REALLY going home….

Last weekend I went to work the expo for my friend Charlie’s company, Trakkers, at the Marine Corp Marathon. You may have noted some heavy-hitters in triathlon who’ve signed on to represent Trakkers: the Lovato’s, Heather Gollnick, Bree Wee… It’s a great concept and I’m certain the company will take off.

Anyhoo…. it was quite something to be back in Washington.

I grew up not far from DC and I found the weekend to be extremely nostalgic. I’ve barely returned to the area since high school graduation so it was quite something to be near my childhood stomping grounds.

Despite the busy expo schedule for the marathon, I was able to get in two visits with two of my closest childhood friends, Alex MacLennon and Rob Richardson, both of whom I literally grew up with from almost birth. I had dinner with Alex on Friday night, and had multiple visits with Rob who was coincidentally doing the marathon.

I...

The Life Process

This is TR and me on a ride we did a few days ago. Beautiful CO days…

Of course today we’re expecting snow. Uggg. So far the weather hasn’t been too bad. I enjoy the time of year when you wear jeans and a light jacket … we’ll see what I am saying in a month when I have frostbite.

A few days ago I brought some lasagna over to my friend Monica, and to meet her daughter, Alexandra. Both look beautiful 6-days after the birth, and it sounds like she and Gordo are adjusting well to their first week of parenthood.

I’ll tell you, that little peanut is already...

Remembering Steve Brandt

Yesterday I received several emails from friends in different states, all wanting to inform me of the horrible news of the death of our friend, Steve Brandt, Head Swim Coach at Southwestern University. Steve was found dead in his home Thursday morning. He was 33 years old.

After the first few minutes of complete shock, and then overwhelming sadness for his wife, Ally, and for Steve’s family, memories of Steve and Ally came rushing back… and my eyes filled with tears.

Allison Brandt was my coveted and much loved All3Sports Teammate in 2003. Though she was several years younger, we became friends instantly. She, too, had been a swimmer and single-handedly dragged me, literally, to the pool many times to force me to swim. Thanks to her, I actually stayed in. I loved Ally’s fun-loving personality and optimistic nature. I admired her for it. But what I admired even more was her marriage. They were a perfect match.

Her...

Bbbbrrrr…..

The concept of a year-round outdoor pool in a place like Colorado is funny to me.
Last week I was swimming at FAC and sort of chuckled to myself. It was REALLY cold out – goodbye summer! There was massive steam coming off the water and the deck held remnants of the morning frost. I found it sort of comical to look over into the distance while swimming to see the snow-covered Flatirons. Looking up to see palm trees (when I lived in CA) when it’s a bit cold out I can understand… but something about seeing SNOW while swimming outdoors is ODD.

I did my lame 2k swim and, bored to tears, got out. I will say this.. if I was unable to get my HR up during the swim, the HAUL ASS run back inside the facility made up for it. I think I broke a world record in the 200m sprint across the pool area to get back inside, breathing rate rapid. I then stood in the scalding hot shower trying to thaw out for a good 15:00…

It’s...

Snow in October?

Oye. I will need to get used to Winter coming much earlier…

They are calling for snow on Sunday – although, granted, it’s supposed to be gone by morning. However, the fact that it is cold enough to elicit snow at all, in early October, is the issue. Bbbbrrrrrrr.

TR and I rode yesterday during his lunch break and I had to wear leg warmers, a long sleeved shirt and a jacket. In early October? What a wuss I am.

I’ve been counseled repeatedly that “Winter in Boulder is not THAT bad”. Hhhmmm. I suppose that depends on your frame of reference. The great thing (and different thing?) I’ve been told about Boulder Winters as opposed to other places I have lived is the sunshine and the dryness about it all. It snows, or is cold, but the sun continues to shine, year round. This is...