A retrospective ...

Post: 23

Weeks of training complete: 19 weeks, 3 days

Time remaining until Ironman: 12 weeks, 4 days

Miles swam: 78.41

Miles biked: 1,206.01

Miles run: 303.81

Goal: $5,000

Total raised: $895

The picture above is from about three years ago this month. I was a kid then - if not in actuality than certainly in spirit. The person in that photo may share similarities with the one who types today, but the person who types today is very different from the one in that photo.

I didn't know the meaning of words like responsibility, selflessness, caring, giving. Oh, rest assured I knew the dictionary definition. I just didn't know the real world application.

Maybe I do now. Certainly better than then.

I like that picture, though. Beckett is so big now - the days of cuddling him like you could then are long gone; and Brody's are slowly slipping away, too.

I'm better today. Perspective restored. I got my work out in. 12.75 mile bike ride, 2.8 mile run. Easy, easy, easy stuff. But I did them with ease, too. I felt like a walk in the park. No big thing.

This week, as it turns out, is the easiest week in the training program almost. On Saturday, I'll run an Olympic distance triathlon. I'll kick the s*** out of that b****.

Got the bocce tournament invites out, too, finally. So that's good. Hoping a bunch of you can make it.

Interesting side story: I showed up at the gym on Tuesday morning with my Speedos on inside out, meaning the crotch-pocket sewed into the inside was just hanging out in front of my "zone." Drove there like that and everything. Pretty awesome. I also somehow called my sister at 4:40 in the morning on my cell phone. Talking about the walking dead.

I'd like to thank Jessicca for her donation today. Somehow, these reminders from the people that care always seem to come at the right time. They always get me back out the door, focused on the task at hand. They help me find perspective. In some ways, Jess and I probably went through one of first stages of "growing up" together. It was really only a year - somewhere in the middle of the '90s - and yet here she is, here we are, still connected.

I can't really claim to get it. How does a 14-year-old relationship result in a loose e-mail relationship binded by an electronic diary. How is that the most recent result of that relationship will result in a couple families getting food on their table tonight, a bus-pass for the month, or assistance to pay an energy bill? It's wild ... our vast interconnectedness and all the things they lead to.

Maybe about a year ago, I had the chance to sit with Jess, at my favorite bar, and have a glass of wine, or a beer, or maybe two or three. RB was there, too, and we probably talked until 2 in the morning or so. It was a good night. A night that belonged as much in 1994 as it did in 2007.

Think about the distances between those dates ... and yet the threads that can still bind them.

It's all too heady for me to figure out, but I think I get some of it -- so here it is:

The things we do today, they really do matter, not just tomorrow, but the day after and the month after and the year after. We are defined by our collective actions and choices.

And many years down the road, the choices we made way back when have drastic, drastic consequences on the lives we are living now - for better or for worse.

So, I guess when I say that the person in that photo is different than the one who types today, I guess it's a fallacy. I am that person - defined a little more clearly; living a little more clearly thanks to choices, and friends and decisions that have been made since.

Until next time,

Ed

Out of Touch ...

Post #22
Weeks of training complete: 19 weeks, 2 days
Time remaining until Ironman: 12 weeks, 5 days
Miles swam: 78.41
Miles biked: 1,180.51
Miles run: 301.01

Goal: $5,000
Total raised: $795

Somewhere in Minneapolis tonight, a friend of mine – someone who, although we haven't talked in quite some time, I would call a very good friend – is sitting in a jazz club listening to music, preparing for what will probably be one of the biggest events in a life full of very big events. He is a man of great success, and a man with whom I'm gone through some pretty low lows and some pretty high highs with. Until tonight, when we chatted briefly for about two minutes, I hadn't talked to him in close to 9 months.

Elsewhere, in Pennsylvania, somebody who I probably saw every single day of my childhood from age 6 to 17; and again from 20 to 22, is doing his own thing; making pretty a new home, honing skills on his art; crafting beer in the basement; having conversations with his wife. I once called him best friend; still do. But I haven't really had a conversation with him in, hell, I really couldn't tell you.

The stories repeat themselves; in San Francisco, a master video technician who used to act as the social glue of our circle of friends in a previous life; in Connecticut, and old roommate who now has beautiful children, an amazing wife and a successful business; in Portland, Oregon, a man I admire very much; soon to be travelling to Nepal to help those in need with pro bono medical treatment; in Tallahassee, one of the best reporters I've ever met and somebody who, in my formative years, I spent every minute I could looking up to, learning from, emulating; in Calgary, Alberta, my true mentor, the guy who made my success in media possible; in Boston, one of the purest people I've ever met (congrats on the engagement again!), in northern Maine, the truest artist I know. And here at home, just a mile down the road, a fellow Sun Devil and Diamondbacks fan, and one of the best, most sincere individuals and fathers I know; just south in south Tempe and Chandler, two of my best friends since early adulthood; people I'd bend over backwards for, cross the country for, put my word on the line for; and who I'm sure would do the same for me ... And lots and lots more I can't even begin to list, lest this run on forever.

What do they all share in common? They're people I'm largely out of touch with; people I care for deeply, but for whom, I can find no time. I can't even respond to all my e-mails (10,800 this week alone through work). The important ones get buried in the junk. The publicists drown out my friends. Sure I talk to some of them briefly, but many of them I hear about through the grapevine; their achievments, pains, successes, failures broken down into a 30-second "here's how they're doing tidbit." This is no way to know them. It's like the stories in my magazine. Condensed, easy to digest, missing the complexity of real humanity.

I know them like I know resumes; all polished and successful. I am jealous. I am uncertain why I am jealous. I am certain they have forgotten me. And, really, I'm just sad because I miss them.

But I have these problems closer to home. When do I really have the energy to play with my children? Is it once a week, twice a week? Sometimes, like this week, when a flu bug is trying to ravage our plans, toy with our perfectly teetering balanced schedule, is it zero? It might very well be zero.

I was warned: you will sacrafice time for this; you will upset your family from time to time in this goal; you will learn what is important and what is not; you will learn who can have your time and who cannot; you will be forced to say no.

To the warnees: you were correct.

You can't help but ask sometimes, is this all worth it? This smug goal: complete an event that only .001 percent of the world population even ever tries? Training day in, day out. Begging people for money? What comes of this when it's all said and done? I can trek 140.6 miles in a single day. You can't.

Big deal.

So ... here I am ... that came out in a rush. So I sit back, take a sip of beer, reassess, take a deep breath. Shake my head. Nod. Rest my chin on my hand.

Smile.

Yeah, it's worth it. Sort of.

First thought: at least some people on that list I'm missing will see this; know I care, know I think about them all the time; know I miss 'em, love 'em. So that's good.

Second thought: Ed, have you seen yourself in a mirror lately? Damn, you look good.

Third thought: Shut up, ego.

Four thought: Let it go. Let it all go, and focus back on the task at hand - being there for everybody the best you can. This is a lifestyle choice; a lifestyle choice better than many of the previous lifestyle choices you made, where maybe you were too numbed, or too buried in work to be capable of feeling accurately. This is a good place; healthier and the time will come again to make old connections. There's weddings and celebrations in the months ahead. Connections will be broken and made, broken and made, broken and ... when they're remade again, they'll be so much more to tell and say and hopefully, they'll be beer, too. Beer would be good.

I injured my right shoulder and neck muscles on Sunday throwing Beck airborne in the pool. The muscles aren't healed properly, but I tried to swim anyway this morning. Bad idea. After 1,100 meters, I had to accept that the muscles needeed a rest. That I needed a rest. I cancelled the run, went home, made a pot of coffee, had a cup, goofed off on the computer, made breakfast and took it easy.

And, in the end, I felt no remorse.

I can't run my body, or my mind, into the ground. I must keep perspective. Both mentally and physically.

While we're at it, here's some perspective you should have: Chances are, if you're reading this, I probably miss you.

With love,
Ed

Aaaaarrrrgggghhhh!

Post: 21
Weeks of training complete: 19 weeks, 1 days
Weeks until Ironman: 12 weeks, 6 days
Miles swam: 77.79
Miles biked: 1,180.51
Miles run: 301.01

Fundraising goal: $5,000
Total raised: $795

Sorry for the delay in blog posts. I've been having major computer problems at home. My 18 month old Dell Dimension 5150 has developed what many computer forums have deemed the "Blinking Amber Light of Death," a bizzare undiaganosable problem that may be any of the following: a damaged power supply unit, a bad motherboard, a bad 5v on/off control on the front of the computer, damaged USB ports or some other lesser referenced problem.

Whenever the power goes out, Dude the Dell goes out, too. And he doesn't restart, sometimes for days. Then for no apparent good reason, he starts up again. Often after I kick him.

He is, obviously, now restarted.

Dude, I'm never getting another Dell.

While the computer was out, I hooked up an old computer. The anti-virus software in it was so old, it got a crippling virus then totally fried the thing out within 36 hours of plugging it back in. So I've been sort of off-line at home for a while.

On top of that, we're just busy everywhere – at work, at home, in training. Time is short, short, short. I've been meaning to send out an invite for the charity Bocce tournament on 9/27 and I can't even make time to do that. Hopefully tomorrow.

Yesterday the only time I had to mow the lawn was 3 p.m. It was 108. I came inside seeing stars with a dehydration headache. Yay!

Actually, though, all is moving along nicely. I complete a 56-mile bike ride in 3 hours and 20 minutes on Saturday. Not too bad for me. Of course, I needed a nap immediately following that feat.

I must go now. I have to get up at 4:45 a.m. and swim 3,000 meters.

Eyes are heavy.

Sun Devil football starts Saturday. Excited. Got my season tickets again. Will rearrange training schedule to watch football. Yes, indeed. Yes, indeed.

- Ed

What if they had diagnosed me?

Post: 20

Weeks of training complete: 18 weeks, 4 days

Weeks until Ironman: 13 weeks, 3 days

Miles swam: 74.022

Miles biked: 1,080.89

Miles run: 283.31

Fundraising goal: $5,000

Total raised: $795

It always does this. Every year. Every summer. You think you're escaping the heat. And then, for some odd reason, the really bad heat comes back in late August. Hard. After a relatively mild two weeks, we've piled up the following temps since Monday: 105, 106, 107, 108 and we're looking at 109, 110 and 110 this weekend. Frickin' Phoenix, eh?

I rose at 4 a.m. this morning and was on the bike by 4:15. The length of the weekday morning workouts are increasing again. I did not finish my workout and get home until 7:15. We're talking 3 hours and 15 minutes, now, before the day even starts. By 5 p.m., it felt like I'd been up two days. Now, here I am typing away.

I've been in a relative state of calm despite the little rivers of turmoil swirling all around. I think it's probably mostly the exhaustion, but it makes it easier to cope, that's for sure.

I've come to think in recent days that, had I grown up in 2008, I probably would've been diagnosed with ADHD or something along those lines. For as long as I can remember, I have always had insane amounts of energy. In college, when people wanted to go to bed, I wanted to keep going. As I got older, the difference only became more pronounced. Oftentimes, I drank just to calm myself down, to stop my mind from running and running and running and running. Because when work was done, and my wife was tired and my friends were tired - or my friends had work and couldn't go out - there was nothing to do.

It was the same when I was a very young child. I was always getting in trouble in grammar school for acting out; walking across desks, throwing chairs out the window; talking uncontrollably; smashing teachers' lipstick. In high school, I took crepes we made in a French class, loaded them up with chocolate syrup and whipped cream and started chucking them like Frisbees down the hall. As high school basketball games, I would parade up and down the court like a freak during time outs leading some cheer while I flopped around the floor and did dives and slid. I started a riot (no lie) by doing that cheer in front of the opposing team's bench during the state championship. The game was delayed for 45 minutes with :19 seconds left to play so they could clear the court and fans out of the building.

Around 8 or 9 years old, I sewed firecrackers into dolls, played field goal kicker with bottles of PVC glue I stole from my family's hardware store, then opened and lit on fire before I kicked them; collected toys, dropped them out the second floor window of my house and threw cinder blocks on them just to see what would happen; smashed brand new windows, sprayed a hose through an open window on my sleeping mom.

I mean the list goes on and on and on and on. And yet, of course, I was a straight A student with outlandish test scores; testing at the 12th grade level in 4th and 5th grade. And so they forgave me all the time; said I was bored.

I thank God every day they did.

I never did those things because I was evil. Truth is, I don't why I did those stupid things; probably because I could get away with them and they made people laugh.

But the reason I say all these things is because my own children exhibit some of these traits of hyperactivity. They're very intelligent, very kind, very well liked; but they're crazy. Really crazy. My 1-1/2 year old daughter head bangs. She's insane. And my 3-1/2 year old son, despite being able to pronounce words like archeopteryx and unilateral properly, always seems to be looking for a thrill at the expense of some other kid, too.

I watch all these kids get diagnosed with ADHD, think about the parents who are too tired or too taxed to deal with them, or question the diagnosis and wonder: how many future normal people do we misdiagnose because we want them to be quiet and behave "properly?"

I've come to realize that Heidi and I may very well have to be prepared when the kids enter grade to school to exercise them every morning before class to help burn off some morning energy ...

... of course, all this worrying could be premature.

But what do I know? I'm tired and ready for bed.

As a side note, that pic above is from my trip a few weeks ago to raft that Middle Fork of the American; that's from an area called Tunnel Chute.

Until tomorrow (or the next day),
Ed

Too Little Time

Post: 19
Weeks of training complete: 18 weeks, 2 days
Weeks until Ironman: 13 weeks, 5 days
Miles swam: 72.138
Miles biked: 1,046.52
Miles run: 282.3

Fundraising goal: $5,000
Raised to date: $795

I sprinted for 18 minutes today.

You should try that sometime. It's a great way to start your day – coupled with an 1.884 mile swim and 4 miles of additional running on top of the sprint. It's all about conditioning the body to deal with adversity on race day.

It also makes you feel comatose for the entire workday. Good times.

Beck's grandpa and I took him to a baseball game today. Pretty awesome. We gave him the full baseball "experience." This, of course, involved a beer at the bar (a Shirley Temple for him) and tailgating before the game. His grandpa Ed and I bought beer and he got a root beer and we picked up a pizza, then we set up a table and chairs in the back of grandpa's truck and hung out for an hour before we went inside. It was awesome; Beck chilled and told us about his day. And inside, he just hung out and chewed sunflower seeds.

It's closing on 10:30 p.m. and I've got to get up early again tomorrow. So much do to, so little time. I can barely keep my eyes open.

But before I go, I've got to throw a huge thank you to my friends Heather and Mark, who stepped up with a nice donation today towards the cause. Been thinking about you guys a lot; hoping I can somehow see the both of you before the end of the year. It'll be tough, I know, but I want to try. Thank you, thank you, thank you for helping out. As you know, it inspires me to keep going ... makes me feel like I have to keep going.

So thanks, guys.

Good night, all.

Until next time,
Ed

Swept Up

Post #18
Weeks of training complete: 18 weeks, 1 day
Time until Ironman: 13 weeks, 6 days
Miles swam: 70.254
Miles biked: 1,046.52
Miles run: 275.98

Fundraising goal: $5,000
Total money raised: $720

My wife has made me start sweeping the floors on an every-other-day basis (we take turns). At first, I bristled at the notion. With cooking, cleaning the dishes, putting the kids to bed, getting ready for the next day, there's already so much to do that sweeping the dining room, kitchen and living room floors just seemed like another pain-in-the-ass aspect to finishing out the day. Just another obstacle to those precious 15 minutes of "me time" before bed.

But between the time of her request and now, something has happened. I kind of like sweeping the floors.

The crap I sweep up is, literally, a trip through memories forgotten from days past. You know how they say technology speeds up our life, makes us forget about the small things, the simple things we see when we slow life down?

The vaccum cleaner does it, too.

Take today, for example. While sweeping the living room, I swept up, and then remembered, the following:

• An unpopped popcorn kernel: Reminded me of Friday night when we had friends over for dinner. We drank beer, while our kids and their kids watched a movie in the living room. Good memory, it made me smile.

• A red sequin: Reminded me of our trip Sunday morning to the Phoenix Children's Museum. Beck and Brody made a wide variety of things in the art studio. Beck an Olympic flag, with 28 rings (6 blurred and smudged), as opposed to the standard 5-ring flag. Brody, various pieces of felt and rubber glued together into a 2-inch thick blob and held together with 17.5 times the necessary amount of Elmer's glue. There were sequins on both of their projects, too. Some obviously fell off in the living room: Good memory.

• A "sausage" ball from a $1.99 frozen pizza. Sunday night, I was craving really spicy food, so I opted to marinate some pork in chipotle, cumin, chili powder with onions, garlic, carrots and various peppers in broth until it thickened. I knew the kids wouldn't eat it, so I let them eat frozen pizza, in the living room, while we all hung out together. Good memory, again. The day-old "sausage" ball was pretty gross. Still edible, though, I bet.

• A string cheese wrapper: One day Beck will learn how to use a garbage can.

So you get the idea. Of course, these trips down memory lane don't always apply to the kitchen and dining room. Half the time I don't recognize what I sweep up there. Seriously, I swept something up today and I couldn't tell if it was smushed cantaloupe or the tail of a shrimp.

Heidi just read that and said, "Eeewwwww." What until I tell you guys about "meat juice" - something I have to drink for really long distance Ironman training sessions. That's a post for another day, though.

In other news, time is creeping up on the donations deadline. I've still got $4,280 to go and just under 14 weeks to do it. They'll be a few charity events coming up in the near future, so keeps your eyes on your e-mail inboxes for invites.

In the interim, if you're interested in donating, there's a direct link to do so by credit card on the top of the sidebar on the right.

Until next time,
Ed

Easy like Sunday morning

Post #: 17

Weeks of training complete: 18 weeks

Time until Ironman: 14 weeks

Miles swam: 70.254

Miles biked: 1,046.52

Miles run: 275.98

Goal: $5,000
Total money raised: $720

We've been faced with the possibility that our lives will dramatically change in the new few months. With Heidi's company in Chapter 11 bankruptcy, it's hard to know exactly what the next few months hold for us. The company is closing stores, letting people go. It's like that a lot in Arizona these days, though not as bad, I suppose, as places like Michigan and Illinois, where cities have been hit doubly hard.

This potential change has forced us to run through a lot of potential options - do we sell the house and downsize? Have confidence that we'll find another job? Rein in the budget and make do on the absolute necessities until the economy regains steam? Conversely, should Heidi go back to school and re-educate herself in a field that has a long-term demand growth curve? You know, like something in the medical field? We've made lots of lists and looked at lots of numbers and a few days ago, I was certain we were going to sell the house.

I think it was my dad that talked me out of it. See, as anybody who watches the news all over the country knows, Arizona's housing market has taken an absolute beating. Homes that were selling for $350,000 are selling for $175,000. It really is that bad. But there are pockets in Phoenix that have held up, and we're fortunate enough to be in one of those pockets, centrally located close to Arizona State University, which economic downturn or not keeps growing into a monstrous behemoth (with a football team that's going to kick some serious ass this year - that means you Bulldogs). And, as my dad said, if the price is holding through this downturn, imagine what it's going to do when the market comes back. I think he's right, too. I can't help but escape the feeling we'd kick ourselves in the ass for years to come if we moved.

We have to bear down and find alternative solutions. So we're working on it. We're blessed, anyway, to have the luxury fo some time.

The days are gradually getting nicer here. We had more rain (again!!!) last night and the sky was clear and blue. Clouds kept the sun at bay until about 7 a.m. this morning and there was a gentle breeze. Perfect running weather.

Today, I'm planning on spending some time with the kids - maybe take them to the park. Then I've got some work to do at the office. But now, I've got to sign off. Training continues to ramp up. Big weeks ahead - and two weeks from today, my first race - an Olympic distance tri (.9 mile swim, 24.8 mile bike, 6.2 run)

Talk soon.

Cheers,

Ed

Olympic spirit and the things that matter most

Post #: 17
Weeks of training complete: 17 weeks, 2 days
Time until Ironman: 14 weeks, 5 day
Miles swam: 66.186
Miles biked: 907.97
Miles run: 257.38

Goal: $5,000

Total money raised: $720

I didn't realize how addicted to the Olympics I'd become - not that I have a chance to watch much of it - but I've gotten a chance to see more of it than I thought I would.

Watching the athletes is a total inspiration - Michael Phelps, the cyclers, the gymnasts, some of the swimmers who've sort been overshadowed by Phelps, guys like Aaron Piersol and Natalie Coughlie, who I believe, is from my old home state of New Jersey.

I swam the fastest 3,000-meter swim of my life this morning - about 54 or 55 minutes if you take out the rest periods required by the training plan; just over an hour with them. What's amazing is that it used to take me that long to swim 1,500 meters. And I'd get out of the pool exhausted. Now I get out of the pool and run 6.5 miles before breakfast. I also sprint (for me) miles. I ran two miles in 15 minutes in the middle of that longer 6.5 mile run. It's crazy to feel yourself get so much stronger; to feel your body change. I'm also eating anywhere between 3,700 and 5,500 calories a day now depending on the day. People told me about a graphic on NBC last night that showed that Phelps ate 10,000. Intense ...

A few days ago, I asked Heidi what she thought about me getting an Ironman tattoo if I finish the race. She thought it wasn't necessarily a bad idea, but I don't think I could do it, and my thinking goes like this - if I'm going to permanently ink my body, I want it to symbolize my greatest achievement, the thing I'm most proud of. That, of course, is losing my virginity when I was 16 ...

... just kidding.

Honestly, that thing is my relatonship with Heidi, my wife, and our beautiful family. Nothing means more to me that. Nothing even comes close.

The funniest thing about training for something like this is the amount of pressure this can put on your family. You're gone, a lot.

It's a strange dichotomy. I do things like the Ironman because I want to be healthy for my children and family as I age. So, in essence, I do it for them. And yet, in the process, I see them less. Even when I get up at 4:30 and get out the door by 4:45, I still miss those precious wake-up hours, when the kids climb out of bed and are excited to see you, four times a week. The other three Heidi is at the gym.

I think when training is over, it's those moments I'll cherish most - hanging with the kids with a cup of coffee as the sun comes up. Crashing on the couch in PJs watching Sesame Street and Dora and Yo Gabba Gabba. Eating muffins and planning what we're going to do with our day - the park, the zoo, the train park, something new and exciting?

But this, this Ironman thing, it's good, too. I've become more efficient, more organized, mentally stronger, more resilient, a better decision maker. I'm changing again. I can't explain it. But somehow, all of this teaches you even more the fleeing nature of time, the frailty of existence, the need to make the most of the experience and prevent fear from getting in your way. I can see the finish line, feel it, know it's almost there. I want it.

And then I want to rest, for many, many, many days, with the people I love the most. With the only things, honestly, that really, truly, matter to me.

60 miles ... but who's counting?

Post #: 16
Weeks of training complete: 16 weeks, 6 days
Time until Ironman: 15 weeks, 1 day
Miles swam: 64.302
Miles biked: 895.62
Miles run: 242.24

Goal: $5,000
Total money raised: $720

Today I banged off the biggest ride of the training yet - a 4,500 calorie eating 60 mile bike ride followed by a quick 3 mile run - and I was exhausted; absolutely fried. Got up at 4:30 a.m. and was on the road by 4:45 a.m. And here it is, almost 8 p.m., and a trip to the train park with the kids, the grocery store, the department store, a birthday party and two meals, here I am, waiting for Beck to finish pooping so I can finally, finally have just a few minutes of rest before I get up tomorrow morning and bike 12 miles and run close to 10 ...

... Last night, sitting on the couch with Heidi, I bragged - I can do this Ironman right now. I'm ready. Tomorrow. Well, let me recant that statement. I am not ready. Today's workout ran me ragged. I've got much work to do to prepare for the Iron distance. I am so tired the thought of tomorrow's work out scares me. But I'll push on.

On a more inspiring note, my cousin Karen donated to the cause today. Karen - it's always nice to hear from you. Thank you for thinking of me and for helping out. It means more than you can possibly imagine and helps me to get up tomorrow and push through another day of training. I'd write more, now, but I'm so tired and I have to pack for tomorrow's work out. Until next time ...

- Ed

Whatcha, whatcha want?

Post #: 15
Weeks of training complete: 16 weeks, 3 day
Time until Ironman: 15 weeks, 4 days
Miles swam: 60.534
Miles biked: 825.5
Miles run: 234.39

Goal: $5,000
Total money raised: $670

Right now, as I type, there's a stack of envelopes under my arm: lots of bills, to be exact. Electric, gas, Motor Vehicle Division registration fees, gas, medical. They feel good under my arms; such a nice, thick stack – providing all that padding. Who knew bills could provide such a useful service?

I've been super, super busy as of late. School is almost back in session and that means College Times is mega busy. There's more projects and more stuff going on than I can keep track of – and that's a good thing. The scope of the paper's reach continues to grow at a rate that even astounds me. Our popularity among PHX area college students is almost too massive to exaggurate and our web traffic continues to soar. There were periods in July where College Times was the second most read media online in the entire PHX area among print, radio and televison, only to The Arizona Republic. I could never have imagined such success.

I haven't had a lot of time to pontificate much on what's been going through my mind or what we've been up to. I've made a pact with myself lately - because things are so busy between work, family and training - that I would limit the amount of pressures that I placed on myself. That means no work past 6:00 p.m., no blogging on days I'm tired, going to bed when I'm tired and adjusting or altering my schedule as much as possible if I need a break from the endless days that start at 4:45 a.m.

As I type this, I'm listening to Heidi coach my sister through her daughter's first sickness. I feel bad for Electa - it's scary when your baby gets sick. They're so helpless and can't tell you what's wrong.

A few blogs ago, I know I mentioned that Beck had been telling students he was going to "kill them" or "stab them," but I never did elaborate on the whole story. So, I'll share that.

Basically, a month ago, in a two or three week period, we took Beck to the movie theater three times. Twice to see Kung Fu Panda and once to see Wall-E. Somehow, out of that, he decided he was some kind of ninja robot; throw in all the commericals and hype that started up a few weeks later for Batman: The Dark Knight and we had an even more interesting combination.

Apparently, Beck thought he was some sort of Kung Fu Fighting Batman robot whose job it was was to kill people, including the kids in his class. Of course, he doesn't really know what "killing people" is, but that didn't stop him from saying it. This went on for a couple days, and then on about the third day, another parent witnessed Beck telling another kid he was going to kill him.

In this era of hyperparanoid parents who believe 3-year-olds should act like 27-year-olds, that doesn't always go over so well. Luckily, Beck's school is reasonable, even if the parents are not.

What else ... Hmmm ... oh, I've lost about 20 pounds since I started training. That's some crazy shiznit. Oh, and I have about a 68-75 mile bike ride this weekend. That should be a blast. I sort of mean that, seriously. I'm excited to bike far, far from home. It always amazes me how far you can travel on bike.

Well, that's it. I wanted to write tonight, but didn't necessarily have much to say. Just wanted to catch up with y'all. 'Cuz we're good like that, me and you. We're friends, right?

Nighty night,
Ed

The Halfway Point

Post #: 14
Weeks of training complete: 16 weeks, 1 day
Time until Ironman: 15 weeks, 6 days
Miles swam: 59.292
Miles biked: 812.73
Miles run: 228.79

Goal: $5,000
Total money raised: $670

Unbelievably, amazingly, I have passed the half way point – not in terms of miles, by any stretch – but in terms of days. As of this morning, I have trained more days than I have left to train. On the fundraising side, well, obviously we're not quite there yet, but I know that number will start to ratchet up quickly as the final weeks approach.

I have to be pretty quick with my post tonight. Not a lot of time, and a lot of stuff to do. Blogger's even being quirky tonight. It won't upload pictures.

Spent a nice weekend at the in-laws cabin this weekend on the Mogollon Rim. It was in the 110s here - and 79 and raining when we got there. Amazing what a 90-minute drive can do in Arizona. We had a very relaxing Saturday; went hiking, played Wii bowling with Beckett, went to nice mountain restaurant with a patio. Heidi and I had a beer; Beck and Brody had french fries and ice cream which, as anybody knows, is the kid equivalent of having a beer.

I've been getting faster - much faster. I can run a 7:03 mile now. I haven't been that fast since I was 12, when I ran a 5:59. It's hard to believe I used to run a 5:59-mile when I was 12, but it's true. I once placed 7th in the county in New Jersey in the county-wide championship.

Anyway, I've gotta go do the dishes now.

Cheers,
Ed