I spent almost an hour in Kohls today. Number one - I rarely go to malls or shop for myself - unless it's something specific. So I'm now a shoe slut...I bought 2 pairs of shoes today. I have needed a pair of cross trainers for a long time, finally got them. Big woop...just simple Nikes, but great deal on them - 32 bucks for shoes that were originally 65 bucks. In the spirit of that, I got a pair of work shoes (dress loafers) also on sale - very comfy. I have to complain - I cannot find a pair of 30"W X 29" inseam pants anywhere, work pants. Damn this country is huge...there's TONS of everything over 38" waists.

Left the Kohls and looked at an apartment in Fair Lakes - I liked it, but too pricy, mostly because the plethora of ammenities (most of which I don't need) - will continue to look tomorrow.

Drove to Vienna for a longass training ride. It's absolutely Spring now - was in the low 60s, so I suited up in shorts and a long sleeve jersey - reg shoes, socks, no jacket, reg gloves. It was almost liberating being out there in a lack of winter bike clothing. Saw my first real sign of spring - a groundhog emerging...he looked groggy and emaciated from being in hibernation, he slowly crossed the bike path like he was hungover. Put in a solid 58 miles, I was going to do 60-65 miles but the wind started to pick up and it was threatening to rain.

After the ride, stopped by the bike store to see if I could get replacement rings for my triple crank, they had one, but need to order another. Came home, had some steak on the grill - total yum. Then watched Ray (about Ray Charles) on DVD - was a long ass film, entertaining - and tragic...

More of what I did today I'll do tomorrow, minus the shoes.

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Thank goodness it's Friday. Granted that this week has flown by faster than a Walmart shopper dashing to get the last blue light special...oh wait...that's Kmart.

The weather continued to cooperate - in fact it was in the upper 50s. After my long, very busy day at work (boooring...), I suited up and went on a glorious 42 miler. @nd half of the ride was dark, and the temp dropped - but it was really nice.

I look forward to a relaxing weekend of errands (need new cross trainer shoes for the gym, some sweatpants (small...that fit, all my workout clothes are too big for me now), I need a new baseball cap - I keep wearing them out, and will see if I can get some chainrings for my triple crank, and a tool to remove my bottom bracket. Oh joy.

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Busy busy busy day at work. I like those days sometimes - the day just flies by. Actually this week has been like that - I cannot believe that today is Thursday.

Took a training ride after work with the bike club - them boys (and girls) wear me out sometimes. We did a 30 miler (short), but I have to bike 3 miles to get to where we meet - so a total of 36 miles. Was a great workout - sometimes I feel faster than other, I couldn't understand why I felt slow today, was not the wind...I felt fine...just my endurance was a little off.

I will start weight training at the gym next week, probably start off doing 1/2 hour to an hour after my bike ride at the new gym. Note to self - I need to get a new pair of cross training shoes.

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I have this odd thing that has been happening to me for a number of months - I somehow have received a subscription to Maxim Magazine, in my name and mailed once a month to my parents house. I have no clue from whom or why...or if I was put on a list for a free subscription...all I know is that it gets mailed there. It's quite embarrassing when my mother retracts the magazine out of the mailbox...or picks up the mail from neighbors when they are out of town. Make her blush, makes my dad grin. The whole thing is a funny item of conversation. The above photo (click to enlarge) was taken by my mom, while I was reading this month's issue.

Work was a chaotic mess of techno-drama, but a quick day nonetheless. All of a sudden I liik at my watch thinking "I'd better take a lunch break to run to the post office", it was already 4pm. Where did the day go.

One really cool thing that transpired today was that my office decided (out of the blue) to give us all free company memberships to the Olympus Gym (down the street). Very cool - open until 11pm, and on weekends - time to do some spinning classes on days when the weather is horrid, and maybe some weight training after my evening bike rides. How exciting - they have raquetball quarts, saunas, showers. I may start playing raquetball with some of my co-workers...would be fun (to kick their ass, heh).

Finished up work, went on a very pleasant 36 mile training run with a few sprints. I was a little sore when done - felt great. Had pre-St Patricks day dinner with my parents (thus photo), had Corned Beef & Cabbage soup, very traditional. I've already layed out my green sweater for tomorrow.

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There are days at my office that are just completely unbearable...and some days, where it's a total joy. The latter was today. I won't go into any details, because I don't want to disclose anything about my job other than the experience, and maybe a few ancedotes - but no details about any of it to get me in any kind of trouble. Some of what I say may be altered to salvage some level of anomynity.

We had a huge meeting aligned for this late afternoon by some major higher-ups from another agency paying us a special visit, and it was figured out that they were coming to personally give us some official kudos and awards for our efforts. We all relished in it, and it was heartfelt - so it was a great day in that aspect.

The interesting part of this whole official gathering was the person who was handing out the awards on behalf of the higherup (who was professionally higher up in the ranks herself), she looked vaguely familliar...she had been at other meeting but I never thought much of it.

Then there was an informal discussion, meet and greet afterwards - and the topic of the state I graduated from high school came up...and I piped in, a number of people had been there. One of the higher ups said that they had kids who attended the very high school I went to. Then later, the woman handing out the awards asked what year did I graduate...I said which year. She then said, same year as her - we were in the same graduating class of the same high school. What a small world.

After such a great afternoon, our office closed up a 1/2 hour early and I headed out on a great training ride - 38 miles, all on the trail (no more loop for me). It is now getting light enough that I can bike the entire time before it gets completely pitch black. I do have my lights on for others to see me, but more importantly - no more hassles by the fuzz for biking on the trail after dark.

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Busy day at work, finalized the move - is great to be in new digs. Huge meetings tomorrow - plenty of prep work to finalize, suit n tie day.

First evening in a while where 1/2 my training ride was in light - the other in dark. It's definately getting lighter earlier - and over the weekend, it's apparent. The temperature has waned a little - hover above freezing to a comfortable high 40s, still chilly. I wanted to go on a longer ride tonight but it dipped - I only put in 34 miles (hoping I'm not coming down with a cold).

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Today was one of those days when you weren't sure if sleeping in was going to be the route to relaxation. So I got up relatively early - headed out on a few errands, looked at an apartment complex (little too "used") then headed out to Vienna and biked out to Peonian Springs and back. It was very pleasant weather - in the 40s/50s. I stupidly underdressed - I didn't wear shoe covers or my booties, so upon my return, my toes were frozen solid. Met up with a few people I know in one of the other bike clubs, we pacelined it back - made great speed. All told, was a great 52 mile training run.

Came home, showered, tidyied up then made a feast for my parents. Spicey Butternut Squash & Apple Soup, and Chicken Spinach, Sausage, & Gorgonzola Roullade (we had some of my homemade Spicey Hummus with sundried tomatos, roasted garlic and roasted red pepper on wheat crackers). It was sooo good. Nice paring. Well recieved.

I'm not looking forward to starting the work week - it makes me real anxious tonight. Life moves on, looking forward to Spring.

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