Oh no!!
It's here!
That... that... Stuff!
It snowed last night. And while it wasn't exactly AT my house, it was close enough that I saw the reminants of the snow on people;s cars this morning. I guess it's that time.
They called for 1-3" last night, but all we got was rain. One of the bonuses of living RIGHT on the water I guess, takes a little longer to get the snow on our driveway. I'm going to get some snow tires in a couple of weeks, which is a first for me. In Rhode Island, you can just kind of wing it... not here.
Skiing and riding season is also here. Which is pretty exciting. Ali and I are going to look into some backwoods skiing, which is really like, the mountain biking of ski world. It's kind of like nordic skiing, but in the woods on trails and kind of like alpine skiing because you get to come down hills and the skis have edges.
Woot!
Sounds pretty sweet.
This weekend coming up is the Northampton CX weekend, the Dolly Parton black tie affair, the pinball showdown of 2008, and beverage sampling of some of Providence's finer establishment.
Friday is Halloween road trip (yes fully costumed) hopefully trick or treating the entire way to little rhody.
Fun for all!
We made it out apple picking the other day, which is probably going to be one of the last weekends of the year, if not THE last. Local cool kids Matt and Jenna came along and a good time was had by all. No one fell in a mud puddle, the sun was brightly shining, cider donuts were eaten, and the crystal from the center of the earth was located and secured.
A couple of weekends ago, I went to Highland Mountain with Rhode Islanders, M-fer, Fr8te, Team Sam, and new guy Zach. It was, per usual, amazing. I was hitting some lines that I haven't hit before and progressing, which is always a satisfying feeling. There are so many challenges at that mountain, it's inconceivable to be able to ride them all perfectly.
Sweet. I can't wait to go back. November 9th, mark your calenders!
Hopefully Highland will stay dry enough and I can get one more weekend of gnar-gnar in before the snow really falls.
I have a hot new pair of nordic skis and poles lying in wait in the apartment. All I need are a pair of boots and we'll be skating all the way to the moon. Or at the very least, I will be trying to nordic skate, trying to keep up with local fast men Jake Hollenbach (http://www.jakehollenbach.blogspot.com/) and company.
To the books.
I have also started to read Ingfinite Jest (again) and with a renewed vigor for the written word, hope to actually make it through this time. Seriously, have you seen the size of this thing?
David Foster Wallace recently ended his ordeal known as life, and it made me think of the sleeping giant on my book shelf.
See ya'll soon.
And!!!
We're going to bake and apple pie! Soon! And you can't have any unless you come visit!
True story!
10.29.2008
10.24.2008
Quickly!
Ok... blogolanders!
Hello, good morning, how are you?
I have been delayed in the blogging because I have been trying to squeeze in as much sunshine as possible, and my severe resting program and fun having is INTENSE!
Since we last caught up, Ali and I hiked up most of Camel's Hump (It's a sizable mountain in the area). It was on the Long trail, and it was pretty dam awesome. the view from some of the cliffs were amazing, and the foliage dam near looked like fire and fireworks, so that was, you know, awesome. We wanted to stay at a shelter (lean-to) up on the trail, but when we got there, it was occupied by a couple of fellows on their way back from a long week of woods living. So... eh, we weren't to keen on sharing the space. Granted they did seem nice and all, but you know. So we hussled back down the trail, making it to the car really in the nick of time. It was SUPER dark. With .25 of a mile to go Ali looked like a black silohouette and that was about it. So, we made it just in time.
Then we drove over to Little River State park. Park of the year 2008. And for good reaason. There are a bunch of tent sites in the park, but there are also these amazing lean-tos that are RIGHT ON the resevoir. Unfortunately, it seems to be that if you don't reserve a lean-to your odds of getting them are LOW. So we headed back to site #19. We stayed there last time, and it was just as welcoming and great this time. Fire was made, smores consumed, and life was great. Yes it is.
Friday I worked.
Saturday was Gloucester #1. I was a little apprehensive about this race as there were going to be some real deal heavy hitters. And it's a known fact that other guys have been training much more than myself.
So... We start, it's unbelievablly dusty. Like living in the midwest can't see more than a couple of feet in front of you dusty. Ouch. I ride ok... I crack the top 25 at some point in the race and then fade back to 27th towards the end. I get lapped...
bummer.
However, I got lapped with 1/10th of a lap to go and Trebon comes by me and says "Sorry, Dude." Which really was pretty entertaining.
Then I stood around in parking lot waiting for Gabe to glue a tire. then we drove an hour to Newton and ate some pizza. Josh Jamner helped Gabe and Justin and myself find a floor to sleep on, so a big thanks there. It was a floor, it smelled like a floor, and it served it's purpose.
Sunday, Gabe and I headed back to Gloucester leaving the house at like 6:40. We set up the Echappe tent (www.racewheelrentals.com) and proceeded to hang out.
It was a nice day.
The run up they had for day 2 was not so nice.
It was gnarly. Like gnar gnar gnarly.
They roto-tilled a hillside where some bushes used to be and filled in dirt at the bottom where a rock wall was. It was super steep, super loose, and super hard.
Thankfully we only did it 8 times. Ouch.
I rode a lot better on day two. But... finished 31st. I was up to 20th at one point, which is spectacular, and then with 2 laps to go the wheels came off the wagon and I went backwards in a hurry. So that was kind of a bummer. Even though I was 31st... I didn't get lapped. Sweet!!!
So... that's 3 for 4 in the not getting lapped catergory, pretty rad.
Off to work, more news later.
Hello, good morning, how are you?
I have been delayed in the blogging because I have been trying to squeeze in as much sunshine as possible, and my severe resting program and fun having is INTENSE!
Since we last caught up, Ali and I hiked up most of Camel's Hump (It's a sizable mountain in the area). It was on the Long trail, and it was pretty dam awesome. the view from some of the cliffs were amazing, and the foliage dam near looked like fire and fireworks, so that was, you know, awesome. We wanted to stay at a shelter (lean-to) up on the trail, but when we got there, it was occupied by a couple of fellows on their way back from a long week of woods living. So... eh, we weren't to keen on sharing the space. Granted they did seem nice and all, but you know. So we hussled back down the trail, making it to the car really in the nick of time. It was SUPER dark. With .25 of a mile to go Ali looked like a black silohouette and that was about it. So, we made it just in time.
Then we drove over to Little River State park. Park of the year 2008. And for good reaason. There are a bunch of tent sites in the park, but there are also these amazing lean-tos that are RIGHT ON the resevoir. Unfortunately, it seems to be that if you don't reserve a lean-to your odds of getting them are LOW. So we headed back to site #19. We stayed there last time, and it was just as welcoming and great this time. Fire was made, smores consumed, and life was great. Yes it is.
Friday I worked.
Saturday was Gloucester #1. I was a little apprehensive about this race as there were going to be some real deal heavy hitters. And it's a known fact that other guys have been training much more than myself.
So... We start, it's unbelievablly dusty. Like living in the midwest can't see more than a couple of feet in front of you dusty. Ouch. I ride ok... I crack the top 25 at some point in the race and then fade back to 27th towards the end. I get lapped...
bummer.
However, I got lapped with 1/10th of a lap to go and Trebon comes by me and says "Sorry, Dude." Which really was pretty entertaining.
Then I stood around in parking lot waiting for Gabe to glue a tire. then we drove an hour to Newton and ate some pizza. Josh Jamner helped Gabe and Justin and myself find a floor to sleep on, so a big thanks there. It was a floor, it smelled like a floor, and it served it's purpose.
Sunday, Gabe and I headed back to Gloucester leaving the house at like 6:40. We set up the Echappe tent (www.racewheelrentals.com) and proceeded to hang out.
It was a nice day.
The run up they had for day 2 was not so nice.
It was gnarly. Like gnar gnar gnarly.
They roto-tilled a hillside where some bushes used to be and filled in dirt at the bottom where a rock wall was. It was super steep, super loose, and super hard.
Thankfully we only did it 8 times. Ouch.
I rode a lot better on day two. But... finished 31st. I was up to 20th at one point, which is spectacular, and then with 2 laps to go the wheels came off the wagon and I went backwards in a hurry. So that was kind of a bummer. Even though I was 31st... I didn't get lapped. Sweet!!!
So... that's 3 for 4 in the not getting lapped catergory, pretty rad.
Off to work, more news later.
10.06.2008
Holy hell
Ok... so as I stated, I have been skateboarding again.
And I also mentioned that I might run a 5K on Sunday. I did. I finished, barely. It was not until this year that I realized what really happens to a cyclist's body. It really isn't good for too much else other than cycling and eating.
My left calf and hamstring are so tight and sore from skating that I struggle to walk normally. And my right IT band was screaming after a mere 2 miles yesterday. My heart rate maybe peaked out around 100 BPM. But it was the fastest I could go.
I ran with Jake Hollenbach and his lady friend Helen, officially from this point forward, known as The Mayor. Anytime I have ever been anywhere with Jake he knows 2-3 people. Granted it's a small town, but come on.
We posted a staggering time of 24 minutes. WTF? In high school I was doing 16:30-17:00 minutes for a 5K. Amazing.
My legs don't feel too terrible from the run today, but they don't feel fantastic either.
Following the run and some good stretching, Ali and the gang were at Shelburne Farms (where the 5K was held) and they had suffered a mishap. The front wheel of the Chariot (super stroller) had fallen off. Tragedy strikes! Small people were strewn all of the fields of the farm and the cows were a clatter with gossip of what just took place.
Fortunately, I saw them as I was headed home to shower and take a nap. I was able to reattach the wheel and they were back in action. I managed to crawl back into my Jetta and struggle home to take a bath and a nap before work.
Then I worked a HUGE 5 hours, and inched my way home to fall asleep at 8:30.
I then proceeded to sleep for the next 12 hours. No joke!
Phew.
I feel rested and recovered today, with a sore leg and a bruised ego and excited about our upcoming backpacking trip and Gloucester races. Weather for Thursday is 67 and sunny!
A
And I also mentioned that I might run a 5K on Sunday. I did. I finished, barely. It was not until this year that I realized what really happens to a cyclist's body. It really isn't good for too much else other than cycling and eating.
My left calf and hamstring are so tight and sore from skating that I struggle to walk normally. And my right IT band was screaming after a mere 2 miles yesterday. My heart rate maybe peaked out around 100 BPM. But it was the fastest I could go.
I ran with Jake Hollenbach and his lady friend Helen, officially from this point forward, known as The Mayor. Anytime I have ever been anywhere with Jake he knows 2-3 people. Granted it's a small town, but come on.
We posted a staggering time of 24 minutes. WTF? In high school I was doing 16:30-17:00 minutes for a 5K. Amazing.
My legs don't feel too terrible from the run today, but they don't feel fantastic either.
Following the run and some good stretching, Ali and the gang were at Shelburne Farms (where the 5K was held) and they had suffered a mishap. The front wheel of the Chariot (super stroller) had fallen off. Tragedy strikes! Small people were strewn all of the fields of the farm and the cows were a clatter with gossip of what just took place.
Fortunately, I saw them as I was headed home to shower and take a nap. I was able to reattach the wheel and they were back in action. I managed to crawl back into my Jetta and struggle home to take a bath and a nap before work.
Then I worked a HUGE 5 hours, and inched my way home to fall asleep at 8:30.
I then proceeded to sleep for the next 12 hours. No joke!
Phew.
I feel rested and recovered today, with a sore leg and a bruised ego and excited about our upcoming backpacking trip and Gloucester races. Weather for Thursday is 67 and sunny!
A
10.04.2008
Fun stuff!
It's cross season, and that means... fun stuff!
Lots of it.
Last night Ali was babysitting the 3 wee ones, and I was invited!!
Tons of fun was had by all, including Hungry the (rapping!) hippo. Snacks were eaten, I missed pie unfortunately and there was plenty of laughter to go around. PLENTY!
Then today started with a Cheerio fight (at least that's what I was hoping for) Instead everyone calmly ate their breakfast and get ready for the day.
Pumpkin patch adventures lay ahead for some, while work lay ahead for others (me).
Off to work.
But! To my surprise and excitement I got a personal lunch delivery from the quartette! Fantastic! It was pretty awesome. And then Eddy asked me if they were my kids and how come they all had blonde hair. Weird!
Craziness at the store. I am amazed at how much people spend on bundles and arm fulls of clothes at a time. Insane!
Parents weekend... crazy city all around.
I started skateboarding again... and while this may seem hip and trendy (maybe it is, I don't know) it seems so much easier than I remember. Everything feels really fluid and fun. I ate it pretty hard a couple times today, but things are coming back slowly that I had forgotten that I even knew how to do. And I was hitting things today that I don't ever remember having dialed. Awesome!
I might run a 5K tomorrow morinng.
Then it's backapcking overnight on thursday and then Gloucester saturday and sunday. I'm training... get ready!
More fun on the way for sure!
Oh, and if you want to visit, come soon because it already snowed in the mountains this past week. No seriously, it did. Snow... in the mountains. Like, white stuff actually on the ground.
Lots of it.
Last night Ali was babysitting the 3 wee ones, and I was invited!!
Tons of fun was had by all, including Hungry the (rapping!) hippo. Snacks were eaten, I missed pie unfortunately and there was plenty of laughter to go around. PLENTY!
Then today started with a Cheerio fight (at least that's what I was hoping for) Instead everyone calmly ate their breakfast and get ready for the day.
Pumpkin patch adventures lay ahead for some, while work lay ahead for others (me).
Off to work.
But! To my surprise and excitement I got a personal lunch delivery from the quartette! Fantastic! It was pretty awesome. And then Eddy asked me if they were my kids and how come they all had blonde hair. Weird!
Craziness at the store. I am amazed at how much people spend on bundles and arm fulls of clothes at a time. Insane!
Parents weekend... crazy city all around.
I started skateboarding again... and while this may seem hip and trendy (maybe it is, I don't know) it seems so much easier than I remember. Everything feels really fluid and fun. I ate it pretty hard a couple times today, but things are coming back slowly that I had forgotten that I even knew how to do. And I was hitting things today that I don't ever remember having dialed. Awesome!
I might run a 5K tomorrow morinng.
Then it's backapcking overnight on thursday and then Gloucester saturday and sunday. I'm training... get ready!
More fun on the way for sure!
Oh, and if you want to visit, come soon because it already snowed in the mountains this past week. No seriously, it did. Snow... in the mountains. Like, white stuff actually on the ground.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
