Mr. Mom

So, for the first time I think ever, the Wife has left me alone with the two kids. She headed to Florida Friday morning to see our new niece. The way I am approaching this I have three simple objectives: keep 'em alive, keep 'em sheltered; keep 'em fed. I am pleased to report that it's Saturday night, and thus far I am three for three. So far, so good though tomorrow brings with it a new day and anything can go wrong.

The weather hasn't exactly accomodated, unfortunately; it poured all day. Rain in May is pretty rare in the Bay Area and I was at a bit of a loss as to what to do with them. We ended hanging out and lounging (to the extent that we are capable of doing that - the three of us are pretty amped I noticed) and had a good time. The fun continues tomorrow.

In other news, I signed up for two dumb events this past week: a century bike ride (this will be my first century in about a decade) and a -- get ready for it (and close your eyes Mom if you are reading this) -- a gnarly 50 mile trail run. Don't ask me why, I simply have no decent explanation. But I confess that I am pretty stoked.

In other news, I have no news so over and out for tonight.

Birthday

So, a few thoughts on this, my last day on earth as a 42 year old. I have to say, as you get older, birthdays really do lose their lustre.

Anyway:

-- I am thankful to be alive
-- I am thankful to be alive and healthy
-- I am thankful to be alive and healthy with a wonderful family
-- I am thankful to be alive and healthy with a wonderful family and some amazingly great friends
-- I am thankful to be alive and healthy with a wonderful family an some amazingly great friends and a terrific job
-- I am thankful to be alive and healthy with a wonderful family and some amazingly great friends and a terrific job and some awesome new people that I've met through this blog
-- I am thankful. Very, very thankful. And I recognize that every day.

Oops I did it Again

The pain from Boston is finally receding from my legs (though they are still pretty cooked) and already I have done something very, very stupid: I signed up for this. I went for the 50 mile version, not the 100.

Don't ask me why because I have no good rationale. I will admit that I succumbed to peer pressure on this one: Coach Phil signed Up and I've long wanted to do a trail race with him. And so, it's in the books. This is the race Payro did last year (and I crewed for) and it's literally in my backyard, so the upside is that I get to train on the course. And it's quite a beautiful course, too. I figure it will be a long, slow slog. If any of you NorCal folks are interested in helping crew, I'm all ears.

I'll repeat it again: man, am I an idiot. That being said, I'm also kind of stoked.

In other news -- well, there isn't a lot to report. Crazy busy with work (and things on that front seem to be taking a positive turn, which is very good thing), we are recovering from the big party this past Sunday (which once again, was awesome. Mad props to the wife) and I am getting ready to be Mr. Mom for the weekend. That's right: The Wife is getting set to head to Florida to see our new nice, leaving me with the two animals. First time I have had the two kids alone for a long, long while. Maybe ever come to think of it. I might have to live blog this experience. Stay tuned for some good stories.

Spectacular Night

We had a killer party at the manor tonight; it was a combination 43rd birthday party (actual birthday is Thursday) slash"thank you" party for all the Livestrong supporters slash Boston marathon celebration. According to the Wife, we had about 90 people up at the house, including Kids. The Wife did an amazing job; party featured a taco truck (which was excellent); a massive jumpie for the kids; a keg of Racer Five (best beer of all time), good music and tons of great friends. Thank you all who were able to join; hope you all had half as good a time as I did.

The was the cap on a fantastic weekend. Yesterday featured swimming time trials (the little girl is showing signs of being a hek of a swimmer) and a baseball game, which the Rangers won with 2 outs in the bottom of the sixth.

Wins all around, coupled with great friend + solid weather= one amazing weekend.

Southland

Anyone watching Southland? Seems pretty good to me, though this is my first episode. Which leads me to this: I haven't been watching quite as much TV as year's past. I'm not sure what's gotten into me. Could be that I have been running a lot these past few months (fortunately, that's over) and reading tons on my Kindle (I will save the review of my newest book for another post). And so, I haven't been as focused on TV.

One show I HAVE been watching however if American Idol. I think this is actually a pretty good season talent wise. I am predicting that the final two comes down to Danny and Adam. I think Adam is the best singer the show has ever seen, but I predict, as of the last show, that Danny wins. His story -- being widowed at such a young age -- will push him over the top.

One relatively new show I have gotten into is Fringe, though this second season has been a little lame. Anyway -- anything else out there that I should be paying attention to? The new Amy Poehlner show perhaps?

Man Am I High

This is the highest I have ever been while typing a blog post: 30,000 feet to be exact. Virgin recently introduced on air wifi and I am in absolute heaven. I'm sitting here, doing email, iming with staff, typing a blog post. This rules! I could do it all day. COme to think of it, with a six hour flight I WILL be doing this all day!

What did NOT rule was waking up at 6:00 pm EST and dragging my sorry and sore ass (and legs) to the airport. I am hurting pretty badly but that's the price you pay for having fun. Last night I went downtown and grabbed a quick bite to eat and a drink with the Livestrong folks. They have an amazing staff and are doing great work and I am very proud to have done my part in helping raise funds. Though I don't feel particularly good about my marathon time (not that I am dwelling all that much on it) I feel GREAT about the fundraising aspect and thank you one more time for the support.

Anyway, after a week in Mexico and now this it's time to get back to real life. I have a ton of work to get to, and I am happy for the first time in a long while to not have a marathon hovering over my head like damocles sword.

I am not sure what my future holds in store for me athletics wise, but I will going to spend a week doing absolutely nothing during which time I plan to contemplate "what's next."

I am pretty serious though in that I am done with road marathons for a long while. I'm definitely going to take it back to the trails. And the pool. And maybe even the bike.

Super Tough Day

First; thanks for all the well wishes everyone. Much appreciated. I felt your good vibes all day.

It wasn't quite the day I had hoped for: I finished in 3:41, which I guess is respectable, but I had hoped for a bit better. A few quick things before I run off to meet with the Livestrong folks:

1. the weather was tough (low 40's, headwind the entire way) and the course way even tougher (hills, hills and more hills. None are particularly egregious but they get you in the end.

2. they stage you in Hopkington for 2.5 hours before the race starts. Although I brought food I started to get hungry and as a reslt I started downing GU's at a fast pace. As a result fo that, I threw up said GU's at around mile 19.

3. I think this was my biggest issue: I literally started at he back of the race; the 26th corral out of 27. the roads were narrow and I couldn't get any pacing going until literally mile 7. After that, I was never able to get into a good groove.

SO, that's that. I am not complaining; it was a spectacular experience overall. The women of Weslyan are the best and this Yankee fan will dare say that Bostonians were awesome. Glad I did it, glad I'm done, glad to be going home.

over and out for now. And thank again, y'all, for all the support. Oh, and huge, special, most awesome props to my parents, for making the trip for the weekend. That really meant a lot.