The moment TIME STOOD STILL...

Everyone reads my blogs as it makes them laugh if but for just a moment. But today is different....continue on....

It was Sunday morning. Robin and I completed our run almost 24 hours ago (8 miles). What occured next that morning was something I was not prepared for.

Robin gets out of bed and is complaining that her stomach hurts - an ailment that seemingly was with her for the next several minutes. She sat down and slowly put her head into her hand - I could see the color quickly escaping her face. Her hand is turning red as she messages her temples. She says, "I feel like I am going to pass out. Can you get me a wet towel".

I run to the sink and grab a towel and soak it with cold water knowing that this will help somewhat. No sooner than I turned around, Robin spoke again. "I am about to, about to....pass...oooo.....". I barely catch her before she hits the floor. She is BURNING UP....head, neck, shoulders, everywhere.

Running over to the sink, I get another towel and soak it with extremely cold water. When I get back to her, I hold her head up and look into her eyes. She was catatonic...no response, eyes wide open and dilated - and dripping in sweat.

I place the towel over her head and behind her neck trying to cool her off and at the same time, slapped her face to snap her out of it. That is when I decided to check her pulse...it was almost non-existent. I mere 3 beats in the ten seconds I counted. This was the most scared I have ever been in my life...I really thought I was loosing me beloved wife. I didn't know what was happening. This was not simply the signs of "fainting" or "passing out".

A few seconds later she started to shake and I just held her close and whispered in her ear that I was here for her. I could tell that she was very disoriented as she began to wake up (roughly 1 minute she was out). Her eyes started to blink and I assured her that she was ok. I helped her to the floor and ran downstairs to get some ice...her temperature needed to come down.

I force fed her alot of water, continued to cool her off, and she slowly started to recover and was then fine enough to get into the bed and relax. She continued to drink water.

The first thing I thought was that her iron level was low....a typical trigger for passing out. But according the doctor, my wife had a "heat stroke". She did not suffer from "heat exhaustion", she was well beyond that. Her core temperature was so high, her body began to shut down, until she lost all her strength.

She is fine now and she will have to monitor it from now on as she has now become more succeptable to future heat strokes as a result of this one.

Heat strokes can come at any time...Robin's was almost 24 hours after she completed her run. She is in top shape and knowledgeable in the field of running and treatment...and "it" got her.

I send this message to EVERYONE READING....DO NOT RUN ALONE in the heat, pay attention to warning signs (upset stomach, cold sweat, etc.). Drink plenty of fluids as much as 2 days before a long run (per doctor's advice)....and whenever you get a chance, hug you wife or husband.

Life is WAY TOO SHORT to be a hero and pretend you are immune. Nobody is and nobody every will be.

Additional reading related to heat strokes:

http://www.health.am/diseases/more/heat_stroke_hyperthermia/

Leave Room for the Big Guys in the Gym

Well, it has been a while and I am sure everyone has been "anxiously sitting on their hands" waiting for some of my "daily dose". Just FYI, David sits on his hands with his thumb extended, but we will save that for another time.

I ran into "Jason The Running Man" at the Sportsclub the other day and the strangest thing...HE WASN'T RUNNING ! ! ! ! We had a good talk about each other workouts and how they were coming along. After the great conversation - you guessed it - he WALKED away. I think he is lying about that 9:16 pace to all of us...I didn't see it....lol.

Anyways, last week was actually my first full week or working out with weights in my ENTIRE LIFE. I know, I know...kind of hard to believe that this is "all natural"...but it is.

It was a good workout...did some Nipple Strainers, Back Beef-eaters, some Biceps Bulges and a few Tricep Blasties. After that I hit the legs pretty hard with a bunch of LEGGIE WARMERS....felt good....good burn. But for some reason, everyone was laughing at me...they are just jealous....and for good reason....

This is what I looked like before last week:

This is what I look like now:

For those of you "keeping score"...this is what David used to look like....

This is what David looks like now....

Unbelievable transformations to say the least....

So until next time....Eat your protein, Make sure to "carb up" and for goodness sake, leave room for the big guys in the gym.

Total Eclipse of the "BLUE MOON"

Been a long time since I posted so I thought I would briefly update you on my Greenville Tri Training.

Last night was the hardest night so far....I had two pieces of pizza and a beer. The beer really didn't go down that easily as I probably haven't trained as well over the last few days as I needed to. Saturday night was a good training day, but unfortunatley, I haven't trained much this week until last night. The pizza you ask?....that was smooth...training really paid off there.

Seriously though...

Last night was a nice casual swim and was really enjoyable and relaxing. I didn't try to 'bust ass' as it was only my 3rd time in the pool in...well...15 years. I just took it nice and easy and really practiced on my breathing and form. Felt alot more comfortable in the pool yesterday and had no doubt when I was finished that I could "smoke" the little kids that were having swimming lessons in the lane next to me.

Speaking of the little kids...."Please keep you little "floaties" in your swim area". I took one of those in the head and the first thing I though was that it was either a 'fart bubble' or a "Babe Ruth" bar.

I am still having a difficult time focusing on my position in the lane when sharing it with someone else. I tend to "sway" a little bit when I "over reach" and it causes me to move into the other lane. David didn't seem to mind though as he let me hold onto his "blue marble bag" long enough to get me to the edge of the pool.

It was a good workout though. Despite the phantom "fart bubbles" and the site of David in his blue speedo, I swam 500 meters and will do the same on Saturday but try and string 5-100 meters lengths together rather than the 50m that I did last night.

One question as I end...does anyone like "BLUE MOON"....(nope, not the beer either).

Peace.

"...please hold you applause until the end."

AHHH...we are here...."THE MOTHER OF ALL BLOGS"....finally has arrived. MMM...can you smell it in the air. I can....or maybe that was - hold on a sec....I have to go across the hall...

I AM BACK ! ! ! Refreshed and feeling 3 pounds lighter.

So where do I start? Oh yeah...this isn't really the MOTHER OF ALL BLOGS...I just said that to keep everyone one "their toes"...Do they hurt yet? Anyways...let me start my "banter"....

FIRST...to that guy that hit me with their car the other day as I was crossing the street- here is a personal message for you:

"You stupid ass driver. When the hand is green, I walk and you stop. When the hand is blinking red, I continue to walk (no one else can start) and you must continue to wait. When the hand is solid red...I WILL BE OUT OF YOUR WAY ! ! ! ! Next time I see you downtown (believe me, I have been looking for your SUV), I will get your plate number. And don't EVER belittle me by saying "RED MEANS STOP" in that "patronizing voice" you arrogant, rich asshole. You need to GROW UP and restudy you DMV book ! ! ! ! Oh, by the way...I feel sorry for you becuase your day 'will come' and you probably will go broke because of it. Have fun - I hope your wife loves you enough to stay with you".

AHHHHH....that felt good. He pretty much heard the exact same thing the other day, but feels good to yell at my computer screen. Finally...CLOSURE. Thank you....

SECOND - Probably should have been the first point...but I LOVE being part of the RED SOX NATION right now. They are 10-1/2 games ahead of the Yankees with 118 games to play. Sure everyone says that it is too early in the season...YEAH....RIGHT. Let me do the math for you and you decide if it is too early in the season to be excited. The RED SOX are 31-13 (best record in baseball) and have a .704 winning percentage (again, tops). If the Sox play the same percentage ball till the end of the season...they will have a final record of 114-48 with 83 more wins from this day on. That means the Yanks would have to win 94 games - out of 118 remaining ! ! ! That would be a winning percentage of .798. Just to let you know....no team has every sustained a pace like that.....and oh, they still play the RED SOX 9 more times and the SOX are 6-2 against the Yanks so far. Not going to happen. Babe Ruth may as well roll over in his grave and let me spank him. Hell, I will let him spank me if the Yanks pull this one out.

THIRD - I am thinking about getting a membership at the Westside Aquatic Center so I can train for the Greenville Sprint Tri in a 50 meter pool. That reminds me.....(hold on-dialing the center).....(place Jeopardy theme here)....CRAP...no answer. I am not leaving an answer. If they can't have anyone use my tax dollars to answer the phone, then I am not talking into a machine.

FOURTH - I was talking to my brother the other day and we were having a good chat. He then says "hold on, I have another call coming in". He clicked over and I hung up. If he doesn't think that my phone call is important to him, it is not important for me to stay on the line. It is amazing how so many people are rude like that. Think about it...if they are talking to you - in person - do they say..."Stand right there, I have another friend I am going to walk over and talk to"? JUST TELL ME I AM BORING YOU...IT WON'T STING AS MUCH.

Other TIDBITS:

1. I was watching X-MEN - The Last Stand movie the other day and couldn't help but notice what an "awful" job Halle Berry did playing Storm. Should have kept her lines to say...none...and let Wolverine do all the talking

2.. I recieved 3 Learn to Speak Chinese DVDs from the China office the other day. Two of them do not work - and the third...it is in Chinese.

3. I have a great family, a nice house, great friends, and an excellent job....so WHY do I let other people "snub" me or talk down to me? Who are they? What makes them think they are better than me? NEWS FLASH PEOPLE....I also have a hotter wife than you.

4. David, beer?

Thank you to everyone that reads my blogs on a daily basis. I am sorry that I sometimes do not post on yours, but I do read them and enjoy them.

UP NEXT TIME....The FATHER OF ALL BLOGS ??? NAH....post a few things in your comments.....major goal in life, favorite color, number and a noun that starts with C along with the city where you were born....YOU WILL SEE....STAY TUNED.....

STAY TUNED FOR THE "MOTHER" OF ALL BLOGS

WHAT A STRANGE WORLD

The world is a strange place...with many unknowns. We send our eyes around corners before our bodies and we always keep a light on in the back of our mind. But there is one thing that never changes, never judges, and never stops loving us. That is our spouse.

I know you are probably sitting back and wondering why i am writing about something that would seem to be a "far stretch" from my past blogs. There is only one reason. My wife has returned from a weekend trip with her sister, and her return was much anticipated.

When she leaves I feel lost - almost completely out of place - in this strange world. I have lived 34 years before I married Robin and she is gone for a weekend and I am lost. Almost as if I am a sad child who is lost in a store or an elderly person lost looking for a car in the parking lot.

Sure I was fine when she was gone, I kept up the normal weekend chores and did the weekly shopping. But still, without her here, something was missing. Something deep in my eyes that allows me to "look around the corner before my body"...and something deep in the back of the mind that "keeps the light on for me".

I know my wife really loved the time she spend with her sister. But for her to arrive home after what seemed and eternity was one of the best moments of our marriage.

Yep...it's a strange world.

"C" is for COOKIE

It is Wednesday morning (9:40am) and the first phone call from my wife was to let me know that my "diet sucks". She is right. I will explain why.

As I try to get back into shape there are several ways that I can accomplish it. The most obvious is to exercise more - which I have been doing at a moderate pace..just not where I need to be....

You know what...everyone knows how to exercise so I will not bore you with those details. Let's take a look at some of my favorite foods - over the last week - and show the benefits from eating them.

McDonalds Chicken Nuggets - Protein..need I say more.
Smarties - FRUIT GROUP ! !
Beer - builds biceps and forearms (depending on how you hold the bottle)

And finally, the other three things of JUNK I had this week are DORITOS (dairy group), BREWSTERS (dairy group), and a BIG COOKIE with ICE CREAM (dairy group) and Chocolate sauce on it (SURVIVOR TREAT)....did I mention that my wife had all of these as well?

It is hard to eat right only becuase all the crap food taste so good. At work, I eat VERY WELL and I haven't had a beer in 2 days (shaking, shaking). But I keep trying...and exercising is picking up a bit.

So without further delay...her is a list of food that I LOVE THE MOST...(in order)

5. Orange Sherbert - good for you...just not in the portions I have
4. Smartees - little orgasim in your mouth
3. Medium Rare meat - any type (will wait for David's comment on this)
2. pepperoni - (still will wait for a comment from David)
And the #1 food I love the most - Chips (the greasier and saltier the better)

Until the next blog and CHIPS AHOY ! !
Scott

Just one of those mornings

Ever have one of those mornings where nothing goes right and you just hope that today "picks up a little"....even just deviate from the morning just a little. I sure the hell hope that it today. Let me break down what has happened since I woke up at 6:50am.

Times are approximates.

6:51 - Dog would not pee...that put me behind right off the bat

6:55 - drop the shampoo in the shower. While bending over to get it, my ass hits the cold wall of the shower.

7:00 - The shirt that I was ironing in the dryer was not done yet...had to wait a couple of minutes.

7:02 - walk the dog again so she can go #2...she just ate. Decided not to wear shoes or socks...stepped in DOG SHIT. Guess I didn't pick it all up last night.

7:03 - washed my foot and got my pant leg wet

7:05 - finally sat down for breakfast (cereal)....waited too long to begin after pouring in the milk....SOGGY

7:10 - Get the catfood and going to feed them. Stepped on a tack in the garage...did I mention I still have NO SHOES ON ! ! !

7:18 - leave the house...no problems here

7:42 - arrive in the office

8:00 - need to make copies of SPC report....paper jams

8:05 - fix copying machine but for some reason....still senses paper jam.

8:10 - after 5 minutes of trying I go back to my office to print the report on my printer.

8:11 - NO MORE INK ! ! !

I hope everyone has a great day....I am not moving from my chair until 5:00pm.

Been a LONG TIME

Wow...it has been a long time since I last "blogged". So without further delay...I would like to give each one of you a taste of what has been going on in my life since my last "blog"....

here I go....(think, think).

NOTHING ! ! !

Just kidding. One of the more memorable events that took place was seeing my good friend - and his "marbles"- compete in the Triathlon at Clemson University. The event was Saturday morning and really was quite enjoyable...Especially when David came out of the water in his tri-suit...YUM.

Anyways...my wife and I spent the morning just relaxing as we watched the athletes compete in the "FU 3 times" events. All in all...it was a good day.

David really did very well...especially during that last little "bitch sprint" to the finish line....show off....(if you had that much more at the end...you left ALOT in the tank). What am I talking about...I am the one that cycles at a cool 15mph while David flys by me at 25mph...then waits...and repeats.

But to all of you as I close this blog...I will say one thing....

I will continue to entertain you with my blogs...you were not forgotton. Just that sometimes the hamster in my head "stops running on the wheel".

AND THE DEBATE GOES ON....

There are always decsions that everyone has to make during the course of a day. Several of these decisions are utimately made over the course of one's lifetime. But nothing, and I mean NOTHING, is more important than the dilemma I am about to present to you. Question will be supported by "more than ample" reasoning.

Question:

Would you rather use "pink cycle tires" or "blue speedos"?

Rationale:

There are two current views of thought...one by myself - a pink tire supporter - and one by my friend David (aka, the "marble bag" collector). Scoring is below:

1. Even though I do not have a pair of pink tires, mine do have a red perimeter color that will eventually...Yep, you guessed it, fade to pink. And I am OK with that becuase the tires rotate a at an "above average" speed therefore will look more like a "pink flash" that lighting sometimes has as it connects the ground and sky. Unlike my fellow counterpart, his blue speedos slowly (and I mean not as fast as a bike) drag through the waters of the YMCA pool so everyone can see - and clearly get a good shot of. So on this point alone the score is: PINK TIRES 1 - BLUE SPEEDOS 0.

2. Pink is found on the color wheel next to - or very close to - the color red...RED MEANS HOT ! ! ! Blue...blue is associated with COLD....hmmmm, in the color water and all of a sudden - BAM - "like a frightened turtle." PINK TIRES 2 - BLUE SPEEDOS 0.

3. Pink Tires would be the envy of Team Mobile. Just think if - when he was still riding - Jan Ulrich came to my house and asked to ride my bike. I know, not likely - but plausible. Blue Speedos....Greg Louganis? PINK TIRES 3 - BLUE SPEEDOS 0.

4. And the MOST IMPORTANT in making a decision between the two....You can't "see through pink tires" PINK TIRES 4 - SPEEDOS 0.

So with that brief analysis...I bid a "farewell" to the theory of wearing blue speedos. Unless of course my wife wanted me to secretely wear them one time as we role ..... Ah, Sorry, got side tracked.....

VIA LA PINK TIRES ! ! !

Pose pretty for the camera !

To my friend David....



George asked that I give you this photo. He posed really pretty for you.

On the "lighter side" of my ride...

As a followup to my previous post regarding "potholes" and "pinheads"...there was a comical side to what happened on my ride that didn't dawn on me until I was actaully done.

About 12 miles in I pulled into the "soccer facility" off of Anderson Ridge road so I could grab a quick snack. For people who do not know, this facility is a YOUTH soccer facility and contains - what I would guess - to be 10 fields. On this particular night there are several games going on and parents every where.

Anyways, as I stood there eating my bar and looking over the field of 8 to 9 year olds playing soccer...it dawned on me what I must have looked like.

Standing there - staring at these kids - with my cycling shorts (hiding no secrets) and my cycling jersey unzipped. No wonder why the parents were staring at me.

Potholes and Pinheads

Last night I went on a moderate bike ride and couldn't help but to think of the two things that bother me most about the road..."potholes" and "pinheads".

The potholes are frustrating enough. Do I move to the left or do I move to the right? Fairly simple decision and I am comfortable choosing either one. But the "pinheads"....completely different story. I will explain:

There were three instances last night on my 20 mile venture that stood out...all including "less that educated drivers" or "just plain idiots". I affectionately refer to these 3 types of people as "pinheads".

Encounter #1 - about 10 minutes into my ride a car was coming at me from the opposite direction. Obviosly no need to for this "male pinhead" to feel any threat from me on my bike. He slowed down and yelled out the window to "get my ass on the sidewalk". I shouted back with some "less than complimentary words" that he was basically an asshole. I can't remember what he was driving...some little piece of crap. If I threw the DMV manual at his car - you know the section about how bikes obey all rules that car do - it probably would have gotten stuck in the crack in his windshield. Undoubtedly formed by a past beer can he threw at it in a domestic dispute.

Encounter #2 - Same shit as point #1...different time....except a "beep" by a women....PINHEAD.

Encounter #3 - about 1 hour into my ride I was cruising down Anderson Ridge road...a moderate pace around 20mph. All of a sudden a car was right next to me. Because she was driving from behind me in the same direction, I didn't notice her until she was on my left hip....or at least 1 inch from it. I am NOT KIDDING about this when i say how close she was. Matter of fact she was SO DAMN CLOSE...she noticed that I was there and swerved into the other lane as part of a "reflex reaction". Guess what...this PINHEAD was on her cell phone driving to damn fast. It was TOO close...I went off the road....guess what...PINHEAD #3 never F$&^#%^ stopped ! ! ! !


Becare careful and Be Safe...their are alot of potholes out there...but MORE PINHEADS ! ! !

"Please hold all applause until the end...."

I hope I can entertain and take you away from work for a few moments.

TOP TEN things that need to change (and solution):

10. Fast teenage drivers. SOLUTION: Steeper fines for speeding under the age of 21 and minimum horsepower cars for intital registration.
9. Slow elderly drivers. SOLUTION: Opposite of #10.
8. Tickle/Dancing/Hug Me Elmo. SOLUTION: Where to start?
7. Smokers. SOLUTION: REALLY raise tax and only raise their insurance rates without affecting everyone elses.
6. Country Music "twang" sound. SOLUTION: Make the singers eat nothing but Premium Saltine crackers all day.
5. Potholes. SOLUTION: FILL THEM UP ! ! It can't be that expensive
4. Mopeds. SOLUTION: Stop getting DUI's and your license suspended.
3. Cold toilet seats. SOLUTION: Save everything for the summer.
2. New York Yankees. SOLUTION: Unfortunately, there isn't one.
1. Arrogant rich people. SOLUTION: SOUL SEARCHING. You didn't build this world so what makes you think you own it.


My Favorite Songs:

1. MORE THAN A FEELING by Boston
2. THUNDERSTRUCK by AC/DC
3. DON'T FEAR (THE REAPER) by Blue Oyster Cult
4. PEARL NECKLACE by ZZ Top
5. LISTEN TO THE MUSIC by The Doobie Brothers



Things to Ponder today:

Have you ever had one piece of paper and two paper clips?
How could you possible consider splitting a "chicklet" with someone else?
Turkey or Chicken gravy?
Michael Jackson or Prince?
Why are gas prices rounded to the nearest tenth? Do you have a "tenth" cent?
Why is our paper currency all the same size?
How much "proof" do you need to know that it is liquor?
Does "dry beer" leave a wet spot when it is spilled?
Why don't women leave the seat up?

How many can you answer correctly? (answer below)

1. What seperates "60 Minutes" on CBS from every other TV show?
2. Half of all american's live witin 50 miles of what?
3. More women do this in the bathroom than men.
4. What do 100% of all lottery winner's do?
5. If you were to spell out numbers, how far would you have to go until you find the letter "A"?
6. What do bullet proof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common? 7. What person, not a "Seinfeld" regular cast member, is featured in every episode of Seinfeld?
8. 40% of all people who come to a party in your home do this?
9. What common everyday occurrence is compose of 59% nitrogen, 21% hydrogen, 9% dioxide, and 0% love?
10. About 1/3 of all americans say they do this while sitting?


Answers:

1. No theme song/music
2. Their birthplace. This is propinquity
3. Wash their hands. Women ~ 80% and Men ~55%
4. Gain weight
5. One thousand
6. All were invented by women
7. Superman, either by name, pictures, or on Jerry's refridgerator
8. Snoop in your medicine cabinet
9. A fart
10. Flush the toilet

PEACE

A "little bit of everything"

Well, the weekend is gone and Monday is upon us. So with those magical weekend days having passed, I would like to reflect on things that I was thankful for over the weekend. There are several - so try and keep up:

1. Thank you to my wife for a great two days off - just spending time with her is always enjoyable. Even if we are just in the same room without talking. Just knowing she is there puts a smile on my face.

2. Thank you BOSTON RED SOX for taking 2 out of three from the "uh, you know who's" this weekend in the Bronx. Dah, RED SOX win...! ! !

3. Thank you NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS for trading for Randy Moss. Ahh....I can already feel the Arizona heat as I watch the SuperBowl on the plasma screen. Seeing the "flying elvis' will only make it more enjoyable".

4. Thank you to my 93 year old grandfather. Without him, I would not have been able to "weed wack" my yard....Trust me, there is a connection between the two.

5. Thank to my youngest, GREG. We played PS3 Virtual Tennis this weekend. It was the first time I have not seen him play a 'first person shooter' game and he LOVED IT. Ah, sports - what fun and nothing better for the young male egos.

6. Thank you to my oldest Kenny and his girlfried....J - e - s - s - ca....for coming over to have a cookout for my wife on Sunday.

7. Thank you to my computer for not allowing me to log into CNN for once and not seeing all the bad things happening in this world.

8. Thank you to my 'bike pump'...it ACTUALLY WORKED ! ! !

9. Thank you to my dog for not laying "parallel" in a "perpendicular" bed last night.

10. And finally, thank you to everyone who has a goal set for the day....mine - type this blog.

Xie Xie,
Scott

MY ASS HURTS

You ever get in the mood to type something but for some reason, you can't think of anything to write? Well, that is the kind of mood I am in right now.

Since I arrived at work this morning, I have thought about "The Office", my wife's birthday, a trip to China, and my movie projector. But as I struggled thought this Friday, one thing is obvious to me...MY ASS HURTS ! ! !

Have you ever sat on a horse and had the horse jump up and down so hard you could feel it for a week? I haven't. But if I could imagine it, this is probably what it would feel like the next morning.

As my ass is still hurting, there are several things I could do to make it better...without everyone in the office noticing. For this fact, I have chosen the "less subtle" but very effective method of "ass to chair grinding" (ahh, that feels good...right there on that spot).

I hope this pain goes away soon and I TRULY hope that my imformative writing has brought to front a very problematic state. Nothing is more serious at this very moment than my ass hurting.

So as everyone is writing their blogs about daily events and accomplishments...I want to you think of one thing...MY ASS HURTS ! ! !

Intelligence is the "Ability to Self Analyze"

Where to start? This being my first "blog" and with alot of my friend doing it, I feel a little "added pressure" just to keep up with them. Reading some blogs they have posted in the past, it appears that the first step is a good "grabber line" to get everyone's attention...let's see (think, think, think)....

GOT IT ! ! ! ! " I HAVE A DREAM"....(nope, already been done)...
How's this? "And the Boston Red Sox win their first world title in 86 years"...(that is good...but again, not original).

I guess a simple word with suffice....ARGH ! ! !

As I try to get back into working out, I always seem to run into wall that I seemingly always place in front of me. For example, last evening I ventured out on a "modest" run becuase I was simply in the mood and knew that I needed to do it. So, I strapped up my shoes, put on my best shirt, and hit the road...WALKING.

That's right...a blistering 15 min/mile pace - Just for the first few yards. To be quite honest, my run consisted of about 1 mile of walking and 100 feet or running. How could this be? I am the survivor of the Goofy Challenge (39.3miles) ! ! ! And that was just a few months ago.

I guess the simplest answer is that I recently have not had the ability recently to "self-analyze" where I am or what my expectations are of myself. Only intelligent people have the ability to do this right? Pondering on these words, I do not claim to be intelligent, but I am a very capable and smart individual that should - in the face of adversity - step up and push through the pain in my legs, mind, and heart.

Self Analyzation is an intangible thought that cannot be fed with extra food, extra rest, or even extra support from others. It is the ability to reach deep within ones soul, heart, and mind, and filter out all the stuff that clogs dreams and aspirations.

Because of my inability over the last few months to push through training...I am being left behind. Left behind by my friends who I have run with for so long. Left behind in the coldness of my own shadow (becuase that is my only running partner). My pride keeps me away from my old running group in fear of this shadow actually passing me and leaving me in last.

I am having a difficult time getting this "soon to be" 38 year old body to respond. Not trying to come up with excuses...but is hard battling off the aches and pains I feel so I come up with reasons in my head why putting off running is a good idea for that moment. Before I know it, one moment turns into two, and then 3....soon, a month has passed and my desire has left me.

Maybe this blog is the first step to becoming an intelligent person? Maybe I have finally analyzed myself? Maybe it is time....to walk faster? NOPE....time to RUN and get these bones in shape.

I miss my friends and I miss time I spend with my wife on the road running. Today we are going cycling and I look forward to it. She is my "crutch", my "cape", and "my best friend".

So now that I have seemingly reached a "right of passage" and analyzed myself to the "nth" degree...what is next?

Well...here is the list (no particular order except #1 has to stay #1):

1. Love my wife more than the previous day
2. Red Sox win the World series again

That is the list....(just kidding)....I am getting "back on the wagon" and cycling tonight.

Looking back at this blog, I realized what the 'grabber line' should have been at the beginning of this blog....

"Pain is but a memory...hopefully my memory SUCKS"

Scott