"Things On My Mind"

I suppose it's a good time for Sally to be dying since my training is tapering off anyway.  When I sit here and consider what I might blog about today, thoughts of her seem to push out anything else, including my training.  But I think it's okay, because although it is a difficult time, I believe that the long term impact will be all positive.

But I have to explain the situation a little bit so you can understand the significance of what we're going through, and what I am personally learning. Without going into detail, Roo and I were the only people in her life that she trusted with her personal care, as well as her personal finances, both now, and after her death.  Now picture a situation where her various "loved ones", hate each other, and now hate us as well.  Unlike with each other I don't think their anger at us is personal, but rather because we are effectively in control.

Regardless this is the situation that our dear friend has left us, and we accept the challenge of implementing her wishes.  Should be fun!

But what's my learning in all this?

 I guess I would say first and foremost how grateful I am for my own family.  I compare the current caustic environment at the hospital to when my parents died. I know with my Dads death at home, 11 of us were there at the very moment of his death.  And then with Mom there were perhaps 8 of us sitting around singing "Be Not Afraid".  Although there's not as many of them, I have complete confidence that my own children will act the same way when it's time to put me on my ice floe....

The other thing that really hit me the last couple of days was how much in sync my spouse and I are on the important things in life.  I feel closer to her than I ever have, as we reinforce each others strengths, and compensate for each other weaknesses in this difficult time.  We are a pretty strong team if I may say so myself.

Last but not least, the discussions I have witnessed over the last few days reminded me once more how material possessions bring misery more often than they bring joy.  To want something so bad that you're prepared to sacrifice your own happiness for it, is the height of perversion!

And that's all I have to say about that....

As to my training it was a complete day off and I feel quite good.  The first signs of renewed energy that I felt yesterday were even stronger today.  I'm getting excited!

"We are shaped by our thoughts; we become what we think. When the mind is pure, joy follows like a shadow that never leaves."---Buddha

Love
Peter

"60K and 6K"

I'm supposed to start feeling a little bit more energetic over these last few weeks and today I got some positive signs.  I had a good strong ride both in terms of power and speed, and although I started out my run feeling a bit off, that also worked out quite well. In both cases the second half was stronger than the first.   I was especially happy with my 60K ride, as I generated 171 watts, for a average sped of 31 kms/hr.  My 6K run was just over 5 mins/K.

So complete day off tomorrow again, then a long swim friday, and then my next hard bike and run on Saturday.  Apparently the best way to retain my hard earned endurance while at the same time eliminating fatigue, is to do relatively short but hard workouts, and not too many of them.

ride 60kms, run 6kms

My life is good!

Now if Sally would only hurry up and die, so I can stop worrying about her.  Stubborn to the end!

Todays quote is from her license plate.

"IM UNEEQ"---Katherine Sally Steel

Love
Peter

"It's Time"

To start thinking about packing the RV.  Or at least for making the list for packing the RV, and the list for bike tools, and the list for race day stuff, and the grocery list etc, etc.

Unfortunately every time I get started I get distracted by my friend Sally.  Not in a bad way mind you.  Well actually that's not completely true, since along with her personal care, we are responsible for all "her worldly possessions", and that can't be described any other way than painful!

But truly it's all about her last days, and the powerful, wonderful, distraction that is.  I really feel honoured to know this woman, and honoured to have witnessed the incredible bond she has with my wife.  I'm gonna miss the regular scene of the two of them sitting at the dining room table working on a jigsaw puzzle, while solving the world problems.

And while this blog is supposed to be primarily about Ironman, it's also about life, and about my life. And guess what folks.  Life always ends in death!  We can choose to ignore that fact and then be surprised when it finally comes (as some in Sally's life have been), or we can choose to embrace it, celebrate it.

That's exactly what Sally challenged us to do when she was still all here, and ironically it's this very 'joie de vivre' attitude of hers that's gonna make me sad when she's gone.  Sorry Sall....I'm gonna have to cry a bit...

"Be not afraid
I go before you always
Come follow me
And I will give you rest"---Bob Dufford

Today was a totally easy day in anticipation of a tougher day tomorrow.  It is in fact one of four remaining challenging workouts over the next 10 days.  I feel good!

...and in regard to those who seem to resent Sally's death because it inconveniences them, I'm gonna try to live by these words...

"If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.  If you want to be happy practice compassion"---Dalai Lama

Love
Peter

"Ha Ha"

I did so post today!  You just didn't see it first time you looked.

I had a great test run today.  I tested my race strategy of 4 minutes run/1 minute walk, for a total of 25 kms.  Come race day that's supposed to get me 5:40 kms, for a four hour marathon.  Of course it was a little faster than that today, but I won't let that fool me.  If indeed this gets me what I want on Aug 17th I'll be very happy.  Game on!

25 kms run/walk, 5:27/km

"If you want to be happy, be.---Leo Tolstoy

Love
Peter

"Is There A God?"

I don't think so, cause if there was I would be able to swim a little better!

Just kidding.....

Sally asked me today if there was a God?  I told her that I was pretty sure there was, even though I don't believe that he/she/it, is anything like the nuns described.

Sally's response was "Yah, I guess ya gotta believe"

And I'm with you Sally.  As ludicrous as I find the description of God that I hear from most organized religions, I find it even more ludicrous to consider that there may not be a God at all.

So while I still wish I could swim a little better, I also know that the important needs of my life are being pretty well met.

After all, 3 weeks from today I'm going back to the scene of last years tragedy, and I'm just so damn grateful that a whole year later I still have the mental and physical ability to do so.  And for the next 3 weeks, every time I get the heebie-jeebies, or every time a little doubt creeps in, I'm gonna remember Sally's advice.

Ya Gotta Believe!!!  Game on!!!  Be Not Afraid!!!

"I do believe we're all connected. I do believe in positive energy. I do believe in the power of prayer. I do believe in putting good out into the world. And I believe in taking care of each other."---Harvey Feirstein

Love

Peter

"Tired"

Really tired!  The days and nights have kind of blended together for Roo and I, as we watch our friend Sally prepare for her next life.  That has left us both pretty weary. 

For that reason I was grateful that my workout was gonna be less than 5 hours today.  I chose not to do the complete race simulation, as I just wasn't up to the complication,  but I did all the hard parts.  That meant 90 kms on my bike, and at least 90 minutes of running.  

All went well.  The weatherman cooperated, my achilles cooperated, and all my race gear was flawless.

After my workout I spent an amazing 2 hours with Sally!

Now I'm just tired, so I'm going to bed.

ride 90 kms, run 17 kms

"A dying man needs to die, as a sleepy man needs to sleep, and there comes a time when it is wrong, as well as useless, to resist."---Stewart Alsop

"There are four questions of value in life. What is sacred? Of what is the spirit made? What is worth living for and what is worth dying for? The answer to each is the same. Only love."---Lord Byron

Love

Peter

"My Real Life Superheroes"

Thelma and Louise.....I can never remember which is which. 

swim 4000 metres

"Be Not Afraid"

Love

Peter

"Hello World"

I'm alive and doing fine!

First an explanation for my satisfying Tuesday just past.

Remember this?

I'm glad to say it's now functional!!

It keeps the rain off of my dear sister's chaos, and the bird shit off her head.  And the bonus is, that it still lets the sunshine in!

The extra bonus is that I never fell off once!

And I haven't done anything strenuous since.  I knew I was a wee bit over the edge after my 30 kms on Monday, and this would be the worst possible time to go further over.  Both of my legs are still sore, and so today was another quiet day.  Tomorrow will be long swim day, the first and probably last time I will swim 4000 metres.  Then saturday will be a race simulation, in as much as that is possible.  I suspect I'll be riding inside!!

And while it was a quiet training day, it was the exact opposite on the triathlon news front.

The World Triathlon Corporation (owners of the Ironman brand) today announced a new Ironman event for 2015......in HUNTSVILLE, ONTARIO!!!! Holy cow!  This site was the other serious contender for Ironman Canada, that ended up in Whistler BC last year.

When I mentioned it to my wife she started to get a bit hysterical, and trust me after raising 4 sons it takes a lot to get her worked up.  Probably I'm gonna need a bit of help with negotiating ideas.  I need to think of something she really, really wants, that doesn't cost too much money.

And of course at this point I don't even know if I want to do another one, so I won't think about opening negotiations until after Tremblant.  Time will tell, as it does all things.

swim 1000 metres, 

"You do not get what you want. You get what you negotiate."---Harvey Mackay

Love
Peter

"Or The Next Day!"

Easy bike...37 kms.

"Procrastination makes easy things hard, hard things harder."---Mason Cooley

Love
Peter

"Let Me Tell You About Today"

But let me tell you tomorrow.  For now suffice it to say that it was a long, but super productive kind of day.  I will sleep the sleep of the just tonite.

"Never put off til tomorrow, what you can get someone else to do today"---Anon

Love
Peter

"Tired But Happy"

First off thanks to Gail for the title.  Tired but happy describes pure contentment for me, and that's where I'm at.

It was kind of an ugly 30 kms today, but I knew in advance it was gonna be tough.  Aside from completing it, the best part is that it's the last one.  They all get shorter from here on in.

In essence I've reached the peak of my fitness, but also the peak of my fatigue.

The goal of the next 27 days is to completely eliminate the fatigue, while losing as little of the fitness as possible.  That's not easy to do, as it means striking just the right balance between gradually decreasing the distance, while gradually increasing the intensity.

Regardless, I  look forward to the next 4 weeks of taper.  The timing couldn't be better, because my old body is close to breaking down.  I can feel it.

But I think I'm gonna have a good Ironman on August 17th!  I can feel that too!

Try Not!
Game on!
Encore!
Face First!

run, 30 kms

"It's a little like wrestling a gorilla. You don't quit when you're tired - you quit when the gorilla is tired."---Robert Strauss

"Happiness is when what you think, what you say, and what you do are in harmony."---Mahatma Gandhi

Love
Peter

Life is Complicated"

Or at least if you let it be. Places to go, things to do, people to see, bills to pay, family and friends to worry over.......and it all needs done today!!

So naturally if that's ones attitude then life can get a bit stressful. Taking it one day at a time doesn't make life any easier if you're task obsessed like I tend to be.

So just for this week I'm gonna do my best to keep it all in perspective. After all, once I'm dead I will no longer care about any of those tasks. And perhaps just as importantly, no one will be able to make me do them.

When I get up in the morning, I'm gonna do what I can reasonably do, and only what will not detract from the enjoyable tasks of grandparenting and training. Everything else be damned!!!

"I never go straight to the point if I can go the most difficult way. Why be simple when you can be complicated?"---Kristin Scott Thomas

Love
Peter

"Good Call"

I'm happy with my decision to ride inside.  Sure enough 7 hours is a long freakin time, but with reading a little, thinking a lot, and just some general day dreaming I got through it.  Besides I had a little break in order to change a flat!!  Hilarious...

And as I've mentioned before it's easier in a way to ride with the clock, than for a specific distance, because no matter how slow you go, you still get to stop at the same time.

And I definitely rode fairly easy, which once again sent me a powerful message.  You see I got off my bike after 7 hours of controlled riding, and then went outside and ran 10 kms as if I hadn't rode at all!!  Unbelievable!!  I am doubly determined to feel the same way getting off my bike in Tremblant.

I feel really, really, confident right now, and the timing couldn't be better.  While I still have 4 weeks to go, and a few tough workouts within that, today's effort was really the culmination of the entire years work.

Life is good!  Gonna have a beer!

computrainer 7 hours, run 10 kms 52:53

"Your decision to be, have and do something out of ordinary entails facing difficulties that are out of the ordinary as well. Sometimes your greatest asset is simply your ability to stay with it longer than anyone else."---Brian Tracy

Love
Peter

"Tough Call"

I can get cold and wet outside, or hot and bored inside?

As of right now the plan is to head to the basement in the morning.  As much as I hate riding in the cold, never mind the rain, I think I would still choose outside if I wasn't afraid of crashing and/or getting sick.

So unless I wake up to a total surprise weather wise, I'll be sitting on my good, old, dependable, Quintana Roo in the dungeon for seven freakin hours!!!

The good thing about riding indoors is that I can pack a lunch.  Bananas, peanut butter sandwiches, cookies etc...life is good!

Of course I'll still get an opportunity to get outside, since after the seven hours I need to run for a bit.  I'll probably be real happy to head out for my planned 10 kms.

And today I had a lovely little swim at the YMCA.  3500 metres in a decent time of 1:17.  The best part though, is that if it wasn't for the utter boredom I could have swam for another hour.  Game on.

swim, 3500 metres

"Life is tough, but it's tougher when you're stupid."---John Wayne

Love
Peter

"Sooooo Tired"

But I'm tired in a sleepy way.  I actually feel good physically, and even decided to make it a half day today.  Instead of the scheduled hills I ran as easy 10K.  I want to have a very good long ride on Saturday.

Speaking of which, the weatherman is suddenly gonna be uncooperative.  I've been on a good roll for several saturdays in a row, so I suppose I should have expected a bad one.  Looks like it's gonna be cool with nearly certain rain.  Boooo!!

But who knows what may change between now and then.

Regardless I'm afraid it's not optional, and at this point not movable, so it is, what it is.  I may ride my old bike.

Long swim tomorrow.

run 10 kms,

"If you want to see the sunshine, you have to weather the storm."---Frank Lane

Love
Peter

"A Day Of Surprises"

The thing about surprises is that they usually complicate your life.  They're called surprises because you didn't plan for them.  But the beautiful thing is that they almost always bring opportunities as well, especially if you look for them.  I've gotten better at that as I've aged, and so for me it was a positive day, despite the significance of the surprises.

And speaking of positive I had another very good workout.  I rode in the basement as predicted, and that was uneventful, but my little 5 km transition run was excellent!  It was quite weird actually how good I felt.  Kind of a surprise!  Game on!

computrainer-90mins,  5k transition run-23mins

"Statistically, the probability of any one of us being here is so small that you'd think the mere fact of existing would keep us all in a contented dazzlement of surprise."---Lewis Thomas

Love
Peter

"Tuesday"

Which is defined by 45 minutes in the pool, followed by a nice soak in the hot tub.  I recovered quite well from my 31kms, and look forward to the rest of the week.  Tomorrow could be an inside day by the looks of the weather, but I'm okay with that.  As long as I continue to get sunny Saturdays, it can rain for the rest of the week for all I care. 

And it's starting to hit home that it's just over a month til D-day.  I have 2 more critical long bike workouts, a couple more long runs, plus the usual filler workouts. After that it's all about tapering, and getting ready for race day.  With the discovery today of the red shoe laces I lost (in a pair of shoes...idiot!), I have all of my gear in order, with the exception of sunglasses.  I had given up on ever getting them, but the optician breathed new life into that today.  I hope to get them this week. 

And besides the pool it was wonderful day of lunch with my Grandson, shopping for a trailer hitch for my truck, a nice chat with my Adrian, and a beautiful visit from Jon and Alisha.  

Life is good, and I am grateful.

swim 1250 metres 

"Today, as the time flew by, I learned a valuable lesson. We never know how many days remain to us, so make the most of them. Fill them with the things that are important to you, even if those things may seem trivial to others."---Gail Perry 

Love

Peter

"Satisfaction"

I'm glad that I finished my 190 kms on Saturday, or it would have tempered today's sense of accomplishment.

Again I had little sense of confidence when I headed out for my long run.  It seems my legs are always tired now, and this morning they were clearly still rubbery from Saturday.

But that just didn't seem to matter!  It took me a couple of kms to get in the groove but then it was clear sailing.  Quite frankly I was shocked!

At times I felt like I could run forever.  I ran 31 kms (the plan was 30), and it was never in doubt.  Not just that, I ran faster as the day wore on.  I could have gone even further, but in the interest of my achilles I decided to leave it at that.

I hope all this means that I am building my endurance to a new level.   I feel very, very good!

And when I got back the mail lady had delivered  my reward!

What do you think?

And while the mail lady delivered it, it was in actual fact a gift.  And while I am so immensely grateful for the helmet itself, the real gift my benefactors gave me was the permission to feel like I deserved it.  I don't think there is a healthier combination of feelings than gratitude, combined with a sense of just desserts.  Thank you Ky!!  Thank you Deb!!  I love you both.

And while it may look like just another helmet to you, I can assure you that it is something special, in that it is light, well ventilated, and  aerodynamic.  But more than all that, the thing fits my funny Rooyakkers head like a glove....or perhaps like a wooden shoe!!

run 31 kms, 2:45

"Happiness includes chiefly the idea of satisfaction after full honest effort. No one can possibly be satisfied and no one can be happy who feels that in some paramount affairs he failed to take up the challenge of life."---Arnold Bennett

Love
Peter

"Sunday"

That's the day between long ride, and long run.  That's why I made it a day of rest.

"Do not let Sunday be taken from you. If your soul has no Sunday, it becomes an orphan."---Albert Schweitzer

Love
Peter

"But Today Was Longer"

Because of an appointment I has this morning I never rode away until almost 11 am.  I will try not to make that mistake again.

I simply could not get my head into it at all, and quite early on I decided I was gonna cut it short.  I  had no problem keeping my pace easy, and in the end it turned out to be the slowest long ride I've ever done.  But somehow, despite an agreement between me and my body to pack it in at 150 kms, I managed to up that to 160, then 170, and at that point it was only gonna be another 20 to complete according to plan.  Mind you I justified that decision by letting myself off the hook totally for the transition run.

And yet somehow I also got in a 5 km run, of which about 20% was walking.

I think I'm just a little burned out mentally, and combined with the late start, that's my excuse for today.

A couple of good things.  First off, my new cycling shoes passed the Ironman distance test.  All good! And secondly, despite the mediocre effort, I actually got the sense that my cycling endurance is quite good.  I was tired from the get go, but it never really got any worse.  I never ran out of legs, and even at 180 kms I could still push hard up the hills.  I am very encouraged by that.

So here's to a good night's sleep.  Tomorrow is another day....a sleep in day.

ride 190 kms, run/walk 5 km

"Everyone has his day and some days last longer than others."---Winston Churchill

Love
Peter

"It's Been A 'Long' Day"

First a long swim in the 25 metre pool, and then a long drive to Toronto and back.  Both of them were slow, but life goes on.

I need to eat now and prepare my stuff for tomorrow's long ride.  That takes me at least an hour believe it or not.  I hope the weather co-operates, but like Toronto traffic, and inconsiderate people at the pool, there ain't a thing I can do about it.

swim 3000 metres, 67 mins

...and this one works since both my swim, and my drive to Toronto, although they took up time, were  labours of love...

"Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity."---Henry Van Dyke

Love
Peter

"Up and Down"

Eight times!

And while I felt pretty decent while actually doing my hills, I'm definitely a bit tender now.  However I think it's manageable, and I don't regret doing them.

And speaking of managing, I'm gonna do my stretches now, then I'm going to Tim Hortons to buy some donuts, and then I'm going to bed.  I heard that all those things are good for sore achilles.

Tomorrow's long swim day and I think I'm gonna just stay in St Thomas again.  I am planning at least 3000 metres, with a possibility of 3500.

run 8 hills, 13 kms total

"I'd rather regret the things I've done than regret the things I haven't done."---Lucille Ball

Love
Peter

"Sluggish"

I definitely didn't have the feeling today.  I'm not sure if it was just mental, or whether the long drive yesterday coupled with a few sleepless nights was the cause.  Then again, it's all mental isn't it?

Regardless I didn't have a great workout today.  It was supposed to be a hard ride, followed by a run, but the ride thing fell apart half way through.

 Oh well.  Like I tell Roo, it's now how fast you ride, its how good you look.  Today I picked up my new shoes and tried them out right way.  Whadda ya think?

And as you can see they are a good match, but they are also very good shoes.  It will take a long ride to really prove them out, but all indications today were positive.  And although they didn't seem to make me any faster, I don't even care!  So there!  Oh, and the socks are new as well, but I didn't wear them today.  I'm saving them for the big day, as it's become a tradition to wear brand new socks on Ironman day....and as you can see...they match!

Tomorrow I have a decision to make because it would normally be hill day.  With my recent lower leg problems this could be a bit dangerous, as the uphills put lots of stress on the calfs, and the achilles. I think I may try one or two, but if it doesn't feel right I will turn it into a medium long run instead---somewhere between 15-20 kms.  I'll let you know.


ride 36 kms, run 5 kms

"If you can't make it good, at least make it look good."---Bill Gates

...and this one had the right word in it, and was worth adding...

"The thing to do, it seems to me, is to prepare yourself so you can be a rainbow in somebody else's cloud. Somebody who may not look like you. May not call God the same name you call God - if they call God at all. I may not dance your dances or speak your language. But be a blessing to somebody. That's what I think."---Maya Angelou

Love
Peter

"Kylie's Off To Camp"

And how can it be that 7 hours driving, is more tiring than 7 hours riding?

Oh well.  It is so worth it.

I would resent that drive for any reason other than taking my grand children somewhere they wanted to be. And just for the record, they are now both at Camp Queen Elizabeth which is run by the YMCA of Western Ontario.  I've never seen the place, not even today, because it is actually on Beausoleil Island in Georgian Bay.  They won't let you visit, even if you had your own boat!

But now I'm tired and so I'm gonna rest.

...and I can't even explain why, but this somehow makes sense to me...

"The only person you resent is yourself."---John Hewson

Love

Peter

"Deep Breath"

And then full speed ahead.  Today was an easy day, and then tomorrow will be completely off as we drive Kylie to summer camp.

And then...

Two weeks of hell!!

I'm ready!!

After that it's all downhill, and I'm ready for that as well.

Six weeks less a day to Tremblant part deux.

swim 1000 metres

"You're never promised your next breath."---Lenny Kravitz

Love
Peter

"Proceed With Caution"

As promised I went for a bit of a run today.  I had decided that it was a good day to practice my run/walk race strategy, and I knew right away that it was a good decision.   Actually I was a little surprised at just how tired I felt.  Believe it or not I felt faint after about a minute of running, and my heart rate had barely gone over 80!  I've experienced this a few times recently, even when I have just gotten up to walk after being sedentary for a while.  It's like my heart lags a bit in response to my increase in activity.  Very weird!  I don't worry about it at all, and in actual fact I think it may be a reflection of being very fit.  I just find it interesting.

Anyway, that early sense of dizziness passed, and I started to get a bit of rhythm.  I still felt very tired however, and started to worry a bit, as my heart rate was still too low.  I decided right away that 10 kms was gonna be the limit for today.  That's what is supposed to be on an easy week anyway.  And as the run progressed I got into the groove and for the second half I was much quicker, with a much higher heart rate.  All is well!

run/walk 10 kms

...and here's a beauty...

"More firm and sure the hand of courage strikes, when it obeys the watchful eye of caution."---James Thomson

Love
Pete

"Half Day Saturday"

Back when I was a working man there was nothing better than a half day saturday.  It got you out of bed on the weekend, made you a few extra bucks, and you still had the rest of the day to goof off.

I was home from my ride by noon, and after a quick run, some lunch, and a shower I did exactly that.  Goofed off!

I went shoe shopping and although I didn't find exactly what I want in the store, I now know what it is, and am about to order them on line.  Bike shoes that is.

And although I don't really need them, I've decided that I deserve them, and so I have no choice.

And my ride and run were in themselves quite satisfying.  I barely feel like I did anything.  I actually may run again tomorrow, since I get to play designated driver for Roo and Michael and their poker buddies, and will be sitting in Windsor for most of the day.  My body will decide for me.

ride 90 kms (30.4 kms/hr, 151 watts),  5km run

"We are all of us stars, and we deserve to twinkle."---Marilyn Monroe

Love

Peter

"It's The Nature of the Beast"

Up and down like the proverbial yo-yo.

I know that as you read my ongoing posts you must at times think I'm manic depressive.  I'm really not. Just a bit moody, and yes that moodiness is often triggered by the stresses and strains of my training.  I think it's totally normal to be a bit grumpy when one is tired, cold, and hungry as I often am, and as such I make no apology.  And trust me, I'm a much better human being to be around than the man of 80 pounds, and 14 inches ago!  That guy had a serious clinical depression!

So needless to say, today was one of my good days.  I had a revelation in the pool and I don't specifically mean in relation to my swimming skills.  Much better than that, I realized why I was getting stressed in the pool.  It came to me that for some reason, while  I'm okay with running slow and biking slow when I'm tired and when the workouts are long, and yet in the pool, it bothered me.  Furthermore I think figured out why.

You see, when I'm swimming the only way I can keep track of my lap count is to watch the clock.  It was very easy when I was consistently swimming one minute laps, but now that I'm closer to 1:10 it's a bit more complex.  Never the less, it still works for me. The big drawback, it suddenly hit me, is that I'm constantly getting feedback that I don't want.  I just want to swim without pressure, concentrating on relaxing and improving my stroke.  

And you know what the beautiful thing is.  I have had the answer all along. My very fancy GPS watch counts laps!!  Do you believe it? Even though the satellite function will not work indoors, it also has some kind of accelerometer that counts your strokes, and can tell when you pause and push off the end of the pool.  Amazing eh?!  And the real bonus is that you still get all the pace data, but not until you're all done!  That's how I know that the second half of my swim was faster than the first.  Perfect!

I've used it before in the big outdoor pool in London, but it never occurred to me to use it in our local 25 meter pool.  Primarily because I had never made the connection between the pace clock, and the stress I was feeling.

Today I swam what has to have been the most relaxed 3000 metres I have ever swam!  I feel like a weight has been lifted off my shoulders.  I never once looked at the clock, only checking my watch occasionally for my lap count.  I confirmed that I can easily swim the 3860 metres of Ironman, and I also got a nice peaceful feeling about the 5 or 6 long swims I still need to do between now and then.  Wow!  Life is good!  Game on!

And to top off a good day I get to go to bed anticipating a delicious 90 km bike ride in the morning.  Sometimes it still amazes me that 90k seems like such a cake walk, but such is the truth.  I won't even bother with nutrition for the 3 hour trip.  It's also supposed to be a glorious day, if perhaps a bit windy, but even the wind rarely bothers me since I got my power meter.

swim 3000 metres, 1:08:47

…and this made me smile.  I wish I had said it!!

"The cuckoo who is on to himself is halfway out of the clock."---Wilson Mizner

Love
Peter

"Feelin Better"

"O universo conspira a meu favor!"

One of the very few Portuguese expressions I acquired from my Brazilian days, but one of my favourites.

"The universe conspires in my favour."

A few things happened today to lift my spirits.

1)  I got over the loss of my stolen posts!
2) I had a nice easy run around the block with very little discomfort.
3) My shoulder pain is back to a manageable level.
4) I killed a freakin chipmunk.

The last part I felt a bit badly about because the trap just glanced him, and he was still alive when I found him.  It's okay though.  I squashed his head with a rock!

run 7.3 kms

And never have I had so much fun researching a quote as with the "universe".  There's a whole world (ha ha) of great stuff containing the word.  I thought of several people as I was browsing.

....this one's for you Elly...

"---You, yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love and affection."---Buddha

...and you'll appreciate this one Odd John...

"Some scientists claim that hydrogen, because it is so plentiful, is the basic building block of the universe. I dispute that. I say there is more stupidity than hydrogen, and that is the basic building block of the universe."---Frank Zappa

...and one for you Gail...

"It is impossible to account for the creation of the universe without the agency of a Supreme Being."---George Washington

...and for my sociologist son Michael...

"It is thought and feeling which guides the universe, not deeds."---Edgar Cayce

....I thought of you sister Kate...

"The universe is always speaking to us... sending us little messages, causing coincidences and serendipity's, reminding us to stop, to look around, to believe in something else, something more."---Nancy Thayer

...and Miguette...

"Music is a moral law. It gives soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination, and charm and gaiety to life and to everything."---Plato

...and last but not least, for you babe...

"I understood at a very early age that in nature, I felt everything I should feel in church but never did. Walking in the woods, I felt in touch with the universe and with the spirit of the universe."---Alice Walker

I could go on forever sharing the wisdom of others.  Here's my favourite for today.

"A person who is fanatic in matters of religion, and clings to certain ideas about the nature of God and the universe, becomes a person who has no faith at all."---Alan Watts

Love

Peter

"He Who Hesitates"

Yup!  I felt like crying.  Between 6:30 last night and 9:30 this morning some fucker stole my two beautiful 40 foot hydro poles!!  I suspect someone got the idea from me??  I should have kept at it yesterday until I go them all home.  That's what I get for my laziness!  Man, that makes me mad.

And as to what I was gonna do with them I had several plans, not the least of which was replacing an actual deteriorating hydro pole at the farm.  I was surprised to learn that I am responsible for all poles up to the transformer by the barn, even though they are still carrying Ontario Hydro's 4800 volts at that point.

Also, I hate chipmunks!  I'm pretty sure I found a new spot where  they're getting into the outside walls.  I've tried the live trap but it won't hold them in.  Time to get serious!!  I've got the camera set up to get confirmation of their entry, but regardless, I'm afraid they gotta go.  No more hesitation there either.  Kylie will understand....or maybe not??

And I'm still really hurting.   My shoulder and upper back are in constant discomfort.  I'm trying to stay positive.  Gonna take it real easy again tomorrow, the problem is that even working around the property aggravates it.   I may have to do some cerebral work, which is of course a major limiter for me  :)

easy bike, 42 kms

"There are many persons ready to do what is right because in their hearts they know it is right. But they hesitate, waiting for the other fellow to make the make the first move - and he, in turn, waits for you."---Marian Anderson

Love
Peter

"Happy Canada Day"

You know I love my country but the damn fireworks are keeping me awake!  And although our country is only 147 years old, I feel about the same.  I feel extremely fit today, but extremely sore.  If I could only take a day like today and completely rest I would probably be better off, but that's so hard for me to do.  You see I learned many years ago that I need to work to be happy.  The good news is that 3 of my 4 children already know that for themselves.

Today I managed to "salvage" a couple of very nice 30 foot  poles that no longer met Ontario Hydro standards.  There are a couple of bigger ones yet (40 ft) that I want to go after.  I'll get you some pics maybe tomorrow.

Happy Canada Day!

swim 1500 metres

"You never hear anything bad about Canada, that’s one thing – in fact, I guess it’s the only thing."---Walter Stewart

Love

Peter