I Am Shipping Up To Boston

The atmosphere was electric. These Bostonians take their baseball seriously and the only thing that comes in a close second is the bratwurst on a bun you buy behind the Green Monster of Fenway Park.







Bren and I had flown into Boston early on Saturday morning, an afternoon nap and a subway ride later, and we found ourselves in Section 15, Row 8 of the legendary Fenway Park. They were playing my beloved Texas Rangers, who won the four game series 3-1…but that night was the Red Sox’s night, and I was not disappointed. Extra Innings, singing “Sweet Caroline” in the 8th inning…all part of an incredible experience of a baseball fan.

The 5 days, north of the Mason Dixon Line, with just me in my wife was a great break from work, day to day life in Texas, and parenting. My mom and dad watched the kids and we resided along the Charles River.

We did all the normal Boston things…the Freedom Trail, the Boston Commons, trips to Harvard and MIT…and even a day spent on the Cape…of course lots of seafood…and all that entails. What a wonderful time with my wife.





A break from “life” also meant that training waned a bit as well. I did do one upper body weight work out and one morning I did run 6 miles along the Charles River. Additionally to that, you need to be in good shape to go on vacation with Bren and me. We walk….a lot…average of over 10 miles a day.

So this weekend, I was back on the bike after a 2 week hiatus. Saturday was a 65 mile group ride at an average of 19 mph and a pace line of about 24 mph. It was my first pace line and I think I kept from screwing it up too bad. On Sunday…well a solo ride of 32 miles with an average of 19.9 mph.

We are a month out from the Hotter N Hell 100 mile bike race and ½ marathon the next day. I am riding for 2 individuals that are currently one of the 28 million in the battle of cancer…Carolyn Boyd and Sarah Grace. On Saturday Evening, we went to a celebration dinner for Sarah Grace…she has completed 6 months of chemo therapy. She is a beautiful 8 year old girl…who is sweet and tough as nails…and inspires me to push on…even when it hurts. LIVESTRONG!

It's Hell's Kitchen...and Gordon Ramsey dare not tread!

If you can’t stand the HEAT, get out of the Kitchen…and at a heat index of 104 F in North Texas, the entire region is now a very Hot Kitchen with no other rooms to retreat to…especially if you are training.

We sit right in the middle of July…theoretically ½ way through the summer and I am feeling the cumulative effects of the sultry temps.

The Hotter N Hell 100 mile bike race is a little over a month away. (I have to clarify bike race. When I mentioned a 100 mile race, I typically get the question, “Running or riding?”) I feel ready and have great training rides. This past Saturday, we rode 75 miles in the morning and on Sunday hammered 30 miles at 3:30 in the smoking afternoon. My legs and body feel great….a testament to all my bootcamps, running, weight training and infamous core work. But there is something else I have noticed…and I think it’s the heat.

I am tired a lot of the time…like dragging butt tired. I recover well, there is no physical soreness, I am adamant about hydration/electrolyte intake…and yet I am exhausted all the time. Not so much mental or emotional…but physical.

After Hotter N Hell 100 miler and ½ marathon trail race, I will take some time off…ok…maybe not completely off, but will definitely dial it back a bit …for a week or so…

So until next time…ride on…run on…

ATHENA - Greek Goddess of War

I know I have been delinquent in posting. It’s busy for TEAM ELLIOTT….really busy…and throw in training…being a dad…and a husband….and the blog suffers so be it….you will get over it.

So here are some random thoughts…

The Tour de France is in full swing. I watch it every year, but this year have a whole new perspective on it. It is always on in our house in the evening, and this week my 4 year old, while watching it, exclaims, “Look Mom, there’s Dad!” Too Funny…I wish Hope!

So on Saturday, we had some rain…and not wanting to reenact Stage 2 of this year’s Tour decided to do something different…I ran 10 miles, then went up to the Y and did 30 minutes of fast paced upper body work, and then 2 spin classes back to back….for a total of about 4 hours of aerobic work. The instructor did not show up for the second spin class…so yours truly taught it. My first every class…my wife was in there and said I kicked everyone’s butt. I wanted to do some lactic acid threshold work….so a lot of the hour was going into and coming out of anaerobic….poor class.

And so I have decided on a name for the Trek bike…I have been reading the Percy Jackson Series with my 9 year old boy Luke (we each read the book seperately then discuss - he loves it) ...they are a series of books that meshes Greek Mythology with current modern day culture with the Hero a 13 year old boy...geared towards boys Luke's Age...it has been fun...but in the middle of book 2...the perfect name for my Bike...

ATHENA

Greek Goddess of War...and yet, still sounds sultry too...

With my Marine Heritage...perfect…

So this weekend…ride on….run on…but don’t sit on the couch for crying out loud….unless it is to watch the Tour after a smoking workout!