I'm such a bad blogger

That's right Meredith, I stole your title. In my case, it's even more true. Looking back at my blogs, my last post was all the way back on February 28. That's just so pathetic. I mean, what kind of excuse can I really have. I have none.

So, what have I been up to these past several months. Well, I took a Java class as a prerequisite for Virginia Tech's Masters of Information Technology (MIT) program. The class wasn't as difficult as I had hoped it would be. I ended up with 663 point out of a possible 660. I had to go and make the semester project harder than it needed to be, by turning it into a fat client program, versus the console program that she requested. In doing so, I wasn't able to add the database option that was worth the final 5 points of the project. Expecting the 55 out of 60, I was much surprised to receive a 65 out of 60. I guess my stubbornness paid off.

I've also been training for Ironman number 3, in Lake Placid, NY. I'm looking forward to a return trip. My training has been much more consistent this time around than the last two efforts. This week is a recovery week for us, and we have a reduced workout schedule. Friday is "ride you bike to work day", and I'm still debating with myself whether or not to ride. Two things going against me riding are that it is a recovery week, and we have a "C" race on Sunday. But, it's only a 9 mile one-way trip, and if I don't exert too much energy, I shouldn't be canceling out the purpose of recovery week. Also, I took Monday off to spend some time with Meredith, plus I tweaked my hamstring 2 weeks ago lifting (which seemed to be a one day thing until it reared it's ugly head at the track last Wednesday - a whole week later). It bugged me the whole run on Sunday and later into the evening but has felt good since then. So, I'll probably end up riding, unless I sleep in too late.

I took my bike in on Monday for some much needed work. When I get it back, it will practically be a brand new bike. I get new compact cranks (cheaper than just replacing the big and small ring), new cassette, new chain, and new rear dérailleur. The whole thing is going to set me back just over $500. Some of you might say, "wouldn't it just be cheaper to get a new bike?" Well, not exactly. While this bike only cost me about $1100 when I got it, the next bike I've got my sights set on will prolly run at least twice that, and if I really do go the titanium route, prolly 3-4 times that, low end. That's still another couple years away as this bike only has just under 5 years worth of use on it.

Because I was without my normal training/racing bike, I took my fixie out to Wakefield last night for the weekly Tuesday/Thursday night ride. It sure was a slow ride for me. Going down those hills on a fixie really slows me down and staying in recovery week zone 2 going up the hills drops me off the pack even further. I get my bike back tomorrow night, so I'll probably ride my fixie again before picking up my bike. I did enjoy riding the fixie, so I might put it into my normal tuesday night rotation (will have to take to coach Ed about that).

I guess that's it for now. Check back again soon, to see if I return to blogger slackdom or actually keep y'all up to date on my training and stuff. Ironman is only 9 weeks away this coming Sunday.

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