The Payoff

I'm finally starting to see and feel the payoff to all my workouts. Even though I'm not able to run, I'm enjoying all of my workouts. I walk fast for a minimum of 40 mins every other day. On my off day, I'm cycling or swimming. I cycle - slower than I'd like - on the days I can't get to the pool but my preference is the pool. It isn't bothering my IT Band, my knees or anything really. My lungs feel great and I am starting to build a bit of endurance.

I varied my workout in the pool today and ended with 2 25 yard sprints - felt the old familiar lung burn from competition years. WOO HOO - that felt great.

I've contacted a friend of mine that coaches and she is going to work with me to improve my technique, flip turns etc. I just spent a bit of time on a great website for swimmers. What fun!

Now if I only had an indoor pool at my house - for me and the dogs - I'd be in NIRVANA!

Greg Coaches B Ball

The top picture is Greg getting down to the kids' level to coach. The second picture is my son, Devin, taking a shot. I was having some difficulty with the lighting so I need to learn what setting to use for indoor shots in gymnasiums where the lights are lower than normal. Still need the zoom lense. Not sure if I will be getting that for Christmas or not.

My Favorite Ballet Performance

This is Mikhail Barishnikov in The Nutcracker performed in 1977.

Go Tyler!

Many people do not know this but I am a big ACC college basketball fan. Grew up watching it and listening to my Parents yell, cheer, scream for Maryland in my youth. I, however, have been a UNC fan and never told them until recently which made my Dad laugh. Well tonight, Senior Tyler Hansbrough just topped the record for leading all time scorer for UNC. Breaking a record that has stood for 3 decades! Go Tyler! I certainly think he has a great career ahead of him in the NBA.

Change in Plans

Since my IT Band won't settle down and I am not willing to park my butt on the couch until it does, I am walking instead of trying to run. I'm actually able to go the same distances within the same times. I guess that is a good thing for now. I am hoping my legs will get stronger from walking and doing mild cycling that I can return to jogging again soon. I will listen to my body and take it one week at a time.

This means that my goal of running 3 continuous miles has to be parked - for now. I'm not totally bummed because I still hope to run again. If I can stay fit, I will be way happier than I was last Fall when the injury side-lined me.

Well Darn - He Ducked

I am not going to post the video of the journalist throwing his shoes at Pres. Bush but what a statement he made. He risked jail time and any other repercussions to tell Bush what he really thought of the US. People are laughing at the video but I actually do not find it funny. In a pure visual sense, it is funny. But from a broader perspective of public opinion of the US in the Middle East, it isn't so funny.

With that being said, maybe that journalist was onto something - we should throw shoes to express our displeasure instead of bombs and bullets. Wouldn't the World be a better place? Oh well, that is never going to happen. War has been used to resolve conflicts for thousands and thousands of years and I don't see it changing any time soon.

Future Career Change

I'm contemplating going back to school. I really disliked school for so many reasons; mostly, it was a mismatch of my interest. I started out in Nuclear Medicine and found Chemistry extremely difficult so I switched my major to Business Administration. DUMB! I should have found a way to get through Chemistry. Oh well, not really that critical. I got a good degree, I found a decent job, I climbed the latter for several years and reached the glass ceiling. Got tired of the same old same old and basically left the business world to focus on the dog world.

I love agility but it has to be a hobby for me so I refuse to make a career of teaching it. Devin is getting more self-sufficient and before I know it, he will be graduating. Well, OK - not for another 8 years but they will fly by quickly. I would like to prepare myself to go back to a regular job within the next 5 years but I can't bring myself to go back to corporate America. I hated it!

I have been researching schools that have some programs that interest me but find the idea of returning a bit scary. I'm sure I would be the oldest person in the classes! So what, right? There is a billboard - I've passed it several times but can't think where - anyway, it shows a 90+ yr old woman graduating from college. If she can do it, so can I!