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My city league flag football team won the championship last night. We had to play 2 games which obviously we won. The games really weren't that difficult to win. Our team was on fire.

I am super sore today though. I was going to go for a run over lunch, but decided with the extra sprinting effort I put forth last night, I should take a day off. I'll resume normal workouts tomorrow.

So Far

So far I've been doing well with my workouts. The main thing I'm missing is my cardio, but I'm getting in the weights. Yesterday I lifted legs, then today I went for a 40 minute run.

I didn't track mileage.

I ran for 10 minutes, stopped to stretch the IT band, ran for 10 more, stretch, run for 10 more, then I did 5 30 second sprints followed by 1 minute of running and 30 seconds of jogging. I finished it off with a couple minutes cool down running. It felt good, but my legs are pretty mad at me now after lifting and running.

Monday - Lift Legs
Tuesday - Jog 40 minutes with 5 - 30 second sprints
Wednesday - Lift Chest & Back
Thursday - Jog 40 minutes
Friday - Lift ??? Arms, Abs
Saturday - Off/Cross Train

I need to get another cardio workout in. It will probably be on Sunday.

The Battle that will be Won!

I feel that my new conquest in life is to get stronger, leaner and compete. 2009 has to be a year that I try and do well in the Dakota 5-0, compete in Leadville for the first time and run the Boulder Boulder. You've all heard this before, but I feel that I am right on track to begin some good training at the beginning of '09.

I have started weight training and doing some moderate running on the treadmill. It really makes me feel good. Today, I only ran for 5 minutes, but I wanted to get a decent upper body workout in. I did chest and back and some shoulders. Monday will be a legs day. I'm going to try and fit in some cardio over the weekend. Probably a 3 mile run or something with small intervals mixed in.

I really need to get together a training plan. I'm horrible at doing something if it isn't written out ahead of time for me. Maybe I'll do that this weekend too.

Anyone who reads this crappy blog have any ideas on training? Winter training and then some good running and biking training for the spring? I'll take anything that is good.

I know what my goals are, I don't know how to reach them without the right training.

Couple things

I went to Borders yesterday and bought myself some new reading material. Visual Basic 2008 and Build Your Own ASP.NET Website. I know, neither of these are bicycling related, but I feel that you should know. Why... cuz it's my blog and I'll tell you if I want to.

I think I got Angie talked into running the Boulder Boulder with me this coming May. It'll be great cardio training for me as i still want to try and do the Leadville 100 next August. Between running and riding, I should be ready. All I have to do is get picked to race.

Lifting

I started lifting weights last week. When I was in college, it was a daily activity. Once I graduated, I didn't loose the ambition, but I did loose the free gym, I lost the convenience and I lost some time. I have decided that I need to get back to lifting for the health of it, so on Monday's, Wednesday's and Friday's, I go to the NAU gym and get a 1 hour workout in. I lifted legs last Friday and then I did some lunges yesterday, my legs are quite mad.

I became a little upset about the amount of muscle loss I have experienced. I used to be able to push quite a bit of weight, now, I lift only a little. I could bench my body weight and I could squat far more than 225 pounds. I'll get it back.

After I finished my lift yesterday, I did an interval workout on the treadmill. 30 seconds at an 8 and 1 minute at a 4-5 (hardness scale). I repeated it 10 times and I'm pretty sure I pulled my quad. It'll be ok, it's not serious, but it does hurt and stretching and loosening does not help. All in all, I feel much better now that I'm lifting.

And, if that isn't enough, I ordered some new running shoes. This is one thing I am extremely excited about. 5 years ago, I ran the Mt. Rushmore marathon. I'd like to do one again but have had knee (ITB) problems. I recently talked with Josh Ellis (founder of the Gut Check 212) about it and he strongly advised new shoes. He said problems like that usually stem from the feet. So, we'll see if that helps. Angie and I might have the goal of running the Boulder Boulder next year. I would also love to do another marathon!

Things I would like to do.

I have many things I would like to do or become better at. Most of these items require time and energy and that is something that I've been lacking lately. I have a passion, desire and motivation but when it all comes down to it, I really don't want to get involved in anything at this point of my life. We have a 10 month old boy, we both work full-time jobs and our lives seem to move non-stop in every direction except the way we want so adding things to the already full list seems like a bad idea.

1. Become a better designer (web mostly)
2. Learn a programming language (asp.net would be the choice)
3. Become a better writer.
4. Get inspired by something.
5. Get a master's degree
6. Possess a position that would promote or utilize such degree
7. Exercise more
8. Put together a portfolio

Just the two of us

It was just Oli and I last night. Angie is at a retreat in Keystone for work so it was just the boys. We did alot. I got something yesterday (Angie doesn't know yet). I aquired a practically brand new foosball table. It is in perfect shape and is super fun.

My old boss moved to Missouri and he was emptying out his house for the last few days. I asked him what his plans were for the table and he told me I could have it if I would move 2 couches for him. I jumped right on that one and loaded it up and took it home. Oli and I set it up last night and I diddled around with it a bit.

Today, after work we are heading back to Miller for some hunting and family time. We also get to see some people that only come around once a year, these strangers are from Wisconsin. They've been coming hunting for about 5-10 years now. Great people.

Oh, and I will probably drink alot of beer. Have a good weekend.

More stuff

I can't get over the idea of wanting my master's degree in something. It's getting to the point where I don't even care what it's in. I'll get a degree in shoe polishing if that where an actual degree. I think I may have found something that really interests me and will probably enhance my current position. I found an online master's degree in internet marketing. It looks perfect. I won't become a surgeon or a geological engineer (both of which I have considered, I'm too scared) but it really looks interesting. The program can be completed in 1 year and then I can continue my current job but I might be able to teach or develop a new position. Anyway, the possibilities are endless.

I posted a video on youtube yesterday of Oli laughing. It's the greatest thing in the entire world. I'm not sure why I didn't post it here, so I'm going to... Here goes.

Happenings

Not much has been going on. There has been no bike riding, no going anywhere, no shopping, no anything. It is actually pretty nice.

Oli is getting better. You better watch out when he sneezes though. It's pretty gross.

We are traveling back to my parent's farm this weekend for opening pheasant season. I'm really excited about it. I finally get to take the dog out for her second season and see if she's matured any. I'm sure she hasn't, but you never know.

I also might have another freelance website job. A friend of my dad's has a car restoration business and apparently he is in the market for a site. I need to give him a call and set up a time to meet.

Sickness

The kid is still sick today. I feel quite bad for the little dude. He's all stuffed up and plugged and coughs and he's only 9 months old. It shouldn't be that way.

I think I'm going to have to get a bike ride in this weekend. It's supposed to be cold and rainy, but I have to do it anyway.

Events

Oli was sick yesterday so I stayed at home with him. I work in the computer industry so utilizing the latest, I was able to complete some work from home. Definitely not a full day's worth, but some work anyway. Oli needed me more than work did.

When Angie got home, I decided to take the dog out for a run/ride. We walked up to the Skyline trail where I let her off the leash and let her go. Wow, she was wound up! I knew she was fast, but dang, I couldn't keep up with her. Then about half way up the trail, I realized I had completely forgot my helmet. I never forget my helmet. I seriously thought about going back, but I figured by the time I go back, my half hour would be up. So, I rode very cautiously with no helmet. I know, it is not safe nor smart, but I did what I had to do.

I received an email today from a state employee about possibly writing an article for a newsletter. The entire SDBC received this offer. I would love to give it a shot, but I really don't believe in my writing skills. This blog was started so I could try and work on that a bit. I don't think it's helped, but I find it mildly entertaining.

I may have said something before, but my road bike is officially gone. I'm down to 4 bikes, all being of the mountain variety. I was thinking of the possibility of a Surly Karate Monkey, but now I'm thinking I should just put my Dawg back together as a light race machine. I can then use one of the others for my road adventures. Or any of them for that matter.

The Hunt

The antelope hunt was a success. My buddy and I both got one, brought them home and prepared them for eating. I haven't made anything yet, but it's ready.

Last Tuesday I got on my singlespeed bike to do a little climbing workout. I was able to ride up Floorman, a 8% grade for about a mile, twice. I wanted to do it more, but I really struggled the second time. I will try it again tomorrow night. I wish I would have been able to ride more during the week but there are so many things going on. It's nearly impossible to find an hour for a ride.

The Hunt is ON

Tonight I leave for an antelope hunt. I've never hunted antelope and it should be interesting. I've heard it makes good jerky??? whatever.

We're camping in Buffalo which is about 2 hours North of Rapid. It should be fun.

Yawn!

Wow, this week has gotten to me. I'm ready to call it a done deal. I have had so much to do at work and away from work. I met with Mr. Jerry Cole (Director of Parks and Rec in RC) about all the bicycle plans that are coming up and asked where I could help. Right now it's at a tipping point, then when everything starts to roll, they will be asking for assistance. Things are looking good for RC and bicycling, it'll just take a little time.

We lost our flag football game last night. It was a nail biter. We played the best team in the league and lost by 4 points. We had them, just didn't get our last touchdown right before the end of the game. I'm a little worn out today from it. Those guys run harder than any other team, so it makes us run harder. It's super fun though.