Life Transitions - God, Family, Garden, Tri

An interesting video on the current financial turmoil

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Sun, 12 Oct 2008 00:31:00 +0000

Recent Trip to Chicago

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 05:32:00 +0000

The Big Announcement

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:58:00 +0000

For old friends that keep up with me through the blog. My wife and I are expecting our first child together in January.

I have no idea what to do with this blog

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Wed, 02 Jul 2008 03:42:00 +0000

I'm barely running and not racing at all...We started a softball team and that has kept me busy since February. The surf this year has been near non-existent and oddly enough though still active all I've been doing is gaining weight since I quit running...wonder if there is a correlation :)

In addition to softball I've also taken up learning to make beer...don't worry I AM NOT DRINKING ALL OF IT. Its genuinely a hobby but I'm sure has not helped with the weight.

The price of gas has got me commuting on the bicycle more but even that has been hit or miss with the hectic schedule and now when I should be sleeping preparing to rest up for my first crack at getting back to early morning running I've been up working all night.....If anyone out there knows this blog still exists...I'll let you know how this goes.

Poor? Arthur Blank?

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 03:14:00 +0000

Its hard to feel bad for a guy with a couple billion dollars in Home Depot fortune but the Michael Vick fallout continues and Petrino is out. Mr. Blank seems like a such a kind man for a gozillionaire and it just seems like his football team is going out of its way to break his heart. Luckily for him he is an "avid runner" who logs 20 miles a week. For me the opportunity to get out and put in some miles and not think about anything but what I've been reading in my Bible and one foot in front of the other is real pleasure. I don't know if Mr. Blank is Christian but for me personally thats where its at. Peace.

Even the head coach of my beloved Dolphins who is 0-13 has not given up. And Huizenga does not seem near as dedicated to the phish as Blank is to the Falcons. Arthur how bout you make a bid for the Dolphins last I checked Home Depot was worth about $8 a share more than Blockbuster.

Clermont after a 2 year hiatus - for real this time

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 01:59:00 +0000

Ironman? Iron distance? I don't care what you call it on that cool October night in 2005 I did it in fourteen hours and twelve minutes. I have the pictures to prove it. 6 months after that race I went to participate in a Sommer Sports race the same day as the daylight saving time I was an hour late I got a speeding ticket and a half mile into an Oly-distance my chain broke. This by the way was also at the height of my divorce. That was in April of 2006 and my only DNF. Two years and 12,000 excuses later and I finally got a chance to go back out to Clermont to train for long distance triathlon. Went with my buddy Jose very slow pace just out riding the hills 4 hours and 60 miles later and my legs was butta. Have the pictures to prove that too.

Signed up for St. Anthony's AGAIN gotta get ready. Of course two days after I signed up I started noticing that that irritation in my hamstring and butt are still acting up. My amateur diagnosis is piriformis. Im hoping this doesn't end up same deal as the knee and hanging out for a while.

Runners High

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 02:35:00 +0000

Sweet for the first time in a loooooong time I actually experienced a couple of short but blissful runners highs tonight. Short 45 minute very slow paced run but for a good 5 minute span on two different portions I had that feeling like I can run forever. I know its minimal but I can feel it.....only problems going on right now is my right hamstring is really tight. I don't know what the deal is but I can feel it right up to my butt.

Only slightly more amusing while I was looking for an image to go along with this post I came across this Japanese rock group. Not really my style. Don't understand a word. Funny.

Not one triathlon this year...but there's always a silver lining

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Sat, 24 Nov 2007 19:00:00 +0000

I got married. She has 2 kids. I have 1. We have 3. 9,5 and 4. Beast is the youngest.

I also got a new training partner.

I'm not going to say much in regards to the family other than life is good. Of course while building this relationship I've gained 20 pounds and life has been pushing me around ever since. By that I mean work...lots more work and the requisite family time. I've been running a couple of days a week. We have a yellow lab puppy named "Cooper". He's only 7 months old but I've got him running with me. Great running partner though I never take him over 5 miles. Not fast just slow and steady as I've not really been training for anything.

For Thanksgiving I did the Outback Distance Classic 6k (the distance part of that title is that there is also a half marathon). 6k in 27:32. That's a 7:33 pace for those who attend our public schools. Yes, I went to public school too :). Not bad for a 20 pounds overweight fatbody. So over the past few weeks I've been working on riding the bike and getting my endurance up. I've got my swimming to a mile in about 30 minutes and I've spent the better part of today (while smoking a turkey man is it good) setting up my 2008 Annual Training Plan (ATP).

I've attempted to find a race every month but because I'd like to do the Great Floridian (iron-distance) again I've had a hard time finding a couple half irons that fit the schedule. Potentials (pending availability of course) that I've put into the ATP as "B" races are the Gulf Coast Half on May 10th and then 2-3 Olys including St. Anthony's in April. Not a whole lot of halfs in Florida in the middle of summer. Something Mid August-Early September would be ideal. My new wife is encouraging me a great deal and I've been trying to warn her that all this can be very time consuming so we'll see how she feels mid-season. If its too much maybe I'll only do Florida Challenge (half) instead of GFT.

All of this is of course "Lord Willing" and provided I'm able to stay injury free etc. You know how it is.

PS If you've found me and you're wondering what happened to the old web site well I was paying for the domain etc because I used to like to do free lance work. When I let the hosting expire my blog settings went with it so essentially all I had to do was come into blogger and turn off the FTP must not have been that important.

PS PS Im going to be 30 in 3 days.....Lord Willing.

Luke 1:47 "My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit rejoices in God my Savior,..."

Tomato Hornworm

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Wed, 06 Jun 2007 11:52:00 +0000

Found this guy eating my tomato plants this morning....

Summer Breeze

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 02:57:00 +0000

All right so my first crack at the whole love-post-divorce thing didn't work out as well as I would have liked. Not that she wasn't a great girl I just wasn't sure what I was looking for or that what I was in was what was right for me. So I let go, again, and it hurt and I've just kind of thrown myself back into the things I love. Reading scripture, The Beast, gardening, running, surfing and amazingly work.

Oddly enough I've found great new satisfaction in my work over the past 6 months or so. For the longest time I had been considering just getting out of the design/computer related field mostly because I was more and more finding the work frustrating and not overly fulfilling. Turns out I was going about the whole thing the wrong way the key is "Work as unto the lord".

Running

While I'm still running roughly 20+- miles a week I've elected to take a brake from the races mostly for financial reasons. I'm back on a single income and spending anywhere from $1-200 a month on races just aint in the cards right now.

The Beast

Baby girl did her first year of pre-school this year at a local Christian school and I am amazed at the results. She's able to sound out words are write. My pride and joy.

Gardening

I have a serious deer problem and as the lack of fundage problem listed above might indicate I can't really afford to put a fence in right now to keep them out. Temporarily I've taken to spraying my non-edible plants with a product calleed Plantskyyd (pigs blood). This stuff reeks when first applied but seems to do a pretty good job so long as I don't try to stretch the application dates. I wait one week longer than I should and the roses are decimated. I hate those deer.

Finally getting my feet off the ground

I've been trying to take a trip somewhere, ANYWHERE, for what seems like forever and it just never seems to work out. Well I found me some cheap round trip tickets ($174) from Ft. Lauderdale to San Jose, Costa Rica and August and I bought them. Going alone unfortunately (or fortunately!) figure I'll spend a week doing whatever I want. Of course I think it will amount to being a beach bum and surfing all week. I'm excited though about maybe checking out a volcano and some rain forests. I am the worst planner on earth though so I've kind of enlisted my poor sister to help me get some semblance of an itinerary.

Wish me luck.

I don't think I've ever hated being a Miami Dolphin fan more than today

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Sun, 29 Apr 2007 00:59:00 +0000

How could you pass on Brady Quinn....I went from absolutely ecstatic yelling "Christmas in April" to I can't believe this idiot cameron is playing cute with the draft much like Houston and the mario williams pick over reggie bush. They let go of Wes Welker a proven professional for an injured WR who when he is finally healthy WONT HAVE A QUARTERBACK TO THROW TO HIM.

Winter Beach Run Jacksonville Beach

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 23:59:00 +0000

Much as the triathlon bug has me by the toe I just can not afford to sign up for my pool membership right now so I've been sticking to running and cycling. My first and thus far only "A" race planned for this year is the Gate River Run in Jacksonville on March 10th. So, for the most part I've been using a Hal Higdon intermediate 15k training schedule and riding the bike as cross training. I haven't really decided on any triathlons yet but it most likely won't begin until April 21 in St. Augustine.

Really the most important part of my training at this point in the year is getting my weight down. I've so far last 3 of the 17 I'm trying to be rid of before the 10th. I can really feel the extra weight in my running its depressing but I've been getting faster little by little and the weight is gradually coming off.

This Sunday I participated in the 5 mile Winter Beach Run in Jacksonville. I've had some sort of respiratory illness or virus for over a week so running has been uncomfortable...I know below the neck I should be resting but I already shelled out the money and I don't plan on doing all that many races this year so I'm doing it. I figured I was just going to take it easy and finish sometime around 45 minutes to an hour. Found someone doing the 10 miler at a pace I thought I could hold and kept up with him the whole way ..... couldn't have done 10 at this pace ...yet.... but I sucked it up and went under 40 at 39:17. That's a 7:51 mile. Better than my 8:15 pace on a 5K last weekend. I would love to be in the 7:30 range for the 15k but we'll see. Least I've got a target pace.

Tomoka 4 Miler

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Sat, 16 Sep 2006 22:36:00 +0000

Of the many beautiful outdoor areas in our neck of the Florida woods one of my absolute favorites is the Tomoka State Park. I've made this particular piece of Florida my adopted home, quick personal history because I don't know that I've ever shared: born in Miami, mom fell out of love moved to brentwood ny, mom fell in love moved to palm bay Florida, dad went into business with uncle john moved us all to Michigan, I fell in love moved to Ormond Beach, FL I fell out of love, fell in love again moved to Palm Coast, FL where I am once again out of love. Love is keeping U-Haul in business...Got It? I digress back to Tomoka I'm sure to see it at least once a week either via bicycle or by cheating in the car......started with a relationship and now is part of my soul. In my most humble opinion the only way to really appreciate this stretch of road is to immerse your lungs and eyes in it....not through the windows of a car .... Its just not the same you gotta have some self propulsion. You may or may not remember I have previously been hiking in Bulow/Tomoka.

I had been talking to a running buddy of mine who will be doing his second marathon (Detroit) this year [Go Mikey! Boston here he comes or at least my prediction of 4:17] about pacing and told him I wanted to sub-35 it. With a good time, or a time I could certainly be happy with considering current form, of 32. He said 'no way' I said 'guaranteed'. So I self propelled myself through 4 miles in 30:08 WHILE PUSHING MADDIE in the jogging stroller and nearly made my fresh air filled lungs explode. That's a 7:32 pace. Not bad with a stroller. I had my eyes on my watch and when I saw I had the potential to sub 30 it I could not possibly will my legs any faster. That last mile and I was leaving it all out. Typically I finish my races strong but I think lower humidity today meant I was able to start a little faster than I usually do which meant by the end I was feeling it. Or as Tony Horton would say "Felling it. Feeling it. Feeeeeeeeeling IT!." I also started at the bop and with the stroller it takes a little time to weed through some of the slower runners. I actually had someone pushing me at the end when she saw me hit the wall 'You're almost there. You're doing great' typically that's me being a strong finisher. Thank you ma'am. Maddie is such a people magnet .... I must have heard...She has the most beautiful hair literally 15 times today. I just need her to work on not being so shy. She'll wave to anybody but if she gotta speak you can forget it. First in our age group was second overall so he got bumped which meant Maddie and I were just a little faster than the other guy in our age group.... First Place! ;) The award was a tile like a piece of tile floor. Probably the coolest idea I've seen for an award yet.

Maddie also did her first kids fun run today.....At first she thought hey this is great you shoulda seen the smile on her face but when she saw we had to run back that smile was quickly turned upside down and I suddenly felt like the parent pushing their kid to do something they didn't want to do .... Even though running with the other kids WAS her idea. She got her first hardware though nice little finishers medal. So it begins.

I recently purchased "Road Racing for Serious Runners" in the hopes of getting a real plan for faster short course racing...I've been talking about that sub 20 5k for two years and haven't taken one step in that direction. Will start blogging progress and splits.

Am I the only just absolutely gloating that Michigan is stomping the national championship hopes, and possibly Brady Quinns Heisman, out of Notre Dame. I quote "Total domination"....woo hoo!

For Uncle Wally

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Fri, 15 Sep 2006 00:12:00 +0000

Last time I saw you, you told me you read my blog to keep up with me so I figured maybe this would be a good way to drop a note to you brother.

I know you're going through a tough time right now and in that way I feel like we're kind of kindred spirits. Must be that whole shared blood thing. :) Seems like everything in life when you and I go about it has to be done the hard way.

I know I haven't called you specifically mostly because I figure you're getting plenty of calls of love and support and prayers and who needs a constant reminder of the struggle. I do call Mom and Grandma regularly to see how you're doing.

I want you to know that I pray for you every day several times a day. I know nothing can describe what you're going through and nothing words can say can ever make the uncertainty easier. You can take refuge in knowing that we love you that your family will always be there for you and the Lord will always be watching over you.

I don't know if this is the right way to tell you I'm here thinking about you. Hearing my mother in tears today and grandma so frustrated and angry really made me feel like I had to reach out to you some way and this was it...

This has been some year. Walk through everything as a family. I love you.

-Sean

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Fri, 08 Sep 2006 14:23:00 +0000

One of the most natural smiles I've ever taken of Baby Girl ... Love this picture not so much color or clarity just that beautiful smile.

Fa fa fa fa Betta

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Thu, 07 Sep 2006 22:57:00 +0000

edit: I've been doing so well at my workouts etc and I just blew my diet by hitting the Almond Butter & Honey on wheat toast.....its not so bad that I ate it .... its just that I ate it at 10:30 at night I go through the occasional eerily quite sad time and I reach for the comfort food....Now I think Im going to have to go out for a run at 11 at night someone recently told me that they don't eat after dark I forgot to ask how that policy worked with daylight saving time ;) ....I know as much training as I do and following the Zone diet its best to not fast for so long so I typically will eat a 1-2 block snack about an hour before bed....this, what I just consumed, is the equivelant to a 3-4+ block meal at 10:30 at night ohhhh the guilt. I need a kick in the shorts over my nutrition discipline. I felt like listening to a little Bob Marley tonight anyway .... good middle of the night running music. "Then we would cook oatmeal porridge, Of which I'll share with you;" --- That's soul right there!
end edit:

I've had a week of hitting all my workouts and training sessions and then some for the first time in MONTHS! After the personal turmoil and the transition and the bike accident post century ride and the pulled rib muscle Im finally back at it almost full on. I've gotten my runs in some surfing all of my P90-X scheduled workouts (Even the Ab Ripper) the bike trainer for an hour last night (not Spinervals yet) and 20 miles my favorite out and back tonight down 100 to flagler beach spend some time staring at the water wishing I was in it head back. Followed by yoga. Ohhh the yoga hurts so good. I still can't do crane must be weak midsection.

I still get some discomfort in my rib so Im not 100%. Deep breathing is uncomfortable but aerobic paces are a "walk in the park". This is all exciting to me because mentally I've turned the corner and have lost the mindset that when I caught myself enjoying something or slightly uncomfortable physically I would remind myself of my problems which pretty much sucked the life out of me to this point this year. Cryyyyyyy baby.

Speaking of jogs in the park I recently dropped $320 on custom leather orthotics in the hopes it would clear up my knee problems and so far I'm happy to report I've been running pain free in both knees since I started using them. No Patt strap when at 5 miles or less and aerobic. Of course my first anaerobic workout and Im sure as a result of scar tissue at least some pain will return particularly in the right illioltibial band. Im still feeling pretty good about them.....I better be at $320. I'll put my anaerobic theory to the test this weekend doing some race pace intervals.

Im feeling so confident I signed up for my first event since Beaches Fine Arts in May. I'll be doing the Tomoka 4 miler at High Bridge in Ormond on September 16th. Because of the way the schedule works out I'll probably be pushing Maddie in the jogging stroller unless I can drag someone (ahem Mikey, Melissa, random stranger/volunteer?) with me to keep an eye on her. She likes doing runs/events with me (probably for the free food) she waves to everyone although Id hate to be on the other end of the wave because if you're getting passed by somone pushing a jogging stroller you may be hurting a little. Its happened to me before. I'm looking forward to seeing the familiar faces you get at local races. Kind of hoping this leads to a few late season triathlons.

This weekend I might have an opportunity to do an off road ride with a friend. I'll be using my original women's MTB from my first triathlon season. I've done very little off road type riding so hopefully its relatively easy....they have more experience than I do off road don't want to get dropped "On the road to nowhere" [Another 50 points to whomever can name the Artist by the way Cyndi claimed the last 50...this will be a fun game, points for finding song references in my posts make it a competition whoever has the most points at Christmas time (Cyndi will probably be the only person to guess) gets a brand new bag of my favorite Dove dark chocolate shipping/delivery included :) ].

NFL season starts tonight GO DOLPHINS! And to keep my tradition started in this very blog last year here is the song of all songs Miami Dolphins Song and if you have the time check out my sisters Miami Dolphin theme MySpace Page

I want to offer an open apology to the way I write. In looking back at some of the old posts I've found the way I talk and think in person is much different than what comes out of my hands on a keyboard...Im reading this stuff thinking what a dork! At least I think its different :) I need to learn to write like I talk.

I'm alive Oh Oh, so alive

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Mon, 04 Sep 2006 03:57:00 +0000

50 points to whoever(whomever?) can name the band that sang today's title. Sorry for the month long disappearance ... I know many of you are waiting with bated breath for my newest diatribe and random thoughts on life liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

Truth be told I actually found surfing is not as injury free as I had once thought and I managed to pull an intercostal muscle in my ribs which if you have never experienced is quite painful and can last a considerable amount of time. It hurt to breathe to twist to lie on my back to lie on my stomach. I can't describe sneezing. Let's just say I learned to muzzle my sneezes. I also recently came across a more well known surfing hazard and that is that I was stung 5 times on my face by a jellyfish. Never even saw the culprit all I know is it brought the pain.

So, rather than bore you to death with my constant whining over the pain and physical therapy and massages, much like I did with my knee, I figured I'd cut the blog a break until the stupid thing healed (at least for the most part) before I dropped a new line. I've been in such a great mood lately I hate it not to be reflected in my blog by constant whining.

My ribs are still a little 'cagey', pun intended, and while not 100% at least manageable. I've gotten back to running and have hit two 45 minute runs and an hour run this week and am hoping maybe to do the Space Coast Half Marathon the day before my 29th Birthday. November 26th. Some days when my knees are good I feel like I'd like to give the bike and swimming a rest and try to work up a plan to qualify for Boston. Of course typically when I get those delusions of grandeur my brain sends signals to my knee 'hey this guy has gone nuts remind him we aint built for that distance' ... Instant flare up in the ITB.

On the personal front

Most of my bitterness has faded post divorce and I've been doing great. I'm finally in a position where I have a genuine positive attitude about it and true peace. Thanks everyone for the nice comments and e-mails during the whole ordeal. I've decided to go back and delete most of those posts while heartfelt and a reflection on what I experienced I'd rather not have a permanent record of the last 7-8 months and all that they entailed. To anyone going through a divorce one of the first things I heard when it started was that after about a year you'll be alot closer to your normal self. I aint a hundred percent but 8 months after it started and I'm doing a whole lot better. This too shall pass.

Someone please name this post

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Mon, 24 Jul 2006 23:00:00 +0000

I picked my personal rocket ship up last Friday although now it somewhat has the appeal of space junk....its like the first scratch in a new car. Its now lost some of its luster but its mine and it does the job.

James, one of the owners of PC Bike, and a friend of mine fixed me up with new aerobars, cables etc. He always goes the extra mile for the price. If you're ever anywhere near Palm Coast on a bicycle and just plan on stopping in to pick up some stinger gels or a Coke stop in and give this man your money. He earned it.

My first ride out I will admit was a struggle. Believe it or not I managed to pull or strain a muscle in my ribs surfing so breathing at this time is giving me a bit of discomfort. Im the most injury prone person I know although I think its just bad luck. I also haven't been on a bike in 6 weeks. Time flies. I took it easy nevertheless I was extremely timid when I hit the first bit of traffic. The nerves of the big bang combined with the new bars put a little twist in my stomach but I settled down after a few minutes. I did one of my favorite out and back rides which is from my house straight down 100 to Flagler Beach over the overpass get a look at the water and head straight back. First time over the overpass hurt second time and I actually got out of the saddle a couple times. No big deal was just nice to be out. I only had one potential bad traffic moment someone exiting south on the interstate was to yield to traffic traveling west. Of course Im going west the guy doesn't yield and Im caught in the middle of traffic with cars on the left and right. This time though rather than give him the "New York salute" I simply waved and smiled. Better result this time :)

I noticed Im starting to approach the 2 year anniversary of my Quintana Roo and I've now got over 4000 miles on it. I thought that was pretty cool. Although I really thought I was going to approach 5000 by this time this year....still plenty of time to have it by the end of the year.

Imagine that, the guys in le Tour are doing 2000 miles in just 3 weeks and I've rode only twice that in 2 YEARS! An easy indicator of just how tough that race is. I went through my normal tour mania this year and found it more interesting and exciting without Lance as Im sure many did. I was pulling for "Big George" but am glad an American won nonetheless. Congrats Floyd! Tell you what on Wednesday I was falling into depression because I thought it was over but Thursday came and it was one of the most awesome sports moments I've ever seen. I know most Americans don't get cycling. They don't know what they're missing. Looks like Leipheimer is going back to Discovery will be interesting to see if they race him like Lance .... one warm up and then the tour only. Next year probably stands to be more interesting once the whole "Operacion Puerto" sorts itself out. Im wishing someone, OLN anybody, would carry the Vuelta and the world championships but typically OLN does no more cycling coverage during the year post tour. [Correction] Turns out OLN will by continuing their "Cyclysm Sunday's" including the Vuelta in September Giro di Lombardia in October and the Tour du Faso in November. This actually might have been the case last year and I just missed it because of Pro Football. Go Dolphins!

I have some comments to follow about Time's Teddy Roosevelt issue but its 3:30 am and Im going to try to sleep again. Wish me luck.

Surfing and Physique

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Wed, 19 Jul 2006 06:31:00 +0000

Surfing and Physique

This article really couldn't have better timing as I've been trying to convince some of my friends and coworkers that surfing has an amazing side effect and that is the workout .... and not only is it an amazing workout but for me its also a total release from personal stress .... when Im in the water there is nothing else going on in my little pea brain but the task at hand and the occasional thank the Lord for giving me the opportunity to have moments of peace such as this during my current turmoil.... and oh yeah ITS FUN! Its nothing to pass a couple hours out paddling around and never even realize its gone by. So if you have the means and a local break give it a shot you won't regret it. Pinky swear.

Now, if I could just get passed that whole "I'm ravenous" when I get out of the water at nearly 9pm Id be set.

Closure.

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Sun, 16 Jul 2006 00:50:00 +0000

Human beings don't treat other human beings this way

Well its over and now life goes on. After discovering the person I married was not the person I married over these last few months I've also found people are more willing to speak to me about things I didn't know had been going on including her having had an affair(s). These last few weeks I've felt like such an idiot. That these things were happening more than 2 years ago and like a fool I trusted. She also took complete advantage of my trusting in the settlement but in that too life goes on. I guess now I've gained some enlightenment, better it happened this way than finding out when you're still in love. At least this way the divorce seems somewhat worth it knowing what I know now .... its cliche but only thing I can say is at least I have Maddie. Even though I often find myself dazing at Maddie thinking I failed her. I still haven't told her I know about the cheating but I suppose she'll find out if she reads the blog. Reality used to be a friend of mine.

I found these Divorce Care series of emails a few months back when looking into things like christian divorce support groups and Im amazed how accurate they are in dealing with the emotions that go along with divorce and dealing with them as a christian. Unfortunately reading and putting these things into action sometimes are near impossible like avoiding feelings of wanting to get back and avoiding the urge to try to start a new relationship. This week it was something along the lines of learning to be happy alone before trying to be happy with someone else. Alone since I've been in relationships for the last 8+ years feels near impossible but Im starting to adjust a bit. That doesn't mean I don't fail in the trying but Im working on it. Im not perfect.

Training

Far as training goes its been non-existent. I finally got my bike into the shop this week having to get the aerobars replaced and other misc fixes post accident. I've been keeping in decent shape doing the P90X workouts and surfing. Surfing is my new passion and Im doing it 8+ hours a week..pretty much any time I don't have Maddie and am not working. Im still not any good at it and I know those little punk kids that have been doing it since they were born are out there laughing at me for being a "poser" but I don't care. Its an amazing workout for my back/shoulders/core Im sore after almost every session mostly because Im doing far more paddling than surfing. Which make it perfect cross training for swimming. I was really hoping to do Ironman again this year but Im outside the window of opportunity. With Maddie switching every 3 days the schedule is a killer on consistancy so will be sticking out the sprints.

Church

Once again I began to feel like a number at my church...as though I didn't exist much as I attended and participated I think all of 3 people might have known my name...as a kid I always remember the churches we attended it always felt like family and somewhere along the line I've lost that and perhaps my expectations were too high. I don't know what to do. I continue to study my Bible and pray fervently but Im desperate for fellowship and to surround myself with those that love the Lord and I just cannot seem to accomplish this. Maybe its me. Maybe the Lord is telling me I need him and not other people?

I read this back and all I see is blah blah blah ME blah blah blah ME blah blah blah ME. What is this a pity party? I think what happens when Im in a good mood I find stuff to do when Im sad I WRITE and here I am dumping on the interweb ;)

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 02:19:00 +0000

Beauty and The Beast .... Im Beauty :)

On the road again.

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 02:04:00 +0000

I've been on the mend since my little bicycle mishap a couple weeks ago mostly in my lower back. I still have some problems bending over to pick things up without support however oddly enough Im able to run. Bending bad upright good.

My first run Thursday morning on a treadmill and managed to get 30 solid minutes in. I figured man that felt good was so psyched I took my show on the road Thursday night and did another half hour. That felt so good I signed up for a 5k Saturday morning and finished in 21:41.....thats on about an hours worth of running in 3 weeks! Makes me think Im cursed to never be better than 20 minutes oh well I just love to run. Up at 6:30am Sunday and somehow found a solid 50 minute run in me.

I know what you're thinking he's going to overdo it and run into an injury...let me set your mind at ease Im taking tomorrow to do P90X and for the first time figure out how my bike is looking I haven't really touched it since my little Evel Knievel demonstration. Im guessing the repairs are going to be in the $100 range assuming I dont have to replace the broken aerobars.

Romans 12

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 18:05:00 +0000

1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.
2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.
4 For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
6 Having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, in proportion to our faith;
7 if service, in our serving; the one who teaches, in his teaching;
8 the one who exhorts, in his exhortation; the one who contributes, in generosity; the one who leads, with zeal; the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness.
9 Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
10 Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.
11 Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit,serve the Lord.
12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.
13 Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse them.
15 Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.
16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly.Never be conceited.
17 Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all.
18 If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all.
19 Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.
20 To the contrary, if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Sun, 18 Jun 2006 17:03:00 +0000

Check out this Zucchini from our garden! 1ft. 2lbs.

Down I Go

noreply@blogger.com (Migo) — Mon, 12 Jun 2006 13:30:00 +0000

Great Saturday. Rough Sunday. I used to kind of sorta half pretend to surf back in the day before I was married but I married someone who hated the beach because it was "dirty" so after my surfboard sat unused for 3 years I finally sold it in the classifieds a year or so ago my memory is short.

I got into a discussion about this with a co-worker recently and she mentioned that she had a board that was collecting dust that I could use and I took her up on it. Mind you the surf in this area even when its good is not great and when I got out it was terrible and mostly just chop but I had a great more importantly peaceful time nonetheless. Had such a great time Saturday I couldn't wait to go back Sunday which unfortunately was not to be because.....

I crashed

I was heading out for the Sunday group ride at about 7:30 Sunday morning. I was about 3 miles from my house on a 4 lane divided road and suddenly about 30 feet behind me I could hear this car laying on its horn which almost made me crash when he passed me he was so close I could feel the breeze from the car on my elbow at which point I reached up to give him what my grandmother affectionately calls the "New York Salute" when I noticed a police officer going south who I attempted to flag down to let him know the driver was harassing me and when I turned back to the road it was off the road I was going. I did my best to hang on to it and probably should have tried to jump off but when that front wheel dug in at about 25mph I went down hard. I can't describe the crash because its all a blur. My left knee had some pretty bad swelling and cuts and I have significant pain in my lower back. The officer did turn around to check on me. When he pulled up I felt a sudden splash of water on my face and I thought 'what are you throwing water on me' .... he ran over my water bottle :)
None of my friends recognized the officers cell phone number so noone would answer their phone. I did the man thing and rode it the 3 miles home.

I get the feeling I'm going to be out of it for a while went to the ER no broken bones but any weight on my left foot sends shooting pains into the left side of my lower back. The swelling in my knee has gone down but I still have a tennis ball sized lump on my left hip. The left pad on my aero bars was broken off my derailer is hosed and my shifters are turned completely sideways.

If you live in Palm Coast and know any roughly 60+ year old men who drive white Audis who might have been traveling north bound on Belle Terre early Sunday around 7:45 am please provide me with his name and address because I have some choice words I would like to share with him over his aggressive driving.

Just thank the Lord it certainly could have been much worse and for instantly teaching me that my response to his aggressive driving was not appropriate. I typically wave and yell have a nice day when people harass me but this guy was so close and so hard on the horn it felt dangerous. No excuse I should have just followed Christs own words "But if any one strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also; ".

In a perfect world the cop would have stopped him and a judge would make him ride a bicycle as community service to get a taste of what its like to have some guy in a 2,000+ pound car playing chicken with his life. That early Sunday morning there is no traffic and I was hugging the shoulder best I could there's no reason he couldn't have just as easily gotten into the other lane if he was so concerned that I was interrupting his traffic flow.

I would like to add to this a public service announcement. As I have been reading complaints recently on the local discuassion boards about road cyclist and why don't they ride on the sidewalk. How bout BECAUSE ITS THE LAW! So long as a cyclist is not impeding the flow of traffic I am afforded all the rights of a typical car. So don't blow your horn and throw crap out your window at me. It is not safe or reasonable to travel at 25mph on a sidewalk ever...A good example of this happened just after my accident on Sunday. I decide Im hurt I can't shift to the small ring Im gonna take it easy going home. I get on the sidewalk traveling 12 miles an hour roughly half my typical pace and I approach an older couple walking arm-in-arm on the sidewalk I announce myself "Behind You" 4 TIMES! In 30 feet and they do not hear me and only when Im within about 5 feet do they hear me and move. This is not safe for me or the pedestrian. And if you don't believe me stick your fat behind in a saddle and hit your nearest sidewalk. I think Im going to start carrying a pen and paper with me and write down license plates of people who think its funny and or cool to cause someone out getting some exercise and enjoying a hobby bodily harm.

This brings me back to why doesnt law enforcement come down harder on people who hit and harrass cyclist I've now twice seen the school bus driver that did a hit and run on me still out driving around in the school bus. Never did receive a phone call or anything from the school or the police on my status after that incident. Nobody cares.

So much for surfing on Sunday.