Keeping The Faith and Why Worrying is Never Any Good


First of all ....its amazing how mild the temps have gotten. Just yesterday it was unbearable. Close to -5 with the windchill factored in.
Now its downright balmy, shorts weather...and most definitely bike temps. Too bad I'm tapering.

Well- I should have known that I was worrying fot nothing as far as the calf pain I had the other day. After taking Monday off ,stretching and icing it and some Advil its all good again !!

Did a 6 mile run with some pick ups and MP duration at miles 4 & 5 with no issues. Its a HUGE relief to tell you the truth as I have so much vested in this race.

So know its just a few more days of very light treadmill workouts and then Carbo load sessions and its off to Cape Cod for Sundays race.

In the meantime....I'm flying solo til Wednesday and my girls left for NYC yesterday to do some shopping.
Amanda invited 3 of her best pals from school to go along since they need to look for dresses and a tux for her debutante ball this August.
I love seeing her so excited about this ball. Technically its called a Quincenierra.
Its a Spanish tradition that roots on my wife's side of the family. Basically its like a Bat Mitzvah where a young lady that is turning 15 is announced to their friends and family as a young lady of distinction.

As usual my wife has gone all out with this shin dig.

We've rented a place similar to a country club that has an elegant ball room/reception hall for just these types of functions.
Our friend celebrated the big 50 there last year and I was quite impressed with the production and the food.

Amanda is such a gift ! We are very lucky to have such a wonderful child in our life . It saddens me though everytime I think about the fact that I only have her for 3 more years until she has to go off for college.
I've just about spent everyday of her life with her.
She really is my Best Friend !

In other news I was so bummed that I didn't get a chance to see President Bill Clinton speak in Albany last week., He was in town for the Black and Puerto Rican legislators of New York's annual dinner and I heard it was open to the paying public.

I think Americans in general are finally realizing how well they had it when he was President. e is such a wise , and eloquent man. There is a tremendous amount of passion that man has for his country and its dis-enfranchised.
Truly a friend and champion of minority groups.

America needs to pass legislation that allows a great encumbent president the opportunity to run for a 3rd term just like FDR was able to.

I realize that the end of Mr. Clinton's term was rather tumultous and scandal ridden,but all great men have their faults. If that is his biggest downfall...........I'll take it over what we are going through at the moment.

The world hates the USA right now. I hear it from friends that are living outside of the US, some temporary, other as expatriots.
We are percieved as was mongers and opportunists that feel compelled to police the world by invading at will.

I love this country! I always have and always will.

As an American I feel that we need a major sea change. We need a period of self reflection and humility. Until we embrace this, countries like Iran and groups like Al-qaeda will continue to spend all their resources and waking hours plotting to kill Americans everywhere.

While we continue on this path, our work force dwindles in productivity. Our resources for positive industrial growth are at a standstill while other former third world countries continue to strive.
Why ? Because they are not spending one red cent in a futile and useless crusade. They're too busy becoming an industrial Giant !

America ! Wake Up folks ! We are no longer the super power we once were.

Anyways .... I ranted because this has been in my head so much lately. We really need to get our shit together.