Tour De France, Stage 3

Once again its that time of the summer when I raptly listen to Eurosport online during the day to hear what most people would consider more boring than watching paint dry on the walls. Its Tour time and with all the controversy and drama from past years as well as the return of Lance to Team Astana, it should be a good time if not good cycling. Yesterday’s stage was a flat windy open ride in the heat. The excitement came when a group of riders split the main peleton and chased down a breakaway. Included in the chase group were several of the Astana team, minus Alberto Contador and Levi Leipheimer, the supposed leader of the squad and one of its key strong men. In the chase group, Lance and several other Astana riders. Ironically, yesterday was the anniversary of the formation of the city Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan. The Tour is usally good for teaching us geography, and figuring out what sort of business most of the sponsors are in. Think of it as the European version of NASCAR.

The finish was a sprint, where Mark Cavendish took another stage. When the dust settled, Lance wound up 3rd overall with a 19 second lead over Contador. So it seems that Astana still hasn’t figured out which heavy hitter is their leader.

Maybe I’ll be an Ironman in ‘09

As some of you who have been following my trials and tribulations on this site are aware, I’ve been struggling with the training malaise and lack of exercise mojo. Many of you have offered kind words of encouragement and suggestions, all of which are much appreciated.

I’ve started a once a week yoga excursion (Capitol Hill Yoga, Thursday nights) and last week was convinced to join in a CrossFit class led by a good friend, Jen (and her sister Em finally convinced me that it wasn’t going to kill me). In addition to getting in some swim, bike, run (yea, right), I’ll be doing yoga and Cross Fit to balance out the regular routine.

I have 13 weeks to get in shape if I want to participate in the Chesapeake Man race in September (95 days according to the web site).

I have also “borrowed” a Kuota Kalibur from my favorite bike shop, Arrow Bicycle, and will likely purchase it against my fiscally minded conscious. Its a sweet bike. Judge for yourself… J has been advocating for a new bike because he likes new shiny things and I think his spiffy bike would like some company.

Sweet fast carbon frame, SRAM Force components

I’ve been out on it twice  now and it rides very well, I have no sense of speed (but of course I feel like I’m flying) and the seat is crazy hard (I supposed its just something you get used to or change out). Its smooth as silk, quiet (stealth speed) and a real head turner  (a la really fun to look at).

[Now June 29]

So after a change of heart a few times, and deciding that doing an Ironman in fewer than 13 weeks is just folly, as well as deciding not to buy such a lavish bike, I’m still not doing the IM in 09 but did buy the bike. So feast your eyes on the bike porn, I’ll be getting a fitting next week and bringing her home then. Now to decide what kind of saddle I need and what color the handlebar tape should be. Red or White. What choices.

This past weekend wasn’t exactly an active athletic one but my nephew and I did cook up a storm. A friend is due to birth her first child in the middle of July so we cooked a few casseroles and stuff to freeze so she and her husband can have some home cooked meals without the huge effort. In the mix, I was also able to send stuff home with him for his family and we kept a bit as well.

J is embarking on an epic bike journey this week. He and a friend from work will be riding to Bethany Beach on Thursday and I will provide shuttle service across the bridge [at 8:30 a.m. since they're rolling out at 5 a.m.] which then means I have about 8 hrs to kill before meeting them at the end. And then there’s the question of what to do with the dog…it all hinges on whether there’s room for him at the beach house where we’ll be staying. I hope so.

Can I play hooky today? It would be nice but I doubt it since besides needing to be at work for various stuff, I have to deliver the goods to my pregnant friend.

A Costa Rica adventure

I’m usually a linear person when it comes to retelling our adventures but I realize I’m out of sync and that’s no reason not to regale my “audience” with our tales from time prior to the adventure in New Hampshire (Mooseman).

Some may be aware that we received a most generous wedding present of 5 days and 4 nights in a very luxurious resort location of our choosing (we limited choices based on travel time). We selected Costa Rica for several reasons (1) we’d never been, (2) there was loads of availability in booking the accommodations and (3) it wasn’t outrageous in time or money to get there.

We invited a few other couples to join us so we’d have some company on our adventure and it seemed silly to have a 4 br house all to ourselves. In addition, we needed witnesses in order to back up our story of the amazing place and amenities we had while there. No one would have believed us otherwise.

I think this was the most photographed spot while we were there

We were staying in a province in the Northern Pacific, Guanacaste, which had been described as the dry portion of Costa Rica. We were going at the start of the rainy season which had also been described as having a daily thunderstorm (short lived) around 4 or 5 p.m. and then clear the rest of the time.

The Aqua Velo is just a nice way to say DNF

This past weekend we traveled to Bristol [or really Alexandria] NH in Wellington State Park to participate in the Mooseman Triathlon Festival. J was doing the Bull Moose (both the International and Half Iron races on consecutive days) and Karen registered for her first Half. I also registered for the half but after a very dismal and inconsistent (read: nonexistent) training routine, I opted instead to transfer to the Aqua Bike (just the swim/bike) portions of the race. I think I may have been in the pool maybe 5 times prior to the race and on my bike many more times but certainly not 55 miles. I relied specifically on blind faith in my strength and ability and natural athleticism (yes, I said that with a straight face).

Some random notes:swimming 1.2 mi in 45 min isn’t bad considering lack of training; wet suit strippers rock; wearing a DC Tri Club jersey gets you noticed and you make connections to random strangers who know club members far and wide [Mariana in Brazil]; most humbling moment was getting passed by the lead runner while biking up a hill–he on foot, me on bike; speed range 3.2 mph to 38 mph.

Bike to Work Week, Round 2/Game 7, oh yea and Costa Rica next weekend

So this week is Bike to Work Week (care of WABA) so I’ll be riding to work, taking advantage of the lack of rain and the nice weather and maybe next week and the week after will be bike to work weeks for me too.

Last night was Game 6, potential elimination of the Caps for the Stanley Cup Playoffs, and they came through with flying colors. Not their best played game, seriously out shot in the entire game, still took too many penalties (somewhat lopsided in my opinion) but managed to force the game into over time where my favorite grinder David Steckel made the game-winning goal off of a re-direct from Brooks Laich.  I can’t stop watching the highlights and have read the Sports section of the WaPo several times, checked Capitals Insider a few times, and will be watching any and all post game interviews I can find. I think Mike Wise is a little crazy but his videos make me laugh. I can’t wait until tomorrow night and Game 7…its going to be seriously amazing at the Phone Booth!

Our next travel adventure is a trip to Costa Rica over Memorial Day Weekend…with 2 other couples. Given the Caps success in the last game, if they advance to the Finals, several games will be taking place while we’re scooting around the Rainforest Canopy and lounging by the infinity edge pool at our insane house on the Pacific Coast of Costa Rica. I’m torn; Playoff hockey or lush exotic tropical luxurious vacation? Oh, to have such a dilemma.

Feeling Funky, and not in a George Clinton sort of way

So I’ve been in a major workout/exercise funk lately and tried a whole bunch of ways to motivate myself out of it. I think our level of activity last year was exciting and a huge accomplishment but leaves me feeling somewhat less than motivated this year to do much of anything.

In addition to the lackluster workout/training routine, I’ve also felt out of sorts in a “balanced” (or unbalanced) sort of way, and lost. I’ve felt this way before but its been a very long time.

I realized (again) this morning that my lifetime of sports activity serves multiple roles for me and when I’m not active, there’s a domino effect something like this: I don’t exercise, I feel sad/depressed, I feel lost, I get down on myself and I don’t feel like exercising…cyclical in a bad sort of way. On the flip side, when I exercise, I feel energized, happy, up beat, accomplished, and balanced.

The way I was able to get myself out of the funk before was by taking a yoga class at Capitol Hill Yoga. The routine of a class kept me motivated, the physicality of the movement gave me the “endorphin” high to keep the hormones balanced, and the meditative aspect helped me find the inner strength to branch out into more physical activities. I haven’t kept up with the yoga and have felt for some time that it was time to get back into it.  A few (maybe like 6) months ago, I looked into taking a morning yoga class at Capitol Hill and then discovered that they’d lost their lease and were closing…booo.

This morning, I went looking for other options, and discovered that this week (May 2 to May 9) is Yoga Week in DC and my timing couldn’t be better. There are an abundance of yoga studios in DC, most are offering free or discounted classes, and if you believe in “signs” then this is a clear one to me that I’ve found a really good solution. I also discovered that Capitol Hill Yoga has reopened in a new space near Eastern Market and they’re participating in Yoga Week with free or $5 classes. I’m aiming to go at least once this week. I’ll have to break out the mat and fun mat bag.

Due to all the training I did last year, I also suffered through some serious hip and calf pain from a combination of an improper bike fitting and a whacked out back. I sought relief from a chiropractor and an awesome massage therapist, both of whom worked wonders on me to keep me pain free. Since then I’ve always wanted to weave in yoga on a regular basis to avoid a repeat of the pain but haven’t made the time. There’s no time like the present. I’m going to start simple, listen to my body, and build from there if that’s what is meant to be. I’ve crafted myself into a triathlete lifestyle but at the moment, I’m lacking the excitement and motivation to actually train for and complete a triathlon…so maybe its time for a different definition of who I am.

Round one down, on to Round 2

Its been a few days since the Caps won Game 7 against the NY Rangers. I think the most exciting part of the game was the last 5 minutes when Sergi Federov (39 yr old, 3 time Stanley Cup winner) scored the game winning goal and the crowd stayed on their feet for the remainder of the game. It was pretty amazing. Up until that point, the Caps didn’t play like they really wanted to win.

In the 3rd period, they seemed to find their will to win. They came out with much more focus and kept the puck in the Ranger zone, keeping Henrick in the net for the full game, rather than have 6 offense out on the ice.

So the Caps beat the odds, came back from a 2-game deficit to win in 7 games. The Hurricanes and Devils were playing about 1/2 hr later than the Caps and the outcome of that game determined who the Caps would play in the 2nd round. I had hoped NJ would win so we’d play the Devils rather than Pittsburgh but that wasn’t to be. The Canes came back to tie the game and then win with less than 1 min remaining which put the Caps against Pittsburgh in Round 2. The Media Circus and rivalry of OV and Crosby, OV and Malkin (two of the top MVP contenders), Semin and Crosby, and the NHL is going all out to exploit this series.

Its a big day for sports; Caps vs Penguins, and the Kentucky Derby. I’m sure most of the Derby fans are saying “Hockey what?” and vice versa.

Game 6 in MSG

We’re currently watching NBC’s coverage of Game 6 of the Stanley Cup Quarterfinals and the Caps are doing very well overall, currently leading 5 to 1 and have played a good game, defense scoring 3 of the 5 goals. Its totally annoying that the announcers are clearly routing for the Rangers which is the wrong team to cheer on. The Caps are clearly the better team and are proving them wrong.

I miss Joe B and Craig Laughin from Comcast; they’re so much more fun to hear and are much better at the play-by-play and color.

Rangers just pulled Lunqvist in the 3rd period to rest him for Tuesday’s Game 7. Seems that they’ve resigned to coming back to Washington, where the red is overwhelming, the noise is tremendous, and the Caps usually play well.

It seems that the Caps players are having fun, they’re finally playing their game, staying calm, cool and collected, taking few penalties (or not taking stupid penalties) and their 2nd and 3rd lines are playing well as is the D all the way around. Loads of fun to watch!

One perfect day, and the weather is good too, oh, and great HOCKEY!

Apparently its impossible to even give away a perfectly good sofa. I’m trying desperately to keep this useful item from gracing DC’s finest landfill but FreecycleDC and Craigslist combined aren’t getting the job done. Hopefully in the next few hours, it will be gone; once the new couch arrived, the old one went out on the curb and looks so forlorn all alone and abandoned. [I need a better hobby...now I'm ascribing human traits to our old couch].

The new sofa/couch is sitting in the spot where the old one used to live, it looks SO BIG in comparison. However, its comfy and now I have to pay attention to pillow rotation [even wear], not putting my feet on it, whether I’m grimy or clean, and certainly no spilling or food on it. I almost as a joke covered it in that old school plastic (you know the stuff…your grandmother had it on her couch) to see how J would react. I would assume badly but since I’ve only thought about it and not actually done it, I can imagine that he’d think its the greatest thing next to durace compnents and carbon fiber.

Em and I went for a nice ride this morning and were back home by 11 ish just when it started to get a bit too warm for my comfort. First time this season to be in short sleeves and shorts. Just like the dorks we are, we were both wearing our DC Tri cycling jerseys, we have the same shoes and the same Rudy Project glasses (different color). Luckily we ride different bikes (hers: Cannondale; mine: Specialized), have different helmets and had different socks on. Otherwise people might have assumed we were (a) dating or (b) on some 2-person cycling team. By the time I got home, J was heading out for his ride and tried to get me to go with him [not likely that I'll do 2 long rides consecutively].

I did realize that I’ve become much more comfortable riding on city streets than I used to be not too long ago. I have no problem barreling through Dupont Circle in traffic and asserting myself through complicated and dicey intersections with the confidence of a bicycle messenger (without the gusto) and the optimism of a college freshman. I don’t mind it at all and its actually a bit exhilarating. Riding on the Mt. Vernon trail, by comparison, is much more dangerous due to the prevalence of runners, walkers, rollerbladers, dog walkers, kids on bikes, meandering tourists and speed demons who have no business on a multi use path.

And now a word about the Capitals / Rangers game last night in the Quarterfinals for the Stanley Cup: It rocked!!

We arrived at the Phone Booth early [6:15] and maybe it was just the entrance we came through (near the Gallery Place theater) or the fact we were early, but the crowd seemed oddly subdued and low energy. It didn’t last long. The Caps had an early penalty and were on a PK and their 3rd line (Brooks Laich, Matt Bradley, David Steckel) generated a whole lot of energy. Before long, Bradley had scored an unbelievable short handed goal. Insane. Bradley is always a high energy player but doesn’t often do much scoring and it was his first playoff goal in his 21 career playoff games. Way to go Bradley! The highlight reel is below as is the recap from the Capitals web site. I watched the game live, and the post game report when we got home and then this morning, I watched all the online post game interviews as well as the post practice interviews from this morning. So freaking exciting! They won 4-0 and not only did the crowd chant M-V-P for Alex Ovechkin but Var-ly for Simeon Varlemov who was excellent (and he had excellent D-men in front of him that helps out any goalie)

Pierre LeBrun on ESPN had a nice read out from the game along with a highlight reel.

Big exercise weekend planned

In my effort to regain my usual level of fitness, I’m planning to go on a bike ride with Em tomorrow and a run along the Capital Crescent trail on Sunday. If I still have any motivation after all of that [as well as the usual weekend lists of things to do] I might go for a swim on Saturday. We ordered a new couch (I’m SOOO excited!!) that will be delivered tomorrow afternoon and if the Caps don’t blow the series tonight, there’s a playoff game on Sunday afternoon that’s a must see. Our soon-to-be-old couch is a hand me down that pre-dates me and while its a comfy spot, its seen better days. So my dilemma is what to do with the unwanted furniture. I’ve posted it on Craigslist and received one inquiry about it. My next option is FreecycleDC  or merely listing it as FREE on Craigslist. An absolute last resort is the bulk trash people. It would be great to recycle this sofa but with so many other people out there discarding useful furniture, how do I make ours stand out?

The trials and tribulations of dog ownership include caring for said pooch when he’s not feeling well. Toby has had an ongoing digestive issue (I’ll spare you the gory details) that’s for the moment undiagnosable but tough to solve without a cause. I’m beginning to think that his issue is triggered by anxiety. We travel a great deal and it doesn’t happen every time we leave or return but having his normal routing disrupted seems to be a trigger. I’m not exactly sure how to deal with that short of staying home with him all the time and never traveling but its no fun for anyone when he’s not well. Additionally, he slipped off the 4th step in the house and now has a pronounced limp in his front left leg. Poor thing. The vet prescribed some painkillers that should help him rest comfortably but its hard to keep him inactive for too long.

The weekend weather looks amazing so being outside as much as possible is also in the plan, whether we’re running, biking or just sitting at Cantina Marina chillin with a Corona. Get out there and DO something!