I love a rainy night!

Having a busy weekend with all sorts of fun plans and house work isn't a bad thing. No kids over the weekend makes the busy ones that much easier. I'm actaully finding some time to write, to watch a few movies I normally wouldn't find time for and to think about the holidays coming up.

Thanksgiving will be a fun day with some family and good food. We will be with Johanna's side of the family this year...should be good times.

Got some good workouts in this past week. A little bit more strength and core training along with some indoor sppinning and a beautiful trail run. I have taken a day off to let the legs recover form the run, but otherwise I feel really good. Over the winter it's tougher to keep a good, consistent training schedule because of the cold and the lack of money. Spinning classes, yoga, swimming programs...they all add up, and I'm not one to spend alot of money on that stuff cause i know i can do it on my own in the confides of my own house and on my timing. That being said, I definitely lose some endurance over the winter months.

Quick re-cap on last weeks Diva Dash:

We showed up early at the race sight to start getting set up. Teh snow had been coming down since 2am and we were just getting started with all of that. The boss had some issues with the race trailer on the way up, so we were running late right off the bat so we did what we could for set-up until the trailer showed up.

Once Mark showed up with the goods we got right to work. We had to get the food and post race stuff put aside, set up the courses, finish line and start area. There are water stops to get out, volunteers to coordinate, and the racers were already showing up pretty early. Driving was a nightmare, parking too...and course set-up was the toughest for me this year. But we were having some fun with it too. Organized, chaotic fun! By the time I got things ready to roll it was race start time and all the gals were lined up and ready to go. Many people were still parking, the conditions were relentless and we just couldn't get everyone to the start line in time and had to keep the schedule. The race was on. 5k and 5 mile runners were on their way. The snow was coming down in full force, the wind was driving hard form the west and the lite flakes felt like mini torpedos on your face. it was tough out there...and all the women running on this day were tough as nails, enjoying the race and the cause as best they could.

It wasn't long before the first racers were done and back to the warming tents we had set up. Then, before you know it everyone is in and the race part of the morning is just about over. Clean-up commenced and the morning became cold, wet and long (that's what she said). What? Anyway, the day was actually perfect looking back! So many memories were made, lots of money was raised for MOCA (MN Ovarian Cancer Alliance) and Final stretch put on another great event despite Mother Nature. Just a quick thanks to all who showed up, braved the cold winter and snowy conditions and made this happen. Good on you!

Try and try again....

When you don't really have anything specific to do, your day just becomes a bunch of little things that get you through and then you go to sleep...nothing really to show for it. I hate that feeling!

In the past months I have been working, raising my kids, planning a wedding for early next year, and trying to stay afloat amidst all the life changes and challenges. It's been a fun ride. I feel confident for the future.

One of my friends, and co-workers, from Final Stretch asked me the other day..."Hey Sean, tell me something about yourself that I may not know. What do you like to do in your spare time!" I thought about it for a second. It's not really that profound of a question, but you don't hear it everyday either. I told him that I really enjoyed writing, but have fallen away form it in the past year or so. He wondered why...and shared with me that he felt the same way about his drawing.

In talking with Blake about the things we loved but didn't make time to do I realized something. It isn't so much that I don't enjoy writing much anymore...I thought maybe it had something to do with trying to fit my life story on a blog post every couple days...I miss the art that I used to enjoy when writing. Typing isn't the same. I love to write, on paper with a pen (preferrably a nice rolling blue pen) or a solid pencil with dark lead. There is an art to it.

Now the question is, do I start really 'writing' again and then copy my writings onto the blog...or should the blog be a seperate thing all together!? Time will tell.

A quick thanks to Blake, though, for unknowingly causing me to think a little deeper about one of my passions! Good things.

Lack-luster blogging

I used to blog everyday! Now that I write alot for my job, it's difficult to come home and sit down and write some more. Blogging is nice cause it's just type while thinking and there doesn't have to be any real format. Anyway, life is good. The season for triathlon and multi-sport is pretty much over with Kona this past weekend. Here in MN we are gearing up for trailrunning, then snowshoeing, and XC skiing. Yes, that time is coming...like it or not...snow is on it's way. So you might want to find something to do while it's here cause it lasts for about 13 months.

In the past months lots has been going on. Duluth Trail Festival is now here and gone. what a perfect weekend to get engaged. So I did! I proposed to my GF, Johanna up in Duluth and made a weekend out of it. We are so happy.

Work is staying busy with races and nesw events this winter. That's a good thing. Working for Final Stretch has been such a blessing. I get to be around what I love all the time and work with some top notch people. Yay

Living in St. louis park has been one of the best moves i have ever made...and everything that goes with it. I love it.

weeks and weekends...

I hate that we don't have a race this weekend...it makes the days just blend together with no real finalization. Although race weekends are tough, menatally and physically, it keeps you on your toes!

In my musings for a new Tri bike or a road biek to accompany my existing TT bike I have met some good people and seen some neat things. The cycling community is cool, and fashionable. Whatever that means, it's true.

Today I am heading over to a new shop. But it's not a bike store like that, it's a spinning shop. You go there to bike, on a stationary (and sweet) computerized bike. It's the grand opening and hopefully this fall and winter I wil be able to utilize it and gain some cycling edge. Cycle Quest, check it out in Eden Prairie if you get a chance.

Sunday I am pacing the 13.1 minneapolis half marathon by bike. I will be leading the pack of elite males or females. I got the opportunity and took it. Me and my cousin john are going to handle it together...should be cool. I will give you all the details in time!

Sunday night is another Greenway ride. New folks, new inspirations, and good times. Coffee and/or beer afterwards, I cannot wait!

Cheers,

Sean

Bag Balm for my bag....

Lots has been going on as of late! It's summer, so it seems like endless work and endless fun...bottom line is this: Life is good.

We are gearing up for the Gopher to Badger 5k and half marathon along with The Snail Run this coming weekend. Lots to do and way stoked about seeing all the runners. Between the two events we should have around 2,000 participants. Gopher to Badger is August 14th and the Snail Run is the following day in Vadnais Heights...the 15th of August.

I just realized taht today is Friday the 13th and my 'Pops' birthday. Crazy stuff. He turned 71 today, but looks like he's about 60. Aging well seems to run in the family...so cheers to that.

Last night on my way home from Stillwater I stopped in to Fleet Farm off 36. I needed some Utter Cream for cycling. If you don't know what one would use utter cream for when cycling, you may not want to, but truth be told its to prevent chaffing of the "boys downstairs" while sitting in the saddle for sometimes hours at a time. I took it up to the counter and the young lady asked me "Is that for farm use?" I replied "Only if I'm lucky!" The rest of the transaction was funny and awkward. I will let you know how the Bag Balm works! It's a fraction of the price of those fancy bike store bought chamios butters and should work the same if not better.



Race reports to follow this post, along with pictures if I remember my camera.

2 weeks from now is the Duluth Trail Festival. I am so pumped about thsi weekend of racing. I'm still trying to decide if I'm going to sign up for an offroad tri next week. If the money is there I will most likely pull the trigger, or maybe just go watch. Fun for all ages! : )

See you all out there...

Sean

High heat, and higher winds...just missed us!

Hot! That's as simply put as I can get with that. It was a steamy, and roasty toasty Tuesday for sure. Got the MTB in early morning with my cousin John over at Theo Wirth Park trails. It was sticky-icky and pretty good fun all in one. The latter part of the day consisted of work related type things. Pick-ups and drop-offs. Making plans for future races and lots of brainstorming (I think I should get a digital voice recorder so I can rant about my thoughts and keep record of them...I have some legit ideas, but then I forget, so no one believes me...hahhaha).

Hunter and I hung out most of the afternoon and took care of some errands, headed over to Gear West Triathlon store in Long Lake and picked up some gear for the upcoming Waseca Triathlon (Sunday August 1st), then over to get some computer stuff to make the PC wireless. It was a good afternoon and the AC has been kicking it overtime all day.

We finished off the later portion of the afternoon and early evening with some catch...with some gloves and a baseball, ya know...catch. How else can you explain it? Catch alone just doesn't exemplify what it really is. Catch may be one of the most calming and simple things in life and is a blast (well, fun for sure, a BLAST might be pushing it).

Izzie got done with work around 6 so we met up and had some dinner just before the wicked storm clouds moved in towards St. Louis Park. Those clouds looked sick, good thing it just missed us, but that only means it more than likely rained on someone elses parade. We got back home and everyone was in relax mode so we popped in a movie and hung out on the couch. 'The Flying Scotsman' was what came in the mail from Netflix. Not a bad movie...based on true events of a cyclist who breaks a few world records on the velodrome track racing, but is haunted by voices in his head, thoughts of suicide and depression all along the journey of life, family and cycling. If you like drama and or cycliing, check it out.

Bedtime came early and so did morning.

here we are and here we go....

Trying to find life rhythm...

A quick rundown of the last 3 days...
Friday~~MTB with Drew Pandolfo at Lebanon Hills. This was a first for me (leb hills that is) and I thoroughly enjoyed the trails, landscape and the company. Great idea Drew, can't wait til next time. 12 miles, easy pace, tough ride.

Saturday~~got up super early (around 5ish AM) and headed down to mankato for Final Stretch stuff. Had to ride the courses for the mankato Marathon, which is October 23rd Yo, and make sure they were dialed in. All 3 coursed are very close to proper mileage so let the certification commence. Overall a good morning, the rest of the day was crappy. Tried to make it down to the Flugtag, so many people and so much traffic, i wanted to cut my own spleen out of my body. Turned around and headed home to clean up for having some people over. Then it was a good night.

Sunday~~overslept, not a new thing or a big deal. got in a 4 mile run in the dense heat and that felt fairly good. Rampin up for the Duluth Trail Festival at the end of August. Can't wait.

Today is Monday, me and hunter are taking care of some school stuff. She is switching it up since we have now relocated to St. Louis Park. Kind of excited to see what this all brings for her. I hope she is excited too. Gonna rest today from training unless a later night run falls into my lap, then run and MTB tomorrow!

Peace out....

Fresh Start

First post of many to come I'm hoping! Changing up the blog once and for all. My goal is to focus more in depth on the life happenings though running, triathlon and multisports. In my goals to reach higher plateau's in life, I hope you can join me...even for just a few!

Cheer's,

Sean