Morning Music…
Posted in Morning Music, Music
Mr. Dinkles – Eat Chips and Talk Shit
Martini of the Night (Really, the Week)
Posted in Martini Recap
Lots of disparate threads working tonight.
My wife has to work late. Probably won’t be home until 10. Sigh.
My older son had a law school final today but is spending the night at a Bruins game. Hard to ever imagine, but I’ll root for Boston. Sigh #2.
I’m probably going to have to work 1.75 more years unless I get laid off. Sigh #3.
BUT…
In one week, next Friday, two of my kids will come home for the summer. I don’t care that they are 26 and 21; I still enjoy having them at home. My 23-year-old turns 24 next week, and he’s doing well, too. For a brief shining moment, I’m not stressed about any kid. (I know, I just jinxed it.)
I’ve posted about my 60-year crisis, and it’s real, but I’ve had a good life.
I was in a particularly sullen mood. Again, I’m always a little sullen, but this was next level. My wife listened and then asked, “Do you want me to just listen, or do you want my take?”
The reason I’m not completely off the rails is that I say, “No, I want your take.”
And she unloaded. Nicely.
She basically walked through my entire life from the beginning and hit the highlights. All the way to, “and you made a really nice omelet this morning.”
This is why I admit I’m biased toward partnered people. Left alone, I’d be a disaster. She keeps me in the Overton Window.
Anyway, tonight’s martini is in reflection.
I may be stunned that I’m 60, but I met my best friend yesterday, and now he’s visiting his granddaughter. What the hell. It was yesterday we were drunk in Sellery Hall at UW-Madison. Neither of us should be someone’s grandparent. It’s been amazing and fast and I’m so appreciative to have known him.
I’ve known my oldest friend since kindergarten. That’s almost 55 years. Same as above. I don’t talk to him as much as college roommate (which really understates what he means to me), but damn.
Crazy.
So, to all the people who have been with me forever, thank you.
You make life worth living.
As a tangent, my daughter has some great college friends. She’s been lucky not to have COVID mess up her college years. Her roommate has been awesome. Her BFFs likewise. I hope she has a 42 year friendship with them like I have been lucky to have.
Okay, cliche… but it really is the friends we make along the way. Oy. I really need to not post when I’m drinking a martini.
It is my habit on May 1 so…
Training Calendar Addition…
During a recent 5K fun run, I saw someone wearing IM Rockford 70.3 swag. I’ve been out of the game for a bit because I had no idea Rockford had a 70.3. I checked it out, and it mostly fits in my training calendar. I’d prefer it were a month later, but I’ll be out of town for those 70.3 races.
So, I signed up today. The week before, I have a 3:30 bike and 9 mile run as my longer weekend workouts. The bike would easily cover the 70.3, and the run is close enough that I can push it. BUT, I probably won’t have any open water swims by them (Lake Michigan will be cold).
Oh well, it’s not like I haven’t had a few 70.3 death marches before. If you see a racer with the “I made a big mistake” look on their face, that’ll be me.
Morning Music…
Posted in Morning Music, Music
The Bangles – Manic Monday (this is the third part of a theme….first was Matthew Sweet, second was Ming Tea where Matthew Sweet and Susanna Hoffs play guitar, and now The Bangles with lead singer Susanna Hoffs).
This Week in Training: Base Phase – Week 10….
The Last Week of Base Phase
Time is moving faster than I’d like. Somehow, we’re already at the last week of the base phase. That feels both good and slightly terrifying.
Overall, not a bad week. I officially backed down to the Just Finish plan with some modifications, so it’s really more like “Just Finish+” or maybe “Intermediate-,” depending on how generous I’m feeling. Basically: less dumb, still enough work.
I think it’s the right call. My wrists agree.
Swim 🏊
- Workouts: 2
- Total Time: 1 hour 18 minutes
- Total Distance: 4,025 yards
This was a nice middle ground — a step back from the 5,000 yards in the Intermediate plan, but a step up from the 3,600 yards in the Just Finish plan. Exactly where I wanted it. Enough work without feeling like I’m auditioning for shoulder surgery.
Bike 🚴
- Workouts: 5 (over three days)
- Total Time: 4 hours
- Total Distance: 64 miles
Two of these were commute rides, which absolutely count because I said so.
The long ride was a two-hour Peloton Power Zone Endurance ride, and it was hard. I much prefer riding outside, but I stayed indoors to save my wrists a bit and because the structure of the power zone ride is good discipline. Suffering with purpose.
Run 🏃
- Workouts: 4
- Total Time: 2 hours 13 minutes
- Total Distance: 14 miles
This landed about right for the plan, though I shuffled things around a bit. I ran an extra 4.5 miles earlier in the week so I could just do a 5K on Sunday (today) instead of the planned 7.5 miles. Sometimes logistics wins.
I’ll get back to a dedicated long run next week.
Total Training Time 🧮
- Total Time This Week: 7 hours 32 minutes
A little down from Week 8, but still a bit above what the standard Just Finish plan would call for. Honestly, I think this is the sweet spot. I’d rather train consistently here than keep pretending I’m 32.
TrainingPeaks Metrics 📈
- Fitness: 82
- Fatigue: 121
- Form: -38
All good. Much healthier than the “why are my wrists trying to leave my body” phase.
Reflections ✍️
This feels sustainable. That matters more than chasing bigger numbers for the sake of ego.
I think I’ll stay in this middle lane for a while — enough work to improve, not so much that I break myself before summer even starts. Once school is out and I have more flexibility, I can ramp smarter.
For now: consistency over heroics.
Base Phase is done. The Build Phase is next.
First, though, I’m going to ice my wrists. They still hurt.