To tap the app

I like checking out my horoscope and tap my taro card reading on a daily basis.  I mean why not?  It’s not like I really believe what it says, it is more about the frivolity of it.

However, this morning, my taro card reading was so foul you would think that this was the day I was going to die.  It spoke of how I was going to be overly explosive, that I should work alone because I would basically piss off any one that came into a 10 foot radius of me and that anything I touch on the work front would turn to shit .  Of course it goes on to talk about your love life, it said mine was in the tank, seriously doomed and that there was no way of righting any of it today.

I decided to hit the “Shuffle & Redraw” button.

Oh, so much better.

April 21st

If my dad was here today, we wold be celebrating his birthday.

I got my love of celebrating birthdays from him.  He showed me that you can take an entire month to celebrate your birthday.

If he were here today, he would most likely do the following: go to church, meet me at Yum for coffee and a treat, have a cigar with his buddies, read an amazing book or walk through the used book store, meet my brother for lunch, come see the grand-kids so they can huddle around him, meet friends for a cocktail and finally land at home to finish the night with my mom.

He would do the things he most enjoyed in life and shared his time with those that were dearest to him….for many, many weeks. Seriously, it was a talent.

I think today, I’ll go smoke a cigar in his honor.

Happy Birthday Dad.

Deliciously Untethered

Adam and I flew into Boston last night and had a wonderful dinner with Anne Marie to kick off our Boston weekend.

Today has consisted of watching TV, eating breakfast at 12:30pm, walking through the Public Garden, picking up my race packet and then taking a nap.

I have not done so little with a day and been so happy about doing so little with a day, in years.

As I lay in bed typing I wonder, how long does it take for bed sores to set in?

Boston Bound!

If you want to check in on how the race is progressing:

RACE DAY MEDIA COVERAGE

Live local coverage on WBZ-TV, or www.boston.cbslocal.com.

Live national coverage on Universal Sports Television Network

Live online streaming on www.universalsports.com

Live web coverage on www.baa.org

My lucky bib # is 16101.

It will be written

In good trashy fashion, I prefer to write my race strategy on my arm before races.  Why not?  It gives me something to do and once I start running, I REALLY can’t do math, so if I have it written down where I can’t lose it, that is perfect.

The photo link above was the pacing it took to get to Boston.

Here is what Welle has teed up for Boston (goal time 3:30)

Miles 1-5: Pace 8:05

Miles 6-10: Pace 7:55

Miles 11-16: 7:45

Miles 17-21: 8:05 (we get to catch a break with Heartbreak Hill at mile 19)

Miles 22-26.2: 7:45

Let it be so!

One week to go

I have always loved “last of the last” sort of things.  Those are the what are you going to do the last day before school gets out or what are you going to do the last week of summer vacation, types of things.  It’s a strange way of eking every last second out of what is left.

This is my last week of training before Boston, which falls right in line with my “last of the last” thinking.  It is pretty unconventional with all the biking, but really, we are already behind on all that business (no need to worry about that until next Tuesday morning) so why not tie it into a taper?

Monday:

• 10-20 mile bike, mostly flat. Yes, you can do the greenway if you want to stay in your comfort zone.
• 30 minute clearance run afterwards

Tuesday:

• Track work. Likely about 10-15 x 120 on the turf with full recoveries and some dynamic stretching.
• Easy clearance swim.

Wednesday:

• 10-20 mile bike, mostly flat.
• Good day for yoga or a massage.

Thursday:

• 5 mile EASY Foundation run with 8 strides at the end. Also any form running drills you want. Stretch WELL.
• Easy clearance swim.

Friday:

• 30 minute clearance run. Optional strides at the end. No more than 4 strides.

Saturday:

• OFF. Drink a ton of water and keep your feet up, as much as possible.

Sunday:

• 20 minute clearance run, a few form running drills. Do strides until you feel loose and fast.

Monday:

• 26.2 miles. I’d like you to choose a fairly hill course, preferably somewhere in the northeast. I’ve heard Boston is nice this time of year.

American Idol Senior Division

Erika is not only extremely smart and amazingly good at her job, she is super talented AND she might just be one of the funniest people I know.

This is Erika’s very own “original” creation for her American Idol audition.

Go Surly Go

The Surly Bill moves forward!

Surly Brewers Succeed in Senate Hearing: MyFoxTWINCITIES.com

Urban Tri

If you live in the Minneapolis area and haven’t heard the news…there is a new tri store in town, URBAN TRI!

My buddy Todd Olson kicked open the doors last week and will be having a full fledged Grand Opening April 15-17th.

The store is located at 820 West 50th in Minneapolis, which is a perfect distance from the lakes to kick off any run or bike right from the store.  He even put in a shower and lockers for those of you who prefer to clean up after your workouts.

It doesn’t matter if you already know what the hell you’re doing or if you are just dipping your toes into triathlons for the first time, this is your store.  You can get personal attention and have your questions answered by people who really want to help you, even if you’re just buying Gu or goggles.

Anyway, it’s also loaded to the gills with some super cool stuff.

(Bike Porn)

I think I licked all the bikes one by one as I walked by and then rubbed the Zoot tri shoes across my cheeks and then I tried on the TYR carbon race suit that feels like paper and makes me look BAD ASS FAST, kinda like a shark!

Oh and then I thought about shoving the Giro bike shoes in my bag as I walked out, but decided I better not test out their theft system.

(T-odd and his store)

Congrats Todd!

Great job, the store is amazing.

Eleven

Dear CT,

Two ones, side by side, your age continuing to inch up the number line. With the turn of my head you grow older, get taller, wiser, your personality and being become richer and fuller as each day speeds by.

As I have had the luxury of watching you grow this past year, I’m struck by the duality that exists.  There are moments and glimpses of adulthood and then it’s as if you hop on the slide in a game of Chutes and Ladders and glide right back down to START.

Safely being able to toggle between the two worlds, I think, is what growing up is all about.

Finding your own path, in your own way.

Stretching yourself and finding your place.

Where that path will lead is every parents wonder.

How will you get there?

Will you be happy?

Will you be safe?

It’s at that point where fear slips in and, as your mom, I want nothing but to cuddle you up, hold you in my arms and make sure all will be well for you.

But, that’s just not how it works.

My boy, you are turning into an amazing person and it is a true treasure to be a part of your process.

In this next year, may you accomplish your goals, enjoy the simple things in life and be true to who you are and finding your own path.

Happy 11th Birthday!

I love you.

Mom