Something new on the horizon....,

I think I have run my course with triathlon. I'm not sure just yet but I know that I'm starting to get weary of the "I gotta_______." You know the deal-run, bike, or swim. I'm just a little over it. So, I'm thinking about doing something I've never done before and that's weightlifting.

Stop laughing.

Yeah-I know. Most endurance athletes run like hell from the weights, including me. I'm weak. Very weak. And soft. When I take my shirt off at the pool, folks don't whisper, "he did an Ironman" nor do women swoon. I don't expect six-packs abs and I damn sure don't expect to be "ripped." But, I do expect some improvement and strength gains pretty damn quick. I have just really decided that I'm going to retool my body and strengthen all the parts I've ignored over the years.

Gotta do my homework but I think it's cool. It sure has got me motivated. We'll see what happens....,

I think I'm done.....,

So, I swam last night and things are not any better. While the shoulder may be okay in the eyes of the doc, I'm starting to realize that I ain't getting younger and this is the only body I have. I tend to agree with others when they say balance is the key to a happy life. Tri-Geeks tend to be obsessive and overly motivated to achieve more and more. That drive often decimates the body during a season creating an entire new motivation of rehab and getting stronger.

I'm tired. And frankly, I'm over it.

GC is out there and I know it's just not going to be a pretty thing. I may be able to swim the distance in 55-58 minutes. Maybe. I'm not even sure my shoulder will take that. Then, I'll have to attack the bike to make up time. Assuming I can walk after the bike, the real race starts with the run. I started this year knowing I could do sub-5:30 at GC. Knowing it.

Now I don't even know that I can finish the swim.

That sucks. And it makes me very sad and somewhat depressed. I just need to heal.

I just need some time....,

Diagnosis

So, I went to the guy with all the initials after his name and braced myself for the news.

Nothing is torn. Nothing is broken. Hell, nothing is wrong. Except for the pain. That's what is wrong.

So, what to do?

I went to Busch Gardens in Tampa to mull things over. I ran and biked and studiously avoided any contact with water or goggles. My shoulder still hurts. The doc says it's a chronic overuse injury exacerbated by the fact the shoulder has been separated twice and broken once.

Whatever.

I got back late Saturday and went for a ride on Sunday. Stupid. The winds howled and despite my best efforts, the ride sucked. So, I went to the pool. I pull up to the Y and guess what? The pool is closed. No, not the usual poop excuse but the place was ROBBED last night. Seriously, who in the hell wants to get on the karma train?

So, best case scenario: I swim at Tanner and I'll see how it feels. My goal is to finish the GC swim before dark. I'll really push the bike and aim for a sub 2:30 bike split. It'll take whatever I have left in me to get under 5:50 on the run.

Gulf Coast is gonna hurt a bit....,

MRI Today, Verdict tomorrow

I went to the MRI joint today and had the full treatment. They were nice and when they were done, I even got some oohs and ahhhs as they glanced at my films.

That ain't good.

But, I'm thinking they don't have a clue so I paid with my right kidney and bolted out of there. I'll let you know what the doc says tomorrow.

I did do 60 minutes on the trainer this morning and ran through the gears. Felt really good.

Except for the shoulder.

I went to the Y and cranked out 5 miles in 42 minutes and had lots more under the hood.

But the shoulder got in the way.

So, I'll keep you in the loop but I'm thinking it may be touch and go....,