 in Wilmington, Deleware. It should be fast and competitive. I'd like to break 1:15:00.

As far as triathlons go, I've lined my schedule up with several duathlons and olympic distance races. I'm going to do a late season half ironman in New Hampshire and end up hopefully with the ITU Long Distance World Duathlon Championships in Richmond.

I'm tentatively thinking of doing the Philadelphia Marathon next Novemeber. It fits well into my schedule, it's fairly flat and fast, and the start is a 10 minute walk from my front door. How can I pass it up?

Later
D

Now I even have a blog!!

So, being so far away from all of my old friends and family, I thought this would be a good way for people that are interested to check out what I have been up to. I'll add more stuff later...