Go Figure

Can you people believe this weather? It was in the 50s here today! Here! In the northeast! Seriously, this is tres bizarre for this time of year. As I walked to my car this afternoon after work, I was suddenly filled with that pang of adrenaline rush that usually comes more regularly during the first couple weeks of March. Yes indeed, that old familiar high where I step out of my office, feel the warmth of the 45 degree sun and know that I have exactly 3 hours to go home, kit-up, mount the lights, and head out on a ride until the sun (and temperature) drops. Yessir. Right about during those first few weeks of March you can pretty much find me rolling home by flood light, wrapped in fleecy layers head-to-toe to stave off that early spring, after-sunset freeze every night during the week. And that rush, that one I get between my office and my house during my afternoon commute, that's because 45 degrees feels like balmy Florida after a Northeast winter. And that's exactly what it felt like today.

But... I didn't ride. A lot of my fellow bloggers out there wrote about cutting work early to sneak out for a nice run or a long ride to enjoy the freak weather today, but not me. No, I enjoyed the weather just fine, but when the temps are this "up and down" (uhh, check out the high on Sunday) I inevitably wind up catching a cold from the fluctuations. So I just kept things in check, and went about my regularly scheduled indoor workouts today.

Here's something: I like to eat a big salad for lunch. That's right. Lots of greens, lots of fresh veggies, a little grilled chicken on there for sustenance - all topped with a bit of vinegar and fresh ground salt and pepper. Healthy, fresh, and lean - Just like me. And so I'm in the "big salad" line today at work and I can't help but notice that there seem to be a number of "newbies" in front of me. You know what I'm talking about: The New Year's Resolution-ers. Now, I'm all for "starting anew" and making "resolutions" especially where health and fitness are concerned... But come on people! You're not real salad people deep down inside! And you're taking up valuable space in my "big salad" line. Anyways, I was one person away from being served when I couldn't help but listen to the guy in front of me requesting (on his salad, mind you) "fried chicken please miss, no veggies whatsoever, crumbled blue cheese... No ma'm, a little more please, and gimme some gallons of that there creamy blue cheese dressing."

Well, unfortunately I've never been a soul blessed with much of a poker face, as unconsciously wearing my thoughts for all to see has gotten me in trouble countless times before. Evidently I had my tell-tale, squinted eye, furled brow look of disapproval on my face as I watched this guy cart away his 20 lbs of fried chicken and blue cheese, garnished with a leaf of romaine, just as the salad lady (whom I'm sure has a much prettier name) was grinning ear-to-ear, asking me: "your usual Joe?"

It's my last week of my second Base 1 block of training, and I'm hitting things hard and good. I had a great hour and half on the bike last night, followed by about an hour of running at various tempo intervals. Today I hit up the pool and knocked out a smooth 2600m workout in around about 55 minutes. Yeah, for me, I was hauling... And leaving the pool my arms dragged limply on the ground like those of a baboon. As if they weren't punished enough, I put the arms (and chest, and shoulders and back) through the ringer again later today with about an hour and half of weights. Right now, I'm just sittin' pretty, with only a swim, a bike and a long run between me and a rest week. Should be good.

Thanks for reading, and keep it easy.