The Great Race - view from the WaterBoy

MVG and I were scheduled to run in the great race on Sept 25. Unfortunately, I injured my leg 10 days prior to the race, so I could not run... I played the role of a WaterBoy for the runners at the finish line (passing out hundreds of bottles of water, before going home and passing out myself).

It was a perfect day for the run. There were 16 runners from Initech in the race (including MVG, Mrs. Fit and my Alter Ego). MVG did very well in the run, finishing the 10k (6.2 miles) in under 60 minutes, taking the "fastest female at Initech" award. There were about 8,000 runners in the race, it was quite a sight to see. Perhaps next year we will both be in it (if I don't overtrain and injure myself again).


P.S. My leg is scheduled to be better by mid October... in case you were wondering.

The New Me

So, I have been feeling a bit 'blah' lately about my workouts, so last week I talked to Ms. Fit about them, and she had me schedule a 'session' to change my workout. Today was that session. It was HARD. I don't think I've had a workout that hard since I was in college... a LONG time ago. I didn't puke though (I'm pleased to report), although, one more set and I may have. Here is the run-down on my last two sets:

• Concentration Curls - I could only do 15 lbs (usually I do 30 lbs)... at the end, I couldn't even lift the weight, I rolled it over to Ms. Fit to put away for me.
  
• Curls (in the machine) - I couldn't even do a single one at 10 lbs (keep in mind this was with both arms).
  

I'm not a wimp!

Despite this ending, I maintain that I'm not a wimp, I simply worked to utter exhaustion... so much that I had to lay in the fetal position on the floor in the Gym for a while (my nose was even tingling). I recovered (thankfully) in time to ride my bike home from work, but I felt a bit like this guy looks ->

Anyway, my arms are MUCH too tired to continue typing, we'll see what Ms. Fit has in store for me tomorrow.

Bye.

MVG's Driving Adventure

...but first, a bruise update
Before getting into the retelling of the 'Voyage Home' from MVG, first I want to update you all on the bruise from the cycling incident. Here is a picture of what the bruise looks like on day 2... nasty. Speaking of cycling, MVG and I rolled out the bikes for another ride today, a hilly endeavor through Sewickley and the hills around it. A nice day, with much nicer motorists (also, much fewer).
MVG had overcome the fatigue from the voyage, and was ready to tackle a challenging ride (she surprised me at one point and PASSED ME on a hill - going up). Unfortunately, I forgot the Starbuck's card, or anything resembling cash, so we couldn't stop for our celebratory coffee.

The Projectile
I was on the phone to MVG on the morning of the departure (Friday, Sept 2). The shuttle craft was leaving the Great White North at 7:30am (for what usually is a 5 - 5 1/2 hour journey). Here are some notes of interest to set the mood for the drive:

• Pointy purchased a slot machine (henceforth referred to as 'The Projectile')
  
• Pointy and Sammy don't really get along or like one another
  
• Sammy likes to stop frequently for FULL meals, as well as 'Turnpike Shopping'
  
• The occupants of the shuttle craft had spent the entire week together, and were all out of 'small talk'
  

I had organized the seating arrangements for the occupants of the shuttle in a conversation with MVG earlier in the week. I used an algorithm that would afford MVG both maximum comfort and safety. It is as follows:

1) MVG should NEVER sit in front of 'The Projectile' in case of a crash
2) MVG should MINIMIZE sitting next to 'The Projectile' for the sake of comfort.
3) 'The Projectile' should sit in the rear passenger side seat.
4) Pointy should MAXIMIZE his time next to the projectile (reduction in comfort as a penalty of purchase, and chance of crash is low)
5) When Pointy is not next to 'The Projectile', he should be driving (again to reduce any chance at comfort), and MVG should be positioned in the rear driver's side seat.
6) By process of elimination, Sammy will ALWAYS be in front of 'The Projectile'.

If there is a crash, Pointy would (if not belted in) provide a softer projectile than the actual projectile (which is, in fact, more pointy than Pointy is.)

Okay, so back to the actual trip. I may as well tell you the duration now, to get it over with... but you have to promise to continue reading (in case the duration was the only reason you have been reading thus far). It was 10 hours. TEN HOURS. The pickup of 'The Projectile' added a significant amount of time, since Pointy did not, in fact, know where 'The Projectile' was located in the state of Michigan (he left the map in his hotel room in the Great White North). Fortunately, MVG had used mapquest the night before to plot it, and had a vague recollection of where it was hidden... a BP petrol station provided the missing link en route. After gathering 'The Projectile', the next stop was a rest area (a.k.a. Grease Pit) on the Ohio Turnpike. Sammy had a milkshake, Pointy had a burger, and MVG ate her pre-packed Clif Bar.

Upon arrival at Pointy's house, MVG had to help pointy remove 'The Projectile' (which, by the way, weighed in at over 250 pounds... slightly more than Pointy himself). They wrestled 'The Projectile' (somehow) into Pointy's basement and set it up next to the other similar projectiles. From this point, Sammy took the helm of the shuttle craft, and began the 60 minute half hour hell ride to return MVG home (1/2 hour drive that took a full hour). Apparently Sammy does not have ANY depth perception, so is unable to detect if she is about to plow into the back of another vehicle. Fortunately, she drives far to slow to have this occur.

Anyhow, that is the story as told to me from MVG, and is the reason why she is so tired...

P.S. She has a sore back now, probably from lifting 'The Projectile', and may have to miss some work due to the pain.

Until next time, signing off... VG

What is wrong with people?

People Suck!
So, yesterday (the start of a lovely long weekend), MVG and I decide to go for a bike ride (despite her lingering fatigue from the 10 hour return drive from the Great White North with a 250 pound projectile... details later). We started at our lovely abode, and rode down to the valley. En route to the valley, we spotted a lady on the side of the road adjusting her mountain bike, when an SUV passes her and somebody within it throws a pop at her (similar to the image shown, but NOT actually a Big Gulp). Of course, it hit her... WHAT IS WRONG WITH PEOPLE? I'm really baffled by this behavior, it JUST DOESN'T MAKE ANY SENSE. I cannot even begin to comprehend what (other than air) is going on in the head of a person that would do that.

We continued on our way, travelling along the riverside. I was out in front, so did not witness the next act of sheer stupidity that was performed by a so called member of the human race, but MVG did witness in the sense that she was the victim. While riding along the lovely route by the river, a car (on the opposite side of the road) approached, MVG witnessed an arm come out from the driver's side of the vehicle and throw something towards her. It narrowly missed her head, but hit her in the right thigh causing a large swelling and bruise. I HATE PEOPLE is the only thing I can conjure up. A person that does this obviously has no respect for life of any sort, so therefore, has no right to life himself. Unfortunately, we did not get a license plate number, otherwise a call to the police would have ensued with the intent to lay a charge of assault.

Here is a photo of the bruise that was left on MVG's leg from this senseless act. I'm tempted to carry golf balls with me on a bike ride to hurl back at the fools in the cars.

So, I will now sign off, still in my state of rage. Thanks to the stupid F%ck that ruined our ride.