20 July

Bike Mileage: 36

Swim: 52 laps/45 minutes

My ride started out ok. It was partly cloudy and in the mid-60s.  As I was completing my first circuit, I heard someone speaking off the side of the trail. Didn't sound like a bum or a drunk. I thought they were in the covered bench area and I didn't see them because I was focused on the pavement ahead of me. Didn't think twice about it. As I was coming back around, I see a flash and voila, the doofus starts shooting off fireworks right in front of me. I just stopped. He must have shot off six of them, different colors. Sparks were coming down on the pavement and had I been riding through, I'd probably been burned. When it seemed like he was finished, I just rode through. Thankfully, he must have entertained himself sufficiently or ran out of firepower. About five miles later, I encountered a commuter and I warned him about the potential assault awaiting him. Thankfully, the only other exciting encounter was coming up on five or six raccoons in the 2nd underpass. They scattered when they saw me coming!  Never saw so many of them congregating in one place. Thirty-six miles completed.  And it wasn't even a full moon.

Another absolutely boring day at work, but there might be light at the end of the tunnel. Just a small ray of it, so I'm trying not to get my hopes up.

It was cloudy, threatening rain most of the day, and temps in the high 70s/low 80s. The pool wasn't crowded, as a consequence.  I took it easy swimming because my legs were pretty fried from my weight workout earlier in the day.  After about a half hour, I started getting a little cold but I was determined to do 50 laps.  "Occasional rain/thunder" is the weather word for the week, so I have to get in my outdoor activities when the weather cooperates.

Cheers to the Weekend!

Saturday started nice because I slept really well Friday night. Our "Margot countermeasures" worked like a champ, as she slept the entire night and made no fuss going into her crate.  I was a little worried that I was going to encounter either rain or wet pavement on my ride but the storms either died out over the mountains or missed us.  Started out a bit windy but there was a discernible increase in the wind speed as the ride progressed. NW winds, of course, which means in the direction of the upward slopes and worst of the hills. Conversely, the tailwinds were lovely and had me hauling azz. I rode my Eclipse and after spending most of the last week on my ti Seven, I really enjoyed the nice feel of riding a steel bike!  The noteworthy moment on this 43 mile ride was encountering a dude, dressed in a black "wife beater" shirt and black shorts, who saluted me by waving  his skateboard at me and saying "cheers."  As I said "hey" and as I passed by, he climbed on his board and went in the other direction. The board really was a piece of art---there were bright designs painted on it and it was a shiny black.  Moments like that make it worthwhile to drag myself out early before the usual crowd of non-interesting citizens hog up the trail!

We went swimming and quite to our surprise, it was just about deserted. Probably because a group of autistic kids was scheduled to show up.  In any event, I had the lap lane to myself for my entire 80 lap swim. It was partly sunny and not super warm.  When we got home, we had another big pizza, then I took a two-hour nap. 

Sunday began with a chilly 46 mile ride. It was in the low 60s and humidity was quite low. The sky was completely clear, so I was able to enjoy the lovely early morning stars and a bright crescent moon. Rode my Eclipse again. It was an uneventful ride, which was just what I needed. After I got home, I got each of the girls out for her walk.  "Alone time" with mommy!  LOL. Margot is getting better and better on her leash, taking it in her mouth, just like Fiona, and pulling me along.  "I'm in charge, this way, pick up the pace please."  Her harness is getting a bit tight, so next week, I'm probably going to have to break out the next size one. 

We got to the pool, right before scheduled opening time to find madness. Today was the swim team's "family" time--an annual event where they take over the pool for two hours before opening. Despite efforts by management to get them out, many of them stayed. The head life guard, Igor--a fractious Serbian, said to me, "good luck finding room to swim."  I replied, "well, you'll get them out of the way for me!"  LOL  I was able to find us some lounge chairs and the lap lane was vacant, aside from some woman, standing in the water next to the ladder talking to a pal.  In the adjacent area of the pool, there was a rowdy game of keep away going on, the object of which was this big pink beach ball.  It, of course, kept coming into the lap area as I was swimming. After nicely but very stridently asking the kids to keep out of the way (they would linger in the lap area when fetching the errant ball), they were more or less courteous.  I ended up swimming 80 laps in about 70 minutes.  Brian read and napped on his chair. Thank God it's a once-a-season event. The old lady (aka Flipper) showed about after about 25 minutes, so I moved myself to the further side of the lap area so she would be furthest way from the rascals and their antics.  Later, she thanked me.  She, too, was annoyed by the crowd and their rudeness.  

It was a decent day, weather-wise, mostly cloudy but cooler than usual for this time of year.  No nap, which probably was just as well since tomorrow is back to the grind.

13-17 July

Monday: It was hard to get out of bed this morning, but once I was up, dressed, and on the bike, I was OK. I slogged out 36 miles, but I was pretty tired from the active weekend. Highlight of this ride: saw a big duck or owl fly right over me. After a very tumultuous day at work, I went for a swim, looking for relaxation. It was a madhouse---crowded, particularly in the lap lane (people standing by the side, not swimming, & a group of teenage boys swimming one lap at lunch & taking a break). Regardless, I gutted it out, tried not to get frustrated, and swam 40 laps (35 minutes). My shoulders were sore from lifting weights at lunch.

Tuesday: I was expecting it to be very cool this morning, as they predicted temps in the low 60s. It was in the high 60s with low humidity. I saw a young doe, eating foliage. Got in my usual 36 mile ride but I focused on riding in the easier gears to give my legs a bit of a break.  Work was very busy, and while I got a lot done, I left there stressed out. The girls made it worse when I got home (Fiona wouldn't come inside and I had to go round her up, never easy).  Regardless, I went to the pool and found the lap swim area blessedly uncrowded.  I enjoyed every lap---swam 50 laps, 40-45 minutes. I really didn't want to get out of the pool but stopped myself at 50.

Wednesday:  A non-eventful 36 mile ride to start the day. Nice weather, but cooler than yesterday and a touch more humid.  Stars were bright and I saw several foxes. Work was pretty uneventful---I've pretty much run out of things to do.  The girls were much better behaved when I got home, and Fiona came right in. I got to the pool a bit earlier, as a consequence, and I managed to do a repeat of Tuesday (50 laps--40-45 mins).  It was more crowded than Tuesday and a bratty little boy kept coming into the lap lanes to retrieve his ball. I asked him a couple times not to throw the ball into my lane, but he persisted. Finally, I just yelled at him. The lifeguard finally noticed and whistled for him to stop.  LOL, I also scared the annoying little girls who had joined me in the lap lane and kept drifting over toward me. I seem to be a magnet for these little girls---this wasn't the first time they've seen me swimming and joined me. While they move over when I ask them, very nicely, to do so, watching out for them is something I'd prefer not to do.  Anyway, I must have scared the hell out of them by yelling at the kid because they promptly got out of the water. LOL

Thursday:  I dragged myself out of bed to ride this morning, expecting possible rain showers. It was dry and no signs of rain on the ground or on the radar.  My legs were wiped out, so I took it at a higher cadence, easier gears.  Churned out my usual 36 mile ride. Wednesday's leg workout was tough, as I increased the weight on presses, extensions, and hamstring curls.  After work, I went swimming.  It was the hottest day so far this summer, but the place was not too packed. I cranked out 50 laps in 45 minutes.

TGIF: Margot is in her "me not want to sleep at night" phase, so things have been rough. Lots of barking. I was relieved to pull myself out of bed and go for my bike ride. Peace!  It was quite warm so I encountered a few people on their way home from "last night."  One guy kept making weird noises at me.  Harmless but the first time, he startled me.  Got in my usual 36 miler.  At work, I had absolutely nothing to do so I left right after doing my required time.  In addition, there was what looked like storms on the radar and I didn't want to get stuck in it on the already-hellish Friday commute home.  I hit a few momentary patches of rain--light to big drops---during my drive. When I got home, I checked the radar again and everything seemed to be clearing the area. I fed the girls and high tailed it to the pool.  Because of the threatening skies, the place was not crowded.  As I was swimming, I could see the skies getting the deep dark storm cloud blue, and before long, it started to rain. Nothing intense, thank goodness, and no thunder. Soon, I was the one swimmer in the pool. It was nice, even though the temperature was dropping a little. There were a few swimming lessons still going on, though, so I wasn't the only person in the water. Got in my planned 50 laps in about 45 minutes, then headed home.  We had a big pizza dinner, which was a great way to cap off an active work week (active in terms of my leisure-time activities).

What a Weekend

Saturday: It's a mostly cloudy Saturday but for now, dry. I started the morning off with a 43 mile bike ride.  It was warmer than yesterday, but not too humid. The highlight was seeing a young doe.  While I felt pretty strong despite my active week, I tried to keep my pace under control.  Rain is predicted for later today, possibly in to tomorrow morning, so I wanted to enjoy this one.

Bunnies are overtaking the south part of the neighborhood. The girls love seeing them during their walks. We don't have any in our yard. Yet. That's good because the tomatoes, so far, have been unmolested by squirrels and other animals.

Margot was such a champ on her walk Saturday morning. I was able to get her in the harness while she was still sleepy, so it was an easier start. She was strutting on her walk, with her leash in her mouth. I'm amazed at how well she is doing on walks. When we got home, she wanted a second breakfast. Growing so fast.

Saturday's swim went well, particularly since it was my first time with my new polarized goggles. Makes a huge difference not to have the sun in my eyes. In addition, these goggles give better peripheral vision. Took it at a measured clip and logged 80 laps in about 75 minutes. 

Sunday: The rain predicted for Saturday night into Sunday morning avoided us for the most part, so I got in a dry 43 mile ride. There were some signs that there might have been a brief shower in South Arlington (a couple patches of drying pavement), but things were bone dry in North Arlington/Falls Church.  It was very, very humid, so the gnats were out in full force.  

Got the pool right when they opened, which was good since I had to share the lap area with several folks.  A couple of whom were sloppy in terms of splashing.  I ended up sticking it out and doing 90 laps, making this my longest session in the pool. Really didn't take any breaks, either. It was mostly sunny and the warmest day in awhile.  My shoulder and neck are a little sore, so I'll do some yoga after giving the girls their dinner. 

The Rest of the Work Week

Thursday started on with my regular 36-mile ride. Cool, bright full moon, dry, nice. I'm trying not to get used to this weather because rain is inevitable. In the meantime, I'm enjoying every dry mile. 

 I went to the pool after work. Came home first to let out the girls and give Margot a little break from the crate. Thankfully, it wasn't crowded at the pool and I was able to swim 50 laps, more freestyle than breast stroke!  Because the sun was in my eyes on my laps "back," it was a little tough.  Breast stroke, I'm facing south coming back, so the sun isn't an issue. Spent about 45 minutes in the water.

Friday's 36 mile ride was nice. Notable moments:  saw a big-eared young fox carrying either a dead rat or dead rabbit in its mouth, heading off to have breakfast. Also passed a bird, sleeping in the middle of the pavement!  Another clear, bright moonlit sky. 

After a pretty stressful commute home, I let the girls out, fed them, and went swimming. It was so nice because they had an extra lane blocked off for lap swim, and I had it to myself most of the time.  That was probably because it was cloudy and in the low 80s.  I ended up swimming about 50 minutes//60 laps. 

I might have found another place to swim after the summer pool season ends. Keeping my fingers crossed because I don't want to have to go to the crowded HS pool exclusively.

Back to the Grind

Back to work.... 

Started the day with a bright moon-lit  36 mile bike ride. The weather was nice, warmer than it's been.  Encountered another early bird cyclist on his way to work.

There's a swim meet tonite so I can't go to the pool. Just as well because I need a day off from the water.

Full Moon, Bright Sun

My last day off for awhile.   I'm hoping to take a day in August before Labor Day, but it'll depend. 

Started off with a very nice 43-mile bike ride. The moon was very bright and gave some nice "moon light."  The very few clouds did little to obscure it. Not surprisingly, I was pretty tired -- particularly my legs -- during the ride. I've had very active past week. Going back to work tomorrow, while dreaded, will give me a bit of an enforced rest.

Maeve, Fiona, and Margot got walks, which all three enjoyed. Margot has taken to the leash better than any golden puppy we've raised, including the wonderful, perfect Agnes. Maeve is much better than she had been so long as we don't encounter any humans/animals. Fiona is a bit of  a dwaddler, sniffing this and that, but she doesn't linger as much as she used to due to my drill sergeant ways. 

The sun persisted, so it heated up nicely. I had a marvelous time at the pool. Because I knew it was unlikely that I'll swim tomorrow, I did extra work. Ended up swimming MOSTLY freestyle, which was an accomplishment, and focusing on technique. I cranked out 80 laps in 75 minutes.  It was very relaxing but my shoulders are really feeling it now. I'm so happy that I rediscovered my love of the water and of swimming. The more time I spend in the pool, I become more confident a swimmer. Actually felt strong today, too.

Came home to find that the mailman brought my two new swimsuits!